5.11 Tactical as an EDC brand needs no introduction nor proof of their reliability. From commuters wanting mil-spec quality in their daily bag to servicemen and women relying on a rugged pack in hairy situations, 5.11’s packs have shown their mettle time and time again. But for some people, their stylings lean more towards tactical utility than urban minimalism. So with the Dart Pack, 5.11 takes a step in a sleek direction, with a design that that adds modern form on top of their signature function.
If you’re familiar with 5.11’s flagship designs, you’re probably expecting a full array of MOLLE webbing all over the bag. The Dart Pack instead goes for an understated yet robust 420D nylon exterior with a simple logo on an otherwise minimal design. You’ll find more tactical touches on the bag’s shoulder straps, which come with the webbing and adjustable sternum strap found on other 5.11 packs. The rear of the pack comes with vented padding for comfort, while the shoulder straps are “free” on loops instead of attached to fixed points on the bag.
On the inside is where you’ll find the biggest difference if you’re used to the brand’s other backpacks. Instead of few pockets and an open main compartment, you get more options to organize your gear, including a drop-fleece lined pocket and more webbing to strap in your EDC. The angled zip main compartment itself has about 20 liters of capacity, while a secondary pocket can double as a hydration compartment. Both of them are also compatible with a PE board that comes with a padded laptop sleeve, elastic pocket, and more webbing for pens and other essentials.
This isn’t the 5.11 Tactical backpack you’re looking for, but it could be more than expected from an EDC backpack. Pick one up from Amazon at the link below.
