Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack Review

The Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack does an excellent job of balancing versatility and durability. This sleek waist pack offers rugged protection while maintaining a compact form factor, making it perfect for those who need convenient storage without committing to a full backpack. Whether you want to free up pocket space or simply do not have pockets available, this waist pack provides plenty of space and organization.

This waist pack’s thoughtful organization and spacious capacity, packed into such a compact design, make it incredibly versatile. Whether you want something for everyday carry, hiking, trekking, or even travel, this waist pack provides ample capacity and smart organization for all your essential gear. The waist pack comes in two distinct colorways, so you can choose based on your needs and preferences.

External Components

The Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack is constructed from ultra-durable 1000D CORDURA® Nylon and has high-quality YKK zippers. The Rustic Brown variant is made with a waxed canvas. This FDE Nylon variant has a khaki-like aesthetic. For those curious, FDE refers to a specific, typically flat, dark earth color. It is most commonly used in military and tactical equipment since it blends well with various natural environments, making it ideal for camouflage use.

The main zipper pulls have nylon rope with waxed ends, which operate incredibly smoothly, even around corners. There are plenty of attachment points, with two elastic loops on the front VELCRO field, elastic loops on both sides for grips or gear attachment, and dedicated attachment points where the waist strap connects to the bag. There is minimal branding, with just a small Roaring Fire logo tab on the front, which provides a fairly inconspicuous aesthetic.

The Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack has adjustable straps on both sides with a center plastic buckle for easy access. This centered buckle allows the pack to be easily connected or removed without lifting it over your head. The nylon strap is smooth, soft, and comfortable against the body, with convenient strap keepers on both sides to manage excess length. Adjustment is simple, straightforward, and accessible even while wearing the pack. For additional comfort, the back panel has a breathable mesh design with extra padding that promotes ventilation during extended wear.

Fit Notes

The Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack comes in two colorways: an FDE Nylon with a khaki tone and a Rustic Brown waxed canvas variant. While designed primarily as a waist pack, you can also wear it as a crossbody sling. However, the strap length may be limiting for some users in this orientation. The overall aesthetic leans more toward outdoor and tactical use, which works well for adventure scenarios but may not be ideal in more formal or urban environments.

Inside The Pack

The front pocket on the Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack takes up nearly the entire front face and features RFID protection, which is a thoughtful addition, given its location. This pocket provides secure storage for cards and key fobs with a simple approach to organization. A dedicated zipper dock adds extra security and protection against the elements. One thing to keep in mind is that the VELCRO field on the front panel can be somewhat loud. It has a fairly plastic-like crinkling sound when flexed.

The rear pocket has a convenient zipper and is lined with a soft, felt-like material. It is perfect for storing phones and other sensitive devices with screens. The padding provides additional protection and comfort while carrying.

The main compartment has ultra-smooth-gliding dual zippers that provide easy access with a generously wide opening, giving excellent visibility of the contents inside. Along the back wall in the main compartment, you will find a zippered mesh pocket perfect for organizing and quickly identifying smaller items. The front wall includes thoughtful organization features, including two large loops for wallets or tools and five additional stretchy loops above them for smaller items. One is perfectly sized for a mini pen. What’s particularly clever about this organization panel is that it sits flat against the compartment wall when not in use, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with the main storage space.

The Roaring Fire Ridger Waist Pack is a highly capable and versatile waist pack that successfully bridges the gap between everyday carry and tactical functionality. Its robust construction using premium materials like 1000D CORDURA® nylon and YKK zippers ensures long-term durability, while thoughtful organization and flexible carry options make it practical in various use cases. Though the tactical aesthetic and VELCRO noise might not suit all environments or everyone’s use case, the pack excels in its primary role as a reliable, well-organized waist pack for those looking for something durable and functional. This waist pack provides a dependable carry solution with convenient accessibility without compromising quality. Whether you are out on a hike, traversing through uncertain terrain, traveling, or simply looking for something thoughtfully designed with rugged protection and flexible customization, the Ridger Waist Pack offers a viable option that can stand up to just about anything thrown at it.