Editor’s Review: 5.11 Tactical AMP10 Pack

Versatility in any tool is a good thing. It’s a strength required for anyone who is going into dynamic or volatile situations. Further, the ability to adjust your pack’s capability from mission to mission increases its value for you. Enter the 5.11 Tactical All Mission Pack (AMP). To enable this capability, the AMP collection starts with four sizes of basic Pack: The AMP10, AMP12, AMP24 and AMP72. For testing purposes to report in this review, I received an AMP10.

The basic AMP10 has a large internal compartment that measures roughly 18”x10”x4.5”. I use the word “roughly” because it’s not a perfect rectangle and the measurements would make it so. Plus, the fact that it’s made out of 500D Dobby Nylon (the main body is) and 1050D Nylon (bottom) means that every surface is flexible. It’s easy to put something that’s actually larger than the strict cubic capacity you’d get if you did the math. A representative at 5.11 Tactical let me know that to test total capacity they see how many ping pong (for lack of a better description) balls they can shove into it and still get it zipped shut. With the AMP10 that came out to 1525 cubic inches worth.

The basic AMP10 also comes with a removable HEXGRID® 9”x9” Gear Set. This is one of several attachments available from 5.11 Tactical that allows the end user to modify, customize or adjust the outer face of the pack to suit the need. We’ll discuss the gear sets more in depth further down.

The basic AMP10 has a single large internal compartment that is accessed by zippers that wrap fully around the perimeter of the opening all the way down to the base of the pack. It offers full clam-shell opening and it is set up to accept most hydration systems. Inside the pack I found a tag that showed the following:

10 HRS

Dim Specs:    19x10x4.5 inches

Volume: 20 liters, 1220 cubic inches

And then at the bottom of that tag in smaller print, “(Approx. 18 M18 Claymore Mines).  I found that part highly entertaining. Inside that main compartment, aside from the hooks to hold your hydration system, are two zippered mesh compartments. There’s a smaller one at the top that’s just about the perfect size for holding a pair of sunglasses. The larger one is accessible from both sides and has dual tacked elastic loops that run vertically to hold miscellaneous items. There is also a hook for king rings and such. The back face of the large inside compartment is covered in the loop side of hook-n-loop for placement of anything you might want to organize in such a fashion.

There is a second and third compartment to the basic AMP10 on the face of the main compartment. One is the CCW pocket that also is full of loop paneling and webbing strap for your holster attachment. The second compartment is joined at the top where a fleece-lined eyewear compartment sits, but then is divided in layers down the full length. In other words, by opening either side zipper on this compartment at the top, you can access your eyewear. But if you pull the zippers down farther and reach in both sides, you realize that one sits on top of the other; the space is separated and this is another great design feature for organizing your gear.

Now, on the outermost face of the pack, the AMP10 comes equipped with the 9x9 HEXGRID® Gear Set. This is a platform full of loop under their patented HEXGRID pattern than allows for mounting MOLLE compatible pouches vertically, horizontally or on a diagonal. The pack I received for testing also had the Helmet/Shove-it Gear Set attached. This gear set attached via two hangers, the full 9”x9” platform of hook-in loop and four fastex buckles. There are a total of ten optional gear sets that you can equip onto this pack, not to mention the full selection of MOLLE mount compatible pouches (roughly 70 more of those in addition to the Gear Sets). This plethora of Gear Sets and pouches allows you to fully customize your pack to your need.

The pack itself has two padded shoulder straps that are fully adjustable and include a cross-chest security strap. That said, if you’d prefer, either shoulder strap can be removed and the single strap can be set up for cross-body carry, making the backpack into a sling-pack with all of the same capabilities and versatility I’ve described above.

My comfort, capability and wear testing of this pack (AMP10) started at SHOT Show this past January in Las Vegas. It was equipped with the Helmet/Shove-it Gear Set which worked perfectly for holding my jacket and hat. The organization available inside the pack answered the rest of my needs.

Once home I switched out the Helmet/Shove-it Gear Set for the Utility 9x9 Gear Set which is a 9”x9” pouch that has three separate compartments and a great amount of organizational ability – particularly for electronics, charging cords, pens, lights, etc.

All in all I’ve been very pleased with the AMP10 and how well it can be adapted to my needs. It’s “big brothers” in the AMP famly (12,24,72) all have the same capabilities with greater amounts of storage space available.

You can learn more about the 5.11Tactical AMP Packs by clicking this link.

For information on all the gear sets available, click this link.