EDC Backpack Options

Seems as though some here way overthink this ... 5.11 "screams gun inside?" Really? C'mon, now. Go visit a college campus sometime and see how many kids are carrying around brown/tan/FDE colored packs (or ACU, Realtree, Mossy Oak camo patterns) with MOLLE webbing and velcro patches. Even the hipsters in my local Starbucks ...

Second the 5.11 Rush. Great day-pack.

Hell, I'm more concerned about being targeted when I'm carrying my way-overpriced Kelty, which to me screams "Yuppie guy with expensive laptop and other goodies inside."

bdickens said:

The vast majority of "civilians" (for lack of a better word) haven't got the slightest idea what 5.11 supposedly is.

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I agree. I always thought "5.11" was a rock climbing difficulty rating. Isn't it?
Back in my (way) younger years, I did some rock climbing. When I was at my peak, I could sometimes manage a 5.10 or 5.11 route if it was "bolted," but if it was "pro your own," I could never "lead" ("be on the sharp end of the rope") harder than a 5.8 or 5.9.
So, I'm baffled how "5.11" clothing and "5.11" outdoor gear became known as "tactical."

Lol, I learn something every day. I have seen 5.11 all the time, never had a clue what it stands for. Have been shooting and Hunting all my life. Someone walking around with a 5.11 pack would not even register with me.

"The name "5.11" comes from the highest rock climbing difficulty level that was listed in the Yosemite Decimal System at Yosemite National Park, which was developed by Robbins in the 1950s."

Lol, ya got to watch those Rock Climbers. mean men.

Bag needs to have tactical functionality while looking unassuming.

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Sounds like a diaper bag/backpack, room for food, stuff to catch it when it leaves the body, stuff to clean up afterwards and who knows rifle, shotgun or pistol. Unassuming as the floral pattern you pick..,

Ernie Bass said:

Lol, ya got to watch those Rock Climbers. mean men.

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Cruel girls too.

I have used a TAD litespeed for years after trying some of the other stuff like SOG and 5.11 bags. This thing has been beat on and keeps going.
This year TAD came out with a new pack called the Axiom. I haven't gotten this one set up just right yet but I can see it getting used even more than my old pack.
Either of these offers many ways to customize your loadout, but the modularity of the Axiom to me is proving to be quite useful.

https://tripleaughtdesign.com/shop/equipment/backpacks-messengers/

Plain colored Walmart school bag. Everything else especially from tactical companies like 5.11 and Vertx draws too much attention to yourself. I have a swissgear plain black backpack with laptop sleeve I use. Non-descript but fits a lot.

Among other things, I'm also a coroner and go on-scene to unattended deaths. I cover 3,000 square miles of rugged desert mountain country. While most of the time it's people who have died at home or in car wrecks, sometimes they're way out in the boonies. Then I go by 4 wheeler, mule back, or helo. I use a pack made by Spec Ops. https://specops.us/pack-tactical-cyb.html It's tough as it get gets and has a very good suspension system.

Here's some pics of mine.

jmr40 said:

To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside". ......

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Exactly, TO YOU........and only to those in the LE community and gun guys. Your typical pedestrian on the street won't care or know one bit.

It's like the paranoia about vests........show some a pic of a guy in a photographer's vest and only the "gun guys" would say "he's a packin heat!"
5.11 pants? They're overpriced cargo pants to the uninitiated.
Molle? No one cares, it looks like little loops to hang carabiners, keychains and fuzzy dice from.

If you want to blend in, use the gear you see on the street/buses/trains/planes being carried by commuters and high schoolers.........and that's likely a sling type messenger bag for their laptop.

I'm a teacher and see hundreds of "everyday carry" backpacks of all types. They aren't carrying LRRP packs, but packs you get at Academy, Target and WalMart.

I think some of our beloved posters may be getting hung up on a few things, so it's time for some pictures of these packs.


First up is the 5.11 LV-18. Notice that although the website is 511tactical.com, this thing looks like something that some student whose name rhymes with "Aiden" is carrying to class. It's incognito. It's not full of webbing. It doesn't scream tactical, tacticool, or "gun inside." It's just an upscale backpack. You can add a waist strap if needed - nice touch. Overall, a good concealment pack with good features. I think the challenge of this pack is that the concealment location is between the main pack and the organizer pocket, so it may be more difficult to find the right zipper if you really need to unsling this pack and locate your firearm.


Next up is the Vertx Gamut 2.0. I mean... look at this thing.... on first glance, you're more likely to find diapers, wet wipes, and animal crackers in this pack than you are to find anything gun related. Soccer moms are taking this thing along as they push a stroller at the zoo. However, just like your middle school teacher said, "What's inside matters," this thing is sneaky tactical with some great side pockets. Getting into the top is a chore, like any other U-zipper pack. I don't really care for the holster being right behind the padded back, but I could see how this would be a faster way to get to the firearm inside.



Just for fun is the most incognito pack ever... the Jansport Right Pack. It's not tactical. It's not upscale. It's simple and has a durable suede leather bottom. If you cram too much into it, the straps will tell you that you're carrying too much. The one, big organizer pocket will hold your EDC. The main compartment will hold four college textbooks, an umbrella, a jacket, and whatever you can fit in the other two pockets. It's not a 3-day pack, but it never claimed to be. It's a classic, simple, not going to get a second look backpack.

I picked this one, it also holds my 17" work laptop, charger and some small bugout stuff. I think this girl says it all:



I picked the gray:



https://www.leatherbackgear.com/products/sport-one-3?variant=31902229233718

Tip: Put it in your cart and leave it there for a day, they'll send you a really good coupon (I think it was 15%)

jmr40 said:

To me, something with the 5.11 logo on it screams "gun inside".

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I don't think most people have ever heard of "5.11" except for dedicated gun people and LEOs, so I'm not sure its really much of a give-away. That said, I do prefer to avoid bags that look too "tactical" (black, lots of molle, moral patches, etc.) for the same reason.

This topic got me curious about what might be available that would fit my personal preferences, and I ran across covertbags.com

Some interesting, nondescript bags with molle and hook-and-loop panels on the inside of the bag, for attaching mag pouches, holsters, etc. out of sight. I may just be placing an order.

.308 Norma said:

I agree. I always thought "5.11" was a rock climbing difficulty rating. Isn't it?
Back in my (way) younger years, I did some rock climbing. When I was at my peak, I could sometimes manage a 5.10 or 5.11 route if it was "bolted," but if it was "pro your own," I could never "lead" ("be on the sharp end of the rope") harder than a 5.8 or 5.9.
So, I'm baffled how "5.11" clothing and "5.11" outdoor gear became known as "tactical."

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Back in the 1990's and into the 00's, many of us gun types used Royal Robbins 5.11 pants. Handy big hip pocket for a mag dump, good belt loop spacing, a useful grab loop, durable, could be fitted with thin knee pads underneath, just the ticket for a day of instructing or running and gunning. RR was a strong outdoor brand with rock climbing roots, like Pranha and a few others back in the day.

With the success and popularity of the pants in the LEO and training community, 5.11 became a spin off brand, but eventually quality of the pants (and most of their other stuff) dropped in line with cheaper prices and a "mid market" alignment- I still look at their stuff on occasion and tend to find it disappointing.

These days we've moved to Kuhl for "non tactical tactical pants". Excellent construction quality and ergonomics, great materials- especially the ones with stretch panels in strategic places. And they don't scream "this guy has a gun!". They do tend to a more "athletic" fit. Prices are reasonable and the service is excellent.

Having gone from 260 to a much stronger 185 lbs, none of my old RR stuff fits anymore. It's either Kuhl pants and shirts 90% of the time for everyday wear, or full-on Crye Precision for the most serious training days, when you need lots of pockets and what's in them.

At work they don't allow cargo pants so I got these hidden pocket pants. Waterproof and ripstop.





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