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Triple Aught Design shop visit :: San Francisco, CA
…oyota FJ Cruiser (which I later found out is owned by Patrick Ma, owner of TAD) all done up in off-road TAD-style trim and the BMW Enduro R1200GS(?) motorcycle are clear giveaways that I’ve found it… even without visually spotting the steel water-jet/laser cut TAD GEAR sign hanging above the massive garage door entrance. I call Mike to let him know I’m finally here at the correct location, and with an audible *clink* of alloy on alloy from behind…
Road Tests :: TAD FAST Pack Litespeed Backpack
…ck buckles, YKK #8 and #10 Nylon Coil Reverse Zippers, etc.). The owner of TAD, both an ex-soldier and a lover of the outdoors designed the FPL to be exactly this way. TAD focuses on a “…strong appreciation for durable and reliable equipment. (Patrick) founded Triple Aught Design with a signature focus on combining rigorous functionality with sophisticated design. At Triple Aught Design, we believe that human presence should not overtake the beaut…
Drive By :: TAD FAST Pack Litespeed (Exclusive 1st Look) + Giveaway!
…ous models). Here it is. The one feature you’ve been waiting to hear about…TAD completely eliminated the top two buckles on the top of the Litespeed. You know, the ones that you had to unbuckle every time you wanted to access the main compartment? Those buckles. They’re gone. Removed. Deleted. “TAD completely eliminated the top two buckles on the top of the Litespeed.” The shoulder straps now attach directly into the top of the back panel, keeping…
Triple Aught Design’s Destination : Dune (Part 2)
…ces.” I feel as if the Destination : Dune experience fully captured this idea. I had the time of my life. View the official Triple Aught Design Destination : Dune After Action Report for more photos and videos of this legendary event. Lastly, be sure to follow TAD’s Instagram, TAD’s Facebook, and TAD’s CORE webpage for updates on when the next event will occur. Photo Credits: 95% of photos taken by me (Taylor Welden) on my Canon G9 X travel camera…
Road Tests :: TAD OP1 Admin Pouch
…pack that wants to organize their gear. – Giveaway What’s better than one TAD giveaway in two weeks? Yeah, you’ve got it, two giveaways!! Go into the draw to win your own TAD OP1 Pouch (in Coyote Khaki). Note: these little beauties are currently sold out and only a few can be hunted down in retailers. So this is some real high-in-demand piece of kit! And TAD estimate new stock will be arriving at the beginning of USA’s Fall – that’s a real long t…
Triple Aught Design’s Destination : Dune (Part 1)
…s adventure. You just show up and then you’re in the very capable hands of TAD and FPA. “I was going to be on assignment, taking photos and writing about the epic adventure of Destination: Dune. I would be joining the 12 other lucky attendees, TAD crew, and Four Points Adventures crew.” Being an obsessive gear nerd, the next obvious step was carefully selecting my loadout for this excursion in the wilderness. It certainly wasn’t a breeze, as we we…
Road Tests :: Triple Aught Design FAST Pack EDC (Giveaway)
…l the modularity the FAST Pack EDC has to offer. We’d welcome a „slick” version with a little less webbing, less straps and without the transporter tail. And finally: yes TAD, you’re allowed to develop bigger bags as well! Photos used are courtesy of TAD, Loaded Pockets and yours truly…
Dan Matsuda: a New World of EDC
…er. We’d love to know why you got into design and how you got started with TAD? I was a designer at TAD from 2006-2018, and have since moved on to pursue life as a freelance designer. 12 years is a long time to stay in a creative position like that, so despite the vast collection of design challenges it was time to move on. My background is in graphic design. I had a lifelong interest in illustration, so it seemed like a good idea even though I ha…
TAD Azimuth Backpack V2 Review
…ained unchanged. If all of that isn’t enough for you, the Azimuth supports TAD’s Helix attachment system, allowing you to hang any of their Control Panels or various pouches from the top rear of the interior of the bag. Personally, I like having the Control Panel here as it acts as a pseudo frame sheet. Performance This is another area that earlier adopters will immediately notice a change; the straps. While these straps are certainly slim and lig…
Triple Aught Design Axiom S2 WX Pack
…r flagship pack, the Axiom. After 10 weeks of testing, let’s dive into the TAD Axiom S2 WX Pack. Tough as Nails TAD has a well earned reputation for creating robust and reliable packs, inspired by a love for the rugged outdoors. The question is, how does a company like TAD level up an award winning backpack that is both an every day champion and a capable outdoor pack? The moment you pick up the Axiom S2 it is immediately apparent that it’s here…
Massive Giveaway: Triple Aught Design Mission Capable
…asty US$3500: Triple Aught Design Kit $1,000 Team Wendy Exfil SAR Tactical TAD Edition $350 Misty Mountain Cadillac Tactical Harness TAD Edition $275 TacAero Aviation Intro Flight $1,000 SureFire EDCL1-T Flashlight, Minimum Headlamp, and Batteries Supply $365 Overland Journal 3-Year Subscription $112 Thyrm Cell Vault, Cell Vault XL, Clens & Switchback $100 Pelican 1610 Case $280 SKD Alpha and Delta Gloves $75 Third Prize Not just one, but three pr…
Triple Aught Design Parallax Messenger Review :: Drive By
…ide because it feels much more formal when showing up to work. As with all TAD bags, the material and craftsmanship of the Parallax messenger is topnotch. The majority of the bag is sewn from ripstop nylon sailcloth. This translates to an extremely durable, weather-resistant and sleek bag. And after a few rainy days around town I’ve come to rely on the ‘reinforced bathtub bottom’ that TAD has sewn on the underside of the bag. On the pocketing fron…
Digging: TAD’s FAST Pack Scout Special Edition from the Foundry
…If you didn’t catch the news, Phil, Matt, and the marketing folks over at TAD launched a program to create custom low-volume special products via The Foundry, where they rely on customers to commit to purchasing products in order to launch them. “Built to explore the boundaries of imagination, Foundry is our forge for special fabrications, unique colorways, and product experiments.” Basically, an established brand using a crowdfunding method so t…
Press Kit: What to Pack When You’re Covering the Hong Kong Protests
…look out for each other no matter which pack they carry. Packing List The TAD FAST Pack Scout is a minimal pack that’s lightweight and comfortable all day long. The pack’s low profile means I can move swiftly on the street through crowds and busy public transport without any issues. Attached to the shoulder strap is a Nitecore NU05 safety signal light. Most of the equipment I’m using day to day is designed to continue to work when wet. This is ve…
Brand of the Year – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards
…estions they receive across the board and to enhance community engagement. TAD’s Facebook and Instagram content is now 50% user generated, providing a platform for customers to share stories and insights on how they use their gear and embrace adventure. And embracing adventure being key, TAD also began to play outside of digital in 2017, launching a slew of in-field experiential events across the country, from desert to backcountry missions. They…
Best New Gear | August 2022
…your carry senses tingle. Well, now you can enjoy all of this courtesy of TAD’s Armory Build FAST Pack Litespeed. Offering a customized take on a highly versatile pack, TAD is giving you the chance to build your bag the way you want it, with options ranging from fabric and color choices to webbing and tail options. And while waxed canvas is a new addition, there are several other fabrics available too. Plus with the new Sterile Edition, you get a…
Third Annual Carry Awards :: Reader’s Choice Awards
…eading to a holiday hotspot. Best Active Backpack: TAD FAST Pack Litespeed TAD’s updated FAST Pack Litespeed is just as wildly popular as the original, with tough construction to withstand active use, lots of exterior and interior attachment points and the ability to get creative and customize it to your specific carry needs. TAD have done a great job of giving this bag fresh appeal and no shortage of functionality for a diverse range of use envir…
Best New Gear: April 2020
…litary personnel alike. The PIG Full Dexterity Tactical (FDT) Delta+ Glove TAD Edition features PIG’s new Delta+ glove design upgraded with a single layer leather palm for robust use. The gloves are touchscreen compatible on the thumb and index finger and also feature a paracord pull loop for a tight fit and secure attachment option. Rounding out the design is a TAD logo Ranger Eye and 3D topo screen print that just adds yet another element of ‘wo…
Best New Gear | June 2022
…heating up, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing swim to cool off. And TAD brings style and performance to your swim setup with their Nautilus Swim Trunk. The 4-way stretch fabric provides freedom of movement and is not only DWR treated but also features 3D diamonds on the reverse side to raise the fabric off your skin for quicker drying. Additional features include a gusseted crotch, adjustable waistband, two hand pockets with integrated loop…
Top 5 | Best Everyday Accessory
…everyone knows his work. As a softgoods designer for Triple Aught Design (TAD), he was responsible for some of the most iconic bags and accessories in the EDC world. If you’ve ever lusted after the FAST Pack EDC, Litespeed, OP1, or Control Panel, then you’ve admired his work. After working for TAD for 12 years, Dan decided to branch off on his own as a freelance softgoods designer. What started off as a sling pouch for some fishing buddies, turne…
Best Cloth Face Masks, Tested 2021
…it: Soft to the touch, double layered, filter-ready. Why you might not: A tad small for larger faces. Not as customizable as others. Field Testing: Western Rise are known for their problem-solving products. The same can be said for their interpretation of the humble mask. Building on the success of their StrongCore Merino line, the team at Western Rise have created a comfortable mask that takes advantage of everything merino wool has to offer. Ma…
Best Everyday Bag Finalists – The Eighth Annual Carry Awards
…kets and more, ensuring this is a pack you can really make your own. GWA Citadel Gen 2 Never finding a bag that’s “just right” is a bit of a curse when you’re as obsessed with gear as the designers and gear reviewers at GWA are. So they did what they had to do: made their own. Seven years in the making, the GWA Citadel Gen 2 was tested and fine-tuned to create an adaptable pack for everyday and travel use. The pack is made in the USA with American…
Best Accessory Finalists – The Eighth Annual Carry Awards
…ilitary personnel well. The PIG Full Dexterity Tactical (FDT) Delta+ Glove TAD Edition features an upgraded take on PIG’s Delta+ glove with a single layer leather palm for hard-wearing use. The gloves also don’t overlook modern-day tech use and are touchscreen compatible on the thumb and index finger. A paracord pull loop enables both a tight fit and a secure attachment point. Add in TAD’s signature logo Ranger Eye and 3D topo screen print and you…
Our Beginners Guide to the Best Used Gear on the Planet
…sign fan, this one’s for you. TADjunkies is a group where fans can discuss TAD gear, as well as buy, swap and sell TAD items amongst members. In addition to the groups above, you can search for outdoor gear exchange groups on Facebook that are in your area or within a particular region. Such groups may offer online and/or in-person buying and selling options. Try before you buy While buying secondhand gear might be a good option in some circumstan…
Best Active Messenger 2019
…it one notch higher, next year. Triple Aught Design Parallax Messenger 15L TAD are no strangers to the active carry scene, creating versatile and rugged pieces designed with adaptability in mind. But they also stand out for their dedication to building on and improving those designs. And that’s what they’ve done with the Parallax Messenger 15L. The updated design takes user feedback on board with a smaller size, dishing up a more EDC-friendly 15L…
Best New Gear: February 2019
…aps. Triple Aught Design Axiom 24 Pack Special Edition Multicam Black Xpac TAD’s Axiom 24 Pack is a sleek and solid choice for users seeking a bag that can alternate between everyday and short travel use. The pack’s clamshell opening and multiple pockets make it easy to organize, with a dedicated padded 15″ laptop compartment. But what if you want the pack’s adaptable functionality with a touch of exclusivity? TAD delivers with their Axiom 24 Pack…
Best Everyday Bag – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards
…or modularity. Since then, they’ve continued to grow and refine. And the Citadel Minimal is their most ‘universal’ and considered offering to date. Cleaner and stealthier in aesthetics, allowing it to play in more formal environments, but still pushing the boundaries of performance fabrics, urban functionality, and what a ‘waterproof’ pack can be. The IPX-06 waterproof rating gives it a licence to go anywhere (rain, hail or deluge), while urban co…
Modding and Pockets with Pack Config
…utor at Pack Config, shares four quick and clever modifications to the new TAD FAST Pack Litespeed, including how to adapt it into a hybrid FAST Pack EDC using a Dunamis Gear pouch… – Triple Aught Design doesn’t take color releases lightly. So when the new Litespeed came out in something other than Black, I jumped on it. Coyote Brown is a bit darker and less green than their previous Coyote Khaki. It’s rumored that Coyote Brown was only available…
Buyer’s Guide :: Best Travel Backpacks Part 2
…FAST Pack EDC If you’re happy to roll with a tactical vibe to your carry, TAD’s FAST Pack EDC offers flexibility for carrying a variety of gear. The external webbing and removable Transporter Tail are a handy combo for attaching oddly-shaped items or extra gear to the pack. There’s a range of exterior zipped pockets including side and top pockets, a hydration bladder pocket and what TAD calls the Flashlight Cave (a bottom exterior pocket that whe…
Backpack Mods Part 1 :: VINJABOND
…nents: Sunpak Solar Charger $20 / Buy Repurposed Water Bottle Clip $0 / NA TAD iComm Pouch $20 / Buy Mophie Powerstation Battery $80 / Buy Velcro Tabs $2 / Anywhere USB or Lightning Cable $0 / NA Bungee Cord or Lanyard $0 / NA Update: The Supak Solar Charger is now unavailable. Try these instead: Solar Charger or Nexcon Solar Panel. . Step 1) This type of solar charger is about the size of an iPhone so it’s a perfect companion to backpack straps….