These 4 Tactical Backpacks offer you the biggest bang for your money . Even if you are just going on an afternoon hike, a bike ride through a National Park, a 3-day camping trip or a serious outdoor survival exercise like a search-and-rescue mission, the way you pack your gear in your Tactical Pack is essential for both comfort and endurance.
You just can’t go as long or as fast if you’re carrying too much weight or it’s badly packed, bumping around low on your back. You need to keep your gear high and tight, and these tactical backpacks will have you on your way with everything in tow.
Tip: check out our best EDC backpack guide to help you choose the best everyday carry backpack.
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Features To Look For In Tactical Backpacks
Many tactical backpacks have special features like organized pouches and compartments, external ports (holes or slits) for earphone and hydration bladder compatibility, molle gear, and compression straps.
Of course comfort is of paramount importance, so look for padded shoulder straps, a waist belt, and sternum straps. We also consider durability, weight and price. What’s the point in a tactical backpack that can’t handle wear, tear, and bad weather? And since everyone needs different gear for their work or adventures, customizable features are a big plus in our book.
Check out these tactical backpacks and choose the one that best fits your needs:
Recommended Tactical Backpacks
The North Face Unisex Recon Tactical Backpack
Available in 18 different colors, from solid black to orange with red for high visibility. This pack features a fleece-lined 15-inch padded laptop sleeve within the main compartment (which isn’t something you’ll find in most tactical backpacks), two mesh water bottle pockets, more water bottle tabs, and a variety of other pockets that great for little things like your free Everstryke Pro survival lighter, your free credit card knife or free keychain multi tool.
It’s a great starter tactical backpack, or one for people who are looking for an everyday carry or bug out bag. It withstands weather, has pocket reinforcement, and a waist belt and sternum strap for comfort.
SOG Ninja Tactical Backpack
The SOG Ninja is one of Amazon’s bestselling SOG tactical backpacks for a reason… it’s great for every day carry backpack that also makes for a great bug-out bag that also comes with a Lifetime Warranty (something rarely found in tactical backpacks), so you know it’s made to last.
This fully modular tactical backpack with MOLLE webbing (great for quickly adding additional storage) is water repellent and has one cavernous main compartment for your survival gear. It also has a extremely soft pocket that’s perfect for storing your sunglasses, your mobile phone or your other sensitive electronic gear.
The SOG Ninja also has a small accessory pocket for storing your flat items, and a zippered front organizer pocket. It’s also compatible with your favorite hydration bladder with all the necessary external ports so you can stay hydrated.
If you’d like to make sure that you are packing the right gear and emergency supplies for your backpack, then check out this customizable day hike checklist for ideas of things you may not have thought of.
- Features a spacious main compartment complemented by a large zippered opening for easy access to contents.
- Designed with multiple storage options, including a hydration pocket equipped with ports on both left and right sides, and a side pouch suitable for most water bottles.
- Comes MOLLE-equipped, allowing for customization and attachment of additional gear.
- Boasts yoked-style shoulder straps, an adjustable sternum slider, and a mesh-padded back for enhanced comfort during prolonged wear.
- Compatible with hook and loop flag patches, allowing for personalization and easy identification.
5.11 Rush 72 Tactical Backpack
Comes in 7 different colors, and constructed of 1050D nylon with water-repellent coating on the main body and inside pocket flaps and bags. This tactical backpack features a foam-padded hydration pocket, laptop storage, two external compression straps, and internal frame support.
It also has a sternum strap and waist belt to reduce shoulder stress and a big 23 x 13.5 x 8.5 inch main compartment that opens flat. There is also MOLLE webbing on this pack, allowing you to add a ton of additional gear pouches including your best tactical flashlight.
This backpack is suited for everyday carry, military, hunting, exploring, sports, hiking and tactical survival situations.
- The Tactical Backpack RUSH72 showcases a military-inspired design, crafted from high-strength, water-repellent 1000D nylon, offering a generous total capacity of 3342 cubic inches or 55 liters.
- Equipped for patrol readiness, this MOLLE-adorned tactical backpack features dual-zippered front and main compartments, complemented by glove-friendly molded grip pulls. An admin organization pocket is included for convenient storage of maps, pens, and essential documents.
- For organized storage, the backpack provides a front pocket measuring 15.5 x 11.5 x 2 inches, a main compartment of 23 H x 13.5 L x 8.5 inches, a hydration pocket of 21 x 13.5 inches, and
Spec Ops T.H.E. Ultimate Assault Tactical Backpack
This 40 liter pack is 19 x 13 x 12 inches, made in the USA, and is well suited to an every day carry, daypack or military tactical bag. T.H.E. stands for “Tactical Holds Everything”, but as tactical backpacks go it is actually a great all-purpose travel or survival bag.
This tactical pack has a lot of MOLLE webbing, on front pouches, bottom and sides, so you can strap anything to it. Your hydration bladder fits in the midpoint of the pack for balance.
T.H.E. Ultimate Assault Pack features a Lifetime Guarantee and is also fully lined in high-visibility yellow so you can find your items. Spec Ops claims these bags have never had a harness failure, that’s a pretty strong selling point for those who want a really rugged bag!
- Constructed from the exceptionally durable 1000D Cordura Nylon fabric, ensuring longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
- Designed to be compatible with the spec-ops Brand x-system, and seamlessly integrates the MTX shoulder harness system for enhanced comfort and support.
- The overall dimensions of the pack are 19″ in height, 13″ in width, with a thickness of 12″ at the bottom, tapering to 9″ at the top.
- Main compartment offers ample storage space, measuring 19″ high x 13″ wide x 7″ thick, providing a total of 1730 cubic inches.
- Additional storage options include a top pocket with dimensions of 8″ high x 10″ wide x 2.5″ thick, offering 250 cubic inches, and a bottom pocket measuring 10″ high x 12″ wide x 3.5″ thick, providing 570 cubic inches.
Tactical Backpacks Wrap Up
Remember tactical bags also make for a great bug out bag, get home bag, and every day carry bag when you need one. Keep them organized and properly packed (with lost of free survival gear) and the will take care of you for many years to come.
- Military Tactical backpack size approx.:13″*20″*11″ / 33*50.5*28CM (W*H*D),Capacity: 40L; Military backpack is made of high density fabric–durable and water-resistant
- Molle tactical backpack has molle system, Molle webbing throughout for attaching additional tactical pouches or gear as 3 day assault pack backpack combat molle backpack.
- Assault pack backpack with double-stitched, Heavy duty zippers and utility-style cord pulls, Side and front load compression system, Ventilated mesh padded back area & shoulder strap,breathable and comfortable.
- Military backpack has hydration compatible that works great for a hydration bladder (backpack didn’t include hydration bladder) as hydration backpack or outdoor camping hiking backpack.
- Tactical assault pack backpack can be used as 3 day assault pack, range bag, survival backpack, army backpack, trekking backpack or day pack for daily use.
- Water repellent backpack great for daily commute, travel, and hiking; modular design with large main compartment, front zippered pocket, and more
- Carries comfortably on your shoulders with yoke-style adjustable, padded straps and adjustable sternum slider; contoured foam back with multiple air channels
- Tactical features include MOLLE webbing for attaching a variety of optional accessories; tubing port for accessing hydration bladder pocket (reservoir sold separately)
- Hook-and-loop are on front of pack for attaching a flag patch; stretchy side pouch fits most water bottles
- COMPARTMENTS – Tactical Backpack featuring 16 individual inner and outer compartments, a roomy main storage area, a hydration pocket, padded laptop compartment, large sunglass pouch compartment, and a CCW Conceal Carry Weapon compartment.
- DURABLE – Made from durable 1050D nylon, this military backpack is water-resistant and features self-repairing YKK zippers. Equipped with an adjustable height sternum strap, two external compression straps and contour yoke shoulder strap system.
- TACTICAL – Molle compatible with the wrap-around molle/5.11 slick stick web platform, internal multi-slot admin compartment, hook and loop nametape, flag patches and glove-friendly pull tabs perfect for first responders, PPE, military, or patrol.
- DIMENSIONS Main Compartment 18″ x 11″ x 6.5″, Front Admin Pocket 12″ x 9″ x 1.75″, Hydration Pocket 16.5″ x 10″, Total Capacity 1476 cubic inch / 24 liter total. Weight: 2.6 lbs.
- NEW 5.11 RUSH 12 2.0 – Can be used as a military or army pack, range bag, hunting backpack, survival backpack, hiking backpack, or everyday outdoor backpack. This assault pack is ready for any rescue or adventure for all of your gear and equipment.
- COMPARTMENTS – Tactical Backpack featuring 16 individual inner and outer compartments, a roomy main storage area, a hydration pocket, padded laptop compartment, large sunglass pouch compartment, and a CCW Conceal Carry Weapon compartment.
- DURABLE – Made from durable 1050D nylon, this military backpack is water-resistant and features self-repairing YKK zippers. Equipped with an adjustable height sternum strap, two external compression straps and contour yoke shoulder strap system.
- TACTICAL – Molle compatible with the wrap-around molle/5.11 slick stick web platform, internal multi-slot admin compartment, hook and loop nametape, flag patches and glove-friendly pull tabs perfect for first responders, PPE, military, or patrol.
- DIMENSIONS Main Compartment 18″ x 11″ x 6.5″, Front Admin Pocket 12″ x 9″ x 1.75″, Hydration Pocket 16.5″ x 10″, Total Capacity 1476 cubic inch / 24 liter total. Weight: 2.6 lbs.
- NEW 5.11 RUSH 12 2.0 – Can be used as a military or army pack, range bag, hunting backpack, survival backpack, hiking backpack, or everyday outdoor backpack. This assault pack is ready for any rescue or adventure for all of your gear and equipment.
- 【HEAVY DUTY TACTICAL DAYPACK】★ Constructed with rugged, weather resistant nylon material, our EDC Daypack features a compact and lightweight design, and a spacious 24L capacity with multiple compartments, internal organization pockets, and dual-opening zippers throughout. This is the perfect backpack for travel, range, hiking, or everyday use.
- 【CONCEALED CARRY COMPARTMENT】★ The large back compartment dedicated to EDC features a full-open clamshell design for easy access to your gear. With one side lined with fleece and equipped with the included CCW holster, and the other side loaded with MOLLE and elastic straps, you can easily carry your handgun, pistol mags, admin pouches, and all your EDC gear.
- 【SMALL, RUGGED, LIGHTWEIGHT】★ This compact military daypack is just the right size for hiking, camping, biking, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports. A breathable, padded mesh back provides comfort and includes a pocket for tablets or hydration bladders. The padded adjustable shoulder straps offer superior load-bearing weight distribution for all day long comfort.
- 【LASER-CUT MOLLE SYSTEM】★ Upgraded laser-cut MOLLE webbing on 3 sides not only gives our backpack a sleek, tactical look, but offers the ability to further expand its storage capacity. Easily attach additional MOLLE pouches and equipment to carry more range or survival gear and everyday carry essentials.
- 【TRUSTED WOLF TACTICAL QUALITY】★ Wolf Tactical makes mission-ready tactical gear built to last. We are based in the USA and dedicated to great customer service. Full refund if your expectations aren’t met for any reason. Feel confident with your purchase.
Im going to hike the a p trail and want to try bag
Would like this bag
The backpack is awesome
The Ninja tactical bag would be a nice light weight option for hikes and camp outs
I’m trying to find the best bug out bag and would love to try the Spec Ops T.H.E. Ultimate Assault Pack.
Love this bag and would love to try it out