Best Bushcraft Backpack Reviews — Our Top Picks!
Looking for a bushcraft backpack can be a daunting task. You don’t want to get ripped off or end up with a crappy pack, but how do you know which really is the best?
There are hundreds on the market and most are cheaply made, mass produced and end up coming apart much too quickly.
I’ve spent the past week researching everything there is to know about these packs. I prioritized durability, quality, and cost and found six that really stood out from the rest.
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If you want the best one that’s currently for sale, one of these will probably be the best for you to go for…
Best Bushcraft Packs Comparison
The below links will bring you to Amazon:
- Eberlestock Operator Pack
- Gootium 21101 High Density Thick Canvas Rucksack — Best budget pack AND the most Lightweight / Ultralight
- OneTigris 50L MOLLE Military Bushcraft EDC Survival Rucksack
- HELIKON-TEX Bushcraft Line, Bushcraft Satchel — Top daypack
- Personal Get Home Bag – Cayote Tan by J5 Tactical [Cheapest / inexpensive]
- Tactical Military MOLLE Backpack Bundle By MonkeyPaks — Top Heavy Duty
Bushcraft Backpacks Reviews
It’s hard to say which is the best bushcraft bag for sale on the market at the moment. But, there are a few real gems which all standout in their own right.
I’ve picked six of the top packs available on the market to review and each I love for different reasons.
I really couldn’t pick a favorite out of these six they’re all wicked.
However, there were two brands that stood out in their attention to detail and belief in what they made, Eberlestock and MonkeyPaks. If you want the best of the best you won’t go wrong with these.
1. Eberlestock Operator Pack
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This is pretty badass. Elite special forces sniper squads use this exact rucksack and you can really tell why it’s perfect for if you’re carrying more than one weapon.
Eberlestock is a really well-known brand that supplies extremely high-end bushcraft bags.
What I liked about it
- It’s so easy to carry heavy loads with this it’s ridiculous. This is all down to the Intex II tubular aluminum frame that’s built into the pack and the difference that makes really is insane. If you want to make your load feel lighter this is definitely the one to go for.
- It has a scabbard pouch to clip a long gun into but this can also be folded away when not in use, which is cool.
- Great Multicam style to keep you hidden in nature.
- Removable fanny top bag to keep important documents in.
- Two different compartments inside to keep your stuff organized. A cool feature it has is that these can be reduced down to form one big compartment if you’ve got a bit of bulky gear you need to carry around.
Who’s it for?
This exact pack has been used in special operations around the world by elite sniper squads. If it’s good enough for our troops in wars overseas you can bet it’s going to be good enough for whatever job you might need it for.
Perfect for if you’re carrying multiple weapons.
Some other sweet specs
- Multiple pockets on the outside which are good for keeping stuff you need quick easy access to.
- Large hydration compartment to store a water bladder in, although I often use this for other stuff and just bring a bottle with me.
- It has a pullout rain cover that covers the entire pack, keeping your gear and weapons dry and safe from malfunction.
- Great size to weight ratio. Weighs just over 10 pounds, which is super lightweight especially when considering the inbuilt frame and the overall size of this pack.
This is by far the most expensive on my list costing almost just under $500 (at the time we reviewed the product), but with the inbuilt frame and the sexy design if you can afford it this is a damn beautiful bag.
2. Gootium 21101 High Density Thick Canvas Rucksack — Best budget pack AND the most Lightweight / Ultralight
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Gootium is another top supplier of bushcraft bags. They specialize in the cheaper end of the market and this pack is only $40 (at the time we reviewed this product.)
It’s natural to be wary of a price like that, but this really does not disappoint. The craftsmanship that has gone into this is top quality and evident in every aspect of its design.
It has an army green camouflage look and is made out of a high density, thick canvas that won’t tear easily.
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What I liked about it
- Made out of 100% cotton this rucksack has been obviously been designed for durability. The material is very thick and doesn’t look like it will wear away easily.
- Has a vintage look but still stays soft to the touch which is nice.
- 33 Liter capacity means there’s enough room to store all your stuff.
- Has a big front pocket with button close as well as a couple pockets on the outside making it easy to keep your gear organized.
- Inside zipper pocket to keep important documents tucked away in.
- Shoulder straps are very well padded and adjustable, which makes it very comfortable to wear. One thing to bear in mind is this doesn’t have waist straps so will be uncomfortable with very heavy loads.
Who’s it for?
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to get something that’ll last then this is a good option.
It’s incredibly lightweight and won’t handle large loads as well, but if you don’t need to carry too much this is pretty ideal.
Some other sweet features
- There is a handle on the top so you can carry it with one hand or hang it up to be stored easily.
- There is webbing which can be handy to attach extra bits too.
- The buckles that are used to close the flaps seem high quality and secure. It also has a drawstring which can be tightened and tied so you know nothing will fall out.
- Stitching is clean and well done throughout. Doesn’t look like it will come undone as happens with some poorly made packs.
- Super lightweight at just over 2 pounds.
3. OneTigris 50L MOLLE Military Bushcraft EDC Survival Rucksack
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This is another one of the leading packs for sale on the market at the moment.
I love that it’s compatible with the MOLLE system. This is a system used by the military which allows you to easily attach extra pouches to your pack. If you need a bit more space this is a damn handy feature to have.
What I liked about it
- MOLLE webbing is on the front and sides so there are loads of places you can add more pouches or compression straps too. This is wicked because it means you’ll never have to leave behind extra kit because of space issues.
- This is made to be comfortable. It has a very well padded waist strap which helps take some of the weight off your shoulders. The back panel is also extremely soft and well constructed.
- A modular expansion pack comes with it that you can attach to the MOLLE webbing or carry separately on a belt, great for keeping any little bits you use often in.
- It’s already a decent 50 liters and they still give you more space, really cool.
Who’s it for?
If you’re looking for an adaptable pack for some outdoor adventures this is a good one to go for.
It’s less than a hundred bucks and still has all the features you want.
Comfortable to wear distributes the weight nicely and I just love how you can expand the size by using the MOLLE webbing.
Some other sweet features
- There are multiple pockets and sleeves on the inside to keep your gear well organized and it also has a compartment for a hydration bladder.
- Made out of 1000D nylon which is known for being a strong material.this is built for ruggedness.
4. HELIKON-TEX Bushcraft Line, Bushcraft Satchel — Top daypack
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Now I’ll be honest with you, normally I’m not really a fan of satchel bags. Most I’ve tried aren’t very comfortable to wear and in the past, I’ve said to people I’d never use one again.
But I’m more than happy to admit when I was wrong, and with this beast I most certainly was wrong.
I’m so surprised at how comfy this is to carry and I can only put that down to the strap being so wide.
It’s also a really decent size and makes use of the MOLLE system so you’re able to attach extra pouches to it really easily.
What I liked about it
- It’s covered in MOLLE webbing! I do go a bit crazy for MOLLE compatible gear but there’s a reason for it, it’s just so handy.
- Loads of cool pockets. It’s got an inner and an outer meshed zipper pocket for anything you want extra safety.
- What’s really sweet though is the two pockets on the inside that fit water bottles in them perfectly. I haven’t seen this in any other bags and it really helps to distribute the weight nicely.
- It also has sheathed on the inside to fit any sharp tools in without ripping anything, perfect for knives or axes.
Who’s it for?
This is perfect for the woodsman, day trekkers or anyone who needs a daypack for out in the wild.
It’s a really nice price being only 66 bucks, but more than that this is undoubtedly the best satchel bag I’ve ever seen. You really won’t be let down with this one.
I didn’t think I’d ever say this about a satchel, but this is hands down the top daypack on my list, I’m very impressed by it.
Some other sweet features
- Compression straps make it easy to keep bulkiness to a minimum.
- Made 100% out of Cordura 500D, another very durable material.
- There are loads of different army color styles to choose from. I really like the olive green one, but that’s just personal preference.
5. Personal Get Home Bag – Cayote Tan by J5 Tactical [Cheapest / inexpensive]
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This weighs just 3 pounds and only cost 30 dollars.
It’s by far the and cheapest pack on my list and is incredibly lightweight.
It’s not quite as big as some of the others and doesn’t have as many extra pockets but is still a great little emergency pack if you want something light and cheap.
What I liked about it
- Of course the price!
- 30 Liter capacity, so while it’s not huge, it still has enough room for the essentials.
- Also has MOLLE webbing so if you do need a little more space it’s easy to attach some extra pockets or pouches to the bag.
- The shoulder straps are adjustable and it also has chest and waist straps to help distribute the weight across your body. This makes it much easier to carry heavy loads without killing your shoulders.
Who’s it for?
If all you need is a simple pack in case of an emergency situation then this is great.
You can put all the essential kit in it and have it in your car or basement ready for if a disaster strikes.
It’s cheap and lightweight so you’ll be able to grab it and go in a seconds notice without being weighed down.
However, if you’re looking for a pack for multiple day missions and want your gear a bit more organized I’d suggest going for a more upmarket model (like the one below).
Some other sweet features
- Makes use of compression straps so you can reduce bulkiness and keep your profile low.
- Made out of 600D nylon, very lightweight and resistant material,
- I like the desert beige army design. It looks good without standing out.
6. Tactical Military MOLLE Backpack Bundle By MonkeyPaks — Top Heavy Duty
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I honestly don’t even begin to understand how this only 60 dollars.
Wait till I tell you about what it can do and what it comes with and you’ll understand why…
This really is a badass beast of a bag.
What I liked about it
- You get more than just a bag. As well as the pack itself it also comes with a 2.5-liter water bladder and three MOLLE attachments! That’s one of the reasons I don’t understand how this is so cheap, with most bags you’d have to buy these all these separately and that’s a bill that’s gonna add up.
- The capacity is already pretty huge but there’s also loads and loads of MOLLE webbing on this bad boy, so you really are sorted no matter what gear you need to carry.
- There’s one thing a company can do that’ll always make me believe in them. 100% no questions asked money back guarantee. It really does just show how much they believe in the quality of their product.
- As it’s designed for modules it makes it the ultimate customizable pack. It even has a removable fanny pack that can also be attached to the shoulder or used as a bag on its own.
- Has lots of inner zip pockets and even a built-in organizer to keep all your small stuff sorted.
- Both the side zip pockets are also detachable which is pretty cool.
Who’s it for?
This is for those that want a lot of space in a bag that won’t break.
It’s compatible with the MOLLE system, comes with loads of great freebies and is just a badass heavy duty bag at a bargain of a price.
For any survivalist or adventurer, this won’t let you down. It’s a bag that even Bear Grylls or Ray Mears would be happy to use.
Some other sweet features
- A cool little feature is in the big teeth zippers. They use paracord so that when opening and closing noise is kept to a minimum, great for when you’re trying to be stealthy.
- All the seams are reinforced to safeguard against splitting from being overpacked. Basically feel free to cram all your gear in.
- Another one made out of 600D nylon, known for its durability and lightweightness.
- Designed specifically to be durable, lightweight and efficient.
What does the best bushcraft rucksack / backpack look like?
There really isn’t a ‘best’ look for a bushcraft rucksack, it all comes down to personal preference and what you’re using it for.
One thing is certain, you want to blend into the environment easily.
You don’t want to stand out or have any bright colors.
So ask yourself, will you be using this in the forest, the desert or the city? Each use will have a different optimum color for camouflage.
I personally prefer dark green or brown colors as these blend into most situations nicely. Although black can be good too especially if you’re using it at night.
What type of frame does this style of pack have?
The frame will vary drastically depending on the specific pack you go for and is something you need to think about carefully.
Some packs have inbuilt frames that make it drastically easier to carry heavy loads. I’ve heard stories of guys in the military carrying 80 pounds of weight on their backs for 18 hours and this is only possible if you have the right frame.
Again work out how much weight you think you’ll be carrying and if a frame is needed. If you don’t have much stuff the weight of the frame itself will make it harder to carry, so this is something you need to think about. For most normal usage I would say a frame is unnecessary, but if you’re carrying big loads it’s the best thing you’ll ever have.