Hey everyone!
I need help finding a backpack that checks a lot of boxes — personal daily carry + travel friendly. Here’s what I’m after:
Must-haves:
• 25–30L capacity
• Tactical/military look (or another non-bland style — something that looks nice)
• Front pocket for quick access to small items (passport, medicine, AirPods, pens, etc.) — ideally not a “black hole” pocket (so something that opens wide, not just a shallow horizontal slit — think inverted “U”, so you can actually see and access everything in it)
• Side pockets for umbrella/water bottle
• MOST IMPORTANT: a dedicated laptop compartment — meaning:
• The laptop has its own space completely separate from the main storage area
• You can access the laptop even if the bag is fully packed
• Top access only (no side zippers pls)
For reference, I like the look of this one → https://www.saintjavelin.com/products/edc-mission-backpack?srsltid=AfmBOopOYjryKBipGVwbCZIzqNZ4Yhpt_ARtOCp1LyBq0qJ-VvmpV6XF … but its laptop compartment is internal and not truly separate, so it doesn’t work for me.
Any recommendations that fit these requirements?
Thanks in advance!
GoRuck GR1 at 26L
5.11 Rush 24 can do all of that. You can use the rear water bladder pocket for a computer easily,I just slid some foam in it at the bottom.
They are great well made bags and pretty discounted right now too.
Do you mean the rush 12? The rush 24 is 37l, the rush 12 is 24l.
No I mean the 24 which is slightly larger than you list but a lot more feature filled too!
I have very similar requirements to you. I’ve been eyeing the First Tactical Tactix, currently have the Rush 24.
Cabinzero military backpack 28L
recently acquired the Mystery Ranch Blitz 30 and loving it.
Tomtoc T71 has fully separate laptop compartment, and everything you need, except the front pockets are slit. 😭 I have the 24L and it's great, they have a 28L version, IIRC.
https://www.tomtoc.com/products/navigator-t71-laptop-backpack-m?srsltid=AfmBOoobJcjTDRQ24ODcspqIxK1vmDGC0jOot0_OXGaCPQ1BYVuP1e5m
black ember forge
WOLFpak 35L
One good option is the Savotta Kahakka 25 https://www.savotta.fi/products/kahakka-25l
Varusteleka sells and ships to the US, if needed.
Goruck GR1 26L meets nearly all your requirements. Some owners add modular water bottle pockets etc via the molle on the sides.
Vanquest Trident! https://store.vanquest.com/products/trident-32-gen-3-backpack/
Recently picked up a MR Blitz 30 and am loving it. The organization is just enough and not too much.
Camelbak Quantico I'm Multicam black
Savotta Kahakka 25
Aer City Pack Pro in Green I think looks good and might be JUST tactical enough but it would certainly be at the very minimum of that requirement.
Check this out though:
Onebag - Google Sheets
You can filter for tactical aesthetic, and external laptop access in columns E and AA.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small (28L).
It's small enough to be a personal item.