What Is The Best Tactical Backpack For Survival, EDC, and Bugging Out?

Maxpedition Falcon II

The Maxpedition Falcon II is honestly one of the best examples of great, practical product design. This tactical backpack may look a tad bit smaller than most bags out there, but don’t be fooled—with a 23-L capacity and 1050-denier ballistic nylon material, this bad boy is roomier and sturdier than it actually looks.

One of the reasons why this Maxpedition bag remains a favorite among preppers and outdoorsmen is its intelligent design. It’s like an accordion on steroids. The Falcon II has three levels of compression, so its compartments can expand forward with the help of two compression straps found on the sides of the bag.

This feature makes the Falcon II truly versatile, as it allows the bag to remain compact and unobtrusive even when you stuff it to its full volume.

On the flip side, you can also compress the bag to a smaller size if you’re only carrying a few items and don’t need to use all of its compartments.

Speaking of compartments, this bag has a lot of them, and they have more room than they let on at first glance. The main compartment opens all the way to a clamshell style, so you can lay it flat and organize your stuff without a hitch.

Looking inside, you’ll see that the compartments are lined with durable fabric with wicking properties and smaller mesh compartments. Its hydration reservoir is a bit smaller than most bags, and it’s got a single port found right below the grab handle. If you don’t plan to carry a hydration bladder, the pouch also doubles as a compartment for concealed carry or for a 15”-17” laptop.

As far as durability goes, the Maxpedition Falcon II does not disappoint. At 1050-d, you can kick this bag around, and it will take a beating. Its ballistic nylon fabric is pretty thick and robust, albeit a bit on the heavy side. Its stress points are also reinforced with double-stitching and bar tacks, allowing the bag to carry heavy loads without ripping the sides, grab handles, or straps.

The Falcon II is not entirely waterproof, but with layers of polyurethane, it’s resistant enough to moisture. Its robust YKK zippers do not come with a rainfly flap either, but they are reverse coiled to prevent moisture from getting into the bag. The bottom of the bag also has a water and grime-resistant layer to help it stay relatively clean and dry.

Lastly, this pack is plenty comfortable. Its straps are wide and padded, and it also has ergonomic hip and sternum straps for added comfort and support. A unique Y compression strap up front helps distribute the pack’s weight evenly. Since it expands forward and keeps its shape, the bag doesn’t feel bulky even when stuffed to full capacity.

Overall, the Maxpedition Falcon II’s clever design makes it one reliable workhorse. It’s smaller and a bit pricier than most tactical backpacks out there, but it’s definitely one of the best, especially if you’re looking for an EDC backpack.

5.11 Rush 24

5.11’s bestselling Rush tactical bag might be rated for only 24 hours, but if you know how to pack a bug out bag, you can definitely use this tactical backpack to survive for a couple of days more. Otherwise, you can always use it as one badass EDC bag or overnight camping bag.

At 3.79 lbs, the 5.11 Rush 24 is heavier than what we would’ve liked. Still, with 1050-d nylon for its material, it’s robust for a 24-hour rucksack. It’s pretty easy to clean, and its compartments are plenty spacious, too.

The front, sides, and even the straps of the pack are generously decked out with MOLLE webbing panels. There are too many of them for our taste, but you’d love this feature if you’re a prepper who wants the freedom to customize and modify your bag.

This backpack is compatible with 5.11’s tiering system, too, so you can expand your carrying capacity to one more bag if you want.

Shoulder yokes will always be a matter of preference. Love them or hate them, but one thing’s for sure, 5.11 designed their straps and yoke the right way. The bag’s thick, padded straps and contoured shoulder yoke make it one of the most comfortable and ergonomic on this list, especially if you see yourself using the bag for hours on end.

The yoke fits the shoulder perfectly, and if it doesn’t, you can always adjust it to fit your frame. The straps are pretty solid as well. They're easy to adjust and don’t dig into your shoulders when you move around.

The bag’s frame is likewise robust and does an excellent job of keeping the bag’s form.

What we like most about the Rush 24 is that it has a lot of well-thought-out details that, when added together, make one solid backpack.

For example, it’s got thick elastic bands that keep any dangling straps neat and organized. It also has multiple compartments and pockets that are thoughtfully designed. The Rush 24’s water bottle compartments are zippered, so your bottles remain accessible but neatly tucked at the sides. It also has a fleece-lined eyewear compartment conveniently located near the grab handle for glasses and shades.

Perhaps the biggest downside to the Rush 24 is that it doesn’t have a waist strap for added support during longer treks. And then there’s the price tag. At around $130, this bag can be way beyond the price range of many a prepper or outdoorsman.

Still, all things considered, the 5.11 Rush 24 is a pretty solid investment. Its functional features and numerous admin compartments make it a great companion for EDC, survival, and the outdoors. Like the Maxpedition, The Rush 24 doesn't come cheap, but if you’ve got money to spare and want a bag that will last for years, the 5.11 Rush 24 is a solid choice.

Condor 3-Day Assault Pack

Keen on packing your whole life into a rucksack? With its 7 roomy compartments and ginormous 50L capacity, the Condor 3-day assault pack could be the one for you.  

This tactical backpack has 7 roomy compartments that collectively clock in at around 50L. This feature is honestly the Condor’s strongest suit, making it ideal for bugging out, hunting, or even multi-day camping or backpacking.

Its spacious main compartment can be opened in a clamshell configuration and is decked out with compression straps so your stuff stays organized. The Condor also has reinforced grab handles up top and on the sides for when you just need to grab it and go.

The Condor’s other pockets are also roomy; it’s got CCW and admin mesh compartments plus MOLLE webbings on the outside for extra attachments. This robust backpack can fit not just one but two hydration bladders in its reservoir. It’s a shame that accessing these compartments isn’t as easy as you would with the Rush 24, though.

Its rigid frame offers excellent support, and its straps are some of the thickest we’ve seen so far. Adjusting the straps can be a bit cumbersome for folks with smaller frames.

The broad, padded hip strap can feel almost like overkill for some users, too. Thankfully, there’s an option to remove it, so no love lost between us and the Condor.

The Condor didn’t do too well when exposed to moisture.

Sure, it’s got huge reverse-coil zippers and a zipper rain fly tab to match, but the material itself isn’t too resistant to water. Its back panel could improve in the ventilation department, too. Taking a hike, you can actually feel all that sweat from your back seeping into the bag. Not the best feeling in the world.

While it's admittedly not the best-performing bag out there, the Condor is surprisingly cheaper than most backpacks of its size, with a price tag of around $90.

It’s available in many different color varieties to suit your preference, too, so if you want something spacious, relatively durable, and affordable, you can set your sights on this one.

Trekking King Tactical Backpack

We’ll be honest, we didn’t have a lot of high hopes for this tactical backpack from Trekking King, but its solid performance and no-nonsense features have more or less changed our initial reaction.

This backpack from Trekking King is one of the cheaper ones in the bunch at a little over $40, so it’s not too heavy on the budget. And although it doesn’t have as many compartments, nor does it sport a hydration bladder, this tactical backpack is plenty spacious at a 60-liter capacity. It’s significantly lighter than the other bags on this list, too.

This rucksack lies on the longer side and sports the tell-tale MOLLE webbing on its front and sides. The hook and loop up front are also a good touch for patches and the like.

The Trekking King backpack also comes with extra MOLLE-compatible pouches, which you can attach at the bottom and the sides. Some members of our review team loved these parts as they allow you to expand your carrying capacity, but some didn’t want to bother with these attachments or simply weren’t impressed by the packs’ material.

The great thing about this feature, though, is you can transform the Trekking King however you like. With the compartments on, you can turn this into a bug out bag. Remove them and you have a very spacious, low-key EDC bag that can fit daily essentials like laptops, water bottles, and even helmets.

Comfort-wise, this rucksack ain’t too shabby. While it can use a sturdier frame to support your back and a better ventilation system, the bag’s straps are secure and quite easy to adjust. The material is lightweight but durable, too.

The Trekking King may lack all the bells and whistles that come with a pricier pack, but it’s a good enough backpack for those with a tight budget. Its spacious main compartment can hold a lot of stuff.

Plus, it’s got a lot of customization options that many outdoorsmen and preppers will find adequate, at the very least.

SOG Op Ord Tactical Day Pack

At only a little over $30, the SOG OpOrd tactical backpack is the cheapest in the bunch and…well, it shows. While it’s not bad, you basically get what you pay for with this backpack.

Instead of the usual ballistic nylon with a high denier, the SOG OpOrd is mostly made of polyester. The material makes the bag lighter, but it’s also thinner and flimsier than the rest of the tactical backpacks on this list.

We noticed that the bag fails to keep its form even when stuffed at full capacity. It’s not a big deal in the greater scheme of things, but it would’ve been nice if it could stay upright for longer. It sure would help make the bag more comfortable.

Looking inside, you’ll see that the main compartments are spacious enough, but its inner linings are also quite thin—similar to a school book bag’s—and could easily be damaged after some hardcore activities. Its zippers are reverse-coiled, but only the main compartment is double-zipped. The rest only sport one zipper, which can be a bit cumbersome, especially if you need to access the compartments on the go.

Within the main compartment, you can find a pouch where you can insert a hydration bladder. The ports are found near the grab handles, which are thankfully sturdy and double-stitched. The bag also sports a padded area at the back for electronics.

While its shoulder straps are padded, they’re not as well-made as, say, the 5.11 Rush 24 or the Maxpedition. It sports a contoured yoke, but it doesn’t fit quite as well as the other bags with the same feature, either. In fact, this bag was quite uncomfortable after a few hours on the trail. Its sternum strap is removable, but it’s not the easiest thing to adjust. It also often digs into your chest.

Like all of the other bags, the SOG OpOrd is decked out with MOLLE webbings all over the front and sides. We found the pirate logo and tactical vest design up front a bit cheesy, although the mesh compartment does an okay job of keeping stuff like water bottles within easy reach.

All things considered, we don’t recommend the SOG OpOrd if you’re spending a long time out on the trail. It’s not the most comfortable bag out there, and its material doesn’t feel like it can hold up against high-stress situations. Still, if you need a spacious school, work, or EDC bag while sticking to a budget, this is enough to do the trick.