EDC Backpack Options

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Cygnus

Cygnus

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Been narrowing choices on backpacks that could serve as both EDC and emergency scenarios. After research, currently leaning toward Vertx Gamut 2.0, and 5.11 Lv18. I carry daily, but pack will have a separate back up gun. Bag needs to have tactical functionality while looking unassuming. Bag will be used as daily carry, but needs to also fill role if things go south in a hurry. Not an office pack, (no laptop sleeve needed), will reside in car and home and go everywhere. Anyone with daily experience using these? Or are there other suggestions for packs that would fill the roles described?
 
So you’re carrying a weapon on your body, right? Are you planning on carrying a backup weapon in the backpack in addition to gun number 1? Would you be sporting the backpack all over or just sitting in your car? Are you in an urban environment?

Leaving backpacks in cars = easy theft. That’s my first thought anyway.

If it were me, I would have two different bags for your use cases. One for your carry purposes, and one for a dedicated bug out bag. I noticed both packs you mentioned do not have a waist belt. Really lame if you load it down and have to walk long distances.
 
I use a 5.11 rush Moab 10 for a daily use pack.
I usually leave it in my van but under a sweatshirt or between the second row seats where it's not easily seen. I don't keep a gun in it though. I keep emergency supplies, 5 loaded magazines, first aid kit, ka-bar, a couple lighters, flashlight, couple bottles of water, you get the idea. I like that bag because it's compact but it looks conspicuous , wish it didn't have the webbing on the outside because I never use it and makes it look "tactical " . tough bag, had it for years and haven't had any trouble with it.
 
To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside". I'd visit REI or a similar store where you can look at and try on some in person. Osprey makes some good stuff and you look like a hiker instead of an operator. I think it is really important to see and try on in person rather than order. Different body types will fit some bags much better than others. Some features must be seen in person to appreciate.

Something like this. I don't care for purple, but they do offer it in other colors.

https://www.rei.com/product/895887/osprey-daylite-plus-pack
 
Before you select a backpack make a list of every item you expect to carry in it when it is at its fullest. Then st k the items and measure the volume in cubic inches or liters. That will indicate the size of the backpack needed. Then weigh the items so you will know what you have in store for yourself in terms of burden. Do not exceed ⅓ of your body weight if you will be carrying it for long periods. If your load will exceed 30 pounds I suggest you select a bag with a hip belt.

A good approach is to use a suspender supported belt to hold essential things like wage, ammo, first aid and then a smaller pack for clothes, food etc. That way if you ever do have to get tactical you can drop the pack without losing your essentials.

Forget the word tactical. It is a gimmick. Know that when GIs engage in tactical operations they often drop the pack and rely on the suspended supported hip belt pouches they all wear. They provide for greater mobility. So before you buy have a realistic assessment of just why you might be using the pack. Usually a pack is only for food, extra water, clothes. Water, first aid, ammo, orienteering gear is on the belt along with weapons.

A gun in the pack is about as useless a gun as you can carry. A backup should be readily available. Carry the primary handgun in a chest holster and carry the backup in a pouch on the belt.

I agree with the post above that REI is a good place to buy. They have a liberal return policy, repair gear thay sell, have knowledgeable staff, and do not sell junk. If you join as a member you get an annual rebate on purchases and you might save money if you find what you are looking for in their online outlet store. If you buy online you can return to a store as well as have items shipped to a store with no shipping charges.
 
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''Tactical'' back packs suck. Even military packs suck. Every mil guy I know, loved my Gregory Palisade the first time he tried it. Packs should be long and thin. Usually rhe top and bottom compartments are seperated only by a strapped piece of fabric. A rifle barrel slides right past it. My P90 fits in my pack perfectly.

Try this:
https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/backpacking-packs/baltoro-95-pro-916BAL95.html?dwvar_916BAL95_color=Volcanic Black&cgidmaster=packs-backpacking#start=19&sz=18


I only use suitcases for airline travel. Car/truck travel is all about my backpacks now. Easy to walk with, check in at hotels, whatever.
 
Cygnus said:
Been narrowing choices on backpacks that could serve as both EDC and emergency scenarios. I carry daily, but pack will have a separate back up gun. Bag needs to have tactical functionality while looking unassuming. Bag will be used as daily carry, but needs to also fill role if things go south in a hurry.
Click to expand...

I personally think you are asking too much of one bag. IMHO, a emergency scenario means a "Bug-Out" bag and that's not really something you are going to use for daily carry. Daily carry means what you might need for at most 24 hours, generally what you need for 8, until you get home from work. An emergency means a 72+ hour bag, maybe never coming home bag. You need to determine what you will need/want for both scenarios before you get a bag. Lay the stuff out, measure and weigh it. This will tell you what you need. Don't need to look "tackticool" or be expensive. Just needs to work, be the right size and be comfortable for you to carry. You also need to determine what you can comfortably carry. Been on too many backpacking trips with friends where someone bought a really nice bag so they could get everything they thought they needed in it. Then ended up having to help them carry some of the stuff or listen to them whine about it. For daily carry, some of the new sling bags work well and are easier to get on and off.
 
jmr40 said:
To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside". I'd visit REI or a similar store where you can look at and try on some in person. Osprey makes some good stuff and you look like a hiker instead of an operator. I think it is really important to see and try on in person rather than order. Different body types will fit some bags much better than others. Some features must be seen in person to appreciate.

Something like this. I don't care for purple, but they do offer it in other colors.

https://www.rei.com/product/895887/osprey-daylite-plus-pack
Click to expand...
Except that after REI stopped carrying some products because they were owned by a company that gave NRA discounts they lost my business.
 
My bags don't scream tactical. I have a tactical bag my son gave me. It sits in my basement loaded with stuff, but I don't carry it around. I have a black Eddie Bauer bag that is very non-assuming.
 
I've got an older 5.11 Covert 18 that got on sale at our PX and I've been carrying for EDC to and from work for about 6 years now.

It's definitely too small for any kind of bug-out bag, but works well for a daypack and a "get home bag". It's got some useful features and others not so much. It does have an internal CCW pocket, but I'm an "on the body" carry guy. As you can see from the pic, the 5.11 label is very small and overall it doesn't scream "tactical" anything. I've used it as a carry-on multiple times (does have a laptop sleeve). It's also fairly comfortable.


56961_049_covrt18_05_1.jpg
 
Not so sure that a bag looking tactical makes it stand out that much anymore. I work in an academic medical environment and I see webbing on multiple backpacks every day. Nobody puts anything on it... that I would notice, I think.
 
Schlegel said:
Not so sure that a bag looking tactical makes it stand out that much anymore.
Click to expand...

.....and I'm not sure that a tactical bag is more likely to be the subject of a smash and grab robbery. I would think any bag with the reputation for being high end(like Incase, Timbuk2, Thule, etc) would be just as attractive because they radiate "expensive". I would think the local Wal-Mart brand would draw the least amount of attention.
 
swagbrdr said:
So you’re carrying a weapon on your body, right? Are you planning on carrying a backup weapon in the backpack in addition to gun number 1? Would you be sporting the backpack all over or just sitting in your car? Are you in an urban environment?

Leaving backpacks in cars = easy theft. That’s my first thought anyway.

If it were me, I would have two different bags for your use cases. One for your carry purposes, and one for a dedicated bug out bag. I noticed both packs you mentioned do not have a waist belt. Really lame if you load it down and have to walk long distances.
Click to expand...

Maybe I wasn’t clear in my OP. Yes, I’ll be carrying, AND will have a back up in my bag. The whole point of finding the right bag for my purposes is so that I don’t have to have two bags. I don’t want to have to “get to“ my SHTF bag. So the bag I’m looking for needs flexibility if possible to handle both at the same time.
 
For an EDC out and about bag I use a Kavu brand I got it from an outdoor supply store. Its just a quick sling pack. It has a shark/surfer motif. It sticks out but not something that says "hey there's a pocket knife and a Streamlight flashlight in here"
 
jmr40 said:
To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside". I'd visit REI or a similar store where you can look at and try on some in person. Osprey makes some good stuff and you look like a hiker instead of an operator. I think it is really important to see and try on in person rather than order. Different body types will fit some bags much better than others. Some features must be seen in person to appreciate.

Something like this. I don't care for purple, but they do offer it in other colors.

https://www.rei.com/product/895887/osprey-daylite-plus-pack
Click to expand...

I‘m familiar with the Osprey. But it lacks the dedicated concealed compartment with rigid velcro backing to secure my back up. The LV18 has no 5.11 logo, it is very non-tactical in appearance.
 
Zerodefect said:
''Tactical'' back packs suck. Even military packs suck. Every mil guy I know, loved my Gregory Palisade the first time he tried it. Packs should be long and thin. Usually rhe top and bottom compartments are seperated only by a strapped piece of fabric. A rifle barrel slides right past it. My P90 fits in my pack perfectly.

Try this:
https://www.gregorypacks.com/packs-bags/backpacking-packs/baltoro-95-pro-916BAL95.html?dwvar_916BAL95_color=Volcanic Black&cgidmaster=packs-backpacking#start=19&sz=18


I only use suitcases for airline travel. Car/truck travel is all about my backpacks now. Easy to walk with, check in at hotels, whatever.
Click to expand...

Why do you say they suck? Having the organizational aspects with molle, hook and loop, elastic binders, and velcro backing for a separate back up gun make those bags more efficient and easier to access emergency gear. My current edc bag has been great, but it screams tactical and so now want to move to something that looks like a normal everyday bag. I own two Gregory packs and they are great, but I could never envision them being as user friendly for edc/shtf. But that’s just me. I was just hoping someone may have had actual experience with bags I’ve narrowed, and or other options. Thank you though.
 
Any number of "man bags" or "urban briefcase" style bags could be used. I have friend who used a small camera bag, carries it with him all the time. Has CAT, bandages and an EDC with spare ammo. I have a large smart phone case for certain occasions. Front compartment, phone; middle compartment, ID/CC/cash; rear compartment, LCP+spare mag.

For something a little less "manly" looking, I have used a small tent bag and a yoga mat mag. They've carried an AR, in pieces, with mags and ammo. Take it on the road, never been question about it except one clerk did comment that the "excerise room" was close for renovation and hoped that wouldn't be a problem.
 
buck460XVR said:
I personally think you are asking too much of one bag. IMHO, a emergency scenario means a "Bug-Out" bag and that's not really something you are going to use for daily carry. Daily carry means what you might need for at most 24 hours, generally what you need for 8, until you get home from work. An emergency means a 72+ hour bag, maybe never coming home bag. You need to determine what you will need/want for both scenarios before you get a bag. Lay the stuff out, measure and weigh it. This will tell you what you need. Don't need to look "tackticool" or be expensive. Just needs to work, be the right size and be comfortable for you to carry. You also need to determine what you can comfortably carry. Been on too many backpacking trips with friends where someone bought a really nice bag so they could get everything they thought they needed in it. Then ended up having to help them carry some of the stuff or listen to them whine about it. For daily carry, some of the new sling bags work well and are easier to get on and off.
Click to expand...

I appreciate this, and you’re right, it might be asking for too much out of one bag, but that’s why I did ask. What if I can’t “get home”? Then I want the bag to at least partially fill that role. The bag would be mostly daily carry, back up firearm, spare mags, first aid, flashlight, knife, water filter, some food, change of clothes, poncho, etc. I can get all that in a 30L bag and more. I just mostly wanted to know if anyone owns and uses the two I mentioned or had other suggestions, so I could narrow my choices more. Thanks for the input.
 
I carry a 5.11 Rush 12. I probably carry too much in it, but then again, most of it gets used occasionally. Especially the extra clothing I keep for changes in weather. I also have an IFAK attached on one side to the molle webbing.

I won't take it on real hikes (I tune other kits for that type of activity). But if I'm going no more than a mile or two, It can cover the bases. The EDC could get me through a couple days of unplanned misery if I were careful about my decisions.

I think the choice in bag is a very personal one. I chose the Rush 12 because it seemed a convenient size that would allow me enough space without giving me so much that I would be tempted to fill it with far too much stuff, only to then choose to leave it behind because it was too big and heavy (which has happened in the past). I needed something somewhat comfortable. But also to have a tough bottom; that's where I see the most wear on an edc bag, because it gets put down and pushed around as much as it gets carried. I also wanted lots of pockets to separate and organize.
 
I have 2 backpacks made by a company called DDT. One is the “Venom” pack. The other is the “Drifter” pack. It is a bit smaller than the Venom pack. They are designed as tactical bags with Velcro panels inside for nylon holsters. The zippers have the ability to have small locks installed for legal firearms transport required in some states.

https://www.ddt-ops.com/backpacks

I selected these, especially the Drifter, so as not to appear “Tactical” when carrying handguns to and from the range or in general.

The only thing that I do not like about these packs is the straps have a smooth mesh face on the side that would be against the body when carrying it. When slinging it over one shoulder the strap easily slides off which can be annoying. If carried as a backpack with both straps the mesh allows quick and easy doffing of the pack. I like to just sling it over one shoulder so the strap does slip off the shoulder a little too easily sometimes.

Overall, I like them.

57A50925-BEAB-459E-BD25-42196414FDAE.jpeg 2AFE11C4-37DE-4059-B6E6-D16FB480955E.jpeg DFE908A6-7D15-4C7B-B665-FE9A9B4B8D23.jpeg
 
Cygnus said:
Been narrowing choices on backpacks that could serve as both EDC and emergency scenarios.
Click to expand...

I don't have a "bug out" bag. However, I have a few decades of experience with backpacks for general carry.

Here's my opinion. Add a dollar to it and you can get a cup of coffee at McDonalds.

First figure out exactly what you are going to carry in it. Not what you'd "like" to carry in it, or what you "think" you might carry. What you ARE going to carry.

If this is a dedicated backpack, then approach it as such. "Form follows function."

Then get all that stuff together and organize it efficiently and see what it looks like and weighs.

THEN go shopping to find something it'll fit in.

If you don't want a "tactical" look, then simply stay away from those.

There are a LOT of well built backpacks for school, camping, business (think laptops) that are perfectly suitable.
 
Cygnus said:
Been narrowing choices on backpacks that could serve as both EDC and emergency scenarios. After research, currently leaning toward Vertx Gamut 2.0, and 5.11 Lv18. I carry daily, but pack will have a separate back up gun. Bag needs to have tactical functionality while looking unassuming. Bag will be used as daily carry, but needs to also fill role if things go south in a hurry. Not an office pack, (no laptop sleeve needed), will reside in car and home and go everywhere. Anyone with daily experience using these? Or are there other suggestions for packs that would fill the roles described?
Click to expand...

Have you considered one of the Vertx Sling Bags? Quicker access to your gun than a traditional backpack.

 
Schlegel said:
Not so sure that a bag looking tactical makes it stand out that much anymore. I work in an academic medical environment and I see webbing on multiple backpacks every day. Nobody puts anything on it... that I would notice, I think.
Click to expand...
Yea, I see them all over the hospital, it's what sells these days, I bet 99% of don't have anything gun related in them.

I like the 5.11 pictured earlier, bland and unassuming.
 
jmr40 said:
To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside...."
Click to expand...

Maybe to you, but not to anybody else. The vast majority of "civilians" (for lack of a better word) haven't got the slightest idea what 5.11 supposedly is. Heck, Academy has 5.11 pants on the rack right next to the Dickies, right across from the Columbia and North Face.
 
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