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We Put the Best Tactical Backpacks Through the Wringer. These Are Ready for Anything
Brands love to label their products as tactical nowadays. A quick Amazon search for the word turns up all manner of products ranging from keychains to hair gel, which begs the question, “What the hell kind of missions are these people going on?”
The best tactical backpacks, on the other hand, serve a clear purpose, whether that’s being broadly useful for a wide variety of situations or narrowly tailored to one or two mission-critical functions. The best tactical backpacks are also built to last, built to adapt, and generally built to perform a cut above your typical pack or ruck.
While one person’s definition of what makes a given bag “tactical” or even useful may differ, I’ve owned my fair share of these bags and have a handful I’d recommend for various end users. Whether you’re looking for a bug-out bag, a range bag, or just a daily driver, here are the strongest candidates and best tactical backpacks I’ve tested to date.
Best Tactical Backpacks at a Glance
- Best Tactical Backpack Overall: Mystery Ranch Blitz 30
- Best Budget Tactical Backpack: 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 2.0
- Best Tactical Backpack for Rucking: GoRuck Rucker 4.0
- Best Tactical Backpack for Concealed Carry: Vertx Ready Pack
- Most Versatile Tactical Backpack: Kelty Strike 2300
- Best Tactical Backpack for Rifles: Kifaru Scabbard
Best Tactical Backpacks of 2025
Best Overall Tactical Backpack: Mystery Ranch Blitz 30
Mystery Ranch Blitz 30 Tactical Backpack
Kurt Spurlock
Why We Chose It
Mystery Ranch’s military-spec packs are all outstanding, but adhering to the stringent requirements of government specification can add cost to a backpack without actually adding any real advantages. So while purists may prefer Mystery Ranch’s Blackjack 35 (and it’s $675 price tag), I would steer you toward their much more affordable (but just as capable) Blitz 30 instead.
The Blitz wants for nothing in terms of durability: it’s built entirely from 500D Cordura, uses the same burly YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles as Mystery Ranch’s mil-spec bags, and even includes MOLLE panels in all the same locations. It also shares the same “ABC” three-pocket layout on its exterior, so your quick access items like first aid, travel documents, etc. are always within reach.
Where the Blitz really earns its keep is its added convenience: a floating padded laptop pocket with its own quick-access compartment, for instance, makes the Blitz an excellent travel bag or daily commuter. The Blitz also stands out as a great all-around workhorse thanks to its high-quality padding, adjustable yoke, and optional hip belt, which make it comfortable and stable under heavy loads, much like a dedicated backpacking bag.
When it comes to drawbacks, the Blitz doesn’t really have any. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive than some, but it’s an absolute bargain compared to mil-spec alternatives, and a much more useful day-to-day backpack to boot. The only gripe I could find is that the hip belt placement is a little awkward for folks with longer torsos (I tried both sizes and they both share the same problem), but it’s also completely removable if need be.
Pros
- Uncompromising build quality
- Excellent organization/layout
- Practical features incorporated throughout
- Ample adjustability
Cons
- Pricey if you’re just after the tactical “look”
- Hip belt geometry isn’t ideal for longer torsos
Best Budget Tactical Backpack: 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 2.0
5.11 Tactical Rush 12 2.0 Tactical Backpack
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Why We Chose It
As one of the few brands on this list that actually has brick-and-mortar stores, 5.11 Tactical is one of the most recognized manufacturers in the industry. As such, their Rush line of tactical backpacks is one of the most popular out there, and overall I’ve found they deliver solid value for the money.
The latest Rush 12 2.0 made the cut here for two reasons: both its material quality and feature set punch well above this bag’s asking price. For around $100, you’re getting tough 1050D nylon construction throughout, reinforced stitching in high-stress areas, and acres of MOLLE webbing designed to work with 5.11’s modular pack system.
Storage and organization are also well executed on the Rush 12, and I particularly appreciate the dual see-through panels inside the pack as well as the microfiber-lined top pocket that keeps sunglasses or electronics protected from scratches. I’ll also note that 5.11 recently updated this backpack with a quick-access concealed carry pocket that’s tucked away behind the front admin pocket, which works as intended and includes hook-and-loop backing for use with velcro holsters.
I found the Rush 12 2.0’s main shortcoming was its padding, which falls short of more premium options both in terms of volume and performance. I’ll also note that while the Rush does include a large padded laptop pocket, it’s not a great candidate for hauling plates (or any load over 20 pounds) because it gets uncomfortable pretty quickly under load.
Pros
- Affordable
- Tons of pockets/organization
- Versatile daily driver
- So much MOLLE
Cons
- Thin padding
- Not great for hauling weight
- So much MOLLE
Best Tactical Backpack for Rucking: GoRuck Rucker 4.0
GoRuck Rucker 4.0 Tactical Backpack
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Why We Chose It
GoRuck’s Rucker 4.0 takes many of its design queues from the ruck packs used by Special Forces, but this backpack serves a different purpose. As its name suggests, the Rucker 4.0 is built for rucking, which is a fancy term for walking around with weight on your back.
I’ve been using the Rucker 4.0 for a little over a year now, and it’s become my favorite way to train. The bag is designed to securely haul up to 75 pounds worth of metal plates high and tight against your back, but training with the Rucker 4.0 isn’t limited to simply hiking around while wearing extra weight.
The Rucker 4.0 sports a heavily reinforced and well-padded handle on each of its four sides, which makes it easy to stop and work squats, swings, cleans, and anything else you can imagine into your outing. It’s turned walking the dog into an easy way for me to burn a few hundred extra calories a day, all without a major time commitment or the need to go to the gym when I don’t feel like it.
Between the heavily padded shoulder straps, uber-secure yoke, and substantial lumbar padding, I’ve never worn a backpack without a hip belt that carried weight more confidently than the Rucker 4.0. It’s an expensive piece of kit, and GoRuck’s weight plates cost a pretty penny too (pro tip: buy generic weight plates online, a hunk of iron is a hunk of iron), but this bag will pay for itself in short order if you can work rucking into your routine.
Pros
- Utterly bombproof construction with a lifetime guarantee
- Built to comfortably carry heavy weight
- Versatile tool for training and general fitness
- MOLLE webbing adds customization potential
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as versatile as general-purpose bags
Best Tactical Backpack for Concealed Carry: Vertx Ready Pack
Vertx Ready Pack Tactical Backpack
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Why We Chose It
The folks at Vertx make all sorts of tactical gear from gloves to holsters, but they’re best known for their low-profile packs, which are built for under-the-radar concealed carry. That means the best part about a Vertx bag is that while it doesn’t have the typical look and feel of a “tactical” backpack, it’s actually more useful than most bags out there.
My favorite is the Ready Pack, which is an unassuming 20-liter bag that’s indistinguishable from your typical commuter bag. Inside the Ready Pack, however, nearly every surface is lined with soft-touch Velcro, allowing the user to build out the backpack’s organization however they see fit with MOLLE webbing, holsters, pockets, or any of Vertx’s other proprietary “Tactigami” accessories.
I also appreciate that Vertx includes a “hot-pull” tab, which is designed to give immediate access to the bag’s main compartment in an emergency/self-defense situation. There are also plenty of day-to-day convenience features baked into the Ready Pack’s design, including a padded laptop pocket, a hydration sleeve with an external pass-through, a comfortable 3D-molded back panel, and two stretchy water bottle pockets.
Some folks might not appreciate the Ready Pack because it doesn’t look “tactical,” but considering the Ready Pack’s intended purpose, I’d argue that its appearance is an advantage for the mature and safety-minded. The Vertx Ready Pack ain’t cheap (and Vertx’s Tactigami accessories aren’t either), but it’s probably the best backpack for CCW on the market.
Pros
- Low profile and unassuming
- Designed for fully modular organization
- Optimized for safe concealed carry
Cons
- Expensive for a small bag
- Modular components sold separately
Most Versatile Tactical Backpack: Kelty Strike 2300
Kelty Strike 2300 Tactical Backpack
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Why We Chose It
Most of us know Kelty for its budget-friendly outdoors gear, but the brand also has a lesser-known tactical branch that builds shelters, sleep systems, and backpacks to military specifications. Their Strike 2300 is the most practical of the lot for civilian use, but it’s built from the same stuff as Kelty’s most specialized offerings.
That includes a 500D/1000D nylon mix throughout the body of the bag, beefy YKK zippers throughout, and plenty of reinforced nylon MOLLE webbing. Kelty sells two versions of this bag, one that’s made in the U.S.A. and one that isn’t (but is still TAA compliant), and I can’t spot a single difference between the two other than the price.
In addition to the stout materials, the Kelty Strike 2300 stands out to me for its phenomenally useful pocket layout: the main compartment in a dump pocket with a separate section/passthrough for a hydration bladder, but Kelty uses a sheet of Velcro for a divider, so you can add any number of modular pockets/dividers/accessories here if desired.
Outside there are two large side pockets as well as a large front admin pocket, which I dig because it includes a microfiber compartment for storing sensitive optics and electronics. The admin pocket is also adjustable using three compression straps/buckles, so it also functions as a sling to hold bulky gear like wet layers, helmets, or even boots.
The Strike 2300 also gets high marks from me because it doubles as a solid hiking bag that can carry a fairly heavy load. Two aluminum stays in the rear provide a load-bearing structure, while a well-padded (and fully removable) hip belt lets me shift heavier loads to my hips where they belong.
Pros
- Great all-purpose layout
- Well-designed front admin pouch
- Great support and padding works well for hiking with heavier loads
Cons
- U.S.-made version costs extra
- Not ideal for a laptop
- Heavy for a 38-liter pack
Best Tactical Backpack for Rifles: Kifaru Scabbard
Kifaru Scabbard Tactical Backpack
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Why We Chose It
The Kifaru Scabbard isn’t your typical tactical backpack. This one is a bona fide specialist that’s been tailor-made for transporting rifles of all descriptions.
What makes the Scabbard unique is that Kifaru designed it around a rigid composite “tunnel” which holds the bag’s shape and allows any rifle to easily slide in and out, even those with plus-sized optics or magazines. The total length of the bag is adjustable to accommodate longer or shorter rifle platforms (or those with suppressors), and the bottom of the rifle compartment is lined with fiberglass to accommodate hot barrels.
What makes the Scabbard particularly effective from a tactical standpoint is that Kifaru built the entire front of the bag out of laser-cut webbing, which allows additional bags and pockets to be “piggybacked” onto the platform for added capacity. I’ve attached small day packs for scouting missions or multiple pockets for use as a range bag, but regardless of what I’m doing, if it requires hauling a rifle, the Scabbard is an incredibly useful tool.
My main complaint with the Scabbard is price, both in terms of the bag’s asking price and the price of the frame that’s required to haul it. This one was a no-brainer for me as I already use Kifaru’s ARK frame for hunting, but if you’re new to the Kifaru ecosystem, expect to pay a pretty penny to get the ball rolling.
Pros
- Ideal for carrying rifles of all kinds
- Ample webbing adds major versatility
- Kifaru frames are insanely well-padded and supportive
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited use case
What to Look For in a Tactical Backpack
Different people have different reasons for wanting a tactical backpack. For some folks, it’s really just the style they’re after, and any backpack with MOLLE webbing, extra pockets, and a “military-inspired” color like black, coyote, or camo will probably do the trick.
For others, the need for a tactical bag is more purpose-driven, which is why there’s so much variety in the list above. Still, I’ve found a few common elements most tactical bags share that I think are worth noting.
You know quality when you see it. Mystery Ranch’s beefy zippers are a great example.
Kurt Spurlock
The first is durability. Whether your tactical backpack is a bugout bag, a daily commuter, a training tool, or a gear hauler, chances are it’s going to see some heavy use and abuse. This is why the best tactical backpacks are made from highly abrasion and tear-resistant materials like Cordura, and it’s also why they often have an emphasis on extra burly zippers.
The second common theme I see in all my favorite bags is versatility. There’s a reason MOLLE panels are popular on tactical bags, and it ain’t just for show. The ability to build up or strip down your backpack to better suit your purpose is a hallmark of a good tactical bag. Modular webbing, velcro panels, retractable straps, and multi-use pockets all add potential usefulness to any bag, which is why they’re all so prevalent on tactical backpacks.
Most of us don’t go on “missions” in the traditional sense: a tactical backpack should have real-world practicality for stuff like travel or just walking the dog.
Kurt Spurlock
Last but not least, I’ve always taken it as a good sign when a brand actually builds backpacks to spec for the US government and/or armed forces. Mystery Ranch and Kelty are a few popular names that come to mind, and although not all of their products are built to strict government standards, the fact that these brands can earn government contracts tells me they know how to build a quality bag, full stop.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been collecting and testing gear for years, and I’ve owned a few dozen of the best backpacks money can buy as a result. From high-end backpacking rigs to bang-for-the-buck daypacks, I’ve come to know quality when I see it, regardless of price.
