Tactical Backpacks

A tactical backpack carries your kit on the trail, in the field or around town, and our 15 styles run from a compact pack of about 15 litres to a rucksack of 80 or 100 litres for long expeditions. The seven criteria below help you choose by volume, comfort, organisation, MOLLE modularity, materials, activity and colour.

What our 15 tactical backpacks offer

Ten of the 15 styles have MOLLE webbing for pouches and accessories, and most are described as waterproof or water-repellent. Three come with a rain cover, among them our 35L tactical backpack, three have a pocket for a laptop or a tablet, one of them for a laptop of up to 15 inches (our military green backpack), and two take a hydration bladder. For a military backpack that carries well, several have a chest strap and a waist belt.

Capacities go from about 15 litres, on our small tactical backpack, through 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 litres up to 80 or 100 litres, and three styles come in two sizes. For an army rucksack for trips of one to three days, one style, our tactical EDC backpack, comes in 45 litres, and the largest, our large military backpack in 80 or 100 litres, is made for expeditions of several days. Two, our EDC sling backpack and our tactical sling backpack, are sling bags with a single padded strap, for everyday carry (EDC).

Several are made of 600D, 800D or 900D fabric, and two give their weight, 0.8 kg for a style of 35 x 28 x 12 cm and about 1 kg for a 30 litre one. Several are presented as survival or bug out bags, and one, our tactical backpack for women, opens to 180°. Nine are described as unisex or for men and women, three have a hook-and-loop patch panel or a removable flag, and most come in camouflage colours as well as plain ones.

How to choose the right military backpack

The military backpack, or army backpack, is known for its toughness, practicality and great modularity. Whether for a day out in the wild, tactical use or everyday life, this kit stands out for its many strengths. Here are the 7 key points for selecting the model that suits your needs.

1. Choose the right volume for the use

Expressed in litres, capacity is a central criterion. A military bag of 20 to 30L is ideal for everyday use or short missions. For treks, hikes of several days or long operations, go for a large backpack of 40 to 60L or even more. Think about the balance between compactness and storage capacity.

2. Carrying comfort, a must on demanding ground

A good military backpack must offer excellent comfort even when fully loaded. Make sure it has:

• Padded, adjustable shoulder straps
• A waist belt and a chest strap
• A padded or ventilated back to limit sweating

This comfort is essential to spread the load onto the hips and protect your back.

3. Well-thought-out interior organisation

The main compartment must be accessible and practical. The best models offer:

• Several zip pockets and side pockets
• A 180° opening for quick access to the contents
• Room for a hydration bladder or a first aid kit

Good organisation improves responsiveness and efficiency in the field.

4. Modularity with the MOLLE system

The MOLLE system lets you attach secondary carry bags, dry bags or accessories to suit the mission. This modularity turns your tactical backpack into a real multi-purpose tool suited to every situation.

5. Hard-wearing materials for maximum durability

The choice of materials is essential to guarantee the bag’s strength:

• 500D or 1000D nylon, Cordura®
• YKK zips, sturdy Duraflex-type buckles
• A waterproof coating or a built-in rain cover

These materials provide resistance to abrasion, moisture and heavy loads.

6. Match the type of bag to your activity

Each activity calls for a specific type of bag:

• Airsoft or military tactical use: lightness, camouflage, modular pockets
• Hiking or trekking: carrying comfort, large capacity
• EDC or urban use: compact format, discreet design

A good bag must be as functional as it is versatile.

7. Colour and style, between discretion and camouflage

Go for a bag that blends into your surroundings: tactical black, olive green, coyote or camouflage. Style can also reflect your identity without neglecting performance.

The military backpack, an ally every day and on expeditions

Whether for professional use, a hike in the wild or bushcraft, the military bag stands out for its reliability. With its clever compartments, hard-wearing materials and comfortable carrying system, it adapts to every situation, even the most extreme.

For walking over several days, also compare our hiking backpacks collection, and for setting off with a large volume, our travel backpacks collection.