5.11 Tactical has a well-known history of developing and producing a wide range of products from pants (their original and perhaps best known line) to shirts to boots, knives, lights and more. Something that all too often gets overlooked is their line of backpacks. For me, there are several features that a backpack has to have for me to consider it worth buying or using. It has to carry what I need it to in an organized and accessible fashion. It needs to be comfortable to wear for extended periods of time while fully loaded (this is something Uncle Sam’s issued pack never quite got right during my time in the service). Assuming it’s of sufficient size, it needs to be adaptable to the mission, i.e. go bag, day hiking, weekend camper, etc. In this case, I enjoyed field testing the AMP24 pack which his part of their AMP line.
Before we get into the AMP24 pack too far, let’s review the rest of the AMP line real quick. It includes the AMP72 and the AMP 12 – one larger than the AMP24 and the other smaller. I tend to think of the number designations as how many hours they are designed to support me through. The AMP72 would be a weekend / three day pack. The AMP12 a day hiker or trunk kept go bag. There are additional designators that clearly state volume capacity per bag. The AMP72 at 40 Liters (or 40L), the AMP24 at 32L and the AMP12 at 25L. I’m old enough that I still tend to think in terms of cubic inches when it comes to capacity, but these liter designations make it pretty easy.
As part of the AMP (All Missions System) line, there is also a plate carrier and multiple pouches referred to as gear sets. There is a Med Pouch Gear Set, Admin Gear Set, 2 Banger Gear Set (holds two AR type 30-round magazines plus has two pockets for carrying other essentials) and more. There are also two options for adding to the packs or plate carrier: a HEXGRID 9x9 Gear Set and a HEXGRID12x9 Gear Set. On the outside of the pack there is a large patch panel with hook-and-loop applied. To be able to mount pouches thereon, you need to put on one of the HEXGRID gear sets. I have the AMP24 for testing and it came with a HEXGRID 9x9 Gear Set applied. I also received a Med Pouch Gear Set for testing along with a Double Deploy Gear Set – which is essentially two pouches, each big enough to carry a 30-rd AR mag, but zippered on the side so you can use them as generic storage pouches as well. They apply directly to the hook-and-loop on the AMP24 so the HEXGRID is unnecessary for use. However, if you have other-manufacturer or surplus pouches that require a MOLLE mounting system of some sort, the HEXGRID needs to be mounted.
My usual field testing procedure is to set up the pack as I need it and then use it / wear it for a few weeks. Quite thankfully, like most packs today, the AMP24 has a strong carry handle on the top so I don’t have to sling it every time I’m going anywhere from my vehicle. While it’s a bit large to be used as my EDC bag, it’s far better to have more room than needed rather than not enough room to carry your kit. My typical EDC kit (in my pack) includes:
- A portfolio – you know, one of those fancy folding zipper shut things that holds a notepad, pens, business, cards, etc.
- A laptop computer & accessories (cords, mouse) OR my iPad with an attached keyboard and charging cord.
- Gerber Balance Multitool (left that in my EDC pack once going through security at Baltimore Washington International airport. Thankfully they let me ship it home to myself.)
- IFAC – basic pouch with gloves, tourniquet, hemostatic gauze and a pressure bandage.
- Couple of pens
- Couple of flashlights
- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, cotton swabs, toothpaste, razor)
- Couple USB drives
- ReadiMask (emergency filter mask for escaping smoky / contaminated environments)
- Couple extra packs of hemostatic gauze (separate from my IFAK for use on others)
- Bandaids (EasyAccess brand, makes one hand application easier)
- Travel tube of ibuprofen
All of that fit with ease in the AMP24 pack. I even had room for a change of clothes and some additional personal care items as necessary. With the pack fully loaded, it was comfortable to carry or wear and the narrow profile of it made it easier to move with. For those of you who have worn packs a lot through crowded areas, narrow doorways, etc., you know how often and how easy it is to bump into anything. The AMP24 has a very narrow front to back profile so if my shoulders clear a space, the pack will easily clear the same space. If I have to turn my body to fit, the pack isn’t as deep as most and will clear more easily than the others do.
Inside the pack, on the fold open large flap, are zippered mesh organization pockets that come in handy. Inside the main compartment are two side pockets perfect for carrying 1L size water bottles. At the top of that flap, on the outside, is a zippered compartment that is lined for carrying your eyewear and at the bottom is another compartment perfect for a large camera (or other items that you might want to put in there). There is a padded pocket perfect for carrying a laptop on the side against your back OR you could put an armor panel in there if you so choose. The pack also is set up to be hydration bladder compatible.
All in all a well-designed and well thought out pack. The AMP24 is probably a bit bigger than needed for an EDC bag but would serve very well as a trunk kept go bag for a law enforcement professional or as a day / one night camper pack for recreational use. The AMP24 pack is available in four colors: granite, black, green and brown with an MSRP of $189.99 on the 5.11 Tactical website page for it.
