The Best Tactical Backpacks of 2025

How We Tested Tactical Backpacks

Our Expert Tester

For this update, we tapped regular contributor and gear junkie Nick LeFort. LeFort’s background in product development and design, as well as his desire to wander around as much as possible with a variety of different types of gear made him a welcomed addition to this round of testing. He got into the nooks and crannies of remote places where a firearm is a requirement, not a recommendation. In doing this, he was able to showcase some of the lesser talked about features of these packs.

Our Testing Process

Between quick-hit weekend trips and everyday carry, the GearJunkie team is constantly testing and using tactical backpacks. We’ve used tactical backpacks as medical kits, hunting gear haulers, for day hikes, and even our commute to the office. The recommended products on this list are the result of long-term testing in our day-to-day lives.

When testing packs, we pay careful attention to ease of use, long-term durability, comfort, and overall value. Impressive-sounding features might look good on paper, but they don’t always translate to actual performance. Our testing aims to determine a pack’s true utility.

The definition of “tactical pack” is up for interpretation. It covers a broad range of bags that can be used in the military, as part of your everyday civilian life, as well for outdoor adventures like hiking and backpacking. When selecting packs to consider for this list, we sought out models with traditional military styling and features such as MOLLE webbing systems and concealed carry compartments.

As design updates and new products roll out across the market, we’ll make sure to keep our fingers on the pulse of the tactical backpacks and test out any new styles that have the potential to stand out. This list of recommendations is always in flux — it includes the best tactical backpacks on the market at any given time.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose a Tactical Backpack

There are many high-quality tactical backpacks on the market in 2025. These packs come in various sizes, styles, brands, and colors, and it can be difficult to figure out which one best meets your needs.

It’s important to understand which features you most need from a tactical backpack before purchasing one. Some backpacks on this list, like the Eberlestock Little Trick, are a little more purpose-built compared to the equally tactical but more versatile Mystery Ranch x Carryology Dragon 2.0. Both packs are built to exceed your expectations but may not be dialed in for your particular situation.

The purpose of this buyer’s guide is to help you determine the different characteristics and features available in the tactical backpack market and help you make an educated purchase. The essential considerations for purchasing the best tactical backpack for your needs include materials, budget, capacity, and extra features.

Materials and Durability

Most technical backpacks have an outer material made from abrasion-resistant polyester, nylon, or oxford. These materials typically come with a denier rating, which basically rates how thick and sturdy the material is overall. While denier rating can be a clue, we don’t view the number as the end-all-be-all marker of durability. In general, shoot for a denier rating of at least 500.

Tactical backpacks are made to be more durable than “regular” backpacks. Ideally, your next pack will last a lifetime. On this list, the Mystery Ranch 2 Day Assault Pack and their Carryology Dragon 2.0 offer unmatched durability. Where the 2 Day Assault Pack features the industry standard 500D Cordura, the Carryology Dragon 2.0 features X50 Tactical Cordura with a 400D aramid X-Ply. Both are 500D Cordura materials, but the materials used on the Dragon 2.0 represent innovations in fabric that improve on standards.

If you are concerned with waterproofing, make sure you buy a pack with a water-resistant coating. A good coating will force water to bead on the surface instead of absorbing into and soaking your bag.

Capacity

Liters (L) and Cubic Inches (cu-ins) denote the volume of a pack’s carrying capacity. While every bag on this list has an efficient design that is meant to maximize the available storage, the total volume varies greatly. The greater the backpack’s volume, the more gear it can haul.

Everyday-use backpacks usually range in size from 15 to 30 L. This volume is great for day trips, school, carry-on luggage, and work. On this list, the Eberlestock Little Trick and Kelty Redwing are stellar and versatile day packs.

Multiday packs — sometimes known as assault packs in the tactical world — hover around 35-60 L. This larger capacity allows you to store enough gear for up to three nights. Both the Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Pack and 5.11 Tactical RUSH 100 sport plenty of space and padding for carrying lots of gear for those extended adventures.

Assault packs are often specifically designed to store sleeping bags, cookware, water, food, weapons, and tents. Usually, packs of this size also include a built-in hydration system and a port for a drinking tube that can be accessed on the go.

MOLLE

MOLLE is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. Backpacks with MOLLE have a series of fixed points sewn into the pack’s fabric. The advantage to MOLLE is the ability to expand your pack’s capacity. Everything from small organization pouches to water bottle pockets and rifle scabbards can be attached to the outside of your pack with MOLLE.

MOLLE allows you to make your pack more modular as well. This allows you to easily adapt to your next adventure in a matter of minutes.

Extra Features

In addition to the basic ability to carry gear, tactical backpacks come with a whole host of extra features. These features vary in their application and purpose, so look for features that will have actual value in your life.

Along with MOLLE, common features include hydration bladder and laptop sleeves, organizational compartments, external pockets, and larger zippered openings. Additionally, you can expect beefed up and waterproof zippers, external compressions straps, and added benefits for concealed weapons carry.

Firearms

One thing common with tactical packs – and not found in your average daypack — is areas, attachment points, and access points for firearms. 

Concealed carry is the best option, and sometimes the only legal one, for carrying firearms in a city or town. Having a back that can accommodate your firearm while keeping it concealed can be advantageous. Eberlestock has done a great job of accommodating short-barrelled rifles with their Little Trick and compact handguns with their Bando Bag. Both bags are designed to be used in a multitude of environments while concealing your firearm.

Rucking

An activity once dreaded by lower enlisted military members has now become a trendy fitness regimen. It turns out that moving with heavy loads on your back is a great way to improve overall health.

While you can ruck with any backpack, a tactical backpack, like the ones in this guide, will excel at it. Sure, civilians have started using tactical bags for everyday use, but at their core, tactical bags are for military personnel to carry heavy loads in the field. They are the ultimate rucking machine.

Don’t think just because you plan on carrying heavy loads, you need a large bag like the 5.11 Tactical RUSH. To get weight to sit properly, you’d have to stuff a giant backpack full of fluff. That’s not efficient. You’re looking to hold dense weight in a bag. Not jam it full of equipment to raid a compound in the Middle East.

If you want to get into rucking for fitness’s sake, smaller backpacks, such as the Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Pack, are a better option. It’s a great size and has a water bladder compartment for hydration. Add some weight to it, and get moving. For maximum efficiency, ditch clunky dumbbells and consider purchasing 5.11 Tactical Flex Weights. They’re perfect for sliding into your bag and distributing weight evenly while rucking.

Price & Value

The tactical packs on this list range from $40 to $600. With any backpack, you want to make sure you’re spending your money on a pack that meets your needs. In terms of tactical packs, those needs could be staying alive.

With that being the case, it’s harder to break these packs down into price categories, but we’re going to do it anyway to give you an idea of what you can expect from a budget, mid-tier, and premium tactical backpack.

Budget

Tactical packs that fall into the budget range generally cost under $100. They’re made from durable materials but may lack some advanced characteristics like abrasion resistance or an advanced frame for load management.

In the case of the REEBOW Gear Tactical Backpack ($40), it looks action-packed and has some of the desirable characteristics we’ve gone over in this guide. However, without the company sharing the specific material, and having tested it, we can tell you that it’s not as sufficient as 500D Cordura.

Does this mean that the pack didn’t earn its spot on the list? No. In fact, for a pack whose description online is very vague, we’ve been very happy with the experience we’ve had with the pack.

Mid-Tier

As with most outdoor equipment, most of us usually shop in the mid-tier price category. Tactical packs in the mid-tier range are made of field-tested materials and often have more bells and whistles.

The Mystery Ranch 2-Day Assault Pack is a great example of a mid-tier pack. It’s made from 500D Cordura, an industry standard in tactical backpack fabric. It also provides easy access via its tri-zip opening and has an ample amount of MOLLE for expansion.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $200-300 for the standard mid-tier tactical pack. But keep in mind, with organization being one of the main focuses of tactical carry, you can expect to pay more for additional pouches. 

Premium

Tactical packs that fall into the premium range feature new and innovative materials and features that improve their resilience to a multitude of demanding conditions. These packs are comfortable and versatile with the ability to be adjusted and modified for whatever adventure you plan on going on. 

At $400, the Mystery Ranch x Carryology Dragon 2.0 is an example of a premium tactical pack. Its materials are beyond compare — designed to be abrasion, rip, and weather-resistant. It also has a considerable amount of onboard organization and an adjustable harness that aids in the pack’s adaptability. Another type of premium tactical pack are those that are purpose-built for a particular task. On this list, the Mystery Ranch Mole Pouch, which rings the bell at $615 at retail, is built to be an effective medical pack. Though this pack may not be your first choice for your next day hike, if you’re deployed, it might be your job to carry around a pack like this.

Frequently Asked Questions