Prometheus Design Werx CaB-2 Tote Bag :: Drive By

Many thanks to our guest contributor Piotr Ma…

Take 1000D Cordura and mil-spec webbing and just make it big – that’s the whole recipe, right? NOT! The devil is in the details. So let’s have a quick look at the Prometheus Design Werx CaB-2 Tote Bag:

Who It Suits

This bag immediately puts a big smile on the face of an adventurer, outdoorsman, hunter, etc. It’s well made, bombproof, the right size, US made and priced below $50. The CaB acronym stands for Carry-all-Bag – and it really carries ALL I need to. I found it perfect for toting kindling and bigger pieces of firewood, all kinds of camp gear, ropes, tools, groceries, boots…anything! From my home to my car, from shop to truck, from 4×4 to cabin, etc. It’s great to have at home, at camp, or in your car. And for me it’s really A MUST around a country cabin.

“I found it perfect for toting kindling and bigger pieces of firewood, all kinds of camp gear, ropes, tools, groceries, boots…anything!”

Who It Doesn’t

An alpine climber during a summit attack. Other than that…it’s for you! You get the picture, I guess?

The Good

Materials are important so yeah, 1000D and mil-spec are good. But also quality thread and manufacturing are important, so it’s good to know CaB-2 is made in the USA, California to be specific. It’s relatively big but not too big to be carried comfortably – on paper: 18″ x 13″ x 8″ (just the bag). In real life the CaB-2 is bigger than you think. Here it is next to the 28L S.H.A.D.O pack – a similar size but thanks to the regular shape it can swallow even more, roughly 30+ liters depending on the actual shape. The more ‘rounded’ the shape of the loaded bag, the more it actually holds, up to about 35 liters (my estimation). There are short carry straps for quick grab and go, and longer webbing straps for easy shoulder carry. The blaze orange color of the short straps is a great idea too, that way it’s easy to pair straps without even thinking about it (short with short). Also notice how the long webbing straps go around and also under the bag…that way the CaB-2 is a serious weight hauler – even stuffed with fresh hard wood (40-45 lbs easily) it survived flawlessly.

“There are short carry straps for quick grab and go, and longer webbing straps for easy shoulder carry.”

What I really like about PDW’s take on the tote bag is the Velcro panel. It’s not a practical thing, I know, but I’m a morale patch junkie so a patch panel (4×4 inches) is such a refreshing idea on a tote bag for me. Another (practical) aspect, which separates the CaB-2 from other totes on the market, is the total number of pockets. First of all there are huge front and back flat pockets – spacious enough for magazines, an iPad, or even a hand-saw or mid-size axe (Hultafors Hunter’s Classic Axe shown).

“I’m a morale patch junkie so a patch panel (4×4 inches) is such a refreshing idea on a tote bag for me.”

Smaller side pockets are also well designed. The admin pocket with divided space is great for small items like a folding Lapplander saw, knife (fixed or folded), pen, multitool, etc. And you’ll find a single-compartment deep pocket on the other side, which is big enough for stuff like work gloves, a small hatchet, hammer, pliers or other tools. And check out the stitching reinforcements on the admin dividers – that’s real attention to detail.

“Another (practical) aspect, which separates the CaB-2 from other totes on the market, is the total number of pockets.”

The Not So Good

It doesn’t come in pink (yet!).

Verdict

Handy stuff! I got two for myself and I gave away a couple as gifts. It takes up no space in the trunk of my car and it’s always ready for any hauling action. This is very much a bag you can use every day for a range of carry requirements.