Looking for the best tactical EDC backpack? You’re in the right place.
When it comes to an EDC backpack, it’s vital you get the right one for your specific needs. Whether you need something compact, rugged, or spacious we got you.
EDC Backpacks Reviews
5.11 Tactical Rush 12
5.11 has made a high performance, multi-purpose and tough bag with the Tactical Rush 12. It’s suitable for a range of purposes, from an emergency grab-bag, a military tactical or hunting backpack, to a daily use bag for college students.
Customers compliment the 16 different compartments. Each of the compartments are optimized for different use, with a variation of sizes. Students and professionals especially like the internal admin panel. There’s space for organizing all of your accessories needed along with a writing pad. One of the specially designed pockets is fleece-lined to keep your eyewear protected and unscratched.
Athletic people find the 60 oz hydration pocket perfect to keep them moving. That size is sufficient to hang a 1.5-liter bladder, suitable for nearly all day trips out and about cycling, hunting or hiking. For more daily use, users say that the pouch comfortably holds a 15 inch laptop snugly. There’s no built in protection for laptops however, but that’s not a bad thing- you can add your own. The fact that a laptop fits at all is a pleasant bonus in a military styled backpack, especially one that’s waterproofed and built tough.
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What Are Customers Saying?
Every customer is a fan of this bag’s great comfort. The shoulder straps feature a yoke system which spreads the weight. With less stress and pain on your shoulders, users can focus more on what they’re doing. Those straps are fully adjustable. The bag also features external compression straps, as well as a sternum centered strap to ensure your bag stays secure.
Users also appreciate the extensive wrap around webbing system, compatible with MOLLE and 5.11 SlickStick. This makes it even more popular with those people with this backpack who wanted it more for the tactical, rugged and outdoors types of use.
The main pros of the Tactical Rush 12 by 5.11 are its amazing versatility with its many compartments. The specially designed pockets such as the hydration pouch and the fleece-lined sunglass space are especially useful. Users rarely have any complaints, and although there is limited storage space, the amount of specialized pockets and customization available make it useful for an EDC purpose.
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Red Rock Outdoor Gear Rover Sling Pack
Left handers or those with difficulties with one arm compliment this bag’s ambidextrous sling. This sling makes for quick and easy access even with busy hands. Customers have reported that when clipped with its sturdy plastic clip, the bag will only move slightly, even at a light jog.
There are complaints about the sling pack not being the best bag when heavy running is necessary, as the bag might shift a little. That’s not a fair point though, as it’s designed for daily carry- to take to work or for short trips out and about. As such it does its job fantastically, and customers find the grab-and-go carry handle useful when not wearing the bag.
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The main compartment is nine liters, and looks about the size and shape of a block of printer paper. Some students were upset that it can’t hold a full 15” laptop, but it can easily hold iPads or other tablets- more than one if necessary.
It can easily be used for daily use, and that’s what customers love, it addition to its concealed-carry facilities. The bag also features internal divider pockets which can ease your administration of paperwork and such. There are two outside compartments which are always useful. Buyers have used their quick access for a huge range of items.
There is a sleeve on the back panel of the bag for concealed-carry. This sleeve comfortably holds a pistol. Its fast to access with a simple snap lock. Customers love the three smaller compartments too, which have been used to everything from ammunition and first aid kits, to school supplies and makeup. It’s a versatile bag for daily use or short trips.
One great thing that’s mentioned, in particular by women in high risk occupations or locations, is that the bag is secure compared to a purse. Nobody can snatched and grab this bag, despite its easy access to the wearer.
In emergencies, you can be prepared and able to defend yourself fast if required. The quick release buckle on the main strap allows for rapid deployment and wearers have said it hold securely during normal use.
While some customers complain about the bag slight shifting during running, this isn’t a bag aimed at athletes. The Red Rock Outdoor Gear Rover Sling Pack is loved by all sorts of people for daily use, combined with its concealed-carry ability. It looks great too!
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Red Rock Outdoor Gear Assault Pack
Red Rock Outdoor Gear Assault Pack is a small bag, but people say that they can cram a lot of things inside it and that holds enough for a small bug-out bag or for everyday carry.
While not big enough to hold users’ laptops, it is large enough for iPads and most work or school supplies. There are also organizational pockets inside, to make things even easier. It’s gun-friendly too, with a suitable pocket for carrying a handgun safely but with easy access.
One downside of While made to high standards and of good quality material, there are occasional disappointments regarding the toughness of this bag. It’s not, and doesn’t pretend to be a military grade bag suitable for the end of the world. However, for almost everyone’s usual sort of purposes it is great.
When you take into account the price point of this bag, it can’t be beaten in terms of how much of a beating the materials can take. It is more of a hiking bag than a tactical bag, but many customers have reported that it held up great under very rough usage.
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What Are Customers Saying?
Some users haven’t been happy with the size of the pack, but the majority report it is well within size requirements to hold all the essentials they need. It’s important before buying any bag to check the size- customers should look at bags with similar size in liters before buying.
It is a bag designed more for day trips and not for multi-day hikes. That said, however, there is also plenty of extra storage available. Like any good backpack, this bag makes it possible to attach external pouches using the MOLLE system incorporated into the design.
This assault pack that gets mentioned is the lack of an external water bottle holder. That is not as bad as it sounds, however. People who love the outdoors have found that the space for a hydration bladder will fit up to a 3-liter pouch. That is a large enough size that no matter what activity is being performed, there will be sufficient water to keep you going.
Overall, the Red Rock Outdoor Gear Assault Pack is a great bag. It’s built strong with adjustable straps for every buyer, as well as MOLLE for adding additional storage space. The complaints that occasionally come regarding this pack are minor, and not common at all. For its price, it’s hard to find better.
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RRO Gear Rover Sling Pack
Left handers or those with difficulties with one arm compliment this bag’s ambidextrous sling. This sling makes for quick and easy access even with busy hands. Customers have reported that when clipped with its sturdy plastic clip, the bag will only move slightly, even at a light jog.
There are complaints about the sling pack not being the best bag when heavy running is necessary, as the bag might shift a little. That’s not a fair point though, as it’s designed for daily carry- to take to work or for short trips out and about. As such it does its job fantastically, and customers find the grab-and-go carry handle useful when not wearing the bag.
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What Are Customers Saying?
The main compartment is 9 liters and looks about the size and shape of a block of printer paper. Some students were upset that it can’t hold a full 15” laptop, but it can easily hold iPads or other tablets- more than one if necessary. It can easily be used for daily use, and that’s what customers love, in addition to its concealed-carry facilities. The bag also features internal divider pockets which can ease your administration of paperwork and such. There are two outside compartments which are always useful. Buyers have used their quick access for a huge range of items.
There is a sleeve on the back panel of the bag for concealed-carry. This sleeve comfortably holds a pistol. Its fast to access with a simple snap lock. Customers love the three smaller compartments too, which have been used to everything from ammunition and first aid kits, to school supplies and makeup. It’s a versatile bag for daily use or short trips.
One great thing that’s mentioned, in particular by women in high-risk occupations or locations, is that the bag is secure compared to a purse. Nobody can snatch and grab this bag, despite its easy access to the wearer. In emergencies, you can be prepared and able to defend yourself fast if required. The quick release buckle on the main strap allows for rapid deployment and wearers have said it hold securely during normal use.
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Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger
Maxpedition is a top quality brand, and the Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger backpack is a very well designed bag with great features. It is made of the best materials and is carefully constructed to the highest of standards.
This sling pack is definitely well suited to outdoor pursuits. In particular it caters well for hunters, as there is space for all the necessary equipment, while keeping one shoulder free for shooting.
Fishermen and hikers too appreciate the range of pocket sizes and variety of options for storage. It is also well used by buyers for travel as their carry on luggage, with space to store all the essentials and organized places for documents.
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What Are Customers Saying?
Some people initially don’t like the design with the single shoulder strap. However, after regular use most quickly realize its advantages. This unique design allows easy and quick access to whatever is within the pockets of the bag, without removing the pack itself. The straps are also readily adjustable for a variety of body sizes and shapes. Because it is a sling type of bag, it is easy to access whatever you need, and fast. Everyone finds that a fantastic feature, whichever purpose they are using it for.
The bag is reported by customers to be ‘virtually bombproof’ and constructed to the best level of toughness and durability. All the little details put into design and production add up, and everyone who uses this backpack will mention its fantastic design and quality of materials.
The Sitka Gearslinger is an efficient and specially designed bag for hunting, but also functions as one of the best every day carry bags available. Students and office workers have reported that, even after long-term usage, this bag holds everything they need without fail. It may not be the biggest bag available, but it will easily hold laptops, papers, books and anything else required for daily life. There is even a pocket for safe and easy storage of a handgun.
The price has caused some concerns for people, but it is important to remember that you get what you pay for, and Maxpedition is at the top for both quality and design. The Sitka Gearslinger, while not suitable for everyone, is a great choice for everyone from hunters to businessmen and women or students.
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3V Gear Posse EDC Sling Pack
The Posse is the small option for an EDC sling pack, made by 3V Gear. It is a high quality and well-constructed bag, suitable for holding the basics.
The main complaints about this bag are all regarding its small size. It is a small bag. Before purchasing, it is a good idea to check photos and the dimensions on any listing of any product. That said however, most people who use this bag say it is sufficient to hold their daily essentials. It is closer to the size of a purse than a backpack, but we have all seen how useful and how many items a purse can hold.
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What Are Customers Saying?
Gun owners love the 3V Gear Posse Sling Pack. It is perfectly designed for concealed carry, with two different options for storage of a handgun, while providing easy access and security. Users report fitting a pistol, spare ammunition, flashlight, and other essentials for a small trip or an emergency backup bag with first aid kit and such inside.
Many people use the 3V Gear Posse Sling Pack as an EDC (Every Day Carry) bag to hold medicines, cell phones, and other necessary items. Craftsmen and hobbyists like how easy it is to organize and carry spare parts for their needs. Although it will hold the essentials comfortably, it might be too small for school books or changes of clothes.
Its ambidextrous design is an advantage over many sling type bags. There is padding in all necessary places though, and everyone agrees it is a very comfortable bag to wear. Wearers say that it sits nicely and doesn’t slip much, except when they want to access it’s pockets. Overall, everyone is happy with the design and quality.
This bag has a huge amount of compartments for organization. Wearers load it up with a staggering variety of things, while keeping them all separated and easy to get to.
The only real complaint about this bag is its small size. It is not a full-size backpack, and it is not pretending to be. This is a great bag for Every Day Carry, designed to hold whatever essential items you have, but not as a hiking or school bag. It does what it is designed to with flying colors and people love the quality and look of the bag, despite its size.
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Vertx EDC Gamut Bag
Vertx EDC Gamut Bag is used by professionals worldwide as a fantastic every day carry bag that can hold all you need in its many pockets. It’s very well designed with some great features.
Great things are said about the Vertx Gamut’s exceptional storage capabilities. There are five different outside zippered pockets, and three internal. The game-changing design that everyone loves is the two large pockets, one featured on each side of the bag. Anyone who needs their things organized, especially professionals and students, find them fantastic. No more digging around in a cavernous bag hunting for that one thing that always goes missing.
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What Are Customers Saying?
Lots of buyers use this bag for a bug out bag, keeping it pre-packaged with everything they need. There is more than enough space for whatever people need for a day or two in an emergency situation. This is a solid choice of bag for the end of the world.
Some users of this bag don’t like that it’s water bottle holders are only suitable for medium sized bottles. There are however, two of them. The bag also has space for a hydration pouch as well as the associated holes for the tubing- or your headphone cable. Laptop users say that that hydration pocket is large enough for at least a 15-inch laptop, although you should check measurements, especially if you’re planning to use a larger size.
The only other negative feedback about this pack is that the handle at the top far carrying it is not very bulky and tough. This is a backpack and not a briefcase, so the handle is still a bonus even if it’s only basic. The shoulder straps are well made and adjust for whichever family member wears the bag.
Many people use this bag for short business trips or overnight getaways. It can hold everything necessary for a weekend. Don’t worry about over packing, as this bag is built to high quality. Neither the lining nor stitching and zippers will fail, even with fairly heavy use.
Vertx EDC Gamut Bag is a good quality, multipurpose backpack.The only downsides are the basic type of top handle and the medium-sized water bottle holders. Both of those are only minor annoyances that keep the bag streamlined, without losing the features themselves. The design and number of pockets will suit all your uses. It’s especially useful for every day carry and short overnight trips.
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Tactical Assault Pack Military Rucksack 17 inches
This is one of our favorite backpacks for EDC. It offers double-stitched nylon construction which provides outstanding durability.
Specs:
- Molle straps
- Pockets inside and out
- Cargo area for water bladder
- Coil zippers
- Compression straps
What we love:
We love the look of this bag and the size. It is that perfect combination of being just large enough, but not too big for the office.
The rugged double stitching means you can pack it full and never have to worry. The padded shoulder straps are also a nice touch. Overall, this is a great EDC bag.
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Buyer’s Guide
All you have to do is turn on the news to see that having a top-rated EDC bag is not a folly. It is a necessity.
More and more unexpected incidents are happening on a regular basis. Having items on hand can easily help you to get through the worst case scenarios.
Having the things that you need most on hand can help with any day to day activity. Sometimes it is the little things that do make the biggest differences in our lives.
A good friend recently relayed a story about a little road trip that went horribly wrong. While driving through a local mountain range, he blew out a tire on a dark back road. He relayed that if it had not been for the tools in his EDC bag, things could have gone terribly wrong.
Having the tools that you need like a flashlight and a small knife can make all the difference in the world. Despite the numerous benefits of owning an EDC backpack, there are some barriers that consumers run into before they make their purchase.
The biggest frustration is always, “What features are important?” For example, some people might need their backpack to be waterproof, while others place a lot of value on the number of compartments.
After features, most people ask me about the quality of the backpack with regards to the material. Let’s explore, in more depth, how to choose the right every day pack for you.
Every EDC bag should have space for:
- Laptop or tablet
- Flashlight
- Pocket knife
- Documents
- Water
- Maybe even some snacks
We Can Help
We understand that time is always at a premium and that finding the best every day carry bag may just not be within your time scope. We decided that we would review EDC bags and set up some criteria to help locate the best bags that would meet most everyone’s needs.
Cost
No one wants to pay three hundred or more dollars for an EDC bag even if it could double as a light bug out bag. That is just more than most people want to spend. We decided the bag would be under three hundred dollars.
Size
The size also is important. It has to be large enough to carry all your gear but not so large that it looks like you are headed on an Antarctic expedition and took all of your gear with you. The right size would have space for all your EDC items and maybe be large enough to double as a light carry bug out bag.
We Searched
We started off by eliminating the bags that were over the price limit. Then we weeded out the ones that were too big (45 L and up). We then started reading what other people had to say about the bags. We were able to reduce the list size from hundreds to three.
Conclusion
We choose the Tactical Assault Pack Military Rucksack 17 inches as the best EDC backpack. That’s because it met all of our criteria and came back as a very highly rated bag by users. But we also choose it because of its versatility. We thought your EDC should be able to translate easily into a light bug out bag should you need it and this bag just fit the bill perfectly.
Stop struggling with what you should carry every day and grab one these great bags and be able to carry all of your EDC in one easy to use bag. Never be unprepared again because you ran out of pocket room.