5.11 Tactical’s Rush100 Backpack: A Versatile, Modular Pack
The Rush100 backpack that 5.11 Tactical introduced this year is a full-size pack suitable to carry everything you need for a hunt of several days. But it differs from other large packs in that it’s modular. You can detach some pockets and the waist belt and use them independently. If you ever dropped your heavy backpack where you’re going to make camp and wanted to head off hunting with lighter load, carrying just the essentials, the Rush100 backpack is for you.
Rush100: Side Pockets As Shoulder Packs
The Rush100 backpack has plenty of capacity: 3661 cubic inches (60 liters) on the inside and plenty of MOLLE webbing along with four nylon straps on the outside to attach more pouches, heavy clothing and tools, such as an axe or machete.
But the pack has two elongated side pockets that can be detached and converted to shoulder packs when used in conjunction with the removeable nylon straps at the bottom of the pack. The padded waist belt can be removed too. It has plenty of MOLLE webbing so you can attach such things as small gear pouches, holsters and water bottles.
If you organize your gear wisely, you can have the gear you need for the day’s hunt — tags, field-dressing kit, navigation gear, game calls, extra ammo – all ready to go in those side pouches. So, when you’re ready to drop the heavy pack, you won’t have to search through the entire pack to find and separate the things you want to bring along. You can just remove those side pockets and go.
Rush100 Backpack Is Built To Last
The pack is constructed of 500-denier nylon with a reinforced, heavy-duty 1,050-denier nylon on the bottom. It’s available at this time in black or coyote brown. Those are great if you’re being deployed on a tactical mission. For hunters who don’t want to be mistaken for game, an olive drab or orange camo pattern might be better. In the meantime, I intend to drape an old orange vest over the back of my Rush100 if I ever carry it through the woods during hunting season.
Plenty Of Compartments For Your Gear
The large, main zippered compartment of the pack opens 270 degrees for easy packing and access. It’s large enough for a takedown weapon. I carry my Ruger PC Carbine in it along with my cooking setup and extra clothes. Inside, there’s a sleeve for a water bladder, a strap at the top to keep the bladder from sagging to the bottom and a port for the drinking tube. The compartment containing the aluminum and fiberglass internal frame is in here too. The frame provides rigidity to make carrying heavy loads easier. But it’s removeable if you need a soft pack to stuff into a canoe, kayak, float plane or other tight space.
A zippered pocket at the top of the pack is referred to by 5.11 Tactical as the “first-grabs pocket.” Maps, compass, insect repellent, sun screen, bathroom kit are some things you might want to keep here. Inside there’s a fleece-lined pocket for eyeglasses, cell phones or other things you don’t want scratched.
Two long, pass-through sleeves are located at the sides – one under each of the side pockets. These are great for shooting sticks, trekking poles, an axe, machete or other long item.
At the back of the pack is a zippered compartment that 5.11 calls the “admin pocket.” Its large enough for a tablet or small laptop computer. And it has several sleeve pockets and a couple of zippered compartments to keep gear well organized so you can find it when you need it.
A lower zippered compartment is a natural place for a sleeping bag or down jacket. It has extra fabric inside it to make it expandable.
Note, however, that it expands into space at the bottom of the large main compartment. So if you fill up that lower compartment to the max, you’ll be stealing some capacity from the main compartment.
The two compression straps can be keep tightened to keep gear from bouncing around and items can be attached to them too. And, as I mentioned, there are two straps on the bottom of the pack. I used the bottom straps to hold my backpacking tent.
Carry Heavy Loads Comfortably
The shoulder straps on the Rush100 are nicely padded and there’s a sternum strap to keep them from shifting. The shoulder straps can be adjusted for length and up and down to change how high the load is riding.
The pack’s waist belt is wide and padded. Two sizes are available. Pick the one according to your waistline.
Feedback from some users told of the belt’s buckle digging into the stomach. Maybe I had all of my straps adjusted differently, but I haven’t experienced that problem so far. Tuck a pair of hunting gloves behind the buckle if you do and that should solve that issue. The pack as thick, breathable padding that snugs the upper back and lumbar areas for extra comfort. The carry handle at the top I found useful to hang the pack from a tree branch to keep it off the wet ground and to keep it from small critters who like to chew.
Versatile Enough For Any Mission
Whether you need a large pack for multi-day hunts or just want something to throw in the back of your car for road trips, the Rush100 is up to the task. And with multiple lashing points and detachable pockets, it’s versatile enough to tailor it exactly how you want it for a particular mission. For more information, go to 511Tactical.com.
Key Features: 5.11 Tactical Rush100
Construction: 500-denier nylon (main), 1,050-denier nylon (base)
Dimensions in Inches: 28.5 H x 11.0 L x 10.25
Total Capacity: 3661 cubic inches (60 liters)
Torso Heights: 17-21 inches
S/M Belt: 30-36 inches
L/XL Belt: 35-45 inches
Weight: 5.73 pounds (2.6 kilograms)
Side pass-through panels
Two removable side pouches
Two compression straps
Two lower gear straps
Main compartment with 270-degree zippered opening
Top pocket with fleece-lined eyewear/media pocket
Admin pocket with internal storage sleeves and two zippered pockets
Lower, expandable zippered compartment
Padded, load-lifter adjustable shoulder straps with sternum strap
Adjustable and removable waist belt
Removable aluminum and fiberglass frame
External webbing for MOLLE and Rush Tier compatibility
MSRP: $249.99
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.
Holsters
