Savior Equipment SEMA Backpacks... Anyone have any experience with these?

LuckyDuck · Sunday at 3:16 AM

I came across a product line from Savior Equipment today and suffice to say- it's held my attention. I did a quick search here but only see a handful of threads mentioning their rifle cases. but nothing about the two SEMA backpacks they sell (handgun focused). Specifically I'm asking about the below models...

PRO S.E.M.A - Competition Backpack

With over 2 years of designing, countless retooling, and a massive amount of feedback from our competition shooting friends, we're excited to finally present our Pro S.E.M.A competition backpack. Inspired by the professionals, we've turned it up to eleven by jam-packing it with features to...

www.saviorequipment.com

Compact S.E.M.A - Pistol Backpack

Built with the same quality and level of organization as the Pro S.E.M.A Competition Backpack, this compact version includes a ton of accessories to do everything the big brother can, at a smaller size.

www.saviorequipment.com

I haven't been able to encounter this brand or product line "in the wild" yet but from what little I'm able to find about it these, I'm really digging what I see. I can envision a niche this would fill for me, seem to resemble a similar line from GPS and address some of the reasons I chose not to pursue trying out a GPS backpack for myself, but I'm just not familiar at all with these and what little I'm finding seem to also be biased reviews.

So I turn to the Hide to see if anyone has come across one of these personally or (even better) owns one and if so I was hoping to see what you thought of 'em. The elements I'm particularly interested in relates with the build & material quality/the realistic usability of the space/ the practicality of it's size (since it is a rigid design)/ and also- the weight. I find it to be rather odd that, at least as far as I can tell on their website, the weight of either bag isn't specified.

I have found that Midway at least provides the shipping weight (7.6lbs for the compact & 19.6lbs for the pro sized!?). Which doesn't seem to jive with what their marketing videos portray with the 'Pro' being about 30% larger. And truth be told I don't put much stock in the stated shipping weights from Midway nor does the shipping weight accurately translate to the product weight. But I'm sure you can see what that particular element has me scratching my head and why that'd be a significant consideration. I'll also say that Midway seems to be offering these at a much better price than by purchasing them directly from the company.

I will say the boxes they ship in are also rather unique (which I also dig) in that the interior of the cardboard boxes seem to contain shooting targets at each section. Pretty cool.

But yeah- anyone here use/see/handle either or both of these bags, and if so, what were your thoughts? I 'want' to love them and give them a chance but was hoping there would be some experience here to speak to their opinions. Thanks in advance.

-LD

tylerradke · Sunday at 9:48 AM

We just got a bunch of savior stuff in at the shop I help out at. Just from playing with it in the store it seems to be a pretty nice bag with solid construction and well thought out storage configurations. The pistol sleeves are actually pretty nice too. Zippers are water resistant and there are some water proof type pouches inside the bag. The bag has a decent "frame" i guess you could call it. Keeps it rigid enough to not fold up with uneven weight and not allow anything to poke you in the back through the bag. Also some decent padding on back and shoulder pads. Only real negative is they are a little heavy, but not anywhere near listed shipping weights. I would guess the large bag to be 8 lbs if I had to guess. Could be off a bit, hard to judge that stuff sometimes. I haven't bought one yet for myself but a couple of the other guys got them, so hopefully have some actual user feedback in the near future.

waveslayer · Sunday at 11:13 AM

If these are anything like their rifle cases, I'd get one if I needed another bag!

jpp3g · Sunday at 3:54 PM

I've been using the pro version since September of 2023 (upgraded from a DAA medium rangepack that died on me). I absolutely love it. The organization is very well thought out and the bag still looks almost like new despite visiting the range multiple times a week for a year and change. My only complaint is that the top compartment zipper is a little stiff and you have to undo the top buckle if you want full access to that compartment. They suggest storing ammo in there, but I find that makes the bag more top heavy and it's a pain to keep zipping and unzipping it. I tend to keep my ammo in the bottom pistol compartment instead.

If you're only shooting pistols, I think the smaller bag would be the perfect size. Since I do a lot of multigun or other odd divisions, the larger bag fits my storage needs better. Highly recommend either way.

toshu · Monday at 8:33 AM

I have one of their 2 rifle bags that I bought at Costco recently and their large pistol/range bag. Both are extremely well designed and a great value for the money

camocorvette · Monday at 9:07 PM

Looks like a copy of a "6 pack fitness" backpack with the pockets switched to the side and rotated.

If that's the case and it looks similarly made(china) it should be OK. I've had one for 8-9 years.

I understand you aren't asking specifically about the rifle cases. But I've used multiple and they work great

LuckyDuck · Monday at 9:26 PM

Just wanted to share my appreciation for everyone that weighed in. As I said, I really was liking what I was seeing but having not seeing one/being familiar with the brand or being able to locate information on the weight I wanted to check in with the Hide.

I'm still pondering but very heavily leaning to rolling the dice on at least the compact bag. I reckon for a $100 it's worth giving it a shot

-LD

jt526 · Monday at 9:42 PM

I have both the big one and the small one. The big one is BIG, and has way more space. Like it’s huge. When the came out with the smaller one I grabbed that. I’ve been impressed with both, but almost exclusively use the smaller one. The small one the midway 7 mag pistol bags fits 2 of those. The build quality is good, no concerns there. It’s at the higher end of imported goods I’d say. There are some things in the big one that should have carried over to the small one in my opinion, but it is what it is. No regrets, if I had to pick one I’d do the small one. Pic comparing them with Pmag for scale. Loaded both get real heavy. The big one the top carry handle is better designed and sturdier with a large strap/handle And it has some belt keepers to snap a gun belt on. Small one lacks those features. On the small one, you’ll fit muffs, a timer, eyeglass case, and a couple of smaller bullet bags.

LuckyDuck · Monday at 9:48 PM

jt526 said:
I have both the big one and the small one. The big one is BIG, and has way more space. Like it’s huge. When the came out with the smaller one I grabbed that. I’ve been impressed with both, but almost exclusively use the smaller one. The small one the midway 7 mag pistol bags fits 2 of those. The build quality is good, no concerns there. It’s at the higher end of imported goods I’d say. There are some things in the big one that should have carried over to the small one in my opinion, but it is what it is. No regrets, if I had to pick one I’d do the small one. Pic comparing them with Pmag for scale

Awesome. Any concerns/thoughts on the weight of the bag when empty/after loading it down with pistols/ammo/etc? It kinda seems like it’s a “husky” bag in the weight category before throwing 3 pistols, a couple hundred rounds of ammo, and everything else into it.

jt526 · Monday at 9:50 PM

Here is my usual crap moved from 1 to the other, with an MTM 30cal for comparison, not sure if that is helpful for you? Any shots you want in particular?

jt526 · Monday at 9:55 PM

Heavy, real heavy, once you get all the ammo and guns the big one can hold, it is a beast. I usually have a p320 with 7 loaded mags and then one “something else” a 22 or whatever with 7 loaded mags and a bag of 1-200 9mm and a bag of 22 or whatever. Plus the garmin, a cleaning kit and a bunch of sticky splatter targets let
Me weigh it real quick.
Size comparison of the insides with an ammo can for scale

jt526 · Monday at 10:12 PM

Total package on the small one with this much bs in it is 30.5lbs, that is 2 guns, PPE, about 250ish rds of 147gr 9mm maybe same of 22lr, garmin, 2 cans, 7 p320 mags, 3 p322 mags, cleaning kit, spare batteries, weatherman, anti burn shit gloves, sock, and hanky, targets, etc. so it adds up, but that is basically full. I could add maybe 200-300 more 9mm or whatever, but it is pretty much at capacity on stuff. The big one just climbs from there and is substantially wider and taller.

I will say I have had the smaller one for like 6 months and no appreciable wear and I have not burned a hole in it yet with a hot can, so I am pretty happy about that.

LuckyDuck · Monday at 11:39 PM

jt526 said:
Total package with this much bs in it is 30.5lbs, that is 2 guns, PPE, about 250ish rds of 147gr 9mm maybe same of 22lr, garmin, 2 cans, 7 p320 mags, 3 p322 mags, cleaning kit, spare batteries, weatherman, anti burn shit gloves, sock, and hanky, targets, etc. so it adds up, but that is basically full. I could add maybe 200-300 more 9mm or whatever, but it is pretty much at capacity on stuff. The big one just climbs from there and is substantially wider and taller.

Those pictures and the time you spent putting the responses together for me is nothing short of fantastic and precisely what I was hoping to learn from my post. It's an online forum of course but please allow me to express my sincere gratitude for you making the effort to do so.

That said- your pictures & commentary cost me some money tonight and convinced me to go 'all-in'. I found a retailer selling the bags at the same price as Midway but offered the compact SEMA in Gray. They didn't have many left (I assume it's a discontinued color since it wasn't on SE's website but one I tend to gravitate towards) but I ended up ordering both (largely due to your comments/pictures as well as other's contributions here).

So I reckon I've rolled the dice and will find out for myself and give this brand/product line a chance. As I've said- the empty weight of the bag was giving me pause (and I still think it's a bit wild that it isn't published practically anywhere, and I looked on their website, Midway, Ebay, Glockstore, etc. but it's an absolute mystery).

I just didn't want to start with a "boat anchor" and then throw guns, ammo, etc in it and upgrade to an even larger boat anchor. The heaviest that I'd probably load it would be 3 5" 1911's with... say 300-400 rounds of 45ACP. If I use it for an IDPA competition- that weight goes down to 2 pistols and either 9mm-45acp ammo with at most 200 rounds, or a USPSA match with also 2 pistols but maybe 200-250 rounds of 40 S&W.

All that to say, it may be a husky girl but worth trying to give it a shot to see if it would fit in the particular use cases I have in mind.

Again, a very sincere thank you @jt526 in particular for sharing the pictures and taking the time to answer my questions.

Fingers crossed that this purchase will prove to be nothing sort of glorious.

-LD

jt526 · 2025-01-21T08:48:06-0500

for sure, smaller one will be the right size for 2 pistols and mags, the big one for three. “Get both” has also been my default setting for gun stuff. I hope you have the same good experiences with Savior as I have. Not much else in this space except the GPS line of packs and then the Chinese copies on Amazon that I have found. These are way better than the GPS brand I compared in person.

LuckyDuck · 2025-01-21T11:26:53-0500

jt526 said:
for sure, smaller one will be the right size for 2 pistols and mags, the big one for three. “Get both” has also been my default setting for gun stuff. I hope you have the same good experiences with Savior as I have. Not much else in this space except the GPS line of packs and then the Chinese copies on Amazon that I have found. These are way better than the GPS brand I compared in person.

Again I can not appreciate your posts enough- sadly I've got "one like" to give for each one but you pushed me over the precipice. I'll continue to share my experiences here if there's any interest.

Having trouble using the site?

Site updates coming Wednesday, 1/29 at 8am CT!

Savior Equipment SEMA Backpacks... Anyone have any experience with these?

Old Salt

Private

212

Private

Sergeant

Send it

Old Salt

Private

Attachments

Old Salt

Private

Attachments

Private

Attachments

Private

Attachments

Old Salt

Private

Old Salt

Similar threads