This sucker is BIG in comparison to its earlier Versipack siblings in the Maxpedition product lineup. They've taken the Versipack concept first started with the Fatboy and Jumbo lines and moved it beyond the tactical and outdoor uses that the earlier designs were best suited for and created the Mongo that I ironically think works better for more common everyday carry bag uses than for backcountry purposes.

Most of the pieces that made the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Maxpedition-Jumbo-Versipack/dp/B002XLHKF2/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack</a>&nbsp;such an excellent messenger/CCW bag are present and accounted for with the Mongo, but in greater size and in some cases, with notable improvements. Moreover, there have been some additions that have greatly enhanced on the earlier designs and allow Maxpedition to market this design as truly a legit all-purpose carryall. Whereas the Jumbo would be hard pressed to be able to handle any computing device larger than a Texas Instruments TI-89 calculator, the Mongo can easily swallow a netbook or iPad, and can even handle a smaller-form laptop with room to spare. Dimensionally the one direction that the Mongo clearly gains from that of the Jumbo is in its length; eyeballing the bag, it's probably 33% longer than the older design. The Mongo is taller also, gaining about an inch and a half or so in height. And overall thickness has increased as well, perhaps by as much as two inches, though don't hold me or my eyeballs to that; it really does seem to depend upon how the bag is geared up.

The Mongo I received reverts back to the heavier nylon fabric used on earlier Jumbo Versipacks rather than the thinner more pliable fabric that some of later Jumbos were manufactured with. The fabric is treated with Teflon, which should add even more durability and lifespan. The construction quality is as good as it's ever been, with apparent stout stitching and heavy webbing. I say 'apparent' because I've only had my Mongo for a few days and so far don't really have enough real world use (and wear) to form a concrete opinion with. But given the perceived quality of the various parts and bits, I'd say that its a safe bet to say that the Mongo will be just as durable as any prior Versipack product. As with other Maxped products all zipper pulls are made up of durable, silent paracord.

The Mongo greatly expands the size of the Jumbo's various compartments to form the basis of the new design. Starting from what is probably considered the most important compartment, the CCW pocket is greatly enlarged from the Jumbo and is now roomy enough that it should easily handle any full-sized sidearm. Access is via a double-pull zipper, and the resultant improvement in functionality can't be understated. Now you can set up the pulls so that you can use both hands to draw a gun in an emergency, whereas you couldn't do that with the Jumbo's single pull CCW compartment unless you carried the bag reverse-handed. In terms of room, my Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro fits comfortably within its confines, even with its pistol scope mounted over its slide. In fact the compartment is now big enough that I can actually carry two pistols in tandem, particularly handy when using the Mongo as a range bag. Another big improvement in this compartment is with the more generous use of loop lining on both sides of the pocket to better accommodate Maxped's lineup of hook-equipped accessories, such as their&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/universal-holster/dp/B001DZT8BS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">universal holster</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/spare-magazine-holder/dp/B001DZTKJI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">spare magazine holder</a>.

On the exterior, the compartment adjacent to the CCW pocket is the classic Jumbo zippered top storage bin, only now almost twice the capacity of the original and with double pull access. Inside elastic webbing is provided on one side to keep miscellaneous stuff such as small tools like hex wrenches or supplies in place. On the opposite side is a zippered mesh pouch that provides for a separated storage capability. On the outside Maxpedition provides a generously large loop field so that additional items can be 'velcroed' to this pouch on top. Beyond this pouch and down the Mongo's main compartment's protective flap is another strip of loop material to velcro items to, and just underneath that is another zippered pouch, configured similarly to that of the Jumbo but again much larger. This compartment works well for flat objects or paperwork, such as travel documents or perhaps maps and charts.

Underneath the main protective flap are other additions as well as carryovers from the Jumbo. Next to the CCW pocket is the main storage compartment, now sized such that it that can be used for larger flat objects such as the previously mentioned netbook computer, smaller laptop or tablet device like the iPad that the Jumbo never had a hope of carrying. For other uses it can handle a digital SLR camera, although it would be best if the lens was detached during storage. The main compartment in the Mongo width-wise surprisingly at first glance doesn't seem that much thicker than it is in the Jumbo despite the overall increase in the bag's thickness. But looks can be deceiving, since the compartment can swallow all sorts of larger gear like full-sized binoculars, and still provide enough room for other necessary items for use on a day hike. Try doing that with the Jumbo. The increase in size now means that the Mongo can even serve as a legitimate range bag, since there's now adequate space for accommodating eye gear and over-ears hearing protection as well as room for extra ammunition and other accessories like cleaning gear, something that the smaller Jumbo would be hard pressed if not impossible to handle. Like on the Jumbo a side pocket is retained within the main compartment, and for sealing things up the main compartment is closed by paracord sewn into a soft nylon fabric top rim with a locking slider cinch made of plastic.

Next over is a new zippered pouch that didn't exist on the Jumbo. It's best suited for flatter items much like the one built into the protective flap of the bag, but there's a bit more depth to the width of this pocket so someone isn't limited to just using it for carrying flat items. It does seem to be a good spot for more valuable documents that you might not want quite so exposed as they might be when using the pouch on the protective flap. Or for one of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/these/dp/B002FQJT3Q/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">these</a>...and within its own&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/case/dp/B003DZ165W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">case</a>&nbsp;(works and fits great). Beyond that is an open pocket for additional flat or minimal width items; one side of which is lined with more Velcro-type loop material for secure fastening. This could be an ideal location for storing hand tools for quick access, if one doesn't mind adhering a bit of sticky-back hook strips to them. On the outside of this pocket, Maxped sews on a strip of 3/4" webbing, presumably to allow for additional items to be hooked on and still have some protection from the elements since they'd be somewhat covered by the bag's main flap. The main flap itself is fastened in place by a generously sized plastic slide buckle much like it is on the Jumbo.

Underneath the Mongo's main compartment--and the bag's underbelly, as it were--is sewn on another length of 3/4" webbing. You could hang additional items like a tripod, telescoping rifle legs or an added gear bag to it or just use it as a gatherer for a tightly folded tarp or other sheetlike material. To the front of the main body of the Mongo is a slit pocket and double pull zippered storage pouch just like the configuration on the Jumbo, only larger...personally my favorite spot to park my preferred&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/flashlight/dp/B002LIZI7E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">flashlight</a>. PALS/Molle webbing is sewn onto the exterior ballistic nylon of the pouch. To the rear of the main body is the water pouch, just like the one on the Jumbo. To the side of that is vertical slit pocket, to be used as storage for the buckled waist 'belt' if the bag's owner decides not to use the strap.

On the shoulder strap is another addition (and deletion); at the front leg of the strap Maxpedition has deleted the PALS webbing of the Jumbo and added a padded, elastic-sided pouch as a stow point for portable electronics, such as an MP3 player or cellphone. My Zune HD fits perfectly, and I suspect that more than one of the iPhone designs will do just as well. Even my rather thick and porky T-Mobile G1 in its rubberized snap-on case fits. A sewn on buckle on webbing can be used to keep such valuables firmly in place. The rest of the shoulder strap is pretty much standard Versipack fare; the comfortable, adjustable position shoulder strap along with PALS/Molle webbing on the slip pocket of the rear strap anchor point with the rather silly and unnecessary (in my mind) HK-style snap hook all carry over from the Jumbo.

Nitpicks: one deletion from the Jumbo that I will miss is the carry handle that was sewn on between the shoulder strap anchor points on later Jumbo Versipak variations. It was only a 3/4" wide strip of webbing, but it WAS a nice feature that came in handy (no pun intended) for carrying the bag by hand, as opposed to doing it via the shoulder strap.  Also the zippered pouch at the front of the Mongo suffers in usability from the stiff ballistic nylon in place. The double zipper pulls--especially the one closest to my person--are a BEAR to operate when the pouch is even partially empty, simply because the hard fabric creases and folds into itself rather than keeping the pouch's full shape and this adversely impacts the zipper's ability to run the pulls smoothly.

Flaws: THE one key design flaw I see with the Mongo is the design of the bottom of the main compartment; there's really not enough padding to provide adequate protection for sensitive equipment and gear; set this bag down carelessly on a hard floor or surface and an instant grimace will come to your face at the loud THUNK that just occurred. Considering the size gains that the Mongo brings to the table that makes this Versipack work for many other uses beyond just concealed carry, this seems like a major oversight on Maxpedition's part. It's certainly NOT good if your planning on using the Mongo for carrying around electronics. For me I've used a stopgap layer of foam padding to provide better cushioning and protection for my netbook or laptop, as well as for my camera gear when and if I decide to use the Mongo for that purpose. Even if you decide to use the Mongo just as a gun tote, you'd probably benefit from having added padding on the floor of that main storage compartment to keep your gear from banging around. Initially all I had on hand was some leftover 2" thick upholstery foam, which when inserted pretty much negates any height gains of the Mongo over the Jumbo. It'll do for the short term, but a trip to the upholstery store is needed to find some thinner material to recapture some of that lost clearance.

The other gripe I have about the Mongo is with its price; at the time of this review it's over 50% more to step up to the Mongo from the usual RETAIL price of the Jumbo Versipack. And considering that older-style Jumbos have been discounted of late, particularly online (there are new versions of the Jumbo line coming, if not already on the market now), the price of entry really seems awfully steep. I bought a black Mongo anyways, simply because I like the Versipack concept as a whole and I really did want the ability to carry a laptop in one. But it was still a purchase that I didn't do lightly, and as other nylon colors become more widely available I seriously doubt that an OD Green version will go into my inventory of gear bags (like I did with the Jumbo).

From a functional standpoint it's a bag that I heartily recommend, even though it's lacking in a couple of areas. The greater capacity opens up the Mongo to a multitude of uses that the smaller Jumbo and Fatboy just couldn't handle. All that being said, you'll have to decide if the price premium is worth the value it gives. I can say (a guarded) yes for myself, but I certainly wouldn't be bold enough to declare the same for anyone else.

(UPDATE: I've noticed that there's at least one retailer here on Amazon who's dropped the price of the Mongo, to the point that makes it much more palatable on the wallet...and me a bit angry--as usual--at having been an early adopter.)