This is the quintessential survival bag, and it comes in a variety of sizes from the Rush 12 all the way up to the Rush 100. The 72 model hits the sweet spot with 55L of space, meaning it is designed to be a 72-hour bag (ideal for bug outs).
Your SHTF situation would not be a 5.11 Rush bag’s first rodeo. It is a solid choice and is consistently trusted by both law enforcement and military operators.
Specs
- Volume: 3340 cubic inches (55L) – more sizes available, though
- Material: 1050D Nylon
- Support: Adjustable sternum and yoke straps
- Organization: 16 compartments, stash expansion, and external MOLLE
- Features: CCW, hydration, and laptop (15″) pockets
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
My favorite features of this bag are the hefty 1050D Nylon fabric paired with the many ways to configure this bag for your specific kit. The bag is simple but has countless attachment points for expansion. I like to create modular-type kits so the many compartments work well with my exact loadouts.
These bags have a reputation for being as tough as a nickel steak and can take some abuse, and I can confirm that the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack is the most solid survival backpack option.
Budget Survival Backpack
Teton Scout 55
Large capacity, Comfortable, and Lightweight
This proven backpack is perfect for bugging out with plenty of room for gear while still being comfortable over long distances.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Backpacking is a sport that is basically people bugging out over long distances for fun. The few differences are that maybe you aren’t avoiding other people, and you may have a few more resources along the way, but these bags are designed for long-distance travel. They keep the bags light with heavy-duty but lightweight fabric. They keep them pretty clean of straps and decorations to keep the weight down as well. Backpacking backpacks are optimal for mid to long-range bug out travel.
Specs
- Volume: 3400 cubic inches (55L) – more sizes available though (45L – 65L)
- Material: 600D Polyester
- Frame: Dual aluminum 3/4 frame
- Organization: 11 compartments, external straps
- Features: Sleeping bag pocket, integrated rain fly
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
Some of my favorite parts of this bag are the internal frame attached to the adjustable lumbar and the construction quality of the critical parts of the bag. Sure, eventually the elastic straps and water bottle holders will wear through or separate from the seam- but the shoulder straps and main compartment are well engineered with double-stitched and folded main compartment seams and smartly-placed ‘box and x’ stitches for distributing strap loads.
This is one of the cheapest bags you’ll find us suggesting due to durability, but this one will still keep up. If your BOL is a good distance from your home, the Teton Scout 55L Internal Frame Backpack makes a solid survival bag choice.
Tactical Bug Out Bag
Eberlestock Gunslinger II
Well-Designed, Versatile, with Top-Tier Construction
This assault pack is designed ground up for bugging out and pulls it off with unmatched toughness and versatility.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Optics Planet.
The Gunslinger II is one of Eberlestock’s most expensive bags from their Mission line. It is extremely well-designed using the best materials you can find. The G2 costs a pretty penny but will reward you with a lifetime of service. It brings extreme versatility, with plenty of organization designed around the internal frame.
Specs
- Volume: 2700 cubic inches (44L) including scabbard
- Material: 1000D Nylon (Cordura polyurethane-coated)
- Support: Intex II tubular frame
- Organization: 5 compartments, MOLLE, PALS, Alice compatible
- Features: Rifle scabbard (600 ci) for weapons up to 60″
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
This bag is a beast and takes the best parts of the rest of the Mission lineup. It has a scabbard to keep a long rifle (and optics) covered completely. The best part of these bags is the craftsmanship. There is attention to detail on the internal seams that other bags don’t even address in their main compartment.
My second favorite part of the G2 is how configurable it is. Even if you aren’t a gunslinger yourself, you’ll find plenty of uses for this bag and the integrated scabbard. The downside, of course, is that the bag costs over $400 and is usually excluded from sales. To justify this purchase, you’ll need to plan to use it and consider it an investment.
When it comes to survival, you’ll want the top-tier Eberlestock Gunslinger II Backpack on your six.
Comparison Table
| Backpack | Pick | Price* | Capacity | Material | Best Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 | Best Overall | $190 | 55L | 1050D Nylon | Stash expansion, 1050D nylon |
| Teton Scout 55 | Budget | $90 | 55L | 600D Poly | Internal frame, integrated rain fly |
| Eberlestock G2 | Tactical | $429 | 44L | 1000D Nylon | Internal frame, rifle scabbard |
| Mardingtop 50L | $75 | 50L | 600D Poly | Internal frame, vented back panel | |
| High Sierra Pathway 2.0 | $81 | 45L | 600D Poly | Lightweight, vented back panel | |
| 3V Gear Paratus | $130 | 40L | 600D Poly | Four separate versatile pouches | |
| SOC Bugout Bag | $155 | 54L | 600D Poly | Aluminum stays, lifetime warranty | |
| Kelty Coyote | $160 | 65L | 420D Poly | Very lightweight, vented back panel | |
| Osprey Rook | $180 | 65L | 600D Poly | Very lightweight, ladder-lock torso | |
| Vertx Overlander | $200 | 45L | 420D Nylon | Discrete appearance, CCW rapid access | |
| Blackhawk Titan | $254 | 45L | 1000D Nylon | Included hydration and side pouches | |
| Maxpedition Gyrfalcon | $277 | 36L | 1050D Nylon | Internal frame, removable waist pack | |
| Tasmanian Tiger Trooper | $380 | 55L | 700D Nylon | Modular pouches, easily customized | |
| Mystery Ranch Terraframe | $399 | 50L | 330D Nylon | Telescope yoke, OVERLOAD sling |
*Price at time of latest update.
The Backpacks We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several backpack brands and types that we tested: 3V, 5.11, Kelty, Vertx, Eberlestock, High Sierra, Blackhawk, Maxpedition, Mystery Ranch, Mardingtop, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We did not consider smaller bags, sling bags, or pouches, even though those can be viable.
We’re always looking for new and better equipment, so if you have a backpack that you swear by let us know down in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can always get it in the next roundup and see if it makes the cut and we can see if it will beat out our top picks.