It's happening. People are starting to travel again. In-person business meetings are getting on the schedule. Trade shows are being planned for.
Oh, and that phrase "trade shows" reminds us of one of the inspirations for our new line of Surrept packs. Yes, trade shows, those annual assemblies of like-minded people packing into an exhibit space (often in Las Vegas), where there's always over-scheduled calendars, late nights, awkward handshakes and meetings upon meetings upon meetings.
There's a long and storied history about SOG gear being made to fit the wants and demands of end users. Take the SEAL 2000 fixed blade, for instance. That knife was used by U.S. Navy SEALS for a number of years after one of the most extensive testing and evaluation programs ever undertaken by the federal government that included knives from almost every major knife manufacturer in the USA.
Admittedly, the Surrept Carry System of packs, introduced earlier this year, doesn't have the cool origin story of our SEAL knives. Still, the packs are specifically designed to meet the demands of discerning end users.
"It sounds kind of funny to say it this way, but we took a lot of inspiration for our Surrept Carry System from trade shows," said Chris Cashbaugh, SOG's Senior Director of Product Strategy. "Going to trade shows brought home the need for a pack system to carry to a three-day event. It had to be light. You didn't need to take one large pack for your laptop and one large bag for your clothes. You needed a space for a computer, business cards, swag and one you could take to dinner when you left the show floor."
From those humble trade shows beginnings, though, SOG's pack design team realized the need for discreet, functional packs that would be sought after by those who want to be prepared for more than a day in a convention center. While the Surrept packs are perfect for that application, there needed to be more. Like CCW pouches. Discreet stash pouches for first aid kits. A place to secure a ballistic panel. Extra storage for tools and equipment that somebody might need on hand when a good day suddenly turns into a challenging one.
Cashbaugh was instrumental in designing the entire Surrept Carry System and is quick to point out SOG's collection of packs are purposefully designed to work in conjunction with each other. He notes that the smaller packs (like the Surrept 02 CS and the Surrept 04 CS) are specifically made to be partnered with the larger packs.
"Think of the smaller packs as kind of satellites for the larger packs," he said. "You can put a few essentials in the smaller pack and leave them in your hotel room, while you use the larger packs to go out and about."
The idea resonates with business travelers, particularly those who want to embrace the preparedness mindset, but don't need to travel with two suitcases.
"None of the packs were made to compete with each other," said Cashbaugh. "It is a true system."
