Picking the Right Gear: Military Backpacks
- West
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
If boots keep you moving, and your sleep system keeps you rested, then your backpack is what ties it all together. It’s not just a sack for gear – it’s your logistical backbone, your mobile base of operations. Every piece of kit you need to sustain yourself in the field for 24, 48, or even 72 hours is riding on your back.
In milsim, the wrong pack will punish you: sore shoulders, raw hips, ruined posture, and worst of all – an overloaded player who burns out before the mission is halfway through. The right pack, on the other hand, feels like part of your body: balanced, secure, and efficient.
This guide dives deep into the essentials: pack sizes, ergonomics, frames, modularity, packing techniques, and common mistakes to avoid.
Why Military Backpacks Matter in Milsim
Military packs aren’t built for comfort alone – they’re designed to endure. Unlike a hiking pack, which prioritizes weight savings and ergonomics, a military rucksack must:
Survive crawling, dragging, mud, and rain.
Keep your kit organized and accessible under stress.
Carry unusually heavy loads: ammo, radios, batteries, hydration, plus sleep gear.
Fit into tactical scenarios: low silhouette, modular, camouflaged.
Still let you move, sprint, and fight without becoming a burden.
In milsim, this matters even more. While realism is important, practicality rules. If your pack makes you miserable, you won’t be thinking about immersion – you’ll be thinking about going home. However, for those of you going all in on immersion and choosing the exact gear issued to the unit you are portraying, I salute you. One should not underestimate the experience of wearing the same equipment a real unit is using, as well as the realistic feeling it provides, but don´t go home- embrace the suck!
Backpack Sizes and Their Roles
Assault Packs (15–30L)
Use: Short missions, skirmishes, or as a detachable secondary bag- This is super legit for multiday milsims.
Carries: Hydration, food, ammo, medkit, rain gear.
Pros: Light, agile, doesn’t snag in CQB.
Cons: Useless for overnight unless paired with a bigger ruck.
Patrol Packs (30–50L)
Use: The sweet spot for most milsim ops (24–48h).
Carries: Sleep system (bivy + bag + pad), food for 1–2 days, spare clothes, mission gear.
Pros: Perfect balance of size, weight, and versatility.
Cons: Can feel tight if you try to pack luxury items, also lacks the versatility to store the entire pack at the PB without having to leave necessary items behind.
Rucksacks (50–70L)
Use: Extended ops (2–4 days) where you need to carry full resupply.
Carries: Larger sleep systems, extra rations, radios, spare uniform layers.
Pros: Still manageable size if packed wisely.
Cons: Heavy when full – must discipline your packing. Larger hit surface.
The Problem with “Monster Rucks” (70–100L)
Packs over 70L have their place in the real military – long deployments, carrying specialist kit, or operating unsupported for a week or more. But in milsim, these rarely make sense.
Here’s why:
Risk of overpacking: The bigger the bag, the more you’ll stuff into it – and most of it won’t be used.
Unnecessary for 3–4 day events: Even with food, water, and sleep systems, you shouldn’t need more than 50–60L. If you think you do, you’re bringing too much.
Mobility killer: Over 25kg on your back destroys endurance, slows down patrols, and ruins immersion.
Rule of thumb: If you need more than 70L for a milsim, you’re carrying the wrong gear – not too little of it.
Pro tip: Try to avoid attaching your pack directly to your plate carrier or load-bearing system. It can be tempting since it creates a smaller profile, a tighter fit, and even reduces weight if you remove the shoulder straps. However, the downside is that you’ll always need a buddy to access anything in the pack—which often leads to you not accessing it at all, and then questioning why you brought it in the first place. It can also negatively affect the fit of your larger pack if you’re carrying a smaller one underneath. What might feel fine during the first 15 minutes of rucking will, after an hour, definitely start working against you.
Frames and Load Distribution
Backpack frames are what make carrying heavy loads survivable.
External frame packs
Metal/composite frame outside bag.
Excellent for very heavy, awkward loads.
Great ventilation, but bulky and noisy.
Example: USGI ALICE Pack w/frame.
Internal frame packs
Hidden support rods/panels inside.
Keeps weight close to body → better balance.
Slim profile, better for patrolling, but less airflow.
Example: Mystery Ranch, Karrimor SF Sabre.
Fit and Ergonomics
Hip belt = carries 60–70% of weight.
Shoulder straps = stabilize, not carry load.
Sternum strap = keeps pack tight without choking.
Adjust on the move. Micro-adjusting prevents hotspots and numbness. You can beneficially switch the load carriage between your hips and shoulders during long movements, giving each part a chance to rest along the way. Getting your pack to fit right is critical for long movements and staying effective in the field.
Torso length matters – Your overall height isn’t as important as the length of your torso. A pack that matches this measurement will ride correctly and transfer weight where it should.
Hip belt placement – Most of the load should sit on your hips, not your shoulders. The belt should wrap snugly over the top of your hip bones so it carries weight without cutting in.
Shoulder straps – These should sit comfortably against your body without digging in. They help stabilize the pack but shouldn’t be carrying the bulk of the weight.
Load lifters – The small straps at the top of your shoulders should be adjusted at about a 45° angle. They keep the pack tight to your body and prevent it from leaning back.
Sternum strap – Adjust this so it holds the shoulder straps in place without restricting breathing or weapon handling.
Fine-tuning on the move – Expect to adjust your straps during long movements. Rotate the load between hips and shoulders to give each a break, and tweak tension if hot spots or pressure points start to build up.
Modularity and Features
Military backpacks are designed to adapt. Look for:
MOLLE/PALS webbing – expand with pouches.
Compression straps – reduce bounce, keep load tight.
Compartments – main bag for bulk, side pouches for essentials.
Hydration bladder sleeve – crucial for long marches.
Material – 500D Cordura for weight savings, 1000D for indestructible rucks.
Rain cover – most packs are water-resistant, not waterproof.
Pro tip: Additional features should be considered based on your gear, weapon system, MOS, or other personal needs. Examples include a beavertail for carrying helmets or a spare weapon, a conveniently placed water canteen pouch that can be accessed and stowed away during movement without removing the pack, and loops or webbing for radio antennas, among other options.
Packing Strategy
How you pack matters as much as what you pack.
Bottom: Sleeping bag, spare clothing (light, bulky).
Middle (close to spine): Heavy items – water, batteries, ammo.
Top: Rain gear, rations, mission-specific kit.
Side/outer pouches: Items you need fast – medical kit, tools, maps.
MOLLE attachments: Radios, grenades, specialty pouches.
Golden rule: Heavy & close to spine = stable center of gravity.
Pro tip: Pack your gear the same way every time—you should be able to find everything without needing to see it.
If you’re using a two-pack system (one large ruck to be stored at the PB and a smaller daypack to stay operational for 12 hours), make sure your daypack is packed with all the essentials you need at the ready. This will speed up the transition from rucking to being mission-ready.
Recommended Packs
Budget/Surplus
USGI ALICE Pack: Classic, rugged, cheap surplus. Heavy but modular.
British Army Bergen: Huge, cheap surplus – cut down to 60L and it shines.
Swedish LK35: Steel-frame old-schooler, bombproof and affordable.
Mid-Range
5.11 Rush 72 (55L): Tactical, extremely organized, good for 2–3 days.
Tasmanian Tiger Mission Pack (37L): Robust patrol pack, modular, reliable.
Helikon-Tex Ratel Mk2 (25L): Solid assault/day pack for budget players.
High-End
Mystery Ranch (3DAP, Overload, NICE frame): Gold standard for comfort + durability.
Karrimor SF Sabre 45 / Predator 80–130: UK-made, military-proven, modular.
Eberlestock F1 Mainframe System/ EMOD System: Modular system for heavy loads + flexibility.
My personal favorite so far has to be the Eberlestock Mission EMOD system. It’s a brilliantly designed pack that feels both practical and versatile. Super flexible with plenty of options, and it can haul an impressive load for such a compact size. What really stands out is how well it’s thought through for wearing over plate carriers and for carrying extra weapon systems—clearly built with real use in mind. It’s available in Multicam and Coyote.
What’s so cool about this system is that you buy each part of the pack individually, which means you can tailor it to the situation—scaling up or down as needed. Even better, Eberlestock is planning to release more add-ons and pack options for the system. That means if I need to expand my setup, I only have to pick up the extra part I want, while still being able to use the same frame and accessories.
A 60L version of the backpack is expected to launch sometime in 2026, which makes the whole system even more exciting.
Field Tips
Break it in before an event. Don’t discover hot spots 6h into a patrol.
Dry bags inside. Waterproofing isn’t optional.
Discipline your packing. If it’s “nice to have” but not critical – leave it.
Redistribute load as supplies go down. Keep balance consistent.
Practice packing blind. In milsim, you often unpack in total darkness.
Final Thoughts
A military backpack is your mobile HQ. It’s not just carrying your kit – it determines how long you can fight, march, and stay effective.
The truth? For milsim, you rarely need more than 50–60L. Anything bigger invites overpacking and unnecessary suffering. Even on 3–4 day events, smart gear choices and disciplined packing keep you lean, mobile, and combat-effective.
Choose the right size for the mission, learn to pack properly, and don’t be seduced by “more liters = better.” Remember: the lighter your pack, the longer you’ll last.