As someone who used to travel half way around the world twice a year, I know how onerous a task it can be picking a pack. The wrong size or shoddy construction can spell disaster with a capital D if your pack does not stand up to its intended purpose. Bags come in all different shapes and sizes; you have simple two-pocket backpacks, large duffel bags, load-bearing tactical backpacks, and messenger-style shoulder bags. They aren’t created equal either. Your Jansport backpack from high school won’t work for a hiking trip in the Rockies. Whether you are picking a bag for your bug-out gear, a weekend camping trip or for every day carry—you must consider size, shape and capacity. You’re bound to find one that fits your needs from everyday carry to a weekender from CheaperThanDirt.com’s five top selling backpacks.

Everyday Carry

For an everyday carry pack, size is the most important. If you work in an office or remotely, you will want a pack that protects and holds your laptop, folders, a notebook, pens, and other office supplies along with your various personal items. Unless you are in school, carrying it comfortably for extended periods is not as important as if you were hiking, traveling or backpacking. A backpack that measures 18-inches tall will hold your 15-inch or 17-inch laptop and both letter and legal size papers, notebooks and folders. The Drago Tracker backpack, ModGear sling bag, and Medical Trauma Kit backpack all measure 18-inches tall. All three have features that make them comfortable to carry, with a variety of pockets and pouches to organize all your gear.

Drago Tracker Backpack

The most affordable of the bags is the Drago Tracker backpack.

The most affordable of the packs is the Drago Tracker backpack. It measures 18 inches by 11 inches by 11 inches with four main compartments. The adjustable shoulder straps are padded and curved for maximum ergonomics. A padded back panel adds some cush while you carry it. A quick-release simple waist strap helps stabilize and evenly distribute the weight. Inside each compartment are different sized nylon and mesh pockets that hold knives, pens, your cell phone, a calculator, handgun magazines, and various other items. With plenty of webbing and a pouch for your hydration pack, the Drago Tracker backpack is an excellent choice for an every day carrier or overnighter.

Specifications and Features

• 4 main storage areas
• Back- relief panel
• Internal organization system
• Reinforced Velcro webbing
• Heavy-duty non-rust zippers
• Hydration-pack compatible
• Made of 600D Polyester
• Dimensions: 18″x11″x11″
• Black

Medical Tactical Trauma Kit

The medical tactical trauma kit works well as is or as a stand-alone backpack.

Packed to the brim with almost everything you need in an emergency medical situation, the medical tactical trauma kit works well as is or as a stand-alone backpack. This bag has three main compartments and two smaller zippered pockets on the front. Covered in soft material, the shoulder straps are wide and adjustable. Like Drago’s Tracker backpack, the tactical trauma kit has a simple, quick release waist strap. MOLLE webbing and Velcro cover the backpack. The large main compartment has full-length zippers, enabling you to lay the backpack out flat to access your gear. Designed to hold first aid gear, different sized internal mesh and nylon pockets keep everything organized. A sewn-in web handle at the top of the bag makes it easy to grab and go. Keep it as a first aid kit or use it for every day. If you remove the first aid supplies, this backpack will work as a bug out bag packed with just the essentials for an overnight trip. It includes over 230 first aid items.

Specifications and Features

• Level III Assault backpack
• Five main compartments
• Mesh back
• Hydration-pack compatible
• PALS webbing
• Contoured, adjustable shoulder straps
• Dimensions: 18”x10”x11”
• Army digital camo
• Filled with 230 first aid items

ModGear Sling Bag

My preferred bag is the ModGear sling bag.

My preferred bag is the ModGear sling bag. The sling bag has one padded shoulder strap that sits crossways around your back and has two quick release buckles to secure the strap around your chest. It has MOLLE webbing around the front and side and a 4 by 6-inche Velcro area for patches. It has three main compartments with different sized nylon, mesh and zippered internal pockets in each main compartment. A concealed zippered side pocket will hold a full-sized handgun. The slightly padded largest compartment protects a laptop or other sensitive gear. For added security, there is an adjustable strap with a quick-release plastic buckle to tighten it down. A convenient Velcro web handle at the top of the bag makes it easy to grab quickly. For school or every day carry, this bag holds everything. Personally, because I’m not a light packer, I wouldn’t carry it for the weekend, but it does just fine as an overnighter.

Specifications and Features

• Specifications and features
• 3 main storage compartments
• Padded, mesh back panel
• Internal organization system
• PALS webbing
• Hydration-pack compatible
• Ambidextrous padded shoulder strap
• Dimensions: 18”x13”x7”
• OD Green

Three-Day Packs

For hiking, camping, backpacking, bugging out or for field/duty use, you need a pack that holds all your gear and that is comfortable to wear for extended periods. You want a pack with padded, ergonomic shoulder straps, plenty of adjustments to fit different size torsos, and a supportive waist belt that evenly distributes the load’s weight. Close to the same dimensions and features are the Drago Gear Assault and the ModGear Combat backpacks—both designed as three-day packs. These bags work perfectly for field or duty use or as bug-out bags. Specifically sized pockets hold high-capacity rifle magazines and other weapons gear.

Drago Assault Backpack

Measuring 20 by 15 by 13 inches there is plenty of room for all your equipment.

Drago’s Assault backpack has padded, slightly curved, adjustable shoulder straps, as well as a padded and adjustable waist strap. Measuring 20 inches by 15 inches by 13 inches there is plenty of room for all your equipment. For communicating, the Drago Assault backpack has three Velcro antennae ports and is hydration-pack compatible. The specially designed back support is comfortable when carrying the pack for an extended amount of time. MOLLE webbing surrounds the front and sides of the backpack if you need additional gear pouches. A sure-grip rubberized handle sits at the top of the bag for a quick grab and go option.

Specifications and Features

• 3 Velcro antennae ports for communication equipment
• Premium back- relief panel
• Internal organization system
• Hydration-pack compatible
• Made of 600D Polyester
• Dimensions: 20″x15″x13″
• OD Green

ModGear Combat Backpack

This makes the perfect bug-out pack as it holds all your essential survival gear for three days.

The slightly larger ModGear Combat backpack measures 20 inches by 19 inches by 12 inches and has various pockets and pouches for tools, weapon accessories, survival gear and personal items. The shoulder straps are adjustable, padded and curved, while an extra padded lower back panel makes the combat backpack ultra comfortable. There are two additional padded areas on the back. It is hydration bladder-compatible with a covered Velcro loop for the drinking tube. Internal pockets include mesh, nylon and zippered compartments of varying sizes. The front of the backpack has MOLLE webbing and there are two additional smaller pockets on either side of the pack. The middle compartment is full of extras; bungee cords to tighten down and secure gear, a sewn-in gear clip, a Velcro panel, and pen and small tool pockets. The main compartment has four straps with quick-release buckles to secure a laptop or other important equipment. A web handle is on top of the combat backpack. In my opinion, the combat backpack fits taller people better. My torso measures 19 inches and is considered small. I had to make quite a few adjustments for the backpack to fit flat in a comfortable position on my back. However, it makes the perfect bug-out pack as it holds all your essential survival gear for three days.

Specifications and Features

• 3 main storage compartments
• Padded backrest
• Padded lumbar support
• Internal organization system
• Hydration-pack compatible
• Made of 1000 Denier nylon
• PALS webbing
• Self-healing zippers
• Antenna port
• Top carry handle
• Adjustable waist support
• Dimensions: 20”x19”x12”
• OD Green

 Backpack Specifications Comparison Chart

What makes the perfect bag for you? Tell us about it in the comment section.