Given the state of affairs I’m looking at backpacks to carry a few emergency supplies along with my laptop and normal daily use work stuff. I want to blend in and not scream tactical. I’m not looking for a ruck to live out of for several days. Just EDC pack that can keep stuff handy and organized. I currently use a Marmot Gunnison that is getting quite worn. With so many options out there what are some suggestions from the group?
EDC backpack recommendations
- Thread starter fgr39
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I really like Maxpedition and have a lot of their gear. Here is one that fits your requirements.
https://www.knifecountryusa.com/sto...preptt26b-prepared-citizen-tt26-backpack.html
I myself went instead for a ballistic pack, Sport One, from Leatherback gear. It is also civilian style (they have tactical ones as well) with two ballistic plates that add about a lb each. It holds a 17" laptop but has less pockets. Tip, if you add one to your cart and then don't check out for 24 hrs you will get a 20% coupon.
https://www.leatherbackgear.com/collections/bulletproof-backpacks
https://www.knifecountryusa.com/sto...preptt26b-prepared-citizen-tt26-backpack.html
I myself went instead for a ballistic pack, Sport One, from Leatherback gear. It is also civilian style (they have tactical ones as well) with two ballistic plates that add about a lb each. It holds a 17" laptop but has less pockets. Tip, if you add one to your cart and then don't check out for 24 hrs you will get a 20% coupon.
https://www.leatherbackgear.com/collections/bulletproof-backpacks
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I don't have a suggestion in the actual pack. But I've found ones with a semi rigid back make for less strain on my back and shoulders.
Go to a site like Dunham's, academy, etc and try on as many as you can. They are like shoes. You'll know when you found the right one.
Mine is a Redhead Kanati. It is camo and screams redneck. But I'm usually hunting if I have it.
Go to a site like Dunham's, academy, etc and try on as many as you can. They are like shoes. You'll know when you found the right one.
Mine is a Redhead Kanati. It is camo and screams redneck. But I'm usually hunting if I have it.
To make this on-topic for THR, as I understand it, there has to be a weapon or strategy/tactical component. So, I will mention the Eberlestock line of packs and bags. My Eberlestock Big Trick can accommodate a 26” long gun, or a 16” AR15 with a LAW-folder-ed stock. There are smaller packs that accommodate smaller weapons, and a briefcase that has a substantial compartment for a handgun.
VertX makes a series of packs and cases, that get plenty of good reviews. I have not tried them, but like my VertX trousers.
VertX makes a series of packs and cases, that get plenty of good reviews. I have not tried them, but like my VertX trousers.
Drifter27
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I have a 5.11 covrt18 in greyscale. Seems put together well and has stood up great to being thrown around between trucks. Also has a dedicated ccw pocket thats pretty easy to keep hidden with the way the zippers for different pouches are set up. Also has a place for a camelback and laptop and the laptop pouch is set up to where one could likely put a ballistic plate if one wanted
D.B. Cooper
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My take on this is KISS, keep. it. simple. My little, non-tacticool, get home bag is a small Camelback in non military/hunting colors. I keep a couple Smart Water bottles in there (I actually don't like Camelbacks, but each to their own), plus whatever else is on my list. There is room for a micro or subcompact handgun and a couple mags (although I don't actually keep a gun in there) along with a kydex holster. (I don't really feel the need to get into specifics; we all know what goes in a bag and have our own twist on it.) This affords me some minimal gear to augment the edc that's on my person as well as a self defense option without attracting a lot of attention if I ever have to grab it and leave the truck.
We really do need to keep this firearms related and not just a daily use pack topic.
I have found the Camelbaks with a good zipper pocket sized for handgun to work well. Yes, that's an off-body carry, but that may be the most practicable solution where convenience supersedes speed of access. The build quality of the Camelbaks has been good over the years of use we've put them to. If you want to add a blow-out kit and even some wipes and water bottle for range use they've done well in that role.
Now, if you want to have protection with your pack...https://www.bulletblocker.com/bulletblocker-nij-iiia-bulletproof-chest-rig.html
I have found the Camelbaks with a good zipper pocket sized for handgun to work well. Yes, that's an off-body carry, but that may be the most practicable solution where convenience supersedes speed of access. The build quality of the Camelbaks has been good over the years of use we've put them to. If you want to add a blow-out kit and even some wipes and water bottle for range use they've done well in that role.
Now, if you want to have protection with your pack...https://www.bulletblocker.com/bulletblocker-nij-iiia-bulletproof-chest-rig.html
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D.B. Cooper
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I know there is a lot of debate around off body carry. I'm not sure what the arguments are as I never read much on it; it doesn't really concern me. However, for a get home bag stored in your vehicle, you could go either way. Just stash a kydex holster in there with your gun, and you can carry on or off body as you need. If you work in a non permissive environment, this is your best bet as you can lock everything in your trunk or behind your seat.
WrongHanded
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I use a 5.11 Rush12 pack which works great for me. And does include a pouch between the main pocket and the back support area, which very nicely fits even the largest of conventional pistols. However it is covered in molle and so looks a big tactical.
However, looking at the 5.11 website, they now make what is basically the same pack, but without most of the molle. Looks like a good option to me.
https://www.511tactical.com/tac-essential-pack-25l.html
However, looking at the 5.11 website, they now make what is basically the same pack, but without most of the molle. Looks like a good option to me.
https://www.511tactical.com/tac-essential-pack-25l.html
sparkyv
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The SAK backpacks work for me. One is in the truck as my GHB with cutting tools, disaster shelter, food bars, water, cordage, ammo, mags, holster, etc. My EDC isn't tactical in design at all because I grab it to get on planes when I travel. So I have to use the two backpacks daily. SAK are pretty much gray man in my book.
Old Dog
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I've got a nicer Kelty in black that looks like a typical yuppie hiker day pack. Lots of pockets and divided areas inside (with some smaller, net zipped pockets), plus a nice diagonal zipper pocket on the lower front that's the perfect size for a SIG P-365 when sliding the pack of the left shoulder and drawing right-handed. Kelty has been a well-known brand for the PNW hiking/mountaineering crowd, doesn't scream tactical at all. Big enough sizes for what the OP wants, and most under $200.
FAS1
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Are you looking to have a gun accessible in the bag? If so, consider a sling bag that can be accessed quickly if needed. I don't own one yet, but I have been looking at the Vertx Transit or Commuter bag. Similar features, but different sizes. They are available in different colors and doesn't look "tactical".
D.B. Cooper
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Good quality packs, too. First thing I did when I got out of the Army was to swear off external frame packs (e.g. the ALICE pack) and bought myself a Kelty internal frame. Couple trips on the Appalachian Trail with it, a few more in Alaska. I still have it but now I load caribou meat into it.
Drifter27
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On the 18 all the pouches have dual zippers and all but the cc pouch zip down to open, the cc pouch zips up and has slightly different grab tabs. I keep those tucked in so they aren't visible and just leave a finger opening because 1 finger will easily open it without worrying about something catching it.
If this one holds together like it has so far I'll replace it with the same
If this one holds together like it has so far I'll replace it with the same
I have long seen a pack/pouch, designed to accommodate a weapon, and attached to my person, as being on-body carry, rather than being “off-body,” perhaps because my first PD-issued duty holster was a low-slung, swiveling flap holster. (Almost immediately, I switched to a better-made, PD-approved, medium-ride-ehight, alternative flap holster, made by a local shop.) I will repeat the “attached to my person” part. Obviously, when one un-slings or un-belts such a pack/pouch, it then becomes off-body, with all of the liabilities attached to that.
Access to a weapon, inside a specifically-designed pack/pouch, can be as quick as, or more quick, than some deeply-concealed, under-the-clothing carry rigs.
The Safepacker, made by The Wilderness, in Arizona, a long-time favorite, of mine, can be hand-carried, worn on a strap/sling, worn on a belt, or secured to a larger bag/pack. The Safepacker, itself, is made to accommodate a handgun, a reload or two, a few very thin/small items, and not much else. In the past, The Wilderness has made runs of portfolios and packs specifically made to accept an externally-attached Safepacker, but the Safepacker has always been made with attachment to backpacks in mind.
Concealed-carry laws can be a moving target, so I will not mention specific states as being CURRENTLY applicable, but there are, or have been, jurisdictions where concealed carry under one’s clothing was prohibited, unless one possessed a carry license/permit/privilege, but where a handgun, or other type of firearm, could be legally toted in a visible pack/pouch, without the need for the weapon, itself, to be visible. Notably, the above-mentioned Safepacker met the legal definition of “open carry,” in AZ, in a time when open carry was the only way for most private citizens to legally carry in AZ. (The AZ concealed-carry licensing system finally arrived, in the Nineties.)
I am not saying that the Safepacker, or any other bag/pack that is designed to accommodate a firearm, meets any other state’s legal definition of acceptable open carry. I must emphasize, check applicable local/state statutes.
Access to a weapon, inside a specifically-designed pack/pouch, can be as quick as, or more quick, than some deeply-concealed, under-the-clothing carry rigs.
The Safepacker, made by The Wilderness, in Arizona, a long-time favorite, of mine, can be hand-carried, worn on a strap/sling, worn on a belt, or secured to a larger bag/pack. The Safepacker, itself, is made to accommodate a handgun, a reload or two, a few very thin/small items, and not much else. In the past, The Wilderness has made runs of portfolios and packs specifically made to accept an externally-attached Safepacker, but the Safepacker has always been made with attachment to backpacks in mind.
Concealed-carry laws can be a moving target, so I will not mention specific states as being CURRENTLY applicable, but there are, or have been, jurisdictions where concealed carry under one’s clothing was prohibited, unless one possessed a carry license/permit/privilege, but where a handgun, or other type of firearm, could be legally toted in a visible pack/pouch, without the need for the weapon, itself, to be visible. Notably, the above-mentioned Safepacker met the legal definition of “open carry,” in AZ, in a time when open carry was the only way for most private citizens to legally carry in AZ. (The AZ concealed-carry licensing system finally arrived, in the Nineties.)
I am not saying that the Safepacker, or any other bag/pack that is designed to accommodate a firearm, meets any other state’s legal definition of acceptable open carry. I must emphasize, check applicable local/state statutes.
I use a vintage (1945 dated) USGI musette sack with a medic strap as a general purpose, small carry all... including my Sig 238 in a sticky holster, for my pocket or in the sack. I carry a flash light ,water bottle and misc gear. At my old age I just appear to be an old fart, left over hippie with a cool bag. 
aaronu
Member
Tom Bihn makes great EDC packs. Most are geared for laptops but some are better for this purpose.
I would recommend the Synapse 25 with an outer shell of ballistic nylon.
https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synapse-25?variant=31746966421567
I might also suggest Red Oxx C-ruck for a super tough design with minimal organization. I have over a million air miles on their Air Boss carry-on and it still looks good. In that same time I have used and wore out three regular wheeled cases. All while the Red Oxx gear just keeps on truckin.
Expensive but sturdy as heck. Two sizes.
https://www.redoxx.com/c-ruck-carry-on-rucksack-91054/p
Lastly, the Hill People Gear stuff can be more “tactical” in appearance but they occasionally offer “less tactical”color choices.
These are the most comfortable packs I have ever used.
I am unsure of which to recommend. There are a few that might work, depending on your loadout and organization. Maybe the Junction, Connor or Umlindi. Connor is... odd... but works well. The othe two are top load “bucket packs”.
https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/3/ProductID/128
I would recommend the Synapse 25 with an outer shell of ballistic nylon.
https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synapse-25?variant=31746966421567
I might also suggest Red Oxx C-ruck for a super tough design with minimal organization. I have over a million air miles on their Air Boss carry-on and it still looks good. In that same time I have used and wore out three regular wheeled cases. All while the Red Oxx gear just keeps on truckin.
Expensive but sturdy as heck. Two sizes.
https://www.redoxx.com/c-ruck-carry-on-rucksack-91054/p
Lastly, the Hill People Gear stuff can be more “tactical” in appearance but they occasionally offer “less tactical”color choices.
These are the most comfortable packs I have ever used.
I am unsure of which to recommend. There are a few that might work, depending on your loadout and organization. Maybe the Junction, Connor or Umlindi. Connor is... odd... but works well. The othe two are top load “bucket packs”.
https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/3/ProductID/128
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I’ve got a 5.11 Amp 24 in tungsten. Everybody that sees it says cool bag. It is modular and you can buy additional modules to customize this bag to your needs. IMO, it doesn’t look the least tacticool but had a concealed pocket that will take a full-sized 1911. In facct I have carried two full size pistols, mags, laptop. And a couple of bottles of water without problem.
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