Once it’s declassified, advanced military technology tends to drip down into civilian goods. It’s how we got GPS, the internet and the Jeep. But the relationship goes both ways, with innovative outdoor products and materials influencing what the military uses, too.
The tactical backpack exists on a spectrum that covers outdoor-specific and everyday use. Like the war zone-ready backpacks worn by service members around the globe, today’s military-inspired backpacks are tougher than hell, with organizational features that go far beyond the capabilities of ordinary backpacks.
Heavyweight reinforced nylon, weatherproofing capabilities and earth tone colors are common themes in these crossover bags. They also often feature PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing to be MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) compatible. There’s no better catch-all for all the things you carry throughout your day. And the picks in this dirty dozen are the leaders of the pack.
Additional contributions by John Zientek and Michael Finn
GoRuck GR1
The GR1 blends commuter-friendly features such as a padded laptop compartment and interior organizing pockets with a tough, take-anything construction. It’s also equipped with MOLLE-compatible webbing on the face and straps, plus a velcro hit for your favorite patch.
GoRuck
- Plastic backing plate and a false bottom for extra protection
- Low-profile style fits in anywhere from the office to the battlefield
- No hydration reservoir compatibility
Mystery Ranch 3-Day Assault Pack
This pack’s distinctive three-zip design allows easy access to your gear. An internal sleeve accepts a hydration reservoir — or a 17-inch laptop — while PALS webbing on the sides and daisy chains on the straps and back enable you to carry additional equipment.
Mystery Ranch
- Compression straps keep the pack compact when it’s not fully loaded
- Futura Frame system goes easy on your back
- Utility is high, but so is the price
Red Rock Outdoor Gear Large Assault Pack
Red Rock’s wallet-friendly 35-liter pack boasts internal dividers, zippered pockets, padded shoulder straps, adjustable waist and sternum straps and a padded mesh back panel that can also store a hydration reservoir.
Red Rock Outdoor Gear
- Compression straps condense the size when it’s not fully loaded
- MOLLE-compatible webbing on the back and sides
- Made of polyester rather than Cordura nylon
Best Overall Tactical Pack
Thirteen years ago, ex-Special Forces soldier Jason McCarthy founded GoRuck with the simple conviction that he could build a backpack unlike any that existed at the time. He wanted one that would be ideal for service members fighting overseas and desk workers heading in for a day at the office. His answer was the GR1 Rucksack, a backpack that has become the standard bearer for military-inspired everyday bags. The GR1 blends commuter-friendly features such as a padded laptop compartment and interior organizing pockets with a tough, take-anything construction. The pack has a plastic backing plate and a false bottom for extra protection and its weatherproof exterior seals up with silent zippers. The GR1 is also equipped with MOLLE-compatible webbing on the face and straps, plus a velcro hit for your favorite patch.
Volume: 26 liters
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Material: 1000-denier Cordura nylon
Best Upgrade Tactical Pack
Bozeman, Montana-based Mystery Ranch is another one of our favorite pack makers, and this offering is a great example of why. Made in the USA, the 3-Day Assault Pack features the brand’s distinctive three-zip design that allows easy access to your gear at a moment’s notice. An internal sleeve accepts a hydration reservoir — or a 17-inch laptop — while PALS webbing on the sides and daisy chains on the straps and back enable you to carry additional gear. There are also side water bottle pocks, plus internal drop-in pockets and zip mesh pockets. Compression straps keep the pack compact when it’s not fully loaded, and the waist belt tucks away when it’s not needed either. Last but not least, the Futura Frame system keeps your back feeling great during long days on the trail.
Volume: 30 liters
Weight: 4.6 lbs
Material: 500-denier Cordura nylon
Best Value Tactical Pack
The value proposition here is borderline insane. For less than 60 bucks, Red Rock’s big-time 35-liter pack boasts internal dividers, zippered pockets, padded shoulder straps, adjustable waist and sternum straps and a padded mesh back panel that can also store a hydration reservoir. The pack also features compression straps to condense the size when it’s not fully loaded, plus plenty of external MOLLE-compatible webbing on the back and sides for securing add-on packs or extra gear. Our only major knock? Unlike most of the packs here, this one is made of polyester rather than Cordura nylon.
Volume: 35 liters
Weight: 3.15 lbs
Material: 600-denier polyester
Best Designed Tactical Pack
Suspension, haul, access, durability, organized — these are the guiding design standards that Prometheus Design Werx applied to the S.H.A.D.O. (hence the acronym). The pack leans more toward technical outdoor than tactical, but it’s not without fundamental military-inspired features such as strap-mounted MOLLE-compatible webbing and an oversized Velcro panel for patches. The S.H.A.D.O. is filled with small features that make it a great everyday and adventure pack — a laptop sleeve, hydration compatibility, an external bungee for securing gear — but its most useful component might be a massive, top-to-bottom zip opening into its main compartment.
Volume: 24 liters
Weight: 3.8 lbs
Material: 500-denier Cordura nylon
Best Bugout Bag Tactical Pack
The “72” in this pack’s name refers to “72-hour capacity.” That number is considered the benchmark for optimal bug-out bags as if you can hang in there that long, help is likely on the way. With its two side pockets and front admin pocket, this pack will easily hold hold three or more days of food, water, shelter and assorted survival tools. The front admin pocket neatly organizes smaller goods, and a sleeve tucked away in the main compartment holds a large hydration bladder. This pack is also almost completely covered with MOLLE-compatible webbing, enabling you to attach anything that doesn’t fit inside onto its exterior.
Volume: 55 liters
Weight: 4 lbs
Material: 1000-denier Cordura nylon
Best Dry Bag Tactical Pack
By itself, the main pack here is a top-notch, 100 percent waterproof dry bag that can protect electronics and other delicate gear. It also boasts heavy-duty zippers, buckles and padded strips for a secure and comfortable carry. But Bru’s bag really excels via its handy PALS webbing and the six included MOLLE bags: three large, two medium and one small flashlight holder). Though these mini-packs are not themselves waterproof, they are perfect for stashing clothes, food, tools and other essentials you need out on the road or trail. Hopping in a kayak? Throw the bags in the main compartment, seal it up and you’re good to go.
Volume: 40 liters
Weight: 4 lbs
Material: Tarpaulin PVC
Best Hydration Tactical Pack
Lotta acronyms in this roundup already, so why not one more? This one stands for Medium to Ultra-Long Endeavors, and you’ll have enough water for just about any mission thanks to the 100-ounce Mil Spec Crux Reservoir. With tough 500D Double-rip Cordura Fabric, this pack can also carry up to 8 liters of additional cargo in the top and bottom pockets, with the lower one also featuring MOLLE-compatible webbing. The suspension system keeps the pack snug on your back and can be removed quickly via the side release buckle.
Volume: 8 liters
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Material: 500-denier Cordura nylon
Best Urban Tactical Pack
You won’t find any mention of MOLLE or PALS in Nike’s RPM Backpack description. Still, a full face of one-inch webbing — along with larger Velcro straps for carrying a skateboard — is the defining feature of this everyday backpack. Of all the bags on this list, it exhibits its military inspiration the least, though Nike was the first to bring MOLLE over to an everyday bag with no intention of actual tactical use. Nevertheless, the functionality is here, and the bag’s overall streamlined design can serve as an entry point into the tactical backpack category. (There are also external pockets, a laptop sleeve and a padded back panel.)
Volume: 29 liters
Material: polyester
Best Weekend Tactical Pack
Take away its MOLLE webbing, and Condor’s 3 Day Assault Pack looks a lot like the backpack strap-equipped adventure travel duffels that began popping up recently. Those bags are ideal for weekend trips and minimalist travel, and so is the 3 Day Assault. It has a 50-liter main compartment that provides more than enough space for such trips, and a clamshell-style opening and internal compression straps make packing it more akin to loading a rollaboard than a backpacking bag. There’s also a smaller front pocket with loads of organizational sleeves and three more exterior pockets that are ideal for items like water bottles or a spare pair of shoes. The bag is compatible with hydration reservoirs too, and its hipbelt is removable.
Volume: 50 liters
Material: 1000-denier Cordura nylon
Best Organized Tactical Pack
It may be on the smaller side, but the Falcon-II makes this list because it uses the space it does have smartly. You can think of this backpack as having three layers — the main compartment, a smaller middle compartment and a front that’s split into two separate pockets. All of them have internal mesh sleeves for small items, and compression straps allow you to cinch them all down depending on how full a load you’re shouldering. The pack also has a hydration pocket and, of course, lots of MOLLE attachment points.
Volume: 23 liters
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Material: 1050-denier Cordura nylon
Best Hunting Tactical Pack
Yes, the X2 can accommodate a compound bow or Eberlestock’s A1SS or A2SS Side Scabbards for toting shotguns and hunting rifles. But this pack is actually loaded with smart features that extend its value beyond intended use. The Ample FlexChassis can not only cradle loads you strap to the back but flip forward for use as a clever and convenient seat. The oversized compression straps can lash down a heavy load, while quick-access side pockets keep whatever you need close at hand. The X2 also features a back-friendly tubular aluminum Intex frame and plenty of PALS webbing for additional packs or equipment.
Volume: 30 liters
Weight: 4.75 lbs
Material: Microsuede waterproof fabric
Best Sling Tactical Pack
Perhaps the most unique pack on this list is this streamlined sling pack from Hazard 4, which is great for navigating confined spaces and darting through crowds. The single padded strap is ambidextrous and ergonomic, so you can wear it comfortably over either shoulder. You can also swing it around to the front to access its fully unzippable main pocket and two smaller outer pockets. The main pocket also features a photo bag-style internal divider and accommodates a hydration reservoir. And of course the MOLLE-compatible sides and back can be loaded with additional gear or add-ons.
Volume: 17.7 liters
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Material: 1000-denier Cordura nylon
