EMS 2500

It is currently December of 2021. All around excellent bag.

This EMS 2500 has served me well over the last several years. Its primary functions are either a medical bag or a bug out bag or a range bag. Regardless, it gets put through its paces. And it has come back for more every time.

Very rugged. I like the padded back and all of the compression straps on the outside of it and loops and hooks. I have been able to strap things like shotguns to the outside of it and tents. Plenty of space on the inside and a second pocket on the inside that's very small for smaller items. Typically I put battery packs for cell phones in there.

All in all if I see another one anywhere ever I will purchase it. Well worth its weight in gold. Thank you for an excellent product.

Background

Primarily it serves as my first aid bag. I compartmentalize using smaller containers inside of it. It is a wonderful size and carries everything you could possibly imagine. Right now it's my bug out bag. It's stuffed full of ammunition and survival related gear.

This is one of the best quality backpacks I have ever owned. I have owned this backpack almost 10 years.

The only thing that broke was the zipper handle from sheer stress of being pulled back and forth sooo many times. I don't blame it for breaking over the years. But the zipper sill works great sine the base of the zipper is still there. I love the fact that it is a over sized, industrial sized zipper. I also had to replace the main waist buckle. I still use it almost every day for almost anything I can think of.

I am just very sad that the quality of backpacks that EMS sells now has gone to shit. I mean if I wanted a shitty backpack I could go down to the corner bargain retailer and get one where the zipper would fail and straps break after only a year.

Luckily I bought a second one of the same model on ebay after I realized how amazingly they were built for half the price of the first one.

I just had to write a review of this pack after I finally killed mine, and ran out and picked up another one. First off, they do not make this pack anymore (8/00), buy you can ask EMS to put out an all stores bulletin for some laying around. My pack got me through years of day hiking which included ascents, both winter and other seasons, of probably 270+ peaks in the Northeast, and the majority were haneous bushwhacks. I cut off the haul loop and compression straps so it won't get caught up in vegetation. I broke the zipper once (my fault), returned it, and got it quickly repaired for free with a letter apologizing for the broken zipper. EMS customer service is A+. The pack is comfy, well built, and can be picked up for a cheap price. The outside contains two loading straps, two removable webbings, inner pocket for very small stuff, a key clip, and 4 outer compression straps. I have had no better day pack to date.

I use this pack for dayhiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and it has served me well. It's much more comfortable than the pack it replaced (a Jansport Supersack), and despite its small size, I am planning on using it for overnight trips this summer (with a bivy bag and small down sleeping bag).