Travis Olander 01.01.24
Bug-out luggage. “SHTF” packs. Assault packs. Go luggage. No matter you name ’em, these small-ish not-quite-a-ruck sacks are arguably the most well-liked of all of the tactical luggage. They’re nice for searching and capturing and packing for weekend journeys and quick journey. Loads of people wish to pack and retailer a 72-hour bag simply in case the zombies come. However, like all issues widespread, the marketplace for 3-day luggage is flooded. Let’s lower by way of the noise and take a look at a few of the greatest choices within the class.
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What’s in a “Good” 72-Hour Pack?
Assault packs aren’t similar to any previous mountain climbing bag or commuter backpack. They serve a particular objective: present sufficient capability for 3 days’ price of journey, with equipment, in a “SHTF” state of affairs, packaged right into a rugged and compact profile. A cummerbund is a bonus, however not a necessity. We’re specializing in luggage with capacities of 30- to 50-ish liters, which limits the burden you’ll be carrying. An assault pack ought to have the ability to stow a sleeping bag on its exterior – ideally on the highest or backside, to maintain good facilities of gravity – leaving the inside storage reserved for all of your different stuff.
A 3-day bag also needs to be able to dealing with moist climate circumstances and bodily abuse. Meaning it gained’t let your gear get soaked in a light-weight rain or snow, and it gained’t fry or tear simply from tough dealing with. Ultralight mountain climbing packs created from delicate materials aren’t effectively suited to this. Cordura and different waterproof ripstop materials work greatest, right here. Are you able to spend $600 on a space-age bag made by retired SOF, supposed for abroad operations? Certain, however you’re most likely losing your cash. The most effective 3-day bag shouldn’t value greater than $250. There are many high quality luggage that value half as a lot. Let’s have a look.
5.11 Tactical RUSH72 2.0 Backpack (Greatest Total)
Specs
Capability: 55 liters / 3,342 cubic inchesMaterial: 1050D CorduraAttachments: MOLLE / PALS WebbingAvailable Colours: Black, Ranger Inexperienced, Darkish Grey, TanDimensions (Important Compartment): 23″H x 13.5″W x 8.5″DDimensions (Left/Proper Pocket): 16.5″H x 6″W x 1.75″DDimensions (Entrance Pocket): 15.5″H x 11.5″W x 2″DPrice: $175 – $275
Important Options
Contoured yoke for neck comfortWide, padded cummerbundAluminum keep bar for rigidityRear hydration compartmentAlso comes with CCL pocket“Shove-it” gusset pocket for helmet or gear
What’s to love?
Not surprisingly, 5.11 Tactical’s RUSH Bag is my private high decide for any 72-hour bag. This can be a high quality do-it-all backpack that manages to make 55 liters of capability – in regards to the restrict of what’s affordable for any go bag – look correctly small. How the RUSH 72 carries enhances the deception: it’s one of the comfy packs you should buy, with an superior again panel sporting a great deal of padding, and a few of the greatest shoulder straps within the class. The cummerbund has glorious padding, however it stays sufficiently small that when not in use, it tucks neatly behind the lumbar with out getting in the way in which.
Storage inside is assumed out fairly effectively, the primary compartment’s huge , extensive, and pretty deep, with simply sufficient smaller zipper mesh pouches to prepare issues with out taking over unnecessary area. My favourite function on the RUSH 72 is the massive compartment atop the primary shell, which acts as a standalone bag cinched to the remainder of the pack by way of 4 adjustable straps. It’s in between this compartment and the pack that you may simply stuff a small sleeping bag, quickly stow a jacket, and even cram a helmet in there.
Coupled with its frankly extreme quantities of MOLLE webbing, the RUSH 72 can simply be transformed right into a full rucksack for week-long excursions. Inversely, you can also make the RUSH 72 even smaller – simply take away the additional compartment, and also you’ve obtained one of many bodily smallest packs within the lineup. This modularity, coupled with 5.11’s general construct high quality – 1050D Cordura, which is of course waterproof and extremely abrasion-resistant – makes the RUSH 72 a no brainer for the #1 decide. It’s within the title.
What’s to not like?
Value is the one downside the RUSH 72 suffers. It’s an ideal 72-hour bag, however it’ll put a dent in your pockets – particularly if you would like Multicam for cool factors. That’ll set you again $250, whereas stable colours value $175 to $185. These costs put the RUSH on the restrict of what’s thought-about budget-friendly.
BLACKHAWK 3-Day Assault (Greatest “Incognito” Pack)
Specs
Capability: 33 liters / 2,000 cubic inchesMaterial: 210D and 330D NylonAttachments: Backside Storage LoopsAvailable Colours: Black, Coyote TanDimensions (Important Compartment): 20″H x 13″W x 6″DDimensions (Prime Pocket): 14.5″H x 12.5″W x 2.5″DPrice: $135
Important Options
Padded cummerbundSemi-rigid, padded backsideRear hydration compartment(4) inside compression straps(5) tie-down loops for securing gearHolds as much as 100-oz. water bladder
What’s to love?
The BLACKHAWK 3-Day Bag is probably the most civilian-looking go luggage out there. It’s naked bones, subdued nylon exterior is totally void of any webbing. With no tactical accoutrements to level out, the BLACKHAWK is nice for individuals who desire a 72-hour bag that appears like proper in an workplace or strapped to your again for the morning city commute. However the BLACKHAWK is, certainly, a correct go bag. Its thick, padded bottom acts like a gentle body, and the massive predominant compartment options loads of decidedly tactical tie-downs for stowing heavy equipment, with room for a 100-ounce water bladder. The underside of the bag additionally hosts two bolstered loop mounts, that are good for lashing on a rolled sleeping bag or auxiliary storage.
And it comes with a good cummerbund. The padding on the waist straps isn’t as comfortable as these discovered on the RUSH, however it will get the job finished and takes extra weight off your shoulders for lengthy hikes and tough outside stints. The BLACKHAWK’s 210D and 330D nylon offers good abrasion resistance, although it’s not fairly as waterproof as different choices on the record. However, due to its comparatively monolithic shell, waterproofing the BLACKHAWK with spray-on waterproofing is a straightforward process.
What’s to not like?
The BLACKHAWK’s incognito visage means it lacks the capability for including further compartments and pouches. The nylon’s decrease denier ranking additionally means it gained’t stand as much as long-term abuse in addition to an overtly tactical assault pack created from larger denier ripstop. This lighter weight cloth, coupled with the shortage of a yoke system and smaller cummerbund – and the 30-liter capability – means the BLACKHAWK is proscribed in relation to loading up with critical weight.
3V Gear Paratus 3-Day Operator’s Backpack (Greatest for Sleeping Storage)
Capability: 40 liters / 2,420 cubic inchesMaterial: 600D PVCAttachments: MOLLE Webbing, (2) aspect pouches, (1) deployment packAvailable Colours: Black, Coyote TanDimensions (Important Compartment): 20″H x 12″W x 5.5″DDimensions (Prime Compartment): 13″H x 12″W x 3″DDimensions (Facet Pouches): 5″H x 2.5″W x 8″DPrice: $90
Important Options
molded EVA backsideRemovable aspect pouchesRemovable deployment packWater hydration bladder pouchModular designBasic cummerbund
What’s to love?
The modular Paratus 3-Day Operator’s Backpack leans wholly right into a militaristic design, offering what quantities to a small however correct rucksack that appears a good bit just like the MOLLE II rucksack of present concern. That is good. The navy does a fantastic job designing packs that accommodate what most civilian packs suck at accommodating: Tents and sleeping luggage.
The Paratus 3-Day mimics the previous, offering sufficient capability within the backside of the primary compartment for a sleeping bag when rolled and tucked, with sufficient room within the deployment pack for stowing a 1- or 2-person tent, full with rainfly and folded tent poles. The aspect pouches are nice for separating equipment by sort – preserve lights and comms in a single, and cooking tools within the different – however they’re simply eliminated due to their YKK Annex Clips.
The Paratus additionally does a fantastic job at doing one thing most luggage of this design attempt to keep away from: It’s compact even with its add-on pouches, and it may be made even smaller. Take away the pouches and deployment pack, and also you wind up with about 25 liters of capability. Coming in at just below $100, the Paratus 3-Day offers good storage and a practical modular design whereas remaining fairly budget-friendly.
What’s to not like?
The Paratus 3-Day’s shoulder straps might use extra padding, and the cummerbund is solely insufficient with a heavy load. The waiststraps don’t have any padding to talk of, which is disappointing. This may be remedied by buying some hook-and-loop pads, however because the bag ships, you’ll undergo these straps digging into your hips. High quality management can result in some wonky stitching, too. If you happen to spring for the Paratus, it’ll pay to spend a second inspecting all of the webbing and load-bearing stitches to ensure nothing’s fraying or coming free.
5.11 Tactical AMP24 (Greatest One-Compartment Bag)
Specs
Capability: 32 liters / 1,950 cubic inchesMaterial: 500D CorduraAttachments: 9×9 HEXGRIDAvailable Colours: Black, Ranger Inexperienced, Darkish Grey, TanDimensions (Important Compartment): 20″ H x 11″ L x 8″ DPrice: $160
Important Options
Single compartment “clamshell” designCCL pocket with loop panel for holsterHEXGRID offers multi-angle attachment(4) aspect pockets + (1) backside stash pocketLaminated with TAC-LAM for water resistanceHolds as much as a 15″ laptop computer with inside storage
What’s to love?
You’re most likely uninterested in seeing 5.11 gear in every single place, however their AMP24 is a worthy contender for individuals who desire a trendy attachment that’s a bit extra subdued. The AMP24 offers the choice for stacking on further MOLLE pouches and compartments with out trying like an apparent “tacticool” bag dotted with rows and rows of webbing. With simply over 30 liters of capability, the AMP24 offers sufficient storage for 3 days’ price of journey, whereas the “HEXGRID” works with all existent attachment straps you’ll discover available on the market. Don’t need any webbing in any respect? The HEXGRID is detachable, making the AMP24 a “slick” bag that really blends in.
What’s to not like?
The AMP24 has no cummerbund, so that you’ll be carrying all of the bag’s weight atop your shoulders. Whereas I personally like the one, massive compartment, others may desire a bag with a bit extra inside compartmentalization.
Thriller Ranch 2-Day Assault (Greatest Facet-Loading Bag)
Specs
Capability: 27 liters / 1,650 cubic inchesMaterial: 500D CorduraAttachments: MOLLE/PALSAvailable Colours: Black, Tan, Inexperienced, Grey, Blue, Woodland CamoDimensions (Important Compartment): 21″ H x 12″ W x 11.25″ DPrice: $220
Important Options
Tri-fold clamshell compartmentIntegrated light-weight frameAdjustable yoke for comfortIntegrated, padded cummerbundTwo inside mesh pocketsExterior compression strapsPadded laptop computer sleeve (15”)
What’s to love?
There are virtually no tactical backpacks available on the market that test all of the bins like Thriller Ranch: Built-in body, detachable cummerbund, compression straps, tech compartments, hydration pouches, and over 1,500 cubic inches of capability whereas remaining comparatively skinny, with a tucked-in heart of gravity that doesn’t put pressure on the neck, shoulders, or lumbar. In actual fact, you’ll be laborious pressed to search out some other assault pack that gives every part listed above at a value that’s nonetheless aggressive with most go luggage. The two-Day costs in at round $220, making it cheaper than the RUSH 72 in Multicam.
What’s to not like?
The Thriller Ranch’s cummerbund is skinny and lacks padding. So, just like the Paratus, you’ll be left buying some wrap-around padding of your personal if you would like extra consolation within the waist. The gear you set inside is your 72-hour pack is much more necessary. Take a look at our high picks for camp stoves. Need some choices for ultralight mountain climbing packs as an alternative? Right here’s our round-up of one of the best ones.
