Backpacks are one of the best ways to carry a bunch of stuff around with you including stuff you need, stuff you don’t need, and stuff you add along the way. I use a backpack all the time because they’re so handy for just about anything you need to transport. Sometimes it’s gear and sometimes it’s just a gun, car keys, and wallet. The bag I use depends on how I’m dressed, where I’m going, and what I need to take with me that day.
It’s easy to forget how many uses backpacks and sling bags have until you need one and don’t have it. During the summer when I’m in shorts and a t-shirt, I often carry a small CCW bag on me. It’s perfect for keeping my car keys, phone, wallet, gun, extra ammo, and a few other items. If I’m shopping, a medium-sized bag is great for throwing things in so I can free up my hands for well, more shopping. If you have kids with you, having some storage room to carry their stuff is almost a requirement.
Camping, hiking, school, survival, CCW, work, and a million other tasks are made easier with the help of a good backpack. But like anything else, finding a good one can be harder than it sounds. Search backpack on the interwebs and you will need to make coffee and settle in because there’s a ton. So that’s why I’m here to help. I have a backpack-buying disorder and I’ve tried out a lot of different backpacks and sling bags. I have listed 5 of my favorites from small to large so check them out.
1. Viktos CCW Sling Bag
I like Viktos gear and use it a lot. This sling bag has been one of my most used bags for carrying a gun when I can’t carry the gun on my body. It’s a small, compact sling bag, meaning it has one strap instead of two. A sling bag can be thrown over the shoulder, but they work best worn across the torso. This bag comes with a soft Velcro holster so it can be positioned however you want on the inside pocket. There are four total pockets on this bag which is perfect for carrying personal items.
I carry a small first-aid kit, pocketknife, and sunglasses holder, while still having room for more. The fourth pocket is the smallest and is located at the top of the back. This pocket is long and thin but is the perfect size for holding ink pens, keys, or even a wallet. The adjustable strap makes it easy to personalize and it’s so small and light it’s easy to carry all day. The overall size is about 15 inches tall and 9 inches wide.
2. Allen Light Force Tactical Sling Pack
This sling bag/pack is larger than the Viktos CCW bag, but still on the smaller side compared to backpacks. Another sling bag/pack, this bag has a ton of storage. First, there is a water bottle pouch on one side for carrying a drink or whatever you want to put in there. Sometimes I carry an AK-47 magazine in it when my CCMG MK-47 is in the largest pocket. There are several pockets on the front with plastic clips on the inside to keep keys and other items from getting lost.
3. 5.11 Covert18 2.0
This 5.11 bag is not what I would call a large bag; it’s deep and has a lot of pockets. One thing I like about this one is the center open-top pouch that makes it easy to retrieve items without messing with a zipper. The front section of the bag connects to the back of the bag with two straps, one on each side. When the straps are buckled, items can be stored in the center (see photo below). A front zipper pouch has plenty of room for personal items.
The inside wall of this pouch has two pockets and MOLLY straps covered in Velcro allowing multi-purpose use. A smaller pocket on the top of the bag is a great size for pens, keys, and other items while the main compartment will hold large items. The main storage area has mesh pockets on the lining of the bag with zippers for keeping items separate. This area of the bag is about 16 inches tall on the inside so books, hiking gear, or a weapon would fit great in here.
4. Under Armor Hustle 5.0
This isn’t what most would consider a “tactical” backpack, but it’s a great bag for the price. I have several of these and the kids use them for school, going on trips, and other general-purpose things. I like bags with lots of pockets, pouches, MOLLY, and other kinds of attachments. But sometimes simple and roomy is what you want in a bag. This backpack has three zipper compartments. The first is a small one at the top and the other two are the length of the bag.
5. Vertx Gamut
The largest backpack on my list is this Vertx backpack, and while they make even larger bags, this one is big. I use it for my get-home bag and so I’ve got a ton of stuff packed in it. I feel like I find new hidden pockets in this thing every time I use it. A lot of the compartments on this bag are made to pull open from the center which unzips the zippers on both sides at the same time. I keep medical gear in the first compartment because I can yank on the top of the lid and the whole compartment unfolds.
Ready for a bag?
The good thing about bags is that everyone needs one. They make perfect gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or other occasions. You may also just want to add some bags to your own inventory. Set up a CCW bag or a bugout bag. Whatever you need one for, one of these will get the job done. For camping, I like the larger bags with lots of small pockets. For shopping and daily events, I prefer one with fewer pockets and more open room for storing items. It really depends on what you plan to do with a bag. One could work for everything, or you may want a different bag for different tasks. These are all great quality and I’m sure you will be happy with any of them.
