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

[LuckyDuck]

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]

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]

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

 

[jpp3g]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Hello again Hide,

Just wanted to gauge the interest here on the topic as I've got all but... I think one package in possession now.

What I ordered was

(1) PRO SEMA Backpack
(1) Compact SEMA Backpack
(*) Of their Cable locks
(*) of their Ammo carriers

Is it worth posting further on this here, and if so, what data points would be of value on these particular products?

Doesn't hurt my feelings either way but just wanted to see if there's an interest & if so what it'd be focused towards before moving forward with this thread. Again- no personal/financial/whatever interest from me- just found some things that I found interesting on the product was all and decided to give 'em a shot and am also willing to share what I'm observing if it's of any help to the community here is all.

Otherwise I'll go about my own way in seeing what I think about it.

Let me know.

-LD

​

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Post your comparison of the two. I'd like to hear your opinions too.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Post your comparison of the two. I'd like to hear your opinions too.

Is there anything in particular outside of what @jt526 has already shared? I'm happy to do so but just want to make sure I'm adding to the value of the discussion and covering what is of personal interest to those reading the thread is all.

I don't think I mentioned this in my previous post- but to set expectations, it'd likely take me at least a week at this point to do so. Again, happy to if it's helpful but I didn't want Thursday to come around and have folks starting to come to the conclusion that I became flakey/blew this off is all. I'm still waiting on the last package as I mentioned to have all my 'ducks' in a row and also to get through this particular trying week at work before I can 'reset' my brain and focus on this topic.

-LD

 

[Darryle]

Country of origin

 

[LuckyDuck]

Country of origin

Easy question- not the easiest to answer but I went digging through them.

I'm still waiting to receive the compact version of the backpack but I have the Pro version, the ammo bags & cable locks I mentioned.

As for the PRO SEMA.. I went through everything that came with it, the bag itself, the labels, and the pouches that attach to the flaps and here's what I found...

That's the front & back of the product tag, you'll see "Designed in Los Angeles, CA" on the back part. Apple does this type of marketing/labeling as well.

After digging through the bag itself- I couldn't find any tags on the 3 pistol sleeves that come with it (although initial opinions are that they're rather nice), nor on the velcro tags, or velcro pouches) but in the top compartment, I did finally find a tag that was tucked away in the corner...

Hopefully that's readable for you but it does say "Made in P.R.C". I suppose that's shorthand for "People's Republic of China" but just showing what I was able to find. Also want to say- just trying to answer your question and not alluding to the overall quality of the product either.

For the ammo pouches (Savior Equipment calls 'em "loose sacs")... I did some digging there and found similar results (although without the "designed in California" tag. Here that one is...

Moving on (again can only speak to what I've received)... here's the pics of the cable locks I purchased (front & backside)...

So the backside of the locks does seem to clearly indicate 'Made in China'. Unlike the bag (and it accruements) and ammo bags I purchased (which again seem to be well made initially) I haven't gotten the locks out of their packaging to give any initial opinion of them with regards to their quality.

Hope that helps answer your question though!

-LD

 

[HaydenLane]

All one has to do is look at their prices to know what the Country of Origin is. Funny that they tuck it away so far when it’s quite clear.

 

[LuckyDuck]

All one has to do is look at their prices to know what the Country of Origin is. Funny that they tuck it away so far when it’s quite clear.

To be fair- I suspected as much with the price point (as you said) but still wanted to support the Hide here and answer questions that I'm able to.

Again- still waiting on the compact bag to complete my order & country of origin aside- the initial quality of what I'm seeing is rather positive. I haven't gotten too deep into things as of yet but when I started this thread I was liking what I was seeing on the product (but I just wasn't seeing much).

So hopefully I'm able to provide a little bit more insight than what's out there presently for those interested and am able to do so in a visual/concise manner and remain neutral throughout the process. I don't have anything to gain one way or the other, just want to be helpful to others here since I "rolled the dice" to find out for myself on the gaps of information missing. I really want to delve into the weight issue (which was my primary apprehension) but I need all of my order to be delivered before I can get into that.

-LD

 

[HaydenLane]

To be fair- I suspected as much with the price point (as you said) but still wanted to support the Hide here and answer questions that I'm able to.

Absolutely, no judgement on my part for that! I just thought it was funny it was asked in the first place.

In my limited experience, their products are well made and well designed. As long as you don’t pay the premium for camo material some of the prices border on too cheap. Hopefully the bags serve you well.

 

[Darryle]

I have the Covert rifle case and it is a very well designed albeit heavy case.

I was hoping that at the cost of the SEMA backpack, it would be manufactured elsewhere

 

[HaydenLane]

I was hoping that at the cost of the SEMA backpack, it would be manufactured elsewhere

If it were made by someone like kifaru or Armageddon gear it would be 450-500 easily

 

[LuckyDuck]

Hit a snag with the SEMA Compact backpack but that should be resolved now and coming next week. For the meantime- the show must go on so let me get some info out on the Pro sized bag that I have... First in Imperial units.

S.E. advertises the external dimensions as being 21” x 16” x 11” and I was running a touch below those specs. Perhaps they use the fully loaded/maximum expansion of the material for the dimensions that they have? Either way (and I should have clarified this earlier) this bag is "as-is". Nothing added/nothing taken away just what you'll get out of the box (more on that later).

The question that I started this thread with and couldn't find anywhere was the weight. I've got that for you here too...

According to my luggage scale, it's consistently coming up as 10lbs even so even when factoring in whatever deviation my scale has for precision, it's a chunk of a bag being 10lbs before you add any gear into it.

-LD

 

[LuckyDuck]

In classic American fashion and opting to using literally any other unit of measurement other than the metric system, here's some more comparisons in various US freedom units...

As far as weight goes, it's .5lbs heavier than an M1 Garand and about 3lbs heavier than a standard M16/AR15A4.

 

[LuckyDuck]

As for the packaging (I mentioned I'd revisit the box it comes in), that's pretty slick and you can color me impressed. The interior flaps/folds of all the cardboard are actually targets printed on the inside. I dig this attention to detail and understanding your customer base...

 

[jt526]

Nice they are weighty, but I am still loving the Compact. Still my go to for now. One of the small Covert cases is next on my radar.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Took longer than expected but I now have both in hand to compare/evaluate...

I need a bit more time but I'm seeing some stark differences already...

-LD