When it comes to tactical gear, one of the essentials is having a bag that allows you to carry more gear to help accomplish your mission, whatever it might be. During my time in the military, having a backpack that could carry everything, yet stay comfortable, was very important. Our issued bags could carry a lot at once, such as a radio, rations, some extra socks, ammunition, and a bunch of candy to keep the morale high!
Basically, everything that is carried in these bags is important to have in order to live, fight, and move. Whatever your mission is, having the right tactical backpack in order to carry your essential gear could mean the difference between mission failure and mission success. So, what are some brands that make durable tactical backpacks?
GORUCK
The GORUCK packs that I’ve personally used are the Rucker and the GR1.
The things that make GORUCK bags great (and I’ll probably go more in-depth later on in another review) is that they’re sleek, built to last a lifetime (no joke), and are the perfect pack for building up endurance for heavy ruck marches.
If you’re looking for a tactical backpack that’s built well but you want to use it out in public and don’t want to stand out necessarily as looking “military”, then you’ll definitely blend in with the Rucker or GR1. It’s almost a hybrid of sorts. If I were to be walking on base with a black GORUCK Rucker bag on, I’m still going to look professional in uniform. At the same time if I were to carry it to a hipster coffee shop to do some University courses, I’m not going to stand out by looking like a military member. Best of both worlds.
How good is GORUCK’s warranty?
GORUCK is so confident in their gear that they have a Scars Lifetime Guarantee. Basically, if there is a defect or you wear it out, they’ll fix it or replace it! Make sure to check out their website for all the details.
Another thing is it’s great for building up endurance! Inside the main compartment is a slot that holds GORUCK’s specific weights called “Ruck Plates” which come in 10, 20, 30, and 45 pound increments. This allows you to carry a lot of weight without the need to stuff your backpack full of random items to make your pack heavy. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found it pretty darn tough packing my bag full of random heavy items and then when you throw it on your bag it feels all lopsided and you got things jabbing you in the back… the Rucker fixes all of this.
The Rucker and GR1 are also compatible with GORUCK’s hip belt, which isn’t included with the Rucker 20L or GR1, but is a nice addition!
If you’re looking for something larger, they do offer a 25L Rucker (which included the hip belt) and the GR1 26L.
Definitely go check them out. With GORUCK’s no-nonsense warranty, these backpacks may be the best bang for your buck.
Check out GORUCK’s latest prices here.
5.11 Tactical Backpacks
When it comes to tactical backpacks, you won’t go wrong with 5.11 Tactical. Whatever your mission requirement is with regards to equipment and supplies being carried, 5.11 Tactical has what you need.
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This backpack is what I would consider a Day Bag. It has enough storage inside for food, some socks, ammo, and it has a 1.5 Hydration pocket and weighs just over 3 pounds.
The 5.11 Tactical RUSH backpacks also comes in 37L with the RUSH24 and a 55L with the RUSH72, depending on how much candy you need to lug around.
The RUSH 72 bag is a beast of its own which has a reinforces back panel with aluminum stay bar and a padded waist strap which is also able to be packed internally if you don’t want to use it.
The number after the name ‘RUSH’ seems to designate how many hours roughly you can go out for.
5.11 Tactical is known for making great gear for deployments, outdoor adventures, and first responders. These bags all feature hydration compartments so you can drink on the go without lugging an extra canister of water with you.
Lots of compartments for all your gear and they are also built from high strength, water-repellant Cordura® 1000D material.
Condor
Condor makes a great selection of tactical backpacks. Their most popular backpack being the 3 Day Assault Pack which is able to carry up to 50L.
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What I like about this tactical backpack is that it has smaller pouches in different locations, giving you the ability to have quick access to different types of gear.
From what info I’ve gathered, the Condor backpacks are an amazing purchase and have lasted years for people who have taken them on some long outdoor adventures.
How much does this bag cost? It seems to vary, but it’s roughly $150 for your standard colors and approximately $200 for the Multicam pattern.
If the 50L is too much for you, Condor has a scaled down version called the Convoy Pack which go for about $100. It has a hydration compartment and also a detachable waist strap, although it isn’t padded. Both of these bags are made well and should be able to go through some tough excursions.
Conclusion
These are the three brands of tactical backpacks that I would recommend if you want a backpack that lasts. I’m not saying these are they’re the best or most durable, too much testing would have to go into that, but these backpacks are made with great quality, great designs, and great value. You’ll be happy whichever one you go with.