I think you’ll agree with me when I say…
Finding a good durable survival backpack is pretty hard and confusing nowadays.
Because there are too many options available in the market and it seems overwhelming.
So In this post, I’ll review some of the best survival backpacks of 2020. And I’ll cover all the good and bad aspects in detail. So that you can finally decide which one to buy.
1. 5.11 Tactical Rush 72 Backpack
In this article...
5.11 rush 72 is a well renowned tactical or bugout backpack that has been around from some time. It is one of the most popular bugs out among the RUSH line which is their flagship backpack line up. The bag is made from 1000D cordura nylon which is a type of durable nylon.
It is very strong and perfect for all kinds of heavy duty stuff. The material is also waterproof to keep inside dry and your things protected. The design of this survival bag is very similar to most of the good backpack in the market. The bag has the capacity of 55 liters that is big enough to store all the essential supplies for 3 days.
It features multiple compartments both small and large with MOLLE webbing all over the place. That makes it very easy to organize all the things neatly and attach any accessories to the bag. There are also specialized small pockets that make access to commonly used stuff hassle free.
The bag also has a separate compartment at the backside for the water bladder with tube ports. Talking about comfort, the bag is very comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are padded nice with thick foams, making it easy to carry heavy stuff.
The back of it has closed cell padding with enough space for good airflow. This keeps the back cool and free from sweat. However, the hip straps are not padded well which sometimes feels very uncomfortable.
2. 5.11 Tactical RUSH24
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5.11 rush 72 is the most popular survival backpack that has been around for some time. It is one of the most popular bugs out among the RUSH line which is their flagship backpack line up. The bag is made from 1050D Cordura nylon which is a type of durable nylon.
It is very strong and perfect for all kinds of heavy-duty stuff. The material is also waterproof to keep inside dry and your things protected. The bag uses quality YKK zippers that are easy to use and never choke or open up themselves.
The bag consists of the double stitching that prevents the bag from falling apart and increases its longevity. Furthermore, it is a full day tactical pack that is big enough to store all the essential supplies for your trip. It features multiple compartments both small and large with MOLLE webbing all over the place. That makes it very easy to organize all the things neatly and attach any accessories to the bag.
The main compartment is big with a mesh pocket to store everything you want. There are also specialized small pockets that make access to commonly used stuff hassle-free. The bag also has a separate compartment at the backside for the water bladder with tube ports.
Talking about comfort, the bag is very comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are padded nice with thick foams, making it easy to carry heavy stuff. The back of it has closed cell padding with enough space for good airflow. This keeps the back cool and free from sweat. The chest straps and hip straps provide additional comfort which helps to lower the strain on the body.
3. Direct Action Dragon Egg Tactical Backpack
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Direct action dragon egg is a versatile tactical backpack for outdoor and EDC purposes. The bag is designed with great aesthetics. And quality material to provide you with the best possible experience. It is made up of 500D Cordura material which is a heavy-duty material. And known for its durability for long term use.
The material is thick and has water repellent coating to last longer in harsh situations and avoid water damage. It uses YKK zippers that are best in their class. The zippers feel very smooth to operate and hold everything together very firmly.
Apart from this, everything is double stitched to avoid any damage during the trip. This also enhances the overall longevity of the pack. Moreover, it features a 2.5-meter para cord drag handle which is another neat feature of the bag.
Furthermore, it has a total capacity of 25 liters which can be enough for a day-long trip. The bag is filled with compartments out of which, the main compartment is very spacious. It consists of a big sleeve and straps which can be used to carry documents or laptop. There is a decent amount of MOLLE like webbing that provides options to mount any accessories to it.
The bag also features many pouches and side pockets that can carry extra items according to your needs. It also consists of a compartment for the hydration bladder so you can have enough water with you. Talking about comfort, the bag consists of a soft breathable back area with a generous amount of padding.
The shoulder straps and the waist straps are also padded nicely with enough adjustment options. This really helps to distribute the weight adequately. And provide you with a comfortable experience. Additionally, the bag also has 12 color options to choose from with both solid and camo colors.
4. 5.11 Tactical Military Backpack – RUSH12
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The 5.11 rush 12 is a small but spacious survival backpack. It is one of the bags from the rush lineup that is a flagship range of bags. The bag is made up of 1050D nylon material that is known for its durability and ruggedness.
The material on the bag is nicely thick and provides a good structure to the backpack. The bag consists of YKK zippers closure that is known for quality and reliability. The zippers work very smoothly and have great friction force between them.
We never have to face the zippers unzipping himself due to the internal pressure of the bag. The bag also has double stitching to make it more resilient to wear and tear. Furthermore, it is a full day backpack and if you know how to pack well. You can use it for even 2 to 3 days. It has a capacity of 24 liters to store all the necessary gear that you need in the field.
The bag has a total of 16 compartments to properly organize every piece of equipment you have. This will allow you to reach out to any specific equipment that you want without turning everything a mess. But the back does not consist of side pockets which sometimes makes it hard to carry water bottles.
To counter this the pack has a compartment for a hydration pack up to 1.5 liters which can help you to stay hydrated all the time. Talking about comfort, the bag is very comfortable with a fantastic support system. The back of the pack is padded with meshed padding.
This increases the amount of airflow and gets rid of sweat even after a long hike. The shoulder straps are adequately wide and padded with thick foam. A combination of these provides an ideal weight distribution which helps to reduce the amount of strain. Moreover, it also consists of molle webbing and velcro straps to mount anything.
5. Mardingtop 65+L Tactical backpack
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Mardingtop tactical backpack is a quality hiking and adventure bag. It is one of the largest capacity bags in our list. That is more than enough for any adventure. The bag is made up of 600D polyester material with waterproof coating on it. The fabric is very durable with a long lasting stitching holding the material.
It is also lightweight in comparison to others despite being a huge bag. It uses YKK zippers that are known for its quality and work effortlessly even being fully packed. All materials are of good quality and feel very solid for long term use.
The bag has a total capacity of 65+ liters that is large enough to accommodate a week-long supply. From front to the back, it is packed with many pockets and sleeves that helps to store lots of things without a clutter. There is a big opening at the front which allows you to access the bottom part inside with ease. It is a great feature that saves a ton of time and keeps all the things free from mess.
The bottom of the bag has a compartment with a lot of space. It is specially designed to store a big sleeping bag with few extra things. On top, there are small chambers to put the sunglasses or any other stuff. Moreover, the main compartment of the pack comes with the expansion collar.
This lets you expand the already large bag furthermore to accommodate some extra stuff. The bag also has a water bladder compartment to keep hydrated and prevent accidental leakage. Talking about comfort, the bag nicely padded with a proper back support structure.
It also consists of an adjustable back-length function that makes it suitable for people of different sizes. The padded hip and shoulder straps add to the comfort and make the backpack fit nicely. This reduces the amount of strain and helps to perform better on the field.
Additionally, the bag comes with a rain cover for the bad weather. Furthermore, the pack is full of MOLLE webbing that helps to attach various accessories according to your need.
6. Red Rock Outdoor Gear – Large Assault Pack
The Red Rock Large Assault Pack is a 3 day rugged survival bag. It is the larger version of their best bug out bag that is ideal for hiking trips or for tactical missions. The bag is made up of 600 Denier PVC lined polyester which is a high quality material. The material is thick to last you for a long time.
It uses the quality zippers that have a good bite to them and feels very smooth to operate. The zippers are also pretty much waterproof. So that you don’t have to worry about leaking and rusting. Moreover, the grab, adjustable sternum and waist straps are all reinforced to avoid any accidental damage during the trip.
The bag features 35 liters of storage space despite having a compact look. It has a lot of pockets and sleeves with 4 major compartments to accommodate all the necessary gear. The main compartment is very wide and has a meshed organizer.
This enables you to fit pretty much anything big or small inside the bag without making a mess. The inside is rubber/plastic coated to protect everything that is inside from the rain. There is also the space for a hydration bladder at the back panel which is very convenient during a trip.
Furthermore, the pack is nicely padded with generously thick foam that makes it very comfortable to wear. The back panel is made up of mesh that provides great ventilation on a sweaty day. Like all everything else, it also padded heavily with adjustable shoulder straps .
The bag also features back support with adjustable chest as well as hip straps. This reduces the amount of strain on your body and lets you carry a heavier load easily. Moreover, there are a ton of MOLLE webbing that helps you mount any additional accessories to the bag.
7. TETON Sports Explorer 4000
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The Teton Sports Explorer 4000 is one of the best survival backpacks with a lot of space. It is perfect for people who do a lot of hiking and need a tough back for their needs. The bag is made of 600D nylon material that is durable and rugged.
The material is adequately thick providing good resilience to wear and tear. It is also lightweight despite being a huge bag which really helps while carrying heavy stuff on the field. The bag has proper stitching with double and cross-stitching where it is needed.
The zippers are not flimsy and work very smoothly without choking. It offers good resistance and keeps everything together. The bag also included rain cover to protect it for rain and keep your stuff dry. Furthermore, the bag has 65 liters of huge space to store everything.
It is plenty big so that you can pack all you need to stray away from home for 3-5 days. The pack has 6 additional pockets on the outside that are perfect for packing bulky items that may not fit inside. The meshed pockets are very convenient and give easy access to all the gears.
The bag features a hydration system that allows bladders up to 3 liters and helps you to stay hydrated. It also has a compartment for sleeping with compression straps to keep it tightly secured. Moreover, the bag has a sturdy posture with an internal skeleton frame.
This provides good support to the back and lets you carry more stuff. It features a multi-position torso adjustment allowing it to fit a wide range of body types and sizes. This makes wearing it very comfortable for almost all the people.
Not only this but the shoulder and waist straps are all padded with half an inch of padding. To lower the strain on your body. Everything is covered in mesh to allow for more airflow and keeps you dry. Moreover, it is offered in 3 different colors and you can choose whatever you like.
8. SOG Ninja Tactical Day Pack
The SOG ninja daypack is a daily carry tactical bag. It is an excellent choice for people who love to go on hiking and trekking. The bag is made up of polyester fabric that is very strong and high in quality. The material has a nice thickness to it and provides durability and sturdiness to the bag.
The fabric is also water-resistant to offer protection against water leaking inside. This will allow you to stay in the rain without damaging your valuable things. The bag has nice zippers which are very smooth to operate. We did not face any problem with zippers opening from internal pressure.
Moreover, it has a lot of molle webbing with velcro to attach anything to increase the space. Furthermore, the bag has 24 liters of total storage which is a lot of room for 1 to 3 camping activity days. There are multiple pockets all over the backpack to properly organize all the stuff.
The bag also consists of a hydration compartment so you can carry an adequate amount of water with you. Talking about comfort, the shoulder straps are wide. And padded with mesh padding to provide good comfort. Similarly, the back is also heavily padded. And consists of space between padding to increase the airflow.
This does not come with a waist strap but has a chest strap which is not a deal in any way. Lastly, the bag comes in many different colors and you can choose according to your liking.
9. mPac Tactical Backpack Heavy Duty Rucksack
mPAC heavy-duty rucksack is a lightweight but rugged tactical bag. It made to keep you outdoors regardless of the weather. The bag is made up of high-density 600D nylon material that is very tough and durable. The fabric is waterproof and provides good protection to your stuff.
The entire pack is double-stitched which improves its durability. Apart from this, the zippers are also durable and have a good bite to them. The shoulders are cross-stitched and consist of top-grade buckles which can easily outstand heavy abuse.
The bag also has heavy-duty molle webbing to attach optional accessories and gears. This will enable you to expand the storage to your desire level. Furthermore, it has 35 liters of storage space which is plenty for a day to 2-day trip.
The bag has 2 main compartments with multiple front pockets as well as a back pocket to store all the touring items. The pack also consists of a hydration compartment that helps you stay hydrated throughout the trip. As for comfort, the backpack feels very comfortable to wear for prolonged hours.
The mesh padding on the back and shoulder straps provide comfort as well as airflow to maintain a sweat-free experience. A hip strap is also present on the bag for adequate weight distribution.
10. 3V Gear OUTLAW II GEAR SLINGER PACK
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Outlaw II gear slinger pack is a compact survival backpack with adequate room. It is a pretty cool looking backpack with lots of features. The bag is made up of 600D polyester with a PVC back. The material of the bag is durable and rugged to sustain anything you throw at it.
The whole bag is tightly stitched and consists of smooth zippers. Both of these are durable and somewhat immune to rough usage. The back also consists of molle webbing and velcro at the front. And one side to provide attachment points for your accessories.
Furthermore, it consists of a total capacity of 15 liters which is a bit small. But don’t let numbers fool you. The bag has a nice balance of small and large compartments to store everything you want. The interior pockets are large enough to accommodate a full-size laptop or tablet with other necessary documents.
The main compartment and hydration sleeves are both compatible with CCW accessories. The bag also features a sling design that lets you easily access the content in the pack without removing it. Talking about the comfort, the back of the bag is padded nicely which provides good comfort carrying it.
It also has a huge logo of the company that automatically creates air spaces and keeps sweat to a minimum. Continuing this trend, the shoulder straps are padded and feel comfortable to wear. It provides good support and also consists of a firm stabilizer which makes the pack nicely seated in place. Furthermore, the bag is offered in 4 color option and you can choose according to your liking.
11. Condor 3 Day Assault Pack
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Condor 3 day assault pack is a well-known bug out bag in the prepper world. It is a reliable and durable bag that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The bag is made up of 1000D nylon that is very strong and sturdy. It weighs a bit but also offers great durability to tackle anything you throw at it.
The bag also features double stitching on every corner so don’t have to worry about it falling apart. Moreover, it consists of heavy-duty zippers that have a good bite to them to hold it together. The zippers also offer great protection against water from pouring into the bag during rain.
This keeps the inside dry and your stuff protected. Furthermore, it is a 3 days assault backpack with about 40 liters of space to hold everything. The bag features a total of 7 small and big compartments to organize everything in order.
Out of which the main compartment is huge and has two mesh pockets for smaller stuff. It also consists of 4 straps to hold bigger stuff, like a laptop, in its place. The admin compartment consists of two radio pouches and a few other sloths for maps or pens.
There is also space for 2 hydration packs at the back so you can carry a lot of water with you. Talking about comfort, the bag is very comfortable with a fantastic support system. The back of the pack is padded with meshed padding.
This increases the amount of airflow and gets rid of sweat even after a long hike. The shoulder straps are adequately wide and padded with thick foam. A combination of these provides an ideal weight distribution which helps to reduce the amount of strain.
Moreover, it comes with a lot of molle webbing all over the bag that helps to mount any accessories to the bag. It also consists of many color options including camo. And you can get anyone according to your liking.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Survival Backpack
Material
The first thing you should consider is the material of the backpack. So this is the first rule you should not compromise with the quality of the pack. You need to choose a good quality fabric that can handle harsh fall and changing weather conditions.
You should choose bags that are made from 500-1200D Cordura nylon fabric. These fabric are a little bit heavier but it pays off when you face harsh conditions. Read more about cordura
Comfort
Comfort is another important thing you should consider. Because there’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable backpack.
You should check if the shoulder, waist, and chest straps are well padded or not. Remember if you go for too much padding then it’ll feel like a life jacket.
Size
Survival bags varies from size to size, some bags are not ideal for somebody types.
So you need to choose the right backpack according to your body type. And you must avoid this mentality (the bigger the bag, the better it works).
Big bag doesn’t always comes with benefits, they have drawbacks also. So choose the best compact bag according to your need and size. Which can carry all your stuff without creating problems for you.
Zippers and MOLLE
I have seen this in many reviews people complaining about their bag’s poor zipper system. The thing with zipper is that when you stuff too much in your bag it creates a lot of pressure on zipping
and there are chances that it might break. So make sure to go with the bags that have these zipper systems YKK, TiZip, ITW Nexus, AustriAlpin, and others.
MOLLE or Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment is another awesome feature that you should look for in the survival backpack. It lets you increase the number of items you carry.
Having internal and external molle webbing lets you carry extra gears. Read more about MOLLE in Detail
Organization of your pack
You need to choose a pack with a good amount of compartments and pouches which are also easily accessible in an emergency situation.