The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Backpack: Civilian vs. Military Use
Backpacking is more than a hobby; it's a journey through nature, a military mission, or a survival challenge. The backpack you choose is your most faithful companion on this journey. In this guide, we’ll explore how to select the right backpack for your needs, whether you're a civilian enthusiast or a military professional.
Backpack Types and Their Uses
Day Packs (30-50L)
Civilian Use: Day packs are the quintessential choice for short, leisurely hikes or urban adventures. These packs are ideal for carrying essentials like water, snacks, a light jacket, and a basic first-aid kit. They're favored by travelers for day-long city tours, students for their daily commute, and hikers for short nature trails.
Military Use: In a military context, day packs serve as an essential piece of gear for short reconnaissance missions or patrol duties. They're designed to carry tactical essentials like communication devices, ammunition, a hydration system, and emergency medical supplies. The compact size allows for quick mobility and unobtrusiveness in tactical environments. In the military this can also be loosely attributed to the fighting load as you would never want to exceed this size when combat is expected
Fighting Load
Context: The fighting load is the most basic load carried by soldiers, designed for immediate action and survival in combat. It includes essential tactical equipment.
A soldier's fighting load would comprise body armor, a tactical assault panel, basic ammunition, a small amount of water, and minimal survival gear. The weight typically ranges between 62.43 and 81.38 pounds.
Usage: Ideal for short missions where mobility and rapid response are crucial.
Top Picks for Civilian Day Packs
Osprey Daylite Plus: Blends urban and wilderness styles, offering functional simplicity.
Deuter Speed Lite 20: Lightweight and ideal for short day hikes.
Gregory Miwok 18: Known for comfort and agility, great for day hikes.
Top Picks for Military Day Packs
Eberlestock Little Trick Daypack: This 32-liter pack is perfect for day hikes and everyday carry. It features a comfortable suspension system, plenty of pockets for organization, and a durable construction.
Mystery Ranch Scree: This 34-liter pack is great for both day hikes and overnight trips. It's comfortable to carry, even with a heavy load, and has plenty of features to keep you organized.
5.11 Tactical Rush 24: This 24-liter pack is designed for everyday carry and tactical use. It's durable, versatile, and has plenty of compartments to keep your gear organized.
COMPARE WITH Assault Pack:
Liters: 35-45L (depends on configuration)
Cubic Inches: 2000-2700 cu in
Multi-Day Packs (50-70L)
Civilian Use: For the civilian adventurer, a multi-day pack is perfect for weekend camping trips or multi-day hiking excursions. These backpacks have ample space for a tent, sleeping bag, extra clothing, food supplies, and cooking gear. They are designed for comfort on longer treks, with features like padded shoulder straps and hip belts that distribute weight evenly.
Military Use: For military personnel, multi-day packs are crucial for extended field operations. These packs need to accommodate several days' worth of rations, additional ammunition, larger water reservoirs, extra clothing, and sometimes even specialized equipment like night vision goggles. The focus is on durability and modularity to adapt to various mission requirements. The doctrinal term for this would typically be your “Approach March Load” “Approach Load”
Approach March Load
Context: This load includes the fighting load plus additional gear for sustained operations. It's a balance between being combat-ready and self-sufficient for a longer duration.
It would include everything in the fighting load, plus extra ammunition, more water, rations (like MREs), and potentially a compact sleeping system. The recommended weight is about 33 kg (72.75 pounds), which is 45% of an average soldier's body weight.
Usage: Suitable for longer missions where resupply isn't immediate but mobility is still a priority.
Top Picks for Civilian Multi-Day Packs
Osprey Aether 65: Heavy-duty and perfect for significant loads over multiple days.
Gregory Baltoro 65: Offers excellent comfort and load management for longer treks.
Arc'teryx Bora AR 50: Combines durability and ergonomics, suitable for multi-day excursions.
Top Picks for Military Multi-Day Packs
GoRuck GR2: This 50-liter pack is built for heavy loads and long distances. It's comfortable to carry, even with a lot of gear, and has a durable construction that can withstand anything you throw at it.
Kelty Redwing 50: This 50-liter pack is a great all-around option for backpacking and camping. It's comfortable, affordable, and has plenty of features to keep you organized.
Mystery Ranch Terraframe 50: This 50-liter pack is designed for backpacking and features a comfortable suspension system, durable construction, and plenty of space for your gear.
COMPARE WITH Medium Rucksack:
Liters: 50L
Cubic Inches: 3000 cu in
Extended Trip Packs (70+L)
Civilian Use: Extended trip packs are tailored for those long sojourns into the wilderness. Think long-distance trekking, mountaineering, or extended camping trips. These backpacks can hold substantial gear required for surviving several weeks in the wild, including larger tents, cooking stations, extra clothing for varying weather conditions, and necessary survival gear.
Military Use: In military operations, these packs are akin to mobile supply bases. They are used in long-duration missions, often in remote locations, where resupply isn't frequent. They must carry everything from sleeping systems, extended rations, multiple sets of uniforms, to heavier and larger equipment. Comfort and load distribution are critical, given the weight and the duration these packs are carried. The doctrinal phrase for this would be the “Emergency Approach March Load” or “Existence Load”
Emergency Approach March Load
Context: This is the heaviest load and includes everything a soldier needs to survive and operate for an extended period without resupply.
In Backpacks: This load would encompass the approach march load plus additional survival gear, a more extensive sleeping system, extra clothing, and specialized equipment for the mission. Weights range between 127.35 and 147.82 pounds.
Usage: Used in situations where soldiers must be fully self-contained for extended periods, often in remote or challenging environments.
Top Picks for Civilian Extended Trip Packs
Osprey Xenith 88: Ideal for extended trips, offering ample space and comfort.
The North Face Fovero 85: High-capacity and robust, tailored for extended backcountry trips.
Top Picks for Military Extended Trip Packs
Eberlestock Skyrane Cruiser II: This 80-liter pack is perfect for long backpacking trips or hauling heavy loads. It's comfortable to carry, even with a lot of gear, and has a durable construction that can withstand anything you throw at it.
Mystery Ranch Metcalf: This 77-liter pack is designed for long backpacking trips and features a comfortable suspension system, durable construction, and plenty of space for your gear.
Eberlestock G4 Operator: This 77- liter pack is designed for long trips and has a 600 Cubic Inch Scabbard meant to hold your rifle or add additional space to your pack.
COMPARE WITH Medium Rucksack:
Large version:
Liters: 64L
Cubic Inches: 4000 cu in (without sustainment pouches)
Can add 500 cu in per optional sustainment pouch.
Backpacking Essentials Chart
Civilian Backpacking Essentials
| Pack Size | Essentials |
|---|---|
| Day Packs (30-50L) |
|
| Multi-Day Packs (50-70L) |
|
| Extended Trip Packs (70+L) |
|
Military Backpacking Essentials
| Pack Size | Essentials | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Packs (30-50L) |
|
||
| Multi-Day Packs (50-70L) |
Extended Trip Packs (70+L) |
| Expectation Differences Between Civilian and Military BackpacksDesign Philosophy: Civilian backpacks focus on comfort, user-friendliness, and versatility. They often come with various compartments for easy access and organization. Military packs, on the other hand, are built with tactical efficiency and rugged durability in mind. They often feature modular designs with MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) systems for customization. Material and Durability: While both civilian and military backpacks prioritize durability, military packs are generally constructed with more robust materials to withstand harsher conditions and rough handling. They often use high-strength, water-resistant fabrics. Comfort and Ergonomics: Civilian backpacks tend to emphasize comfort and ergonomics, with features like ventilation systems and adjustable straps. Military backpacks, while also designed for comfort during long carries, prioritize tactical functionality. Aesthetics and Camouflage: Civilian backpacks come in various colors and designs to suit personal preferences. Military packs often use camouflage patterns or muted colors suitable for blending into different environments. So what can it really fitThink of a 30-50L pack as your loyal day-trip companion. Picture a comfortable stroll through sun-dappled woods, a light lunch shared with laughter, and the satisfying ache of muscles exercised. This trusty friend shoulders your hydration, a packed lunch for two, a rain jacket for sudden squalls, your trusty camera to capture fleeting moments, and maybe a light fleece for chilly evenings. It's a minimalist marvel, keeping you fueled and prepared for a full day's exploration. Stepping up to the 50-70L pack unlocks weekend warrior adventures. Imagine a cozy two-person tent nestled beneath a star-studded sky, the crackle of a campfire warming your soul, and the comfort of a sleeping bag as night descends. This pack carries the weight of dreams: a compact stove and cookware for hot meals shared under the Milky Way, enough clothes for 2-3 days of exploration, and rain gear to weather any squall. It's your gateway to weekend escapes, where nature becomes your playground and comfort is never far away. For those who crave longer horizons, the 70+L pack is your epic-journey enabler. Picture a spacious three-person tent, a culinary symphony orchestrated by a larger stove and diverse cookware, a warm winter sleeping bag cradling you on an inflatable mattress, and enough clothes to weather a week-long trek through diverse landscapes. This beast hauls dreams in bulk: hiking boots tucked away for mountain ascents, a camp chair for stargazing sessions, and even the luxury of extra space for personal indulgences. It's the partner for journeys that etch themselves onto your soul, where self-sufficiency reigns and every sunrise ignites new wonder. Whether you're a day-tripper, a weekend wanderer, or a long-distance dreamer, your ideal pack awaits. Choose wisely, pack efficiently, and let the adventure begin! Previous
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