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Plano 4870 KVD Signature Series Bag
THE LOWDOWN Part of the Guide Elite series, the Kevin VanDam model measures 223⁄4x12x12 inches and carries four 3700-series StowAway boxes. Foldout end pockets hold reels or other bulky items; foldout side compartments have mesh pockets and two water-resistant, removable bags. The nonslip bottom is molded and rubberized.
Three first-place scores landed the Plano at No. 1. Testers found the bag to be durable and waterproof, with good organization, useful pockets, and comfortable straps. Reader Tester Bill Davies, who gave the bag a perfect score, loved the zippers. Tester Mike Corbett said its layout didn’t fit his fishing needs.
HITS “I liked the fact that you could access the bag from either side.”—Reader Tester Les White
MISSES “The top handle pinched my hand when the bag was full.”—Reader Tester Don Hamilton
SCORE 4.5 out of 5 stars
CONTACT
Phone: 800-226-9868
planomolding.com
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Reviews (9)
Reader Review: Les White
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: The construction of the Guide Elite is very good overall. The material is durable, although I personally don't need a two-tone tacklebag. The zippers on this bag seem very good and are the smoothest to operate of any of the test bags. The contoured and padded shoulder strap makes this bag carry well. Score: Score: 9 out of 10.
Performance: The nonslip backing on the padded shoulder strap makes this bag carry well. It has a waterproof bottom that is made of a nonskid rubber. This base really holds to the bottom of my boat. The side compartments and end pockets give many options for gear such as spinner bait bags and worm wallets. Score: 9 out of 10.
Durability: This bag feels as if it should last for years. The bottom material is very durable. I feel the zippers will determine the lifespan on a tacklebag of this quality and the zippers on this Plano model are as smooth as you could hope for. Score: 9 out of 10.
Innovation: This bag seems to be a totally new design. The ability to access the main compartment from either side is a very handy feature. Score: 9 out of 10.
Value: This bag is the second most expensive of those tested, but I feel it's a very good value. It comes with four 3750 bins. With the addition of a spinnerbait wallet or two and a worm wallet, it'll be ready to go. Score: 9 out of 10.
Best Thing: The access to the bag from either side, and the smooth operation of the zippers, which allows you to access the bag with one hand.
Worst Thing: n/a
Buy It or Not? I would definitely buy this bag. Of the four bags tested, it is the one I'll be using as my new tacklebag.
Reader Review: Bill Davies
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: Carry straps and handle are very comfortable. Padded very well. Zippers are great. They open and close very easily, with just one hand. The zipper patterns are more oval and rounded on the corners, not at 90 degrees like the other bags tested. Score: 10 out of 10.
Performance: Very comfortable to carry. It seems very waterproof and very durable. It has plenty of pocket/cargo areas. It hold all my gear, and the way I like it. The plastic stow, as with the other bags, may break with heavy weight in them, if jarred or dropped. It's the same with all totes that I have used. Score: 10 out of 10.
Durability: The bottom is made of a non-skid material—a great feature. Zippers and straps are great. The plastic buckles always concern me. Bottom seems durable. Score: 10 out of 10.
Innovation: I love the fold-out table-type flaps, with net-like material to let out water for good drainage. The straps are comfortable on the hands and shoulders. It's a product of its own. Score: 10 out of 10.
Value: Very fair price. Right around the others tested, with a lot more to offer. Score: 10 out of 10.
Best Thing: The fold-out table-type flaps. Great storage, drainage features. Zippers are great. If I was to choose one benefit, it would be the zippers. Straps are comfortable. Size of bag is right.
Worst Thing: The fear of the plastic totes I have. It's my issue, based on problems I have had in the past.
Buy It or Not? Absolutely.
Final Comments: To me, this is a great bag. Size is right. Zippers work easily. Oval rounded compartment where zippers open not 90 degrees, like the other bags. The zippers even have a rubber, non-skid ergo fit material. The handles and carry straps are great and comfortable. The fold-out table-type flaps are great. Drainage is good. The non-skid bottom is good. I like the bag best of all of them. Plano did a good job. This is a true fisherman's bag, well-thought-out.
Reader Review: Don Hamilton
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: Score: 8 out of 10.
Performance: Non-skid bottom a plus. Plenty of storage space. Score: 8 out of 10.
Durability: The zippers are separate from bag, so there's not way for them to catch on the material. Score: 9 out of 10.
Innovation: Removable softshell bags with Velcro to keep them in place are a great idea. Score: 8 out of 10.
Value: Plenty of options for set up with extra boxes, so you can switch out for different fishing situations. Score: 9 out of 10.
Best Thing: Storage options — can be set up for a variety of uses.
Worst Thing: Top handle seams pinched my hand when the bag was full of gear.
Buy It or Not? Yes
Final Comments: Very eye-catching colors; zipper keepers large and durable.
Reader Review: Mike Corbett
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: The zippers have small teeth and would be prone to jamming with foreign material in a heavy-use environment. Score: 8 out of 10.
Performance: The product is well made and the material is heavy and water resistant, but the many pockets make it very busy and are of limited use due to small size and odd shape. They are more stylish than functional. Scored: 8 out of 10.
Durability: The bottom and the outside material are heavy enough to hold up well with hard use, but the small-tooth zippers are a weak point. It appears they are more for style than durability or functionality. Score: 8 out of 10.
Innovation: This bag is very original in its design and appearance. It is much more stylish than functional. The shape, color,and manylittle pockets add a lot of "eye candy" without being of much use. Score: 10 out of 10.
Value: The space provided is limited by the design. None of the pockets are big enough to hold additional tackle boxes and I could find no real use for the pull-out, weatherproof bag. It is overpriced for the performance and by comparison to the other bags. Score: 5 out of 10.
Best Thing: The Plano 3750 storage boxes. These are very durable boxes with good latches. Although the most stylish of the four, my wife thought the mustard yellow color was ugly.
Worst Thing: Wasted space. The many small, irregular shaped pockets were of limited use to me. This bag is more eye candy than function.
Buy It or Not? No. Plano is selling a name (Kevin VanDam) and fashion, not a tacklebag.
Final Comments: Plano makes very good tackle boxes, but this seems to be more of a fashion-oriented product. The layout may make sense to Devin VanDam, but not to me. I don't care what I look like when I'm fishing; in fact, I prefer that the fish not see me at all!
A bit over price for what you get. Cabela's makes a much more functional, better designed tackle bag, for less money.
i agree with matouse3 way to much for a bag!
I asked for one of the Cabela's tackle bags for my birthday and got this Plano KVD bag instead. At first, I was actually upset that my parents got me this, but boy did I change my mind! I absolutely love it. The materials and build quality are far superior to any other bag I have used. All the others feel "cheap" compared to this, it was definitely built to last.
It comes with four 3700 series boxes, but you can actually fit five 3700 boxes and one 3600 box in it.
I'll give it a 10/10 and a definite "must buy"!
Thanks husky, I'm buying this.
This is a great bag. Although expensive they are definitely worth it.
Post a Review
Reader Review: Mike Corbett
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: The zippers have small teeth and would be prone to jamming with foreign material in a heavy-use environment. Score: 8 out of 10.
Performance: The product is well made and the material is heavy and water resistant, but the many pockets make it very busy and are of limited use due to small size and odd shape. They are more stylish than functional. Scored: 8 out of 10.
Durability: The bottom and the outside material are heavy enough to hold up well with hard use, but the small-tooth zippers are a weak point. It appears they are more for style than durability or functionality. Score: 8 out of 10.
Innovation: This bag is very original in its design and appearance. It is much more stylish than functional. The shape, color,and manylittle pockets add a lot of "eye candy" without being of much use. Score: 10 out of 10.
Value: The space provided is limited by the design. None of the pockets are big enough to hold additional tackle boxes and I could find no real use for the pull-out, weatherproof bag. It is overpriced for the performance and by comparison to the other bags. Score: 5 out of 10.
Best Thing: The Plano 3750 storage boxes. These are very durable boxes with good latches. Although the most stylish of the four, my wife thought the mustard yellow color was ugly.
Worst Thing: Wasted space. The many small, irregular shaped pockets were of limited use to me. This bag is more eye candy than function.
Buy It or Not? No. Plano is selling a name (Kevin VanDam) and fashion, not a tacklebag.
Final Comments: Plano makes very good tackle boxes, but this seems to be more of a fashion-oriented product. The layout may make sense to Devin VanDam, but not to me. I don't care what I look like when I'm fishing; in fact, I prefer that the fish not see me at all!
A bit over price for what you get. Cabela's makes a much more functional, better designed tackle bag, for less money.
i agree with matouse3 way to much for a bag!
I asked for one of the Cabela's tackle bags for my birthday and got this Plano KVD bag instead. At first, I was actually upset that my parents got me this, but boy did I change my mind! I absolutely love it. The materials and build quality are far superior to any other bag I have used. All the others feel "cheap" compared to this, it was definitely built to last.
It comes with four 3700 series boxes, but you can actually fit five 3700 boxes and one 3600 box in it.
I'll give it a 10/10 and a definite "must buy"!
Thanks husky, I'm buying this.
This is a great bag. Although expensive they are definitely worth it.
Reader Review: Les White
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: The construction of the Guide Elite is very good overall. The material is durable, although I personally don't need a two-tone tacklebag. The zippers on this bag seem very good and are the smoothest to operate of any of the test bags. The contoured and padded shoulder strap makes this bag carry well. Score: Score: 9 out of 10.
Performance: The nonslip backing on the padded shoulder strap makes this bag carry well. It has a waterproof bottom that is made of a nonskid rubber. This base really holds to the bottom of my boat. The side compartments and end pockets give many options for gear such as spinner bait bags and worm wallets. Score: 9 out of 10.
Durability: This bag feels as if it should last for years. The bottom material is very durable. I feel the zippers will determine the lifespan on a tacklebag of this quality and the zippers on this Plano model are as smooth as you could hope for. Score: 9 out of 10.
Innovation: This bag seems to be a totally new design. The ability to access the main compartment from either side is a very handy feature. Score: 9 out of 10.
Value: This bag is the second most expensive of those tested, but I feel it's a very good value. It comes with four 3750 bins. With the addition of a spinnerbait wallet or two and a worm wallet, it'll be ready to go. Score: 9 out of 10.
Best Thing: The access to the bag from either side, and the smooth operation of the zippers, which allows you to access the bag with one hand.
Worst Thing: n/a
Buy It or Not? I would definitely buy this bag. Of the four bags tested, it is the one I'll be using as my new tacklebag.
Reader Review: Bill Davies
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: Carry straps and handle are very comfortable. Padded very well. Zippers are great. They open and close very easily, with just one hand. The zipper patterns are more oval and rounded on the corners, not at 90 degrees like the other bags tested. Score: 10 out of 10.
Performance: Very comfortable to carry. It seems very waterproof and very durable. It has plenty of pocket/cargo areas. It hold all my gear, and the way I like it. The plastic stow, as with the other bags, may break with heavy weight in them, if jarred or dropped. It's the same with all totes that I have used. Score: 10 out of 10.
Durability: The bottom is made of a non-skid material—a great feature. Zippers and straps are great. The plastic buckles always concern me. Bottom seems durable. Score: 10 out of 10.
Innovation: I love the fold-out table-type flaps, with net-like material to let out water for good drainage. The straps are comfortable on the hands and shoulders. It's a product of its own. Score: 10 out of 10.
Value: Very fair price. Right around the others tested, with a lot more to offer. Score: 10 out of 10.
Best Thing: The fold-out table-type flaps. Great storage, drainage features. Zippers are great. If I was to choose one benefit, it would be the zippers. Straps are comfortable. Size of bag is right.
Worst Thing: The fear of the plastic totes I have. It's my issue, based on problems I have had in the past.
Buy It or Not? Absolutely.
Final Comments: To me, this is a great bag. Size is right. Zippers work easily. Oval rounded compartment where zippers open not 90 degrees, like the other bags. The zippers even have a rubber, non-skid ergo fit material. The handles and carry straps are great and comfortable. The fold-out table-type flaps are great. Drainage is good. The non-skid bottom is good. I like the bag best of all of them. Plano did a good job. This is a true fisherman's bag, well-thought-out.
Reader Review: Don Hamilton
(also tested three other tackle bags; find reviews here)
Construction and Design: Score: 8 out of 10.
Performance: Non-skid bottom a plus. Plenty of storage space. Score: 8 out of 10.
Durability: The zippers are separate from bag, so there's not way for them to catch on the material. Score: 9 out of 10.
Innovation: Removable softshell bags with Velcro to keep them in place are a great idea. Score: 8 out of 10.
Value: Plenty of options for set up with extra boxes, so you can switch out for different fishing situations. Score: 9 out of 10.
Best Thing: Storage options — can be set up for a variety of uses.
Worst Thing: Top handle seams pinched my hand when the bag was full of gear.
Buy It or Not? Yes
Final Comments: Very eye-catching colors; zipper keepers large and durable.
Post a Review