Hey, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're doing a review of the Loctote
Flak Sack II -- The strongest portable safe that I've ever used.
(light chiming music)
If you've seen our gear reviews, you know that I'm a big fan of portable safes.
They are really functional items that you can use both when traveling and in
your daily life. In fact, we've reviewed other popular portable safes in the past
and each has had its share of pros and cons. The kind folks at Loctote sent us
their latest bag called the Flak Sack II to test out and review. Keep in mind
that even though they sent me this bag this is not a paid review, and we're not
being influenced to review this bag in any way. Loctote, which is a company
based in Columbus Ohio, was started after their founder Don Halpern experienced a
scenario that a lot of travelers including myself worry about -- Being
away from our valuables while swimming at the beach or at the pool and not
having a way to secure our stuff. In his case, his belongings were stolen at the
beach while he was on vacation in the Caribbean.
He basically set forth to find a better way to secure his belongings while
traveling. The company started as a successful Kickstarter campaign and now
offers several different drawstring bags. In addition to the Flak Sack, they now
have a Sport version that's more lightweight and a Coalition version that
even glows in the dark. The company's motto is to create products that allow
you to "live more and worry less." When you first look at the bag, you might think
it's just like any other drawstring backpack. However, you'll immediately
notice that it's so much more. So let's walk through what makes this product so
unique. Number 1: Material. This bag is heavy duty. The bag uses a proprietary
material called Flaknit which Loctote developed with Honeywell and
offers an A9 cut level protection. Not to get too nerdy on you, but A9 is the
highest level of cut protection, so it require some heavy-duty tools to cut
through the fabric. The fabric reminds me of Kevlar, being extremely tough but also
very flexible and comfortable. In fact, after
researching Kevlar, I found out that the material used by Loctote is actually
more cut resistant than Kevlar. You can really feel the density of the material
when holding it and even when looking at the fabric more closely. Number 2:
One-piece design. To reduce vulnerabilities, the bag is designed from
one piece and are double reinforced with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
thread in the seams. This makes the bag really tough. You
definitely will not have to worry about the bottom of the bag falling apart like
you would with cheaper bags. Number 3: Stainless steel grommets
and hardware. The bag uses stainless steel grommets and a ring when securing
the bag. Apparently the first version of the bag used brass which was already
pretty tough. But the company decided to make it even stronger by using stainless
steel. These guys are definitely obsessed with making a tough bag. Another thing to
point out is the lack of grommets on the rope attachment. This was actually done
on purpose to ensure that the ropes don't get worn out and strained at the
bottom. Number 4: Internal pockets and organization. Inside the bag, you'll
notice several pockets to carry a bunch of your gear. There's nice fabric lining
inside the bag, a locker loop for hanging the bag, a spring-loaded keychain
carabiner, and an RFID pocket with fleece lining that's also water-resistant. I
definitely think that RFID is still not a real threat for travelers and I
actually did a video on it a while back, but it's nice having the option in the
bag. Another really nice touch are the zippers on the internal pocket. If you
look closely, you'll see that they offer water resistance which I've only seen on
high-end water-resistant wallets and bags from companies like Bellroy and
Waterfield Designs. Loctote lists the capacity at 13 liters. I was able to
easily carry my 15-inch MacBook Pro in it. Also the interior pocket can hold a
smaller tablet like an iPad Mini. Number 5: Durable locking strap and
lock. The Flak Sack 2 has a double-steel reinforced locking strap which is
separate from the shoulder ropes, and is rated for 1,000 pounds of force.
The bag also comes with a solid brass and steel three number combination lock. Most
times companies will send you a cheaper lock, and I always recommend getting a
more heavy-duty one. However, this lock is pretty solid and I appreciate the fact
that Loctote didn't try to cut corners when including a lock. To lock
the bag, simply pull the shoulder ropes tight then pull the locking strap until
the stainless steel grommets are visible. Wrap the locking strap around an
immovable or large object, then run the lock through the grommets and the steel
ring. This creates a very tight enclosure and would require some heavy-duty tools
to remove. The bag also has a small pocket on the outside for the lock, which
is very convenient. Number 6: Cut resistant ropes. One of the most common
petty crimes when traveling is having a strap cut in order to steal a bag from
you. The ropes on this bag are also made from the ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene material, which makes them extremely cut resistant and strong. Also,
as a nice touch, the straps are reflective to make you more visible in
the dark. Number 7: Sternum strap. The bag includes
a nice sternum strap in the front. This helps to make the bag more comfortable
when wearing it for extended periods of time like when traveling or hiking.
Number 8: Replacement parts. Suppose you need a new lock or want to replace the
rope strap. Loctote offers both items separately. You can even get the rope in
different colors if you prefer to change it. Number 9: Discreet but good-looking.
Despite all the incredible functionality offered by this bag, it remains a really
good-looking but discreet bag. It's not a bag that's gonna draw a lot of attention
to you, but it also doesn't look like a portable safe, which is a really good
thing. Some of you might be asking whether the bag would withstand bolt
cutters or other heavy-duty tools. To be honest, I think the bag would put up a
good fight, but it's really not intended to withstand an arsenal of heavy tools.
The bag is intended to block the everyday thief. These are people who are
looking for the easiest target and are not going
to try and break through durable materials. For this purpose, the bag is
perfect. The bags cost $150 and are available on
either their website or on Amazon. $150 is pricey, but I can honestly say that
it's an extremely high quality product. As with a lot of items, you get what you
pay for. In this case, you're getting a quality bag that has the durability and
strength of a portable safe, while also being a functional bag. Also, the fact
that Loctote doesn't seem to cut any corners in their production or materials
says a lot about their brand and their dedication to their product.
Loctote's motto is to create products that allow you to "live more and worry less."
I definitely think they live up to their slogan and if you're looking for a bag
that functions as a portable safe, then I can easily recommend it. I know this is
going to be my go-to travel bag the next time I head to the beach or pool. Have
you tried out the Loctote Flak Sack 2 or any of their other bags? If so, please
share your experience and let us know if you have any questions. I've included
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time, travel safe and travel smart.