Best Survival Backpacks | Bug Out Bags Tested
A top-tier survival backpack organizes your gear, effortlessly carries heavy loads, and can endure punishment with unmatched durability. There are several approaches to survival, and your choice of a backpack can reflect this.
I’ve been testing bug out bag backpacks for our reviews since 2016 and have hands-on experience using dozens of the best survival backpacks. I’ve pitted the best survival backpacks in the world against each other in this review, featuring practical field testing and destructive testing in our workshop.
My main recommendation is the 5.11 RUSH72 2.0, which offers unparalleled durability at a solid price.
If you’re looking for a more affordable backpack, my top choice is the Venture Pal Ultralight. The functionality is surprisingly good for a price that is difficult to beat, and the self-stowing pocket makes it versatile.
I also suggest picks for wilderness bug out plans, tactical survival, and a grey-man-compatible urban backpack.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
This is an updated review of the best survival backpack. We will continue to update as new products are released and as we test even more tactical, hiking, and travel bags. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Survival Backpack
5.11 Rush 72 2.0
Expandable, Customizable, and Durable
The second iteration of the Rush 72 builds on the strengths of the previous best survival backpack.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at 5.11 Tactical.
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.
Specifications
- 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.
Wilderness 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.
Specifications
- 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 Survival Backpack
Eberlestock Gunslinger II
Smart Design, Versatile, with Top-Tier Construction
This assault pack is perfect for bugging out and has unmatched quality and organization.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Eberlestock and 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.
Specifications
- 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. 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 tactical survival, you’ll want the top-tier Eberlestock Gunslinger II Backpack on your six.
Budget Bug Out Bag Backpack
Venture Pal Ultralight
Cheap, Lightweight, and Stowable
This inexpensive backpack surprises with lightweight functionality.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
I didn’t have high expectations for this bag, since it cost less than $30 and comes from a low-tier brand. But, despite its low durability, it’s a remarkably effective bug out bag for those on a budget or looking for an occasional-use solution.
Specifications
- Volume: 2440 cubic inches (40L)
- Material: 60D Nylon
- Frame: None
- Organization: 11 compartments, external bottle pockets
- Features: Waterproof pouch, integrated stowing pocket
- Weight: 0.9 pounds
The nylon fabric is very thin, and the ‘ripstop’ is a separate layered material rather than an integrated weave. The bag has a simple interior with few organizational pockets, and the exterior is barren like a backpacking backpack. There are a few reflective loops where you could add a cord to hold more outside the bag.
The shoulder straps are not very comfortable when you start loading the backpack up with 40 liters of gear, and there is no padding for your back.
My favorite feature for this bag doesn’t have much to do with it being a backpack-it’s how the back folds into itself with a stowable pocket. This lets you carry it in another bag or in your vehicle, and instantly unfold it for a 40L bag anywhere. I now use them for my kids’ bug out bags.
The Venture Pal 40L Ultralight Backpack is the clear pick for preppers on a budget.
Urban Survival Backpack
5.11 COVRT 24
Discrete, Durable, and Proven
Carrying your gear covertly is easier than ever with the roomier updated COVRT bag.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
This bag gives you the functionality, durability, and versatility of a great survival backpack without flagging yourself as a prepper.
Specifications
- Volume: 2500 cubic inches (41L)
- Material: 500D Nylon
- Frame: None
- Organization: 11 compartments, external straps
- Features: Sleeping bag pocket, integrated rain fly
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
I’ve been using covert bags on my commute as get home bags for years, and have used several different models beyond what we tested. I settled in on the 5.11 COVRT line early on (there have been three iterations of these bags now). This bag is larger than the rest, making it viable for small, urban bug out bags and not just commutes. You can see how the COVRT 24 beats out the others in its category in our grey man backpack review.
Also excelling as a get home bag, the 5.11 COVRT24 41L Backpack is an ideal urban bug out bag.
Comparison Table
| Survival Backpack | Recommendation | Price* | Capacity | Material | Best Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 | Best Overall | $162 | 55L | 1050D Nylon | Stash expansion, 1050D nylon |
| Teton Scout 55 | Best for Wilderness Survival | $99 | 55L | 600D Poly | Internal frame, integrated rain fly |
| Eberlestock G2 | Best for Tactical Survival | $469 | 44L | 1000D Nylon | Internal frame, great organization |
| Venture Pal Ultralight | Best for Beginners & Budgets | $25 | 40L | 60D Nylon | Low price, stowable |
| 5.11 COVRT 24 | Best for Urban Survival | $140 | 41L | 500D Nylon | Discrete appearance |
| 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 |
How I Tested
This review results from hundreds of field hours of hiking, backpacking, bug out exercises, and military use. Most of the testing was done in Central North Carolina, but some bags were also tested in the Appalachian Mountains, arid regions of Texas, and even in urban Japan.
The main method of testing was using the survival backpacks as bug out bags for field exercises. This tested their functionality well, since I could see how well their capacity held my equipment, and how comfortable the bag was to carry. Versatility shone through as well during field tests- organization features became very useful as I oriented myself to dozens of different bags.
The other testing done included material and construction analysis, sometimes destroying components of the bags in the process to determine durability. The TruePrepper team also weighed each bag.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the Analysis & Test Results section, with an explanation for each.
Why Trust TruePrepper
Hi, I’m Sean, and I’ve been testing survival backpacks for eight years now. Before that, I ‘unofficially tested’ many types of tactical bags in the military and backpacking bags on sporadic camping trips.
After my time in the military, I learned a lot about textiles and fabric assembly as an industrial engineer in a factory. That’s why I chose to expand beyond the practical use of the bags in my testing, tearing them apart to hunt down quality indicators.
My first survival bag or bug out backpack was my standard-issue GI duffel from basic training. With the big green duffel sporting one giant compartment and one outside pocket, my preferred survival bags have improved over time when it comes to comfort, organization, and durability.
Analysis & Test Results
The best survival backpacks have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Functionality
- Durability
- Size & Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a truly reliable backpack that will let you carry all of your essential gear.
Below, we break down what each of these features means for a dependable pack that you can trust with your life and the extra details that make the difference.
What’s the Best Value?
The amount of money you spend on something like a backpack shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Don’t go overspending or overdoing it. Budget according to your risk and your needs, rather than just spending lavishly.
On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. There are plenty of cheap backpacks out there, or backpacks made for a different purpose that won’t work as well.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a backpack. It’s better to diversify your tools and preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value out of the best features with not too high a price, which is where our top pick sits.
Functionality
Functionally, any bag that will fit your gear could technically be a survival bag. But considerations should go far beyond that. You want it to hold your gear well, in an organized manner, and for it all to be comfortable on your back, which is scientifically verified to be the best place to carry it (in most situations).
Of course, there are other options: roller bags (think of the airport), Pelican cases, and even the old bandana-tied-to-a-stick are all options for your survival bag. Many of the bags/cases/boxes without shoulder straps are being used by plans that rule out bugging out on foot.
Prepping for these situations can be tough when considering congested highways, EMP effects, and scarce power resources. But some have it figured out to the best of their ability and will not need to hoof it across the countryside to their bug out locations.
Some preppers with extensive planning will use caches along their bug out route to minimize the gear and supplies they have to carry with them. If you find your bug out plans becoming long and convoluted, remember that keeping a plan simple is sometimes the best course.
Durability
Backpack design, material quality, and construction quality determine a bag’s durability. Cheap bags can fake the look just with design. Adding straps and do-dads to the outside can make a bag look tactical, even if it can’t perform. Quality brands typically have good design, similar material quality (many of them use the same vendors), and excellent craftsmanship.
Material Quality
Heavier weight textiles, thicker and wider straps, metal zippers, waterproof zippers: all of these significantly improve durability (at a cost). For survival purposes, we believe these are all worth it. You don’t want straps breaking on you when you are navigating the tough times that survival situations present you with.
Design can sometimes make up for lighter and less expensive materials, but generally, when it comes to straps, the bigger the better. Some backpacks use suspension rigs, triangle force distribution, or proven stitching techniques to reduce the chance of a strap fraying or buckle breaking.
Lightweight but strong textiles and straps are key for survival bags, especially those designed to be used indefinitely. Most bags use synthetic fabric like nylon or polyester with different weights and weaves.
While polyester is the main pick for backpacking brands’ shell material, heavyweight nylon is the workhorse and is used even more extensively in tactical bags. Some of the quality brands even bump up their nylon from 600D to 1000D+. Specialized needles are used to prevent needle breaks when sewing these heavyweight fabrics.
When designing areas of backpacks where the bag will contact your body, backpacking and EDC bag manufacturers typically use spacer knit material. This is the material that looks like mesh, and it’s meant to reduce contact pressure and improve airflow. The downside to spacer knit is that it is not very durable, and can snag and fray from abrasion.
Construction Quality
After material quality comes construction quality. Construction quality is shown mostly through the stitching, although some design features can highlight it as well. A few stitch patterns that indicate good construction include:
- Double stitch – Material seams are stitched twice in parallel, usually less than 1/8″ apart.
- Folded seams – Raw fabric edges shouldn’t be visible on a bag. Fabric is folded while it is sewn to prevent tearing and pulling.
- Bar tack – A dense stitch for attaching straps and fabric at a single point.
- Box and X – A square or rectangular box is stitched with an ‘X’ inside to distribute strap force where it is attached.
Like I said before, though, cheap companies can knock off a look. Besides stitch patterns, there are a few other telltale signs of quality:
- Loose stitches – Good bag manufacturers have quality control and toss these out for rework. All sewing machines can have issues with tensioning, but if you can pick a stitch with your nail you’ve got a crappy backpack that could fall apart at the seams.
- Quality combinations – What separates the good from the great is attention to detail. Double stitching is usually reserved for the main compartment of bags, but when you see it on an internal zipper tape seam, you know that the zipper is there to stay.
Take care of your backpack as well, so it lasts as long as intended. Don’t kick it around unnecessarily, store unsheathed knives in it, etc. Just keep it clean and use common sense.
Size & Weight
The capacity of your backpack can range quite a bit. This also increases the size and weight of the bag. When you are traveling any distance, you will quickly notice that ounces matter.
Finding the ‘sweet spot’ between capacity and portability is the key to getting the right bag. This usually depends on what you are using the bag for. Your own size and capability can influence how large a pack you can handle as well. We’ll talk about weight restrictions with packing further below, but you don’t want the bag itself adding too much unnecessary weight either.
Some examples of kits matched up with appropriate sizes include:
- Everyday Carry – 10L – 30L
- Get Home Bag – 20L – 30L
- Bug Out Bag – 30L – 60L
- INCH Bag – 40L – 75L +
- SCARE Bag – 10L – 20L
You may notice that many of these kits’ ranges overlap with the 30L capacity, which is why this size is so popular. You may be restricted in size, but you will be comfortable without overloading yourself with unnecessary weight.
Versatility
Versatility is where the tactical backpacks really shine. You can add more storage and compartmentalized kits using MOLLE, ALICE, hook and loop, or tied attachments. They stem from military applications, so they are designed to be versatile for a wide range of equipment and environments.
Avoid elastic components, even if you believe they give your bag versatility. Regardless of the quality, stretch materials eventually give way. If you are looking for a true survival bag with limitless durability, avoiding elastic straps, bungees, and pull cords can help (or just know that they won’t always be reliable).
Higher capacity in a bag can give you more versatility as well, just in that you can carry more gear if weight allows it. Rolling wheels and the ability to convert into a duffel make sense in certain situations, especially if you are packing more weight than you ought to carry.
How to Pack a Survival Backpack
Survival backpacks are all about functionality and versatility, and these are the main points to consider when packing the bag as well. The function of the bag is to simply provide you with the resources you need to survive in an expedient, portable solution. To accomplish this, the backpack should be versatile to tackle both known and unknown problems, risks, and situations that will arise.
There are three main priorities to consider when packing your bag:
- Weight Distribution
- Resource Accessibility
- Appearance
Different types of kits will dictate what you should put in these bags, but the principles stay the same throughout all of the options.
Weight Distribution
The most popular method, and a good fallback for any new prepper, is to pack with your bag’s weight distribution in mind. How much weight you can carry depends on your bag selection, body type, and fitness level. A very vague rule of thumb is that 25% of your body weight should be your bottom line max, yet this measure can overload you for long distances, especially if you weigh more. Pack weight is something that gets much harder to handle with every pound you add.
The difference between 40-41 pounds can have a much different effect on your body than the difference between 20-21 pounds. This is further complicated by how you distribute the weight within and on your pack. A top-heavy pack will require more muscle control and stabilization, tiring you out even quicker. The backpacking community is a great resource for learning to properly pack a bag for the best weight distribution.
There are many great videos out there discussing this, and Marco Johnson does a great job here.
Resource Accessibility
With the various situations you could encounter, quick access to your equipment may make the difference between life and death. Tactical packs excel at having equipment within a moment’s reach, but other types of bags may need some packing forethought here. Safety and security equipment is the highest priority equipment to have rapidly accessible, and on your body if possible. Other rapid accessibility considerations include common-use, versatile tools.
A multitool, zip ties, and 550 paracord are all extremely versatile resources, but won’t do much good if they are lost at the bottom of your bag. Use external pockets, straps, and tethers wisely to keep important items within reach.
After you concentrate on your rapid access equipment, think about the rest of your supplies and the best logical way to store them. Weight usually takes precedence here, as we mentioned above, with bulk food items, sleeping equipment, and cooking tools placed at the bottom of the bag and hardest to access.
Gray Man Appearance
The Gray Man Concept is nothing new, but it should be a consideration for anyone packing a portable survival kit. Advertising that your bag has everything that anyone would need to survive can make you and your bag a target. Tactical bags struggle with this since they are easily identified as packs that hold valuable supplies and equipment. Tactical bags usually have the ability to have a modular loadout, which exposes your equipment and supplies. Packing these supplies inside your bag may be the best course of action, depending on your situation.
One quick workaround to get the best of both worlds is a rain fly for your bag. This subtly hides your bag and everything attached to it while still allowing the equipment to be somewhat accessible. It provides the obvious bonus of rain-proofing your supplies as well and they run fairly cheap. A simple rain fly can make a tactical bag less noticeable in urban areas, but give you fast access once the fly is removed.
Learn more about the Gray Man Concept with our guide: How to Be a Gray Man. To see our suggestions for getting a bag with the gray man in mind, consider our starter/budget pick or check out our gray man backpack review.
What to Pack in a Survival Backpack?
Survival bags accommodate a huge range of survival kits. The kit type determines what you pack in the, although many kits share the same types of resources.
Survival backpacks are designed to be filled with survival gear, so of course, we have plenty of mobile survival kits that require them:
- Bug Out Bag List – Evacuation-style survival kit (aka go-bag or 72-hour kit).
- Get Home Bag List – A survival kit designed to help you get home.
- Everyday Carry List – Bag you plan to keep with you every day.
- INCH Bag List – Similar to a bug out bag, but for indefinite survival.
- SCARE Kit List – Survival kit designed for urban unrest.
Having a backpack on hand and getting the right gear inside of it can go a long way for preparedness.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival backpack is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience:
Harman, E., et al. (2000). The Effects of backpack weight on the biomechanics of load carriage. ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. (Source)
Devroey, C., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the effect of backpack load and position during standing and walking using biomechanical, physiological and subjective measures. Ergonomics. Volume 50. Issue 5. Pages 728 – 742. (Source)
Labosier, C. (2019). Bug out bags and first aid kits: Undergraduate college students’ awareness, perceptions, preparedness, and behavior around severe weather. Emerging Voices in Natural Hazards Research. Pages 1 – 25. (Source)
Conclusion
These survival bags will all do the job but come with varying price tags, comfort levels, capacities, and durability. The tactical bags win the durability contest, with the backpacking bags coming in a close second.
Backpacking bags can be tuned to fit like a glove, and are available in very high capacities. The backpacks you already own in your closet are cheap and can still get the job done in most circumstances.
Our subscribers have also found these guides helpful:
- Survival Rule of 3 | The Ultimate Guide
- Best Survival Water Filters | Tested and Proven
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
After our exhaustive testing, we recommend the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack for most applications and several other bags for specific situations.
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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Hi Sean,
I was hoping to read upon your thoughts on Mardingtop bags. Seems very poular and good value for money if I were to rely on the Youtube videos. The materials they use varry from Polyster 600D to Cordura 900D which has certain advantages over Nylon. However my problem with the reviews are that no one seems to anaylyze beypond practicalit and material. I want to know if the stitching is good, do the reinforce straps connected to the bag by cross stitching or other, are the zippers double sticthced etc. I cant see any info on this. What I really want to know is will the bag last months in the outback and will it do so for years like a Tazmanian Tiger or Snigle of Sweden, which build military grade tactical backpacks. I am not expecting to get a back like the Mardingtop 75L for 100 bucks and hope it will compare to the aforementioned but if it will do70% of that at 25% of the price I am a happy camper ;) Looking forward to your comments. Thanks in advance for any thoughts your willing to share!