Bags

Any prolonged outdoor activity requires some sort of compartment that you can carry. And, depending on the time your need to spend outside and what you need to do these bags can vary in size. Tactical backpacks and bags are simply a pinnacle of that preparation mindset. While you may use a tactical backpack for any activity, there are a few where they really shine and realize their full potential: Prolonged Military Missions Off-Grid Security and Surveillance Hunting and Fishing Trekking and Hiking Off-Grid Maintenance and Support Because these jobs have a high tendency of something going wrong and you need to be prepared for all types of contingencies, you need to pack more. From survival gear to medical equipment, to various items helping you do the job you came there to do. Generally, these bags come with many names and many sizes. From relatively small pouches that you can strap to your belt, pack, or car, which are used to store special equipment, to large backpacks that will have everything for you to survive for a couple of days even. Combining experience and new technologies, there are a lot of good models for sale now, and for a reasonable price. But, if you want to buy a pack for anything from using it for security and combat to medical assistance, you will need to do a bit of research on how your needs are met by the manufacturers. What makes a Tactical Backpack? Civilian backpacks are usually made with their appearance in mind, with volume coming in second. And, while tactical packs can look really cool, they are made primarily to be useful. There needs to be exactly as much space for the things you need, and they need to be balanced so you can carry them easily. Additionally, all tactical gear is supposed to synergize with each other. This way you can cut down on your weight and carry more of the essential things and tools, and fewer items that you probably won’t use. Finally, tactical bags are always made from more durable materials and are often water-resistant, at least to a degree. Some of these options can even have ballistic protection installed already, or designated pockets for soft ballistic pads. Pouches, Bags, Backpacks, and Rucksacks Varieties of bags and packs can be confusing when searching for something to buy. Thankfully, just a glance at the product will tell you if that is something you need because they are so different visually. Most tactical bags are designated for a specific purpose, like a hydration sack or your helmet bag. While they will often state which type of equipment can fit inside, you will always be able to find a different purpose for them. For those who plan on having diverse missions and often spend a lot of time far away from friendly assistance, knowing what their gear is capable of will be essential. This will also include familiarity with different names for what would essentially be the same type of packs. For instance, a backpack, rucksack, and bug out bag would be the same thing, and they can even be a single pack. The name will change depending on the contents. Using a backpack as a baseline, if you fill it with specialized equipment for combat missions it will become an army or police rucksack (German for backpack), and if you place survival gear that doesn’t focus on combat it will become a bug out bag. Good tactical backpacks will often have a way to increase the capacity of the bag by strapping on bags and pouches to it. The only exception are packs designed to let you move through obstacles with it on your back, where a streamlined design will be preferable. Do More with Less This is the mantra of a military backpack. You want to be able to adapt to as many situations with as little weight as possible. It is usually a good idea to first pick out the essentials for your mission, focusing on the exact tools that you need, and then weight them. Once you know how much you have left, you can add some redundant gear. If you will be any distance away from medical assistance or a safe place to spend the night, make sure that you always leave some space for a medkit and some MREs. Having a multi-tool is usually a good idea, as it can increase your survivability for a relatively low weight-cost.