The Vanquest 'Urban' GOFER 12 Bag: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we're going to talk about a bag from Vanquest which is a sequel to one of my very favorites (the Envoy 13), but with a slightly different style, the 'Urban Series' GOFER 12.

[@michaelbedford8017]

The lack of an ice-axe holster is unfortunately a dealbreaker for me.

[@vanquestgear]

Noted

[@willblake72]

You might think it was an afterthought, but showing size vs. 8.5x11 paper is so important and relatable. Just like the Delica compares are critical. It helps a lot. Cheers.

[@incognitoedc]

Great review. I have an Envoy and love it. When I looked at these as a possible lighted addition, I came to the exact same negative conclusions as you did. Sticking with what I have, but the Velcro on front flap is not as grippy.

[@BumblebeeElectron]

After a lot of searching, I settled on the Vanquest Addax 18 as my dedicated tech bag. A great, great bag. Lots of compartments for separating gear while still retaining versatility. Perfect for a 15"or 16" MacBook Pro and an iPad, several external drives, tools, cables, chargers, gorillapod, and lots more.

[@Michael-zf1ko]

Very interesting bag. It might work well as a personal item to go along with the Peak Design carry-on sized backpack I just got. I can agree with the outside velcro, though. But, I would overall say that's a pro if you look at the sheer amount of choices for 3rd party velcro patches. Great way to add some personal flair if you can find something you like to put there.

[@jsirius94]

I agree with your complaint about the velcro on the front of the bag. None of the other Urban series bags have velcro besides the messenger bags.

[@KevinGaeke]

Nice review. Thanks! Do you know how many liters this bag is?

[@L3001USPSA]

Thanks for the review, one week after I bought the Spiderco Vanquest 13 bag. I like the bag a lot, but removed all of those red zipper pulls and replaced with black paracord. Now it doesn't hurt my eyes so much. I wish they made an Envoy 15 because I didn't like the look of the seatbelt strap or nylon handles of the Gofer 15. I just put my 15 inch laptop in the main compartment of the Envoy 13 and it works well enough. I didn't want to go huge to the 17 size.

[@jolness1]

What's that Spyderco bag? This isn't the sort of thing I usually use (prefer a more typical pack) but looks well done.

[@Beak3r]

Vanquest envoy-13

[@Jezus42]

I have a Northface backpack my laptop and shit fits in. I much prefer backpacks more versatile, and nobody notices a northface bag

[@F0XD1E]

I don't carry these kinds of bags but it looks pretty good. I like the grey heather color.

[@ZakWilson]

I think this only screams "EDC nerd" to EDC nerds. Normal people won't give this a second look, and probably won't even notice the Envoy 13 as long as it's not black or camo.

[@John.VanSwearingen]

MOLLE: Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment Not to be confused with MDMA.

[@axelignite9916]

or P.A.L.S

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Nick not bad, though the biggest issue with these types of satchels or indeed backpacks IMO, is the lack of a padded hard case for laptops. Yes solid state construction is inherently quite robust but you still dont wanna drop it, bend it, put somth'n heavy on top of it etc. Also, be it rain, a leaky water bottle, or lunchbox; aint many laptops that are waterproof. Cheers Duke.

[@clintonlewis1261]

Nice bag, I like the gray .

[@willblake72]

Seriously great review. I already have bags but this is tempting

[@davidm8657]

I love how the Spyderco Delica is a standard unit of measure!

[@incysor]

I got the envoy 17 after your review. The 13 was too small for my 15.6" laptop. It's a great bag, but a bit too large. I was excited to see the 15" here, but the smaller bottle pockets make it a hard pass for me. Thanks for the review.

[@system370]

I'd use the front Velcro for patches to personalize the bag. In fact, that's what I thought was neat about the bag.

[@nicks8026]

I’m a Timbuk 2 messenger bag user and have been for years. I’m pretty sure they were the originators of the stabilizer strap. I find bags like this to be over engineered.

[@FriENTlyFire]

I shop in the same market segment that this occupies when I need a bag, in like the EDC-focus but not so much the Tom Clancy LARP aesthetic. If you can get past some of the very blatant gun-guy marketing, I think you should try a vertx EDC ready pack or commuter sling, as in my opinion they do a slightly better attempt at a visually subtle bag.

[@georgeseriani2482]

It's amazing how many people won't bother you if they think you have a CCW!

[@loganholmberg2295]

Ugh I hate this push to using seatbelts for the shoulder strap a lot of companies are doing. It might be stronger but IMO its NOT comfortable. I do like the orange/yellow liner inside. Makes it much easier to find things.

[@vanquestgear]

Great overview Nick!!

[@rabbitslayer42]

Sure there's a f-ton of tactical edc gear but EDC and tactical aren't synonyms.

[@matthuck378]

"EDC" is an unnecessary acronym, and unnecessary acronyms are peak "tacticool." Stuff people carry everyday didn't need this label. eg: A first aid kit doesn't need anything on it other than a red "+" sign. Yet, some tactical marketing 'genius' decided to slap the acronym IFAK on it.

[@jeremybodell3619]

I think I sense a Sinn UTC review coming.

[@Skipper_Jimmy]

NIck thanks for the review. The stabilizing strap is usually referred to as a sternum strap. [Okay I admit it, I am a backpack and bag nerd]

[@Skipper_Jimmy]

Thinking about my reply. On a backpack it is referred to as a sternum strap. On a messenger bag it may or may not be true.

[@kjgas6945]

Thank you Nick

[@dergepard572]

The bag looks really good. I would buy the gray one. Thanks for the introduction. The EDC packs from this brand are also very cool and well made. Excuse me, but I have to tell you. So that they can fix the error. You have very strange noises in your video today.🖖

[@WatchmanNiel]

I have a lot of time for Vanquest products, so I like this, and the 12 size is just right. But velcro closers should have no place high end bags, so that’s not great. The front pockets also seem to lack a bit of utility. I really do not share your view of this being tacticool, 95% of people will not give this bag a second look.

[@3wheelmannc860]

Very nice, but one thing is a no go for me…that tan Vanquest logo tag sticks out like a sore thumb. IMO they should blend that in with the bag color/theme.

[@mancaveedc7596]

Nick, wouldn’t you think for $170 range, in the semi-urban-tactical world, you would get a little higher threat count than 400D? 5.11, for example, although more tactical generally speaking, typically gives you 1050D, or at least 600D

[@mancaveedc7596]

Although i do love the high vis interior of this bag.

[@sreilly688]

Bag would be 100x better looking without that random velcro patch on the front.

[@Jezus42]

Or you could put a nice patch on it like a normal person

[@sreilly688]

@@Jezus42 when did patches on the front of your bag become “normal”?

[@Grant168Johnny81816]

does gofer 12 fit 13.3 inch laptop?

[@daeholm]

Don't care for the velcro closure. I don't want to hear that every time I open the bag. It's nice otherwise though.

[@F0XD1E]

Could always slice those off.

[@Krozin]

definitely some good design here

[@Dev3ATX]

Sold!

[@AriMWeinstein]

Their Urban series backpack is more subtle and sleek than this, much less tactical. Still good work by Vanquest, their quality is top notch.

[@wupwop]

Heck yeah

[@matthuck378]

I read that as Urban Golfer at first.

[@Jezus42]

Northface backpack cheaper more versatility and truly greyman, its a backpack and a nice one at that.

[@murfdizzle4shizzle]

Hook & loop front and center is awful. Ruins the entire aesthetic. Bottle pocket also a fail. Too bad. They were so close to giving us good organization with a sleeker profile, but old habits die hard, I guess. Great review, Nick. Always love the quality, but this one isn’t quite there yet.

[@loganholmberg2295]

It's nice but just like Maxpidetion nowadays that's way too much.

[@sam-ww1wk]

is this for real...

[@bamfordsteele555]

Third! 😂

[@ncsEsper]

First!!!

[@Mr69abody]

Almost grabbed a Spyderco Envoy at the Gathering. I should have, and if it's there next year I will....