The best tactical backpack
Quick answer: the Eberlestock Little Trick (around $250) is the best tactical backpack for everyday carry and the best here for a laptop. Eberlestock gives it a sleeve for laptops up to 17 inches, a magnetic concealed carry pocket and a carbine scabbard that expands the pack from 26.9 to 31.1 liters, and reviewers on OpticsPlanet rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 10 reviews. Its limit is load: it has no hip belt. For MOLLE organization and the longest durability record, the Maxpedition Falcon-II. For the most volume, the 50 liter Condor 3 Day Assault Pack. On a budget, the Red Rock Outdoor Gear Large Assault Pack (around $55). To carry a rifle, the framed Eberlestock Gunslinger II, and for a compact daypack, the Eberlestock Bandit.
How we know: this is a research-based roundup, not our own carrying test. Specs come from each maker's own product page, and owner themes from every review on each OpticsPlanet listing, counted by us.
A tactical backpack is a rugged pack with heavy fabric, lots of organization and usually MOLLE webbing for pouches. The everyday carry guides that rank for this search, such as Carryology's and GearJunkie's, stress a laptop sleeve, volume and organization, because most of these packs end up on a commute as often as on a trail. So we compare the laptop question first, then volume, organization, harness and fabric. Every card names the exact model we checked, and we read the maker's own page for Eberlestock, Maxpedition, Condor Outdoor and Red Rock Outdoor Gear.
Tactical backpacks compared
| Pack | Best for | Capacity (maker) | Weight (maker) | Dimensions (maker) | Fabric | Laptop sleeve | Hydration | MOLLE | Frame | OpticsPlanet rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eberlestock Little Trick | Everyday carry, laptop | 26.9 L closed / 31.1 L open (1640 / 1900 cu in) | 3.80 lb | 21.25 x 11.25 x 7.5 in | 500D ripstop nylon (retailer: NT7) | Up to 17 in | Bladder hanger, hose port | Interior PALS; exterior on select colors | None listed; no hip belt | 4.8 (10) | around $250 |
| Maxpedition Falcon-II | MOLLE organization | 23 L (1400 cu in) | 3.2 lb | 9 x 10 x 18 in | 1050-denier nylon (retailer: 1000) | None listed | 100 oz / 3 L, not included | Front and both sides | None listed; removable waist strap | 4.8 (32) | around $200 |
| Condor 3 Day Assault Pack | Large assault pack | 50 L (3051 cu in) | Not published | 22 x 17 x 11 in | Not published | None listed | Two 3 L, not included | Yes | None listed; foam back panel, waist belt | 4.6 (7) | around $110 |
| Red Rock Large Assault Pack | Budget | 35 L | 3.80 lb | 11.5 x 18 x 12 in | Not published (retailer: 600D polyester) | None listed | Up to 2.5 L | Yes | None listed; waist strap | 4.7 (25) | around $55 |
| Eberlestock Gunslinger II | Rifle carry | 34.41 L pack, 44 L total with scabbard | 6 lb 8 oz | 22 x 10 x 8 in main bag | Not published (retailer: sling material Cordura) | Scabbard doubles as one; no size | Not listed by maker | Not listed by maker | Intex-II tubular frame, hip belt | 4.8 (39) | around $470 |
| Eberlestock Bandit | Compact daypack | 13.68 L (835 cu in) | 2.50 lb | 18.25 x 7 x 6.5 in | Not published | None listed | 2 L or 3 L Source clip | Front panel | None listed; hip belt not included | 4.5 (6) | around $170 |
Capacity, weight, dimensions, laptop, hydration, MOLLE and frame entries are from each maker's own product page. Where the retailer listing disagrees, the maker's figure is shown and the retailer's in brackets or on the card. "None listed" means neither the maker nor the retailer lists it, not that a laptop cannot fit. Condor publishes no weight or fabric for its pack. Ratings are OpticsPlanet's, shown with the number of reviews. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best tactical backpack for everyday carry: Eberlestock Little Trick Pack
26.9 L closed, 31.1 L with the scabbard open (Eberlestock) · laptop sleeve up to 17 in · magnetic CCW pocket · carbine scabbard · card: S27GN, Gray/Green
around $250exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pack to start with if it has to work as an office bag on Monday and a field pack on Saturday. Eberlestock gives its main compartment a full-length sleeve that fits laptops up to 17 inches plus two tech sleeves and four zipper compartments, and builds two things into a pack that looks plain from the outside: a concealed carry pocket closed by rare-earth magnets that opens from either side, and a carbine scabbard behind it that is 19 inches long in compact mode and 23.5 inches with the bottom unzipped. That expansion takes the volume from 26.9 liters to 31.1 liters. It is 500D ripstop nylon with YKK zippers per Eberlestock (the retailer lists NT7), 3.80 lb, with interior loop-velcro PALS and a detachable harness. GearJunkie's best tactical backpack guide names it the most comfortable tactical backpack and says it worked for commuting and day hiking. Build quality is the theme reviewers return to most: four of its six owners and two other reviewers praise it. The limits come from its size and its design. It has no hip belt, and HiConsumption, which tested it for its best bug-out bags guide, reports shoulder discomfort only with more than 25 pounds loaded and side-to-side movement when jogging or climbing. Exterior MOLLE is on select colors only.
Pros
- Full-length laptop sleeve for laptops up to 17 in, two tech sleeves and four zipper compartments (Eberlestock)
- Magnetic concealed carry pocket that opens from either side, and an expandable carbine scabbard (19 in compact, 23.5 in extended)
- Plain outside: one owner likes that it is not a camouflage bag, and HiConsumption's best bug-out bags guide picked it for its plain appearance
- Build quality praised by four of six owners; lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship (Eberlestock)
Cons
- No hip belt: HiConsumption found it jostled side to side when jogging or climbing and became uncomfortable past 25 lb of gear
- Exterior MOLLE only on select color variations (Eberlestock FAQ); one owner writes of the gray/brown model "It does not have the exterior Molle10 webbing for attachment of pouches or gear."
- Small side pockets: one owner says "The side pouches can barely fit my 32 oz. single wall stainless bottle."
- HiConsumption found its document dividers unpadded, and one reviewer calls it "on the heavy side" for its size
Best for: everyday carry and commuting with a laptop of up to 17 inches, with room for a compact carbine or SBR when you need it. For heavy loads or long walks, look at a pack with a padded hip belt and frame such as the Gunslinger II, or the Falcon-II with its removable waist strap.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Eberlestock |
|---|---|
| Volume | 1640 cu in / 26.9 L with the scabbard closed; 1900 cu in / 31.1 L with it open (Eberlestock) |
| Weight | 3.80 lb (Eberlestock) |
| Dimensions | 21.25 in H x 11.25 in W x 7.5 in D; scabbard 23.5 in H x 11 in W |
| Material | 500D ripstop nylon with YKK zippers per Eberlestock; the retailer lists the fabric as NT7 |
| Laptop | Full-length sleeve for laptops up to 17 in, plus two tech sleeves (Eberlestock) |
| Concealed carry | Pocket closed by rare-earth magnets, open from either side; room for full-frame semi-automatic handguns per the retailer |
| Scabbard | Carbine scabbard for smaller semi-autos, 19 in compact and 23.5 in extended (Eberlestock) |
| MOLLE | Interior loop-velcro PALS; MOLLE-10 webbing for standard 3-row MOLLE accessories; exterior MOLLE only on select color variations (Eberlestock FAQ) |
| Hydration | Bladder hanger and hose port; no bladder capacity listed |
| Harness | Detachable harness; no hip belt |
| Frame | None listed by Eberlestock |
| Warranty | Lifetime, against defects in materials and workmanship (Eberlestock); terms for retailer purchases are not published |
| Spec source | Eberlestock's Little Trick product page; package contents from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | S27GN, Gray/Green (UPC 812028013012); Eberlestock also lists Gray S27GY, Black S27MB and Dry Earth S27ME |
“And it is really well built in terms of material and quality zippers.”
TRENT MORTON, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet
Best for MOLLE organization and durability: Maxpedition Falcon-II Backpack
23 L (Maxpedition) · 1050-denier ballistic nylon · PALS front and sides · 100 oz reservoir pocket · removable waist strap · card: 0513F, Foliage Green
around $200exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pack with the deepest owner record here, and the one built most around organization. Maxpedition lists 23 liters in a main compartment that an owner and a reviewer describe as a clamshell, a separate front compartment and two front pouches, with five rows of 5-channel PALS webbing on the front and five rows of 2-channel webbing on each side, side and bottom compression straps, a pocket for a 100 oz (3 L) reservoir that is not included, and a removable waist strap. The fabric is 1050-denier water and abrasion resistant ballistic nylon, triple polyurethane coated, at 3.2 lb. The retailer's listing gives 25 liters and 1000-denier; we use Maxpedition's figures. Of its 17 owners, 11 praise its durability or build, and five single out how the compartments keep gear organized; one owner says it has "a compartment for everything". There is no laptop sleeve listed, though one reviewer fits a large Dell laptop in the main compartment. The cautions are fit and age. One 6'2" owner had to remove the waist belt and was disappointed in some stitching, two reviewers find it stiff, and several call it smaller than expected. Its dated reviews run from 2010 to 2019, so they say little about current production.
Pros
- Five rows of 5-channel PALS on the front and 2-channel rows on each side for pouches (Maxpedition)
- Durability or build praised by 11 of its 17 owners
- Main compartment, separate front compartment and two front pouches; five owners praise the organization
- 1050-denier triple polyurethane coated nylon, removable waist strap and a 100 oz reservoir pocket (Maxpedition)
Cons
- No laptop sleeve listed by Maxpedition or the retailer
- Fit for tall users: one 6'2" owner writes "If you're tall, forget about using the waist belt."
- Smaller and stiffer than some expect: one owner found it "Just a littlle smaller than expected." and one reviewer writes "It's very stiff."
- An old record: its dated reviews run from 2010 to 2019, and one owner was "a little disappointed in some of the stitching"
Best for: a get-home bag, a day pack or a one-night pack where you want every pouch on the outside and everything organized inside. If you need a laptop sleeve, the Little Trick is the one here that lists one.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Maxpedition |
|---|---|
| Volume | 1400 cu in / 23 L (Maxpedition); the retailer lists 1620 cu in / 25 L |
| Weight | 3.2 lb (Maxpedition) |
| Dimensions | 9 in L x 10 in W x 18 in H overall (Maxpedition) |
| Material | 1050-denier ballistic nylon, triple polyurethane coated, Teflon fabric protector (Maxpedition); the retailer lists 1000-denier |
| Laptop | No laptop sleeve listed |
| MOLLE | Five rows of 5-channel PALS on the front, five rows of 2-channel PALS on each side, PALS on the shoulder straps |
| Hydration | Pocket for a 100 oz / 3 L reservoir; reservoir not included |
| Harness | Padded adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap, removable waist strap |
| Frame | None listed |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime for the original owner, purchased and used in the USA; wear excluded (Maxpedition) |
| Spec source | Maxpedition's Falcon-II product page and warranty page; package contents from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | 0513F, Foliage Green, with reservoir hang-tab (UPC 846909004011); other colours are separate rows at different prices |
“It has a compartment for everything allowing for organization that wont leave you dumping your pack to find what is needed in a hurry.”
Thisisme, owner (CA) via OpticsPlanet
Best large assault pack: Condor Outdoor 3 Day Assault Pack
50 L (Condor) · 22 x 17 x 11 in · room for two 3 L bladders · removable padded waist belt · card: 125-002, Black
around $110exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pick when you need volume. Condor rates it at 3051 cubic inches, or 50 liters, the largest pack here, at 22 x 17 x 11 inches, with a main compartment, a secondary compartment, a bottom compartment and two side pockets; per the retailer, the secondary compartment holds map and document pockets, radio pockets and pen holders. It takes up to two 3 liter bladders (not included), and adds a removable padded waist belt that fits 28 to 58 inches, four side compression straps, three carry and drag handles, a foam back panel and drainage grommets on every compartment. Five of its seven reviews praise how it is built. What Condor does not publish matters here: no empty weight, no fabric or denier and no frame, so this is a big pack on a foam back panel, not a framed one. Stitching is the recurring complaint: one owner found it "subpar especially on the back straps" and one reviewer carrying about 15 kg daily saw stitching coming off the strap tops. All its dated reviews are from 2014 to 2018.
Pros
- 50 liters, the largest volume on this page, with main, secondary, bottom and side compartments (Condor)
- Room for two 3 L bladders and drainage grommets on all compartments
- Removable padded waist belt that fits 28 to 58 in, four side compression straps
- Build praised in five of its seven reviews; one owner calls it a "Great option for a budget bugout bag."
Cons
- Strap stitching: one owner writes "some of the stitching is subpar especially on the back straps"
- Condor publishes no weight, no fabric or denier and no frame for it
- No laptop sleeve listed, and one owner notes "The only feature this pack lacks is waterproofness"
- A thin, old record: seven reviews, all dated ones from 2014 to 2018
Best for: a three-day load, a vehicle bag or a first-responder kit where volume and pockets matter more than a frame. For a framed pack that also carries a rifle, see the Gunslinger II.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Condor Outdoor |
|---|---|
| Volume | 3051 cu in / 50 L (Condor) |
| Weight | Not listed by Condor or the retailer |
| Dimensions | 22 x 17 x 11 in overall; main compartment 22 x 12 x 8 in (Condor) |
| Material | Not listed by Condor |
| Laptop | No laptop sleeve listed; the secondary compartment has map and document pockets, radio pockets and pen holders (retailer) |
| MOLLE | Heavyweight webbing for modular attachments (Condor) |
| Hydration | Up to two 3 L bladders, 22 in tall; not included (Condor) |
| Harness | Contoured shoulder straps, sternum strap, removable padded waist belt fitting 28 to 58 in |
| Frame | None listed; individual foam back panel (Condor) |
| Warranty | One year on gear; purchases from a third party go through that seller (Condor FAQ) |
| Made in | Imported (Condor names no country) |
| Spec source | Condor's 3 Day Assault product page and FAQ; package contents from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | 125-002, Black (UPC 022886125028); other colours are separate rows, and the Scorpion camo row costs more |
“Pack will hold a considerable volume of supplies which is congruent with the 3 day pack name.”
Phil, owner (IN) via OpticsPlanet
Best budget tactical backpack: Red Rock Outdoor Gear Large Assault Pack
35 L (Red Rock) · 3.80 lb · clamshell main compartment · MOLLE platform · 2.5 L bladder pocket · card: 80226BLK, Black
around $55exact price on OpticsPlanet
The least expensive pack on this page by a wide margin, and a sensible first tactical backpack. Red Rock lists 35 liters in four expanding compartments, a MOLLE webbing platform, a pocket for a bladder of up to 2.5 liters, a mesh ventilated padded back panel, adjustable waist and sternum straps and four quick-release compression straps (the retailer says six), at 3.80 lb and 11.5 x 18 x 12 inches, with a two-year warranty, and the retailer adds a clamshell-style main compartment. Red Rock lists no fabric; the retailer lists 600D polyester. Of its 12 owners, seven praise the room and the pockets and six its build. There is no laptop sleeve listed, but one owner describes a padded divider with "room for a large laptop", and one reviewer who carries a 17 inch laptop suggests adding padding. The trade-offs show up in the harness: one owner says it is not tall enough for a load-carrying hip belt for someone 6 feet tall, one reviewer calls the waist belt junk, and another finds the straps thinly padded. Two owners also found it smaller or narrower than they pictured.
Pros
- Lowest price on this page, with a two-year warranty (Red Rock)
- Four expanding compartments and a clamshell-style main compartment (retailer); seven of 12 owners praise the room and pockets
- MOLLE webbing platform and a pocket for a bladder of up to 2.5 L
- Mesh ventilated padded back panel; one owner says the padded divider leaves "room for a large laptop"
Cons
- Short harness for tall users: one owner writes "for someone 6' tall the pack isn't tall enough to attach a proper load-carrying hip belt"
- Thin padding and belt: one reviewer says "The straps are not very padded" and another removed the waist belt
- Smaller than some expect: one owner "was very surprised how small it was"
- No laptop sleeve listed, and one reviewer reports "the STRONG PVC smell of the bag"
Best for: a budget everyday or range-day backpack, a starter bug-out bag or a school bag with MOLLE. Add a padded laptop case if you carry a computer, and look at the Condor for more volume.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Red Rock Outdoor Gear |
|---|---|
| Volume | 35 L (Red Rock and the retailer) |
| Weight | 3.80 lb (Red Rock) |
| Dimensions | 11.5 in W x 18 in H x 12 in D (Red Rock) |
| Material | Not listed by Red Rock; the retailer lists 600D polyester |
| Laptop | No laptop sleeve listed |
| MOLLE | MOLLE webbing platform (Red Rock) |
| Hydration | Pocket for a bladder of up to 2.5 L; no bladder in the package contents |
| Harness | Padded shoulder straps with D-rings, adjustable waist and sternum strap |
| Frame | None listed; mesh ventilated padded back panel |
| Warranty | Two years against manufacturing material and workmanship defects, exclusions apply (Red Rock) |
| Spec source | Red Rock's Large Assault Pack product page and warranty page; package contents from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | 80226BLK, Black (UPC 846637001023); other colours are separate rows at different prices |
“Lots of room, big pockets and very comfortable backpack straps.”
Robin Hoch, owner (FL) via OpticsPlanet
Best tactical backpack with a rifle scabbard: Eberlestock Gunslinger II Pack
34.41 L pack plus 600 cu in scabbard, 44 L total (Eberlestock) · full-width integrated rifle scabbard · Intex-II tubular frame · padded hip belt · card: G2MB, Black
around $470exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pack built around a long gun, and the only pack here with a listed frame. Eberlestock describes it as a mid-sized tactical pack with a full-width integrated rifle scabbard, 34 x 10 x 3 inches with a 26 inch opening circumference, and a GSTC butt cover that allows enclosed carriage of weapons up to 60 inches. The main bag holds 2,100 cubic inches (34.41 liters) and the scabbard 600 more, 44 liters in all, on a tubular Intex-II frame with a fully adjustable harness and a padded hip belt, with top drawstring and front zipper access. Eberlestock adds that the wide scabbard can serve as a laptop or military radio compartment. It weighs 6 lb 8 oz per Eberlestock (the retailer lists 7 lb). Of its 22 owners, 13 describe carrying rifles in it and 10 praise its build. The costs are weight and price: three owners call it heavy, four list price as the downside, it is the most expensive pack here, and two owners found less room inside than they expected. Two other reviewers criticize how the top cover attaches over a rifle.
Pros
- Full-width integrated rifle scabbard, 34 x 10 x 3 in; GSTC butt cover for enclosed carry of weapons up to 60 in (Eberlestock)
- Tubular Intex-II frame, fully adjustable harness and padded hip belt; the only listed frame on this page
- Scabbard doubles as a laptop or radio compartment when not carrying a rifle (Eberlestock)
- 13 of its 22 owners describe carrying rifles in it, and seven owner reviews are from 2022 to 2026
Cons
- Heavy: 6 lb 8 oz per Eberlestock, and three owners call it heavy
- The most expensive pack here, and four owners list price as the downside
- Less room inside than some expect: one owner says it "has a smaller room inside the bag than I imagined"
- One reviewer says "the top detachable cover does not have a sufficient means for covering the rifle and connecting to the main body of the bag"
Best for: hunters, competitors and anyone who wants a rifle and a day or two of gear on one framed back. For everyday carry it is heavy and expensive; the Little Trick carries a compact carbine in a smaller, lighter pack.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Eberlestock |
|---|---|
| Volume | 2,100 cu in / 34.41 L pack; 600 cu in scabbard; 44 L / 2,700 cu in total (Eberlestock) |
| Weight | 6 lb 8 oz; 6.5 lb with the GSTC cover, 5.5 lb with it removed (Eberlestock); the retailer lists 7 lb |
| Dimensions | Main bag 22 in H x 10 in W x 8 in D; scabbard 34 in L x 10 in W x 3 in D (Eberlestock) |
| Material | Not listed by Eberlestock; the retailer lists "Sling Material: Cordura" |
| Laptop | No laptop sleeve size listed; Eberlestock says the wide scabbard can serve as a laptop compartment |
| Scabbard | Integrated, full width, 26 in opening circumference; GSTC butt cover for enclosed carry up to 60 in (Eberlestock) |
| MOLLE | Not listed by Eberlestock; the retailer describes PALS webbing inside and out |
| Hydration | Not listed by Eberlestock; the retailer describes two back-wall sleeves for hydration systems |
| Harness | Fully adjustable shoulder harness and padded hip belt (Eberlestock) |
| Frame | Tubular Intex-II No-Shelf frame system (Eberlestock) |
| Warranty | Eberlestock Lifetime Warranty |
| Spec source | Eberlestock's Gunslinger II product page; GSTC cover and scabbard notes also from the retailer listing and Q&A |
| Model on this card | G2MB, Black (UPC 812028011797); other colours are separate rows, and Coyote Brown costs less |
“The lower portion of the scabbard will extend out to accommodate longer rifles.”
Chad, owner (WA) via OpticsPlanet
Best compact tactical daypack: Eberlestock Bandit Daypack
13.68 L (Eberlestock) · 2.50 lb · laser-cut MOLLE panel · full-length front zip · 2 L or 3 L bladder clip · card: H31MB, Black
around $170exact price on OpticsPlanet
The smallest pack here and the lightest of the five with a published weight, for a day out rather than a load. Eberlestock gives the Bandit 835 cubic inches, or 13.68 liters, at 2.50 lb and 18.25 x 7 x 6.5 inches, with a laser-cut MOLLE panel on the front, a top organizational lid with a mesh pouch, a main compartment that unzips from top to bottom, an adjustable shoulder harness and a clip for a 2 L or 3 L Source bladder. It takes a hip belt, but Eberlestock does not include one. The retailer lists both 13.68 and 15 liters; we use Eberlestock's figure. Owners like the quality and the format for a day hunt: one uses it for all-day sits in a bow stand with a Nalgene in the side pouch. Size is the honest catch, and three of its five owners raise it: one calls it much smaller than anticipated, one found it could not hold everything for a range day, and one lists small as the con. No laptop sleeve is listed.
Pros
- Lightest published weight here, 2.50 lb, with a laser-cut MOLLE front panel (Eberlestock)
- Main compartment unzips top to bottom for full access, plus an organizational top lid
- Clip for 2 L or 3 L Source bladders; one owner fits a Nalgene in the side pouch
- Eberlestock Lifetime Warranty; one owner calls it "Just the right size for a day pack."
Cons
- Small: three of five owners raise size, one writes "Much smaller than anticipated."
- Not a range bag: one owner "couldn't hold everything I required" for a range day
- Hip belt compatible but not included (Eberlestock); one owner bought the attachment separately
- No laptop sleeve listed, and the thinnest review record here, six reviews
Best for: a day hunt, a hike or a light carry where every ounce counts. If you need room for a laptop or a range-day kit, the Little Trick or the Red Rock holds far more.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Eberlestock |
|---|---|
| Volume | 835 cu in / 13.68 L (Eberlestock); the retailer lists both 13.68 L and 15 L |
| Weight | 2.50 lb (Eberlestock) |
| Dimensions | 18.25 in H x 7 in W x 6.5 in D (Eberlestock); the retailer lists 18 x 9 x 7 in |
| Material | Not listed by Eberlestock |
| Laptop | No laptop sleeve listed |
| MOLLE | Laser-cut MOLLE panel on the front (Eberlestock) |
| Hydration | Interior clip for 2 L or 3 L Source bladders (Eberlestock) |
| Harness | Adjustable shoulder harness; hip belt compatible, not included |
| Frame | None listed |
| Warranty | Eberlestock Lifetime Warranty, against defects in materials and workmanship |
| Spec source | Eberlestock's Bandit product page; package contents from the retailer listing |
| Model on this card | H31MB, Black (UPC 812028016822); other colours are separate rows, and MultiCam costs more |
“Just the right size for a day pack.”
Yang, owner (OR) via OpticsPlanet
The best tactical laptop backpack
The Eberlestock Little Trick is the one pack on this page whose maker lists a laptop sleeve: a full-length sleeve that fits laptops up to 17 inches, plus two tech sleeves commonly used for a laptop or tablet, in a main compartment that opens fully via a front zipper. HiConsumption, testing it for its best bug-out bags guide, found the document dividers unpadded, so use a laptop with its own sleeve. Eberlestock also says the full-width scabbard of the Gunslinger II can serve as a laptop compartment, though no size is given and the pack weighs 6 lb 8 oz. Maxpedition, Condor and Red Rock list no laptop sleeve. One Red Rock owner describes a padded divider with "room for a large laptop", and a Falcon-II reviewer writes "That relatively large Dell laptop fits, in the main compartment, almost as if by design", but those are one person's experience, not a listed feature.
How to choose a tactical backpack
- Everyday carry or field load. A commute needs a laptop sleeve, small-item organization and a pack that fits on a train or under a desk. A field load needs volume, a hip belt and ideally a frame. The Little Trick and the Bandit lean to the first, the Condor and the Gunslinger II to the second.
- Laptop sleeve. Only Eberlestock lists one on this page, the Little Trick's sleeve for laptops up to 17 inches. If you carry a computer in another pack, add a padded case, as one Red Rock reviewer advises: "If you use it as a laptop backpack, you may want to enclose the laptop in padding or buy an inexpensive internal foam-lined case."
- Volume versus organization. More liters is not always more useful. The 23 liter Falcon-II has more published compartments and webbing than its size suggests, while owners of the bigger Condor and Red Rock praise the room. Several Falcon-II, Red Rock and Bandit buyers found their pack smaller than they pictured, so check the maker's liters and dimensions before you order.
- Access. Clamshell-style openings, which an owner and a reviewer describe on the Falcon-II and the retailer lists on the Red Rock, and the Bandit's top-to-bottom zip, let you see everything at once. The Gunslinger II opens from the top and the front, and the Little Trick's main compartment opens fully from the front.
- MOLLE or a clean look. Webbing all over lets you add pouches but looks military. One Little Trick owner likes that it is not a camouflage bag, and its exterior MOLLE appears only on select colors. The Falcon-II, Red Rock, Condor and Bandit carry exterior webbing.
- Comfort under load. A hip belt moves weight off the shoulders. The Gunslinger II has a frame and a padded hip belt, the Condor a removable padded waist belt and the Falcon-II a removable waist strap. The Little Trick has none, and the Bandit takes a belt that is sold separately. A tall Falcon-II owner had to remove the waist belt, and a Red Rock owner says the pack is not tall enough for a load-carrying hip belt on someone 6 feet tall.
- Weight. Of the published weights, the Bandit is lightest at 2.50 lb and the Falcon-II weighs 3.2 lb. The Little Trick and the Red Rock are each 3.80 lb, and the framed Gunslinger II is 6 lb 8 oz. Condor publishes no weight.
- Fabric. Maxpedition lists 1050-denier ballistic nylon and Eberlestock 500D ripstop for the Little Trick. Condor, Red Rock and Eberlestock (for the Gunslinger II and Bandit) list no fabric, so we do not rank on it.
- Budget. The Red Rock costs least by far, and the Gunslinger II costs most. Warranties differ too: Eberlestock offers a lifetime warranty against defects, Maxpedition a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner, Red Rock two years and Condor one year.
A note on review records
Review records differ in size and age. The Falcon-II has 32 reviews, but its dated reviews run from 2010 to 2019, and four of them were written by OpticsPlanet staff, which we leave out. The Condor's seven reviews are dated 2014 to 2018. The Gunslinger II has 39 reviews from 2012 to 2026, including four staff reviews we leave out, and seven of its owner reviews are from 2022 to 2026. The Little Trick has 10 reviews from 2018 to 2026; we leave out one that describes features this pack does not list, such as a water-resistant covering. The Bandit has only six. A few reviews sit outside the retailer's visible list; we count one as an owner's only where the retailer's product page shows it with an owner badge.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test, and no independent lab test exists for any of these packs in our research. We started from the retailer's backpack category and left out range bags, which have their own guide, and meat-hauling hunting packs. For each pack we opened the full model list to find the new, orderable model each card links to and read every review on the listing, including every low-star one, counting owner themes ourselves. We call a reviewer an owner only when the retailer tags the review that way. We checked capacity, weight, dimensions and features against the maker's own product pages for Eberlestock, Maxpedition, Condor Outdoor and Red Rock Outdoor Gear. Where the retailer and the maker disagree, we use the maker and say so. Editorial picks from GearJunkie and HiConsumption are named as editorial choices, not awards. Our scores are our opinion; ratings are shown attributed to the retailer that collected them. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best tactical backpack?
For everyday carry, the Eberlestock Little Trick: it has a laptop sleeve for laptops up to 17 inches, a magnetic concealed carry pocket and an expandable carbine scabbard in a pack that looks plain, and it carries 4.8 out of 5 from 10 reviews on OpticsPlanet. For MOLLE organization and a long durability record, the Maxpedition Falcon-II. For the most volume, the Condor 3 Day Assault Pack. On a budget, the Red Rock Outdoor Gear Large Assault Pack. To carry a rifle, the Eberlestock Gunslinger II, and for a small daypack, the Eberlestock Bandit.
What is the best tactical backpack for a laptop?
The Eberlestock Little Trick. It is the only pack on this page whose maker lists a laptop sleeve, a full-length sleeve for laptops up to 17 inches plus two tech sleeves. HiConsumption found its document dividers unpadded, so a laptop with its own sleeve is safer. Eberlestock also says the wide scabbard of the Gunslinger II can serve as a laptop compartment. None of the other makers lists a laptop sleeve, although an owner of the Red Rock and a reviewer of the Falcon-II say a laptop fits in the main compartment.
Is a tactical backpack good for everyday carry?
It can be, if you pick for the commute rather than the field. Look for a laptop sleeve, enough organization to find small items, and an outside that does not draw attention. The retailer describes the Little Trick as an office-style everyday carry bag, and its exterior MOLLE appears only on select colors; one owner likes that it "doesn't look like Tactical Timmy gear". The Falcon-II and the assault packs carry exterior webbing, which looks more military. A big framed pack such as the Gunslinger II is heavy for daily use.
What size tactical backpack do I need?
Match the volume to the trip. Up to about 25 liters suits a day out or a commute: the Bandit is 13.68 liters and the Falcon-II 23 liters. Around 26 to 35 liters covers everyday carry with a laptop or a get-home bag: the Little Trick is 26.9 to 31.1 liters and the Red Rock 35 liters. For a three-day load, 44 to 50 liters: the Gunslinger II is 44 liters with its scabbard and the Condor 3 Day Assault Pack 50 liters. All volumes are the makers' own figures.
Do tactical backpacks come with a hydration bladder?
Not these. Maxpedition states that the Falcon-II reservoir is not included, Condor says the same of the two bladders its 3 Day Assault Pack takes, and the retailer package contents for the Little Trick, the Red Rock, the Gunslinger II and the Bandit list no bladder. Each pack has a sleeve, pocket or clip for one: the Falcon-II takes a 100 oz reservoir, the Red Rock a bladder of up to 2.5 liters and the Bandit a 2 or 3 liter Source bladder.
What does MOLLE mean on a backpack?
MOLLE, often called PALS webbing, is rows of stitched straps on the outside or inside of a pack that pouches with matching straps weave into, so you can add a medical kit, magazine pouches or a water bottle holder where you want them. The Falcon-II has the most published webbing here, five rows on the front and on each side. The Red Rock, the Condor and the Bandit have exterior webbing, and the Little Trick has interior PALS with exterior MOLLE only on select colors.
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