Vanquest KATARA - 16 Backpack - Vanquest

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Type: EMS Bag

Vendor: Vanquest

Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack

Name: Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack
Brand: Vanquest
Price: 275.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

(750+ verified reviews storewide)

Retail Value:$319.00

Your Price: $275.00

SAVE 14% ($44.00 OFF)

Color: Black

Black

Multicam Black

Gray

$275.00

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Vanquest · Convertible 16 L Sling / Backpack

Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack

A 16-litre convertible sling-to-backpack on a 500-D Mil-grade Cordura platform, 18″ × 10.5″ × 7″ at 2.58 lb. A loop-lined main compartment, a padded sleeve that takes a 12″ tablet or a 2-litre bladder, a three-way convertible bottom pocket and MOLLE-Air panels front and sides make it a daily-carry bag that will also stage a trauma kit. Sold as the pack; medical supplies are not included.

16 L · 18″ × 10.5″ × 7″Sling or backpack, 2.58 lb500-D Cordura with DWRMOLLE-Air front and side panels

A bag that looks like a commuter pack and still stages a trauma kit on an external panel solves a real problem: the medical capability travels where a tactical bag would draw attention.

What's Included

A carry platform sold without medical supplies, in three colorways — Black · Multicam Black · Gray — identical in construction. Tap a section for what ships in the box, and for the compartment layout, carry system and materials.

VIEW ▾In the Box — pack and straps — no medical supplies

1× KATARA-16 pack body, 18″ H × 10.5″ W × 7″ D, 16 litres, 2.58 lb / 1,171 g; 500-D Mil-grade Cordura with DWR and 210-D hi-vis ripstop nylon interior
1× Removable sternum strap
Convertible shoulder-strap system, integrated — runs as a dual-shoulder backpack or a right- or left-side single-shoulder sling; secured by hook-and-loop, Duraflex buckles and G-hooks
Padded tablet sleeve, 16″ H × 8.5″ W, loop-lined — doubles as a 2-litre hydration bladder pocket with a hose routing port
No tablet, hydration bladder, FATPack pouch, MOLLE accessories or medical supplies are included. The pack ships empty and is loaded to your own protocol and scope of practice

VIEW ▾Layout, Carry & Materials — compartments, panels and hardware

16-litre capacity; exterior 18″ H × 10.5″ W × 7″ D; main compartment interior 17″ H × 9″ W × 4″ D
Hook-and-loop-lined main compartment accepts loop-mounted organizers and inserts
Two internal side pockets with elastic retention, sized for medical gear, multi-tools and flashlights — reachable from inside the main compartment after clamshell opening
Three-way convertible bottom pocket opens from the top or either side; rolled down, the flap exposes a large hook-and-loop field for accessory or patch attachment
Hidden hook-and-loop accessory compartment behind the bottom pocket
CORDURA MOLLE-Air front panel takes a FATPack pouch, staging an external trauma kit without consuming internal capacity · FATPack sold separately
Low-profile Hypalon MOLLE-Air side panels for further accessory attachment
YKK RC-Class lockable zippers with SPARTAN™ pulls; mil-grade ITW / UTX-Duraflex hardware

▾Specifications

Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack — specifications

Specification	Detail
Manufacturer	Vanquest
Capacity	16 litres
Exterior dimensions	18″ H × 10.5″ W × 7″ D
Main compartment interior	17″ H × 9″ W × 4″ D
Weight	2.58 lb / 1,171 g
Shell material	500-D Mil-grade Cordura with DWR
Interior material	210-D hi-vis ripstop nylon
Tablet sleeve	16″ H × 8.5″ W padded, loop-lined; fits tablets up to 12″
Hydration	Sleeve doubles as a 2-litre bladder pocket with hose port
Main compartment lining	Hook-and-loop lined
Internal pockets	Two side pockets with elastic retention
Bottom pocket	Three-way access — top or either side; roll-down hook-and-loop field
Modular panels	CORDURA MOLLE-Air front; Hypalon MOLLE-Air sides
Carry	Convertible dual-shoulder backpack or right/left single-shoulder sling; removable sternum strap
Zippers	YKK RC-Class lockable with SPARTAN™ pulls
Hardware	Mil-grade ITW / UTX-Duraflex
Colors	Black · Multicam Black · Gray
Medical supplies included	No — pack only

The legacy page gives no part numbers for the colorways and does not name them. Colorway availability comes from the variant list on this page.

▾Who Carries It

Military and law enforcement on administrative carry staging a compact trauma kit on the MOLLE-Air panel while the interior handles electronics, documents and personal items · Paramedics and EMTs off duty keeping a minimal IFAK externally accessible behind a non-tactical appearance · Range safety officers using sling carry for side access to the three-way pocket without removing the pack · Wilderness first responders running the 2-litre bladder alongside a loop-lined custom backcountry medical kit · Prepared urban civilians carrying a personal trauma kit, tablet and daily essentials in one bag.

Treat the front MOLLE-Air panel as the medical panel and keep it that way. Putting the trauma kit outside the main compartment means it comes off as a unit, can be handed to someone else, and does not have to be dug out from under a laptop — which is the whole argument for an external panel over a pocket.

Genuine Vanquest

Sourced direct from the manufacturer or an authorized master distributor. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Available Options:

Black
Multicam Black
Gray

SPECS & MEASUREMENTS

Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does the KATARA-16 convert to a slingpack?

The KATARA-16 converts from backpack to slingpack by removing one shoulder strap. The shoulder straps are secured with hook-and-loop fasteners, Duraflex buckles, and G-hooks, allowing quick removal and switch to single-shoulder carry on either left or right shoulder.

What is the maximum tablet or laptop size for the KATARA-16?

The padded sleeve in the KATARA-16 fits tablets up to 12 inches. It can also be used as a 2-liter hydration bladder pocket. The sleeve has a loop surface for attaching hook-and-loop accessories.

Does the KATARA-16 support hydration bladders?

Yes. The padded tablet sleeve doubles as a 2-liter hydration bladder compartment accessible from the top or side. The hydration hose routes to the shoulder strap using a standard pass-through port.

Is the Vanquest KATARA-16 MOLLE compatible?

Yes. The KATARA-16 has low-profile Hypalon MOLLE-Air side panels and a Cordura MOLLE-Air front panel for attaching MOLLE-compatible accessories such as FATPack medical pouches, holsters, and organizers using standard MOLLE Sticks.

What is the three-way convertible pocket on the KATARA-16?

The three-way convertible pocket can be opened from the top via zipper or from either side panel, giving access without removing the pack during sling carry. Rolling down the top flap reveals a large loop field for attaching additional hook-and-loop organizers or morale patches.

Does the KATARA-16 tablet sleeve support a hydration bladder simultaneously?

Yes. The padded sleeve doubles as a 2-liter hydration bladder pocket. The sleeve is loop-lined, allowing hook-and-loop accessories to mount to its interior face. When used as a hydration pocket, the bladder mounts in the sleeve and the hose routes through a designated port to the shoulder strap.

How does the three-way convertible pocket function?

The bottom pocket can be accessed from the top zipper or from either side panel, providing access in sling configuration without removing the pack. When the top flap is rolled down and secured, it exposes a large hook-and-loop field on the inside face of the flap for additional organizer or patch attachment.

What is the intended use case for the internal side pockets?

The two internal side pockets with elastic retention are sized for medical gear, multi-tools, flashlights, and similar items. They are accessible from inside the main compartment after clamshell opening, providing a designated location for secondary items not needed at primary access speed.

Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does the KATARA-16 convert to a slingpack?

What is the maximum tablet or laptop size for the KATARA-16?

Does the KATARA-16 support hydration bladders?

Is the Vanquest KATARA-16 MOLLE compatible?

What is the three-way convertible pocket on the KATARA-16?

Does the KATARA-16 tablet sleeve support a hydration bladder simultaneously?

How does the three-way convertible pocket function?

What is the intended use case for the internal side pockets?

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Vanquest KATARA-16 Backpack

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