Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organiser - Long term review

[ReamerPunch]

Maxpedition pocket organisers are not new. They've been around for so long, they are pretty much synonymous with edc. I purchased my Micro (and EDC, Fatty, and Beefy) in November of 2015.
I have had it for so long, it has probably held over a hundred set-ups. Of course, versatility is obvious. It is a pouch. As long as things fit, the sky is the limit.




Dimensions:
-Main compartment: 3.5"(L) x 1"(W) x 5.5"(H)
-Exterior back: 3/4" webbing grab handle, box-and-X stitched
-Interior left: Slip pocket with 1" wide elastic with 3 divisions 1" - 1" - 1"
-Interior right: Slip pocket with 1" wide elastic with 2 divisions 1.5" - 1.5" & tie down loop


Materials:
-800-Denier water and abrasion resistant light-weight ballistic nylon fabric
-Triple polyurethane coated for water resistance
-High tensile strength nylon webbing
-High tensile strength composite nylon thread (stronger than ordinary industry standard nylon thread)
-Internal seams taped and finished
-Paracord zipper pulls
-Stress points double stitched, Bartacked or "Box-and-X" stitched for added strength
-YKK® high strength zippers and zipper tracks
-Teflon® fabric protector for grime resistance and easy maintenance



Durability
Since the day I received this, in November of 2015, it has been carrying various types of gear, going in and out of pockets and bags on a daily basis. And yet, it looks like new. These are very well-made. The material is very resistant to the elements, tears, friction, and has held up exceptionally well. The only wear has been due to misuse. I stuffed items that barely fit, so the thread that holds the zipper started to come undone, as the pouch was desperately trying to remain closed with things that should not have been in there. Otherwise, these will hold up for a very long time. Of course, this is a pouch, so basic care and common sense will go a long way. If you toss this into a volcano, it may show signs of wear. So don't do it more than once.




Stuffing
These hold much more that one would think, and sometimes more than they should. It is very tempting to try cramming things in every available nook and cranny. This is not recommended, as the pouch may become rather heavy, and things might start obstructing other things from getting out easily. Finding the perfect balance is quite challenging, but half the fun. Toiletries, stationary, survival, electronics, First Aid, these have been used for all sorts of things.

The main focus is organisation. These are designed to keep everything nice and neat, and accessed easily, instead of fumbling through loose items, or having things bump against each other in your pocket or bag. And they do this extremely well. There are elasticated straps that hold items securely, so well in fact, that this has its own term: surviving the upside-down test, as it is referred to, is a nice way of testing that everything is held in properly and nothing is loose. There is also a paracord loop, that also does its part to hold items. The label is also capable of holding thin, long things, like a AAA battery, or a short pen. The outside mesh pocket will not be able to hold bulky items, especially if the inside is busting. It is fine for thin things, like KFC towels, cards, money, etc. It may be persuaded to hold somewhat thicker items with time.



Carrying:
This is usually in my left cargo pocket, or in my bag. The handle makes it very easy to pull out. I see many people who first get these say they are thinking of cutting the handle off, and that seems like a haste decision. The handle is not stiff, so it collapses and does not occupy any space. It is the only way to attach it to something else or hang it off of something (don't do that by the zipper pulls). Cutting the handle will not save on space or weight, but it will limit the versatility of the pouch.


Conclusion:
These are a proven piece of gear. They have been out for very long, and are an integral part of the edc of many, many people. They are known to last, and they work very well for their intended purpose. They are excellent value for money, considering how inexpensive they are and how long they will last. Of course, this is the smallest one available, so if you have large items, maybe go for the EDC, or bigger.


Pros
-Excellent durability; water and tear-resistant fabric.
-Inexpensive.
-Offers excellent organisation and versatility.

Cons
None.

Nitpicks
-Would be nice to have molle on the back like the larger models.
-Could have paracord loops or labels on both sides, top and bottom, for even more versatility.

[JonesE]

Great review RP. I would agree with you Maxpedition pouches are well built. In all my years of owning them, I have never had a seam or zipper fail. The materials used in their construction has been excellent. The nylon used has held up very well and still looks like new after years of use.

JonesE