5.11 Tactical Backpack Reviews

Check out these reviews for these top 10 tactical backpacks from 5.11 that we recommend for rucking and field work.

5.11 Rush pack review
I am not an EMS professional. I have a 5.11 Rush 72 as my bug out/ camping bag and it serves me very well. I have been looking for a great traveling bag that is not top-loading hiking backpack. I don’t want to dig out everything everytime when I got to the hotel in order to find just one thing. I bought the 5.11 1 Day Rush Backpack because I am going for a 1.5 months long trip passing through some countries that are politically unstable and Americans might not be very welcomed there and I think my military looking Flat Dark Earth color Rush 72 will draw unwanted attentions.

5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack by John R: This bag is so well constructed that I really forget about trying to baby it. It’s stitching and molle system is just awesome. I typically carry on any given day as part of my EDC:

Maxpedition Triad Admin Puch
Klean Kanteen w/sleeve
Macbook Pro 13-inch
Droid X
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight First Aid (Custom)
Olive Green Shemagh
Paclite Goretex Shell
Aquamira Tactical Frontier Pro Ultralight Water Filter
Platypus 3l Collapsable
Platypus Big Zip SL 2-Liter Hands-Free Hydration System
Smith Pocket Knife Sharpener
RAT 3 Fixed Blade
That is just a light carry…weighing in around 10pounds or so…If I really cram it in there I can hold SOOOO much more and then some. The great thing about this bag is its small size, it is very un-assuming and can easily be carried without allot of fatigue. The harness system and yolk around your neck is probably one of the most comfortable systems I have ever used and I am a total gear and bag junkie so that is saying allot.

I just got the 5.11 Bail Out Bag and will be switching the Rush twelve to my primary Day Hike and Bug Out Bag using the the new bag as my EDC (I carry to much crazy stuff to work)…I will leave the Rush twelve safely in my car for use if the SHTF. I have had allot of bags and this is up there with one of the best I have ever owned.

5.11 Covrt 18 Backpack

I am not military or LE, I simply want a backpack that doesn’t advertise itself as “I’m expensive, think about robbing my owner” when travelling in foreign countries. I currently own 2 different Northface bags (typical school “book bag” types) and an Osprey Stratos 24. The Osprey is better than the Northface bags but I feel conspicuous using it – my mistake really…should only be used for hiking. Size wise, this bag looks the same as the Northface

5.11 All Hazards Prime Backpack

Great bag! If you like to keep things in a certain place this is the bag for you. Using the webbing on the inside works perfect for my needs. I have tried numerous bags and this seems to be the best I’ve found in an every day bag.

Not to big, but gives you enough room for a couple of days if you needed it. It has enough room for 3 days easy but the compression straps make it small when you don’t need the space.

5.11 Triab18 pack review by MS:
I bought this pack with the intent on using it as an every day carry pack. it seemed very versatile and the conceal carry compartment appealed to me.
PRO’s—
Converts from gearslinger to backpack.
Fits right or left handed people/ambidextrous.
Conceal carry compartment is nice, easily holds my XDM compact.
Quality is great, no issues with stitching etc.
Fairly comfortable to wear either as gearslinger or backpack.
Large interior compartment has hook and loop molle through the entire back of the pack giving you options to customize your loadout.
You can access the inside of the 5.11 TRIAB18 BACKPACK
and open it quickly with a built in strap without taking the pack off your back. It would take tons of practice to deploy your firearm this way but for something like getting a kleenex or a hoodie it works okay.

Question: What is a good glove to wear on the GORUCK event?

We like the Mechanix Wear MG-72-010 Original Glove.

For $20 you will not find a better glove. If you look closely in photos you will see many top tier Special Forces groups wearing them on operations.

Question: What is the deal with the 5.11 tier system for hooking 2 packs together?

This ingenious 5.11 Rush Tier System allows you to piggyback two bags together. And those bags don’t necessarily have to be from 5.11, either. But what’s required are two things.

First, you need PALS webbing on the sides of both bags. That’s because those side webbings serve as the anchor points, where installing and removing the four straps are done with their C-clips. Also, the second requirement is that you must have a strong back. Because since the tier system can join large bags together, their overall weight when fully loaded will be quite heavy.

For me, tethering just my small Maxpedition Jeroboam Gear Bag onto my 5.11 All Hazards Prime Backpack is my preferred limit. (I posted three pictures of those two bags.) That tethering arrangement came in handy while traveling because I walked the airport with both hands free from carrying a bag. Then after boarding the plane, I was able to quickly separate the two bags; the Maxpedition tucked under the seat in front of me and the 5.11 went to the overhead compartment. Separating them took only a few seconds by pressing a quick-release buckle from each strap.

Question: Do any of the Special Forces carry this gear?

RELATED ARTICLES:
Top 10 Bates Tactical Boots review
5.11 Tactical bail out bag review