Reviewed: Mission First Tactical’s New Bag Line

MFT’s new bags combine form and function designed to blend in with a gray-man style.

Reviewed: Mission First Tactical’s New Bag Line

MFT chose to use a light brown liner to make items easier to find.

Mission First Tactical (MFT) has always offered quality products that are highly innovative, with some products uniquely MFT. Currently, MFT offers dealers an extremely large single-vendor portfolio of premium quality stocks, magazines, grips, rails, sights and firearm accessories for the AR platforms, an expansive duty and CCW holster selection, pepper spray, apparel, drinkware and now a comprehensive line of new bags and packs. 

When I talked with David Edelman, VP of MFT, about the new bag and pack line, he noted, “We are always listening to customer and dealer feedback, and we are continually hearing about the ongoing demand for quality bags and packs. Customers want fresh, ergonomic designs for concealed carry and also options that do not scream ‘Hey, look, I’m carrying a tactical bag.’ We now offer both a covert MFT ACHRO and tactical Warrior and Ambush pack lines made with a high attention to EDC and CCW needs. We focus on designs and build quality with the right materials, durability or features to handle the weight and needs of EDC that are able to survive harsh tactical use. All our bags are using some of the best and most cutting-edge materials available in the industry, like 1000D nylon KODRA CARBONITE on our ACHRO bags, which is not just tough, it is weather- and highly abrasion-resistant and has a great unique look. We have added feature tags for dealers to help emphasize the selling points, which can be especially helpful for all the new gun owners.” Tactical Retailer reviewed several of the new MFT bags from the ACHRO and Warrior and Ambush lines, and they are impressive, considering their price points. 

Warrior 30L & Ambush 40L Packs

There will always be a demand for high quality, tactical-focused bags with all the expected MOLLE compatibility, features and heavy-duty construction. MFT delivers those points and more in the Warrior 30L and Ambush 40L models at an attractive price. Though the configuration and pockets differ on each bag, both have the same core features, including a lined sunglass compartment, utility pocket, tough 600 denier ballistic nylon, ITW buckles and nylon Velcro backing. MFT went a bit further, adding PVC packing for water resistance, 12 mm EVA padded shoulder pads for more comfort during heavier loads, MOLLE sections for expanded attachment options, cinch-down straps, hydration compatibility and tube routing, admin organization, and many internal pockets. The features on the bags are well-thought-out, combined with quality materials to deliver a durable pack that customers can use for decades. 

The Deceptively Large Warrior 30L, $74.99 MSRP: We tested the slim EDC Warrior pack that can deliver on carrying a wide and random array of items in a small pack size that will easily jam between your feet on car rides or weave through the city masses or tight trails. The size is deceptive in that it can be cinched down into a slip profile with the onboard straps to carry sunglasses, keys and a laptop, or expanded out to the full 30L capacity into a three-day pack. It is a highly adaptable design that feels small but can really carry a lot of gear when needed. 

Several hydration bladder inserts were tested and worked without issue in the rearmost hydration pack pocket, complete with stabilizing bladder snap mount. Hydration tube routing was simple with the multitude of loops on the shoulder straps. Good quality hydration bladders would be an excellent cross-sell and merchandising option for dealers. 

Even though this is a small pack, it features an adjustable sternum strap to stabilize the pack during vigorous hikes/running, which will be especially appreciated with heavier loads. Most customers will like that it is a small-format pack that expands significantly for enough room to stuff a coat and entire change of clothes if needed. The Warrior is available in Black, Coyote Brown, Desert Tan, and the Wolf Gray featured here. 

MFT mugs are an eye-catching accessory to add into a pack-merchandising strategy.
MFT mugs are an eye-catching accessory to add into a pack-merchandising strategy.

MFT ACHRO Line

The ACHRO (short for ACHROMATIC) is a discreet, low-vis, gray-man design approach with the looks of a modern fashion-forward European design pack but with hidden EDC/CCW features. According to MFT, many tactical companies have offered gray-man-style bags, however, many still looked tactical, and MFT wanted to offer a true tactical gray-man bag. The extremely high-quality ACHRO line features the unique look and durability of 1000D nylon KODRA CARBONITE and quilted back pad. Internally, a tasteful brown rip-stop lining allows easy location of items that would get lost in the depths of an all-black bag. MFT offers a Sling pack and 22L and 30L pack options in the ACHRO line.

ACHRO EDC Sling 10L Bag, MSRP $89.99: Following the design and style trend of sling/utility bags, MFT has offered a surprisingly roomy 10L sling pack that includes three zippered full-height EDC/CCW pockets plus the main compartment. The rearmost pocket is a simple, clean pocket likely to be used for valuables or potentially a firearm up to and including the size of a Desert Eagle. The centermost pocket is more of an simple admin EDC/knife, multitool, flashlight pocket with plenty of room to spare for even an iPad, and the top EDC pocket is lined with hook-and-loop and includes a moveable MFT Multi-Mount for easy mounting of an EDC holster. The half-zip main large bag compartment prevents items from spilling when opening plus features another set of admin pockets, with one large pocket big enough for an iPad. Inside the large compartment there are discreet magazines and accessory loops, a zippered pocket, and attached keychain carabiner. Laser-cut MOLLE slots on the front provide another attachment for accessories. 

Overall, this is a small-format bag that can accommodate a huge amount of gear, including the 8x11 Angel Armor Ally One IIIA-rated composite plate, TQ & Israeli bandage, several EDC guns, iPads, a drink, many magazines and other gear. As a self-professed bag fanatic, I find this to be a great size and format that has massive appeal for EDC and travel when a larger pack is not needed.

ACHRO 22L EDC Backpack, MSRP $149.99 & ACHRO 30L EDC Backpack, MSRP $179.99: Similar in design, both packs have a clean, modern design that appears from a distance to have very minimal external pockets; however, some pockets are a bit hidden, including the CCW compartments. MFT has integrated CCW pockets into the back and magazine/EDC accessory pockets throughout each pack. The 22L has an ambidextrous pass-through CCW compartment, and the 30L actually has two CCW compartments. Admin pockets are well designed and flexible enough to accommodate everything from 9mm magazines to .308 AR magazines and everything in between. The sunglasses and mobile device pockets are lined for scratch protection. The 30L features a larger zippered accessory pocket and one side mesh drink bottle pocket, while the 22L features dual mesh side pockets. Technically, both packs could be used with supported hydration bladders; however, they do not have dedicated hydration supports or pockets.

Final Thoughts

Beyond the bag lines, MFT also offers a number of other lifestyle accessories, such as wallets, dump trays and a very eye-catching line of insulated mugs and drinkware modeled after military ordnance. MFT has an expansive dealer network, both direct and through distribution, and wants to help dealers drive more revenue with each store and site visit. Accessory purchases like MFT’s bags and unique drink containers deliver dealers something unique with broad appeal that can add extra revenue to each cart. The broad array of MFT products also helps deliver a cohesive in-store merchandising strategy. Based on the quality and features on our production samples, the MFT bag line will hit the mark for customers.

The 30L Ambush tactical packs deliver a sizable solution that can be cinched down.
The 30L Ambush tactical packs deliver a sizable solution that can be cinched down.

Sidebar: ACHRO EDC Sling Bag - $89.99

  • Low-vis (gray-man) design aesthetic 
  • Dedicated and discrete firearm pocket
  • MFT Multi-Mount Platform included
  • Smart storage for vast array of EDC organizational options
  • Lighter colored water-resistant ripstop liner to aid in interior visibility
  • Aluminum key clip
  • Weather and abrasion-resistant construction
  • Rear compartment designed for tablet 
  • Cooling premium padded back panel 
  • Premium padded and ambidextrous shoulder harness, easily adjustable
  • Adjustable and removable waist strap 
  • Laser-cut MOLLE for additional gear attachment
  • Internal zippered storage pocket
  • 10L capacity

Sidebar: ACHRO 22L EDC Backpack, $149.99 MSRP

Low-vis (gray-man) design aesthetic 

Dedicated and discrete firearm pocket

MFT Multi-Mount Platform included

Smart storage for vast array of EDC organizational options

Lighter colored water-resistant ripstop liner to aid in interior visibility

YKK AquaGuard® zipper 

Aluminum key clip

Weather and abrasion-resistant construction

Secure storage for 16-inch laptop or tablet 

Premium padded back panel with ventilation channel

Fully adjustable, premium padded shoulder harness 

Adjustable and removable sternum strap 

Dual-stretch mesh exterior 32-ounce bottle storage pockets

Laser-cut MOLLE for additional gear attachment

Large panel-zip allows full access to main compartment

Internal zippered storage pockets

Front admin and cable storage 

Fleece-lined sunglass pocket

Fits neatly under the seat in front of you 

22L Capacity

Sidebar: ACHRO 30L EDC Backpack $179.99 MSRP

Low-vis (gray-man) design aesthetic 

Dedicated and discrete firearm pocket 

MFT Multi Mount Platform included

Front storage pocket for vast array of EDC organizational options and cable storage

Lighter colored water-resistant ripstop liner to aid in interior visibility

YKK AquaGuard® zipper 

Aluminum key clip

Weather and abrasion resistant construction

Separate, quick access pocket for laptop or tablet 

Premium padded back panel with ventilation channel

Fully adjustable premium padded shoulder harness 

Adjustable and removable sternum strap 

Stretch-mesh exterior 32-ounce bottle pocket

Laser-cut MOLLE for additional gear attachment

Large panel zip allows full access to main compartment

Secondary “quick” side access admin storage 

Domestic carry-on size

Internal zippered storage pockets

Fleece-lined sunglass pocket

Perfect daily commuter or versatile weekend getaway bag

Slotted lumbar panel accommodates optional aftermarket hip belts

30L Capacity

Sidebar: Warrior 30 Backpack - $74.99 MSRP

30 Liter

Interior mesh pocket

Sunglass compartment

Padded shoulder straps

Utility pocket

600 denier ballistic nylon

ITW buckles 

Nylon hook-and-loop backing 

PVC backing 

12 mm EVA pads

MOLLE sections for expanded attachment options 



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