What brands of backpacks and duffel bags do you prefer for your go bags and why?
Posted by gwhh@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 69 comments
What brands of backpacks and duffel bags do you prefer for your go bags and why?
JSDavis82@reddit
I actually don't use a backpack or duffel bag as a "go bag". I use a Plate Carrier. Of course you can outfit it however you'd like, but i prioritize: arms, ammunition, medical, and water purification on mine. The way I see it, all of those things will provide all other necessities.
randynumbergenerator@reddit
So you're planning to loot or rob other people for food and supplies? Great plan.
JSDavis82@reddit
Well that's the most nefarious interpretation of what I said. The other options are hunt for food. Forage or trade for supplies (as the things I mentioned prioritizing will likely be currency). And -- in the event of the collapse of civilization -- yeah, some selfish people will realistically try to take supplies from me. In the defense of those supplies, either I'll no longer need mine, or they'll no longer need theirs.
jedtom@reddit
Try the Polish brand Helikon-Tex
sauravsolo@reddit
Quechua and Forclaz from Decathlon. Affordable, durable, and reliable backpacks that come with a 10 year warranty. No tacticool nonsense.
MOF1fan@reddit
Whatever grey mans me. Understated and overlooked. Blah colors & completely forgettable. Not huge and packed to the gills.
Derfel60@reddit
If you have a backpack then you may as well have the best one as any bacpack immediately negates your grey man. As does looking clean, healthy and well rested.
Subtotal9_guy@reddit
The grey man bag here would be a red and black duffel bag that the big gym gives out with a membership. It's bright but because everyone has one it doesn't stand out.
Infinite_Twist535@reddit
I’ve had good luck with Osprey packs for go bags.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
I usually just grab what is appropriately sized and on sale on Amazon. Brands these days don't amount to much, they're all made in the same six factories overseas. Just learn how to stich, sew, and repair fabrics, and there isn't much you won't be able to keep in good condition for years of abuse.
WardenWolf@reddit
No, there are major differences. And what you're often paying for is the design. It doesn't matter how well it's made if it's terribly designed. That's why I stick to specific brands like Mardingtop.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
A good reason to buy a made in USA product. They do cost more, but you get a better product.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
This assumes trust that the company is actually making things in the USA.
FTC Takes Action Against Lions Not Sheep and Owner for Slapping Bogus Made in USA Labels on Clothing Imported from China | Federal Trade Commission
FTC Scrutinizes Clothing Manufacturers for made in USA Claims
10 Brands That Were Sued Over Misleading “Made in USA” Claims
Made in USA Lawsuits Surge in 2025: FTC Enforcement and Class Actions Target False Labeling | Rain Intelligence Research
Honestly, I'd rather buy 2-3x the backpacks I need and repair as needed, rather than paying 2-3x as much for a single item likely made in the same factory as the imported stuff with a "MADE IN USA" label sewn to it once it got here to the states.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
I check for Berry Amendment compliance for Department of Defense (DoD) purchases. If a company meets the requirements for Berry, everything on the end product is made in the USA.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
Well, either way, the stuff is being made using an underpaid labor force. Underpaid prison labor, or overseas factories. I might as well save my money.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
That is a false dichotomy.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
You're welcome to live by whatever standards you want. If I'm going to get stuff made by cheap, underpaid labor, I'm going to pay cheap rates. Just because something is made by cheap labor in the US and you pay more, doesn't make it better. Just means you paid more for it.
Prestigious-Fig-5513@reddit
Yep. Nylon upholstery thread is what I use.
WardenWolf@reddit
Mardingtop. Great quality backpacks on a budget. And very well designed, too. Myself and a couple of my friends have experience with them. A friend uses one of their smaller bags for their heavy textbooks, and it has held up over a few years, even with pouches on the MOLLE (he keeps medical supplies). I use their 75L for my get home bag. Remember: it's better to have a too big backpack that's underfilled than a too small one. I'd rather have a 75L pack and ditch half of it if I don't need it for that incident than a smaller pack that may not hold enough depending on specific needs. And larger packs will have better padding and adjustment so will carry their weight better.
spoosejuice@reddit
A true backpacking bag like Osprey, not a “tactical” bag. I hear great things about Mystery Ranch and Eberlestock, but I don’t have experience with either.
randynumbergenerator@reddit
Yeah, to me the first two considerations are "can I huck this thing for miles?" and "how much will my back hate me?" A solid daypack with chest and waist straps is literally worth its weight.
Spiley_spile@reddit
Depends. Will the pack be sitting in a car or will you be wearing it while you travel on foot?
If it's a seat warmer, feel free to waste money on tacticool larping gear. Or be smart, and spend $150 or less on any old thing you can shove your stuff in for carry between your house and the car.
If traveling on foot, you'll want to get your torso sized, and get a pack that fits well. You'll want load lifters, sternum strap, and padded hipbelt. You'll also want a frame. (Internal frames are more common these days.) Not all packs are built to carry the same amount of weight. So you'll want to know how much weight? (Count how much the pack weighs, plus everything you put in it, including food, fuel, water, and gear.)
You'll want a pack that has a max load carrying capacity at least 5lbs more than what youll carry.
How much stuff are you going to put in it? You'll want a pack with enough volume capacity (This will be listed in cubic inches or liters.)
Most of the expensive tacticool packs are designed to be expensive seat warmers, in my humble opinion as a wilderness backpacker. No load lifters. No stated max weight carry capacity. Some don't have paded hip belts or sternum straps. Almost none list the pack's actual torso length.
For a scenario with an on foot possibility, aim for a pack designed for wilderness backpackers. If the pack is advertised as "Ultralight" it's usually not designed to carry heavy loads, and might be frameless.
South-Scallion5@reddit
i still have my school duffle bag from years ago
Cool-Sell-5310@reddit
I’ve had my Jansport for years. 🤷🏻♀️
Gskinny@reddit
511 tactical, lvc series
DaBrickershaw@reddit
I have a Vertx Gamut for my EDC when necessary
My evac bag is a 60L Uncharted Duffel with carrying straps. This prioritizes space and loading over carrying comfort as I expect it to be tossed in the car.
Additionally, I have 4-6 empty large canvas duffel from Stansport strategically placed. These are solid quality, super large, and only $35. This is the "15+ min to leave" plan.
Aurochbull@reddit
I have a GoRuck. They are stupid expensive but I got a massive promo for a pre-order of the limited USAF one with also veteran discount and first responder discount; damn thing was still like $220 after all that (if memory serves). That being said, it's the nicest pack I've ever owned. They are made to load up with weight plates to go "rucking", so they're massively overbuilt. I find that the main "weight compartment" is really nice to use as a laptop or tablet pocket since it's big enough and well-padded.
My daughter wanted a more tactical looking backpack than what she had, so I ordered her a 5.11. She ended up not liking it (only because she wanted something a little bigger), so I inherited it. Man, for the money, it's really nice. I think I paid like $50 bucks for it, so at that price, it is a better value than the GoRuck by a mile.
EarlGreyAllDay6969@reddit
I just use my hands
KingWaffle12345@reddit
Miltec. Cheap, reliable and they just feel great
Averiella@reddit
My old backpacking backpack that is tried and true and appropriately fitted to me to support heavy weight over very long distances. I got another one down the line so I can still backpack. My current backpacking one is an osprey and my old one for bugging out is REI branded.
Unlikely-Ad3659@reddit
Which ever cheap ones I found in the charity shop. The odds are if I ever have to use them they will only need to be carried to a vehicle, and if I ever have to walk a long way with them I will throw them on a cart or in a wheelbarrow.
I am not going to be hiking the Appalachian trail post SHTF, just getting out of Dodge.
The_Tz@reddit
Where I live Tasmanian Tiger backpacks are the go-to if you want more of a tactical style backpack. I personally have the Tasmanian Tiger Raid Pack MKIII.
Maleficent_Mix_8739@reddit
Rothco, hands down 100%
TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit
5.11 is a brand I need to get more of their packs. But currently?
Modified ALICE packs (Hellcat mod.) More storage than I'll ever need, and I'll probably break something before the pack does.
expostulation@reddit
5.11 Rush series is built really solid. Also the Karrimor SF range.
Miklay83@reddit
My everyday backpack is an Osprey. My get home bag is the sturdiest cheap Ozark Trail backpack I could find at Walmart. Not about to get looked at nor have my rear window busted out over a backpack. Nothing screams "I've got something of value inside" like an expensive pack. If I've got to abandon my car, I'm abandoning the Osprey as well.
buckfastbutter@reddit
Osprey is great! I bought a used one that looks kind of beat up, for if I need to walk far.
Lethalmouse1@reddit
The old Jansport is lock solid.
MOF1fan@reddit
Grey man classic
throwawaybsme@reddit
Yup. If I were a person of dubious morales, or just desperate, I would target the military larper in camp and molle gear instead of the dude that looks like they took their kid's backpack.
followupquestion@reddit
I don’t mean to be disagreeable but the person in camo is a bigger risk to a brigand or other nefarious person than someone with their kid’s backpack. Tactical Timmy is more likely to be concealed carrying, and that’s a bigger risk. It’s like two different drunks at a bar. One is quietly glaring at you and one is itching for a fight and just broke a bottle to make an improvised blade. I know people say “it’s always the quiet ones”, but no, the bigger threat is clearly the guy who is all but baring his teeth like an animal. Predators know to rate threats; that’s how they survive to their next meal.
Lethalmouse1@reddit
I mean, I used my HS black Jansport in the military. Worked quite nicely.
throwawaybsme@reddit
Yup
Fusiliers3025@reddit
For the money, a well-selected book bag/school pack has a lot going for it.
Padded shoulders, low profile, potential for organizing, and not overwhelming size.
Extra points for prepping with Hello Kitty. 😁
But seriously - there’s so much variety. If you want a hard inside shelf for the bottom, you can get one that way or easily shape your own (ammo boxes as the base of your bag might do better with this). Water resistant/proof floor. Small gear in small outer pockets. Water bottle pocket. Easy to rig further attachment points using paracord, MOLLE straps or ALICE clips, or simple cinch straps.
Lethalmouse1@reddit
Yeah, I mean a lot of people think in web belt, canteen and coming out of the mud wall like John Rambo.
But I'm like, 2 16 ounce water bottles stuff in that side pocket just fine.
greenarrow118@reddit
I e been looking at the Jansport odyssey as my new EDC bag. How well does this bag hold up?
Lethalmouse1@reddit
https://a.co/d/hyWnea7
Idk odyssey, I had this one in HS and used it in the mil, the zipper only works in one direction so I had changed it later to my gym back, but it is still fully functional basically.
I bought an exact replica and used it for security guard work for a bit and if I go anywhere needing a backpack.
The HS one had daily use for about 8 years before the one zipper got funky. Used to stuff it with heavy equipment and winter gear etc.
Was doing the gym bag thing a few days a week for a few years after that, but mostly workout at home after just due to schedule changes.
NoctysHiraeth@reddit
I second this, they are durable and inexpensive and will not stand out to people who aren't in prepper/backpack enthusiast cycles - they are not gonna be ideal for long hikes but for something lightweight that you just need to grab and go to make it to a safer location I think they're a great option - I have three, my first was a SuperBreak Plus but I also ended up getting a Big Student (largest capacity) and Right Pack (most rugged construction)
Lethalmouse1@reddit
I used Jansport for years in the military and the same backpack for hiking with my son's scouts.
I don't actually much worry about "gray man". The backpack is just tits.
NoctysHiraeth@reddit
I got a new backpack just about every year in high school but my friends with JanSport backpacks had the same ones all the way through graduation.
CandidArmavillain@reddit
For backpacks I like Mystery Ranch, Hill People Gear, Crossfire, VertX, Mountain Hardware, and Big Agnes.
For duffel bags I use army duffels
Silver-Firefighter35@reddit
For easy essentials, I like a Jansport because it’s non-descript.
Unicorn187@reddit
I have a couple MALICE packs made by Tactical Tailor because I got an incredible discount for a while. Yes, they are heavy because the fabric is 100d nylon instead of the lighter stuff used by most companies, but the tradeoff is strength, these won't tear nearly as easily as 500d or other lightweight material. I've added another bag below onto the frames for a sleeping bag compartment.
I also have the TT small pack, like an assault pack, for use as a day pack when I don't want or need to have a full on pack. Something like an overnight bag just in case something takes more than a few hours, or for emergencies, or when I plan on just being out overnight and want to be lighter.
I also like Osprey bags as they are comfortable and pretty well designed. I use one in my car as a get home bag/stuck on a mountain pass in a blizzard bag and I've carried it a few times to see how I like it.
Brilliant-Fun8529@reddit
Maxpedition has never let me down. I've carried them all over the planet and put millions of miles on them (land, sea, and air) without even a single zipper failure. Just my personal experiences.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Maxpedition makes some good stuff. I have 4 of their bags, and they are all well made.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
Spec Ops Brand. Made in the USA.
roberttheiii@reddit
I mean I buy a lot of weird bags for fun and daily use and then some of them fall into secondary uses like go bags. Patagonia. MEC. North Face.
Spiderpoopsoup@reddit
Man did I love my sandpaper of california 3 day elite before it was stolen from my car. I was stupid to leave it visible for an hour while I was parked downtown and I am going to buy at least two more for bug out bags.
FuckWit_1_Actual@reddit
For go bag it’s whatever anyone around is idk g which in my case so any of the high end hiking brands.
I like the cascade mountain tech duffel bags, they’ll be in costcos next year and I think the price was around $60 a bag.
JRHLowdown3@reddit
Let me guess, the theme of this thread will be like this- "go for a Dora the Explorer walmart pack cause you will magically be left alone wearing that. But if God forbid you have an actual pack that's designed for hard, outdoor use that "looks military" you will yeeted in nanoseconds.."
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Your comment has been removed for breaking our rules on civility and trolling. It's fine to express disagreement, but mockery and caricature are not the civil way to do it.
TastyMagic@reddit
Where I live, state agencies give employees Swiss Gear backpacks as laptop bags. As a result I can find them used for cheap and they are great quality and have a lot of pockets and organization.
Subtotal9_guy@reddit
I'll buy a good quality brand that's available on FB marketplace or Poshmark. The North Face or Timbuk2 tend to be available.
Emotional_Town_1500@reddit
I’ve been loving my mystery ranch 65, Carrys heavy weight well, i can have my sleep system, cook system, water purification and tactical kit contained in the bag without looking like a freak, just a happy hiker lol
Tinman5278@reddit
Whatever my local thrift shop has on their shelves when I go looking.
raMnEmetnemlEl@reddit
Europrepper here: I like Quechua(Decathlon’s own brand) because almost everyone has the same basic black in my country. Oh and it’s super cheap.
MmeLaRue@reddit
I suppose it depends on a) what, if any, vehicle you have, b) where you're bugging out from (and why), and c) how long you're going to need to rely on that bag. There are many, many variables.
If you have a car and all your supplies can be stored there on a regular basis, it's not going to matter much what kind of bag you have as long as it/they hold everything you need. If you're on a bike or on foot, you're probably looking at a backpack. In settings where you're not going to draw a lot of attention, a tactical backpack is fine BUT if you're in the city or somewhere with lots of people going about their day, you might want to "grey man" by using an ordinary, school- or college-style backpack.
DirectorBiggs@reddit
I prefer the ones I have whatever the fucking brand.
OP you either have too much money to burn or you're way over-thing basic readiness. It really doesn't matter wtf brand it is, if it fists and can slung or strapped to your back it's gtg.
Now if you're a hiker walking PCT or another long distance extreme use case then yes, look for the most rugged gear you can. I'd rather invest in the things I'm putting my bags than the bags themselves.
I've had the same go-bag for over 20 years and it's been thrown in my vehicle during wildfire evacuations, it's been to burning man a few times but 99% of it's life it's sat in my closet.
METALLIFE0917@reddit
I have both Yeti and Osprey and they are both incredibly strong and have great quality construction. My belief is that I will get a lifetime of use out of them both