Backpacks
These military backpacks range from a G.I. type large ALICE pack with frame to a vintage canvas daypack you could take to class. All are made by Rothco and sorted into three groups so you can find the right style quickly.
- Tactical packs — MOLLE II 3-day assault packs, medium and large transport packs, 25L and 45L tactical backpacks, ALICE packs and frames, plus LC-1 suspenders and kidney pads.
- Lifestyle packs — canvas outdoorsman and European style rucksacks, vintage canvas backpacks with leather accents, an MA-1 bomber backpack and a waterproof Waveguard pack.
- Concealed carry packs — bags with a separate carry pocket, including Thin Blue Line and Thin Red Line versions.
Tactical models carry MOLLE webbing so you can add pouches or a med kit. Canvas packs keep the look of older surplus gear and wear in over time. Colors include black, coyote, olive drab, woodland camo, midnight camo and more.
Pick by mission: a single day out, a weekend in the field, a deployment carry-on or a daily commute each point to a different size and layout. Our buying guide below the products walks through capacity, frames and fit.
A note for service members: under DA PAM 670-1, a backpack carried in uniform goes over one shoulder or both, and must be black or match a color of the authorized camouflage pattern. These are commercial packs, not issue rucksacks, so check unit policy before carrying one on duty.
How to Choose Military Backpacks
Three questions narrow the field fast: how much you carry, how long you carry it, and whether you need to attach extra gear to the outside.
Capacity: Day, Three-Day or Expedition
A day load (water, a jacket, snacks, a first aid kit) fits a small assault pack or canvas daypack. Three-day assault packs and the 45L tactical backpack hold a sleep layer, rations and spare clothing for a weekend. Large ALICE packs and large transport packs are built for heavier loads over longer distances. If you are between sizes, remember that an overstuffed small pack carries worse than a half-full larger one with its compression straps cinched down.
Framed vs. Frameless Backpacks
A frame moves weight onto your hips and keeps the load off your spine. The G.I. type large and enhanced ALICE packs come with a frame, and you can buy the ALICE pack frame, shoulder straps and kidney pad separately to rebuild or upgrade an older pack. Frameless packs are lighter and easier to stow on a plane or in a vehicle, and they are the better choice for loads you can comfortably carry on your shoulders.
Tactical or Lifestyle?
Choose tactical packs when you want MOLLE attachment points, multiple compartments and hydration compatibility. Choose lifestyle packs for canvas, leather trim and a lower-key look on campus or at the office. Choose a concealed carry pack when keeping your carry setup in its own compartment matters most.
Fitting a Military Backpack
Load the heaviest items close to your back and centered between the shoulder blades. Adjust the shoulder straps so the pack rides high without the straps lifting off your shoulders, then snug the sternum strap and any waist belt. With an ALICE frame, the kidney pad should sit on the small of your back, not on your belt line. Walk a mile around the block with your real load before a long trip and adjust again. Small changes to strap length make a large difference over a full day.
Military Backpacks and Uniform Rules
Army Backpack Rules Under AR 670-1
DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 20-2b, permits carrying bags by hand, on one shoulder with the strap, or over both shoulders with both straps, and prohibits draping a shoulder bag diagonally across the body. With the ACU and Class B uniforms the bag must be black or match a color of the authorized camouflage pattern, and paragraph 4-7i limits carrying them with the combat uniform to garrison. AR 670-1 also bars commercial logos on shoulder bags and lets commanders prescribe organizational issue rucksacks in garrison and the field. A plain black or coyote pack is the usual choice; a woodland or midnight camo backpack is for off-duty use.
Hydration Systems
Under DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 4-7j, commanders may authorize a camouflage, black or matching solid color hydration system in a field environment, in high-heat areas or on work details, but not in garrison unless authorized for one of those situations. The Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps and Navy each have their own regulations, and local policy can always be stricter.