Best Tactical Backpacks for Hiking, Camping & Outdoor Adventures

Hiking, camping, travelling and other outdoor adventures can put a backpack through considerably more punishment than everyday use. Long distances, changing weather, rough terrain and heavier loads all make choosing the right pack important.

A good tactical backpack combines durable construction with practical organisation and load-carrying features designed to keep equipment accessible while you're moving.

But bigger isn't always better. The best backpack depends on how long you'll be away, what you're carrying and how much weight you're comfortable carrying.

What Makes a Good Tactical Backpack for Outdoor Use?

When comparing backpacks for hiking, camping and outdoor activities, look beyond capacity alone.

Important features include:

• Durable construction that can handle demanding outdoor conditions.
• Appropriate capacity for the length and type of activity.
• Comfortable shoulder straps for carrying heavier loads.
• Effective load distribution to help keep the backpack stable.
• Useful internal organisation for separating equipment.
• Compression straps to help control the load.
• A comfortable back panel for extended carrying.
• Hydration compatibility where longer periods away from water are expected.
• MOLLE compatibility if you want the option to add external pouches and storage.

What Size Tactical Backpack Do You Need?

Choosing the right backpack capacity can make a significant difference to both comfort and organisation.

Backpack Size	Best Suited To	Considerations
20–25L	Day trips, everyday carry, work and shorter hikes	Compact and easier to carry when you don't need extensive equipment.
30–40L	Longer outdoor days, travel and lighter overnight use	Provides additional storage while remaining manageable for many everyday applications.
50–60L+	Multi-day activities and larger equipment loads	Provides substantially more capacity, but careful packing and weight management become increasingly important.

The amount of equipment you carry matters more than choosing the largest pack available. Extra capacity can encourage unnecessary packing and additional weight.

Best 5.11 Tactical Backpacks for Outdoor Adventures

Different outdoor activities require different carrying capacities. The 5.11 RUSH® backpack collection provides several pack sizes built around durable construction, organisation and modular carrying capability.

RUSH 12 2.0 – 24L

At 24 litres, the RUSH® 12 2.0 is the compact option within the core RUSH range.

Its size makes it particularly suitable for shorter outdoor trips, day hikes, work and everyday carry when you want practical organisation without carrying a larger pack.

Best for: day trips, shorter hikes, everyday carry and compact outdoor setups.

RUSH 24 2.0 – 37L

The RUSH® 24 2.0 provides 37 litres of capacity, making it a versatile step up when you need more room than a traditional day pack.

The additional capacity can accommodate larger outdoor loads, extra clothing, food and equipment while retaining the organised layout and modular capability associated with the RUSH platform.

Best for: longer outdoor days, travel, larger everyday loads and lighter overnight setups.

RUSH 72 2.0 – 55L

For larger loads, the RUSH® 72 2.0 provides 55 litres of capacity.

This moves it into multi-day territory where additional clothing, equipment and supplies require significantly more storage than a day pack can provide.

Best for: multi-day trips, larger equipment loads and situations requiring substantial carrying capacity.

RUSH 100 – 60L

At 60 litres, the RUSH® 100 is designed for high-capacity carrying requirements.

The larger volume makes it better suited to situations where equipment capacity takes priority over keeping your backpack compact.

Best for: high-capacity outdoor and equipment carrying requirements.

Compare the available sizes and features in the RUSH® Backpack Collection, or browse our complete tactical backpack range.

24L vs 37L vs 55L Tactical Backpack

Capacity	5.11 Example	Good Starting Point For
24L	RUSH 12 2.0	Day trips and everyday carry
37L	RUSH 24 2.0	Longer days, travel and larger everyday loads
55L	RUSH 72 2.0	Multi-day trips and substantial equipment loads
60L	RUSH 100	High-capacity carrying requirements

If you're unsure between two sizes, consider what you normally carry rather than what you might occasionally need. A well-packed smaller backpack can often be more comfortable than a larger pack filled with unnecessary equipment.

What Material Is Best for an Outdoor Tactical Backpack?

Material affects durability, weight and how a backpack handles abrasion and repeated outdoor use.

You'll commonly see backpack fabrics described using a denier rating. Denier relates to the density of the fibres used in the material. Higher-denier fabrics are generally heavier and more abrasion resistant, although fabric construction and overall backpack design also affect durability.

For outdoor use, look for materials and construction designed to withstand:

• Abrasion from rocks, branches and rough surfaces
• Repeated loading and unloading
• Changing outdoor conditions
• Contact with equipment carried inside or outside the pack

Durability is important, but so is weight. The strongest material isn't automatically the best choice if it makes the backpack unnecessarily heavy for your intended use.

Are Tactical Backpacks Good for Hiking?

The main difference compared with a dedicated lightweight hiking pack is usually the design priority.

Ultralight hiking backpacks typically focus heavily on reducing pack weight, while tactical backpacks tend to prioritise durability, organisation and adaptable storage.

The right choice depends on your activity. If minimum weight is your only priority, a specialised lightweight hiking pack may make more sense. If you value durability, organisation and the ability to adapt your carrying setup, a tactical backpack can be an excellent outdoor option.

Are Tactical Backpacks Good for Camping?

They can be, particularly for shorter camping trips or situations where organised equipment storage is important.

For camping, consider whether the backpack provides enough room for:

• Water
• Food
• Additional clothing
• First-aid equipment
• Lighting
• Navigation equipment
• Weather protection
• Other trip-specific equipment

Longer trips generally require more capacity, which is where larger packs become more appropriate.

Why Backpack Organisation Matters Outdoors

A large backpack isn't very useful if you have to unpack everything to find one small item.

Multiple compartments and dedicated storage areas can help separate frequently used equipment from items you only need occasionally.

For example, you may want:

• Frequently accessed items near the top or exterior of the pack
• First-aid equipment stored separately and consistently
• Electronics protected from heavier equipment
• Wet or dirty equipment separated where possible
• Small items grouped together rather than loose in the main compartment

This is one of the reasons organisation is a major part of the design of many 5.11 backpacks.

What Is MOLLE and Do You Need It Outdoors?

MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. MOLLE-compatible backpacks use PALS webbing to provide external attachment points for compatible pouches and accessories.

You don't need MOLLE for every outdoor activity, but it can be useful when you want dedicated external storage without changing your entire backpack.

For example, compatible MOLLE pouches can provide separate storage for smaller equipment or items that need to remain accessible.

If you're new to modular backpack systems, read our What Is MOLLE? guide.

For a deeper explanation of the attachment system, see How Does MOLLE Work?.

If you're building your own modular backpack, our MOLLE backpack setup guide explains how to position pouches, distribute weight and assemble your carrying system.

Special Features to Look for in an Outdoor Backpack

Hydration Compatibility

Access to water becomes increasingly important on longer outdoor trips. A backpack designed to accommodate a hydration system can make drinking while moving considerably easier.

Compression Straps

Compression straps help control the contents of a partially filled backpack and can reduce unnecessary movement inside the pack.

Sternum Strap

A sternum strap can help stabilise the shoulder straps and keep the backpack positioned more consistently while you're moving.

Comfortable Back Panel

The back panel sits against your body for the entire time you're wearing the backpack, so its shape, padding and construction can have a significant effect on comfort.

Internal Organisation

Dedicated compartments and pockets make it easier to organise equipment without relying entirely on external attachments.

MOLLE Webbing

MOLLE-compatible attachment points provide the option to expand or customise external storage when required.

How Should You Pack a Tactical Backpack for Hiking?

How you distribute equipment can affect how comfortable the backpack feels.

As a general principle:

• Keep heavier equipment relatively close to your body.
• Keep frequently accessed equipment easy to reach.
• Use internal organisation before adding unnecessary external storage.
• Avoid placing excessive weight on the outermost part of the backpack.
• Balance equipment so one side isn't significantly heavier than the other.
• Use compression straps where available to help stabilise the load.

After packing, put the backpack on and move around before heading out. Adjust the shoulder and sternum straps and make sure the load feels stable.

Tactical Backpack vs Hiking Backpack: What's the Difference?

Feature	Tactical Backpack	Typical Hiking Backpack
Durability	Often a major design priority	Varies depending on weight and intended use
Organisation	Often extensive	Can prioritise larger open storage
MOLLE capability	Common on tactical designs	Less common
Weight	Can be heavier due to materials and features	Lightweight models are widely available
Modularity	Often high	Usually lower
Best suited to	Durability, organisation and adaptable carrying	Purpose-built hiking and weight-conscious trekking

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Tactical Backpacks

What size backpack is best for a day hike?

A backpack around 20–25 litres can provide a useful starting point for many shorter outings, although the right capacity depends on your equipment, conditions and trip length.

Is a 24L backpack big enough for hiking?

A 24L backpack can provide enough space for many day hikes and shorter outdoor activities when you don't need overnight equipment.

Is a 37L backpack too big for a day hike?

Not necessarily. A 37L backpack provides additional flexibility when you need extra clothing, food or equipment, although it may provide more capacity than necessary for lighter trips.

What size backpack is best for overnight trips?

Capacity requirements vary considerably, but packs in roughly the 30–40L range can provide a useful starting point for lighter overnight setups. Larger or equipment-heavy trips may require considerably more capacity.

Are MOLLE backpacks good for camping?

Yes. MOLLE-compatible backpacks can be useful for camping because external pouches allow certain equipment to be separated from the main compartment. The attachments are optional, so the backpack can remain streamlined when extra storage isn't required.

What is the best 5.11 backpack for hiking?

It depends primarily on capacity. The 24L RUSH 12 2.0 is the more compact option for shorter outings, the 37L RUSH 24 2.0 provides additional versatility, and the 55L RUSH 72 2.0 provides substantially more capacity for larger or multi-day loads.

Can tactical backpacks be used for travel?

Yes. The durability and organisation found in tactical backpacks can also make them useful for travel. Your ideal capacity will depend on trip length, packing style and any applicable airline baggage requirements.

Find the Right Tactical Backpack for Your Next Adventure

The best outdoor backpack isn't necessarily the biggest or the one with the most features. It is the pack that provides enough capacity for your equipment while remaining comfortable, organised and practical for the way you intend to use it.

For shorter adventures, a compact backpack may be all you need. Longer trips and larger equipment loads can justify moving into higher-capacity packs.

Explore the full 5.11 tactical backpack range, compare different sizes in the RUSH® Backpack Collection, or browse MOLLE pouches and attachments to customise a compatible pack.

You can also explore the wider 5.11 Bags & Packs range for additional carrying options for outdoor use, work, travel and everyday carry.

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