The Eberlestock Bando XL is usually looked at as a crossbody bag, waist pack, CCW bag, or everyday carry pouch.

That is not exactly why I picked it up.

I bought the Bando XL because I wanted to try it as a compact IFAK, hygiene kit, and trail support bag for hiking and exploring in the woods.

After carrying it a few times, I have some mixed thoughts. Not because the bag is bad, but because my expectations for this specific loadout may have been asking too much from it.

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Why I Bought the Bando XL

The Bando XL is designed as a CCW or EDC waist pack / crossbody bag, but I wanted to use it differently.

My goal was to build a small hiking kit that could carry medical supplies, hygiene items, snacks, hydration packets, and other trail support gear without needing to bring a full backpack.

Size and Specs

This is the larger XL version of the Bando.

• Length: 10.75 inches
• Depth: 3 inches
• Height: 6 inches

There is also a smaller version of the Bando, which is shorter in both height and length. The XL gives you more room, but with that added space comes the temptation to overload it.

Strap and Carry Comfort

One thing to keep in mind is the strap length.

I received the extension strap, which adds another 13 inches. For me, using the Bando XL as a crossbody bag is much more comfortable with the extension attached.

As a waist pack, it fits comfortably enough without the extension, but for crossbody carry, that extra length makes a big difference.

Build Quality

The Bando XL uses a nylon material, though I could not find the exact material specification. The zippers are smooth, and while I did not initially see YKK branding on the exterior zippers, the interior zipper is marked YKK.

The pack also includes nice rubberized zipper pulls over paracord, which make the zippers easy to grab and use.

The bag comes with a lifetime warranty, which is reassuring, especially for a pack that may see outdoor and trail use.

Pocket Layout

The Bando XL has three main storage areas:

• Front pocket
• Main compartment
• Rear CCW compartment

The rear compartment includes hook and loop material for attaching a holster, though I did not use it for CCW in this setup.

Front Pocket Loadout

The front pocket stayed fairly light. I used it for small packets and trail support items, including:

• Vitamin C immune support packets
• Caffeine drink mix packets
• Electrolyte hydration packets

There was still room for more, but I did not want to overload the front pocket too much.

Main Compartment Loadout

The main compartment is where most of the medical and hygiene gear went.

Inside, I packed:

• SWAT-T tourniquet
• Kleenex
• Lighter
• Disposable USB-C phone charger
• Compressed gauze
• Hemostatic gauze
• Outdoor wipes and packets
• Banana Boat SPF 30 sunscreen
• Deep Woods Off wipes
• Victorinox Climber Swiss Army Knife
• Wound seal powder
• Adventure Medical Kit

Tourniquet Choice

I know some people will point out that the SWAT-T is not as strong of a choice as a CAT tourniquet for self-application.

That is true.

But the SWAT-T does have some advantages. It can be used on children and animals, which matters to me for an outdoor kit. That flexibility comes with a trade-off, because it is harder to use on yourself.

Additional Medical Supplies

The Adventure Medical Kit is a good starting point, but I added extra items to better match what I wanted this setup to be.

Those additions included:

• Hand sanitizer
• Burn cream
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Nitrile gloves
• Alcohol swabs

For hiking and outdoor use, small items like anti-diarrheal medication, gloves, and sanitizer can be just as important as bandages and gauze.

Rear Compartment Loadout

The rear CCW compartment was not used for a firearm in this setup. Instead, I used it for snacks, medication, and trail comfort items.

Inside, I carried:

• Fruit bars
• Nose plugs
• Nitroglycerin tablets
• Athletic wrap
• Blister prevention tape

The compartment opens nice and wide, and the hook and loop panel gives you options if you want to use it for CCW or organization.

Important CCW Note

The bag includes a warning not to use the CCW compartment with a loaded firearm unless you are using a proper trigger guard or holster.

That is important. If you use this bag for concealed carry, make sure your setup is safe, secure, and appropriate for your firearm.

What Did Not Work for My Setup

The biggest issue came from trying to carry a SAM splint inside the Bando XL.

The splint technically fit, but once the rest of the bag was loaded out, it made the pack uncomfortable. It poked into my back during crossbody carry and made the whole setup less enjoyable.

That is not really the fault of the bag. That is more on me for trying to force a larger item into a smaller carry system.

Future Plans

Going forward, this may not remain my dedicated hiking bag.

I will probably move this hiking medical setup into a larger rucking backpack where I can carry the SAM splint, medical gear, and a weighted plate more comfortably.

The Bando XL will likely get repurposed into a more traditional EDC waist pack or crossbody bag, where I think it will shine.

Where to Buy

Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4u3VtgY

Outro Music

The music at the end of this video was created by me using Suno AI.

Use the following link to listen in its entirety:

Listen to the full track

Final Thoughts

The Eberlestock Bando XL is a well-made and comfortable pack with a lot of potential.

For CCW, EDC, snacks, small medical supplies, or general waist pack use, I think it makes a lot of sense.

For my specific hiking IFAK and hygiene kit setup, it worked, but I pushed it a little too far by trying to include larger items like a SAM splint.

That does not make the bag a failure. It just means I need to match the bag to the mission a little better.

Thanks for stopping by Surviving the Daily. Let me know how you would use the Bando XL in your own setup.