Magpul DAKA Utility Organizer Review

At first glance, this is an odd-looking pouch. However, it has a durable, water-resistant feel and offers good protection for your gear. How does it work while traveling, though? Let’s dive in!

External Components

The primary material used on this utility organizer is polymer-infused textiles. It feels very rugged and durable but isn’t the most malleable fabric. It feels like a plastic blend but has a unique texture, which we dig.

All of the seams are RF-welded, which ensures water isn’t going to sneak through them. That stands for radio-frequency welding, a process by which plastic is stuck together using high-frequency radio waves. It’s common to see on waterproof and highly water-resistant products, so we welcome its inclusion here.

At the time of writing, there are four colorways available. There’s Black, which is sleek and subdued. Then, there’s Flat Dark Earth, which feels slightly military-friendly. Next, there’s Orange, which is easy to see and vibrant. Last, there’s DAKA Red, a brand trademark rich in color. There isn’t a very wide variety, but most users will be able to find something that fits the vibe they’re looking for.

The main compartment zipper is from YKK and has an AquaGuard finish, another feature that helps keep your gear dry. The long pull features 550 paracord with a knot on the end and heat-shrink plastic around it. The pull is easy to find but can be annoyingly large at times, which is worth noting. The deep zipper garage is yet another add-on that helps keep your gear dry.

This is a good time to note that although this pouch is highly water-resistant, it isn’t waterproof, an important distinction. It does a good job keeping water at bay but can’t handle submersion.

An attachment loop on the top side of the spine is handy for attaching this utility pouch to things using a strap or carabiner. You can put it on the outside of your pack if you have gear inside you want quick access to or keep it secure inside if you’re using it as a tech pouch. When not deployed, the loop stays out of your way.

A slight indentation on the bottom left of the pouch’s front face makes up the Magpul logo. It’s so hard to notice that sometimes you might forget it’s there, which is ideal for minimalist travelers who don’t like large logos on their gear.

Apart from that, there isn’t much going on here. Overall, depending on the colorway that you go with, this is a sleek, minimalistic utility organizer with a look not everyone may love. Let’s dive in further.

Inside The Organizer

It opens like a book, but you won’t find any literature here.

On the left (logo) side, we’ve got two liner pockets to work with. You can fit a standard-sized iPhone here so long as you don’t have a large case, and it’s an ideal spot to stow a portable hard drive or a small travel wallet. One of the pockets is slightly taller than the other, but both are reasonably wide. If you use them both at the same time, you get less depth from both. The smaller one is a good spot for a mouse.

Three elastic loops on this side allow you to stow pens, cables, or other small, skinny items. These stay out of the way if you aren’t using them, which is handy.

On the right side, there’s a zippered pocket. It features stretchy mesh, so you can fit larger items inside as long as they can get through the opening. This is helpful for storing tech, first aid items, or other things you want to lock down to one spot so they aren’t bouncing around inside the pouch.

Although there is some depth to this utility organizer, it’s split between the two sides. If one side had minimal depth, there would be enough on the other to stack gear strategically. You can still do that, but it isn’t as easy because you’re never sure if the pouch will close, and things can overflow while stacking them. You can fit fairly large items inside, but it can be challenging to do so if you’re trying to fit multiple things at the same time.

Overall, this is a nice little pouch that works for many things. You can make a survival first aid kit inside, and the durable, water-resistant materials will protect it from the elements. Or, stow your tech inside and slot it inside your daypack or a larger sling for quick use. If you have diabetes or need specialized medical equipment, this pouch is a good size for items like that, too. Magpul is a tactical brand that assists rugged adventurers in getting from point A to point B comfortably, so you can use this organizer for various outdoor activities, too.

This pouch might not excel at any one thing but can be used for a wide variety of travel and everyday uses. You’ll find a use for this little guy no matter how you pack.

What are you going to put inside?