With the holidays around the corner, it’s never too early to start thinking about the best gifts for your loved ones, your fellow EDCers, or even for yourself. With decades of experience building the best gear for any mission, not to mention some of the most popular and versatile gear you can use for EDC, 5.11 has something for everyone this season. In this list, we’ve put together six of our favorite picks from their vast catalog to cover your bases, and help you find the perfect gift for your holiday mission.
Acadia Down Jacket
The Acadia is 5.11’s first down jacket, bringing their tactical knowhow into the cold with 750 fill power, 100% down insulation that will keep you warm this winter season. Unlike standard puffy down jackets, 5.11 took care to make theirs more durable with extra tough ripstop polyester impregnated with DWR coating to keep moisture out, resulting in fuller, warmer, loftier insulation. There’s a concealed left chest zipper pocket for your critical EDC gear, and a internal zipper pocket designed for phone carry with a media port for your convenience. It’s EDC-friendly even when you’re not wearing it too, as it packs down to a removable stuff sack for easy transport.
RUSH24 Backpack
For many in the EDC community, 5.11’s RUSH24 is the benchmark tactical day pack by which all others are measured against. It features practically bombproof 1040D nylon construction with self-repairing YKK zippers that stand up to the abuse of the daily grind whether this bag is used for an office commute, for one-bag travel, or for emergency bug-out applications. There’s 37 liters of capacity in total with this bag, and the main compartment features multiple mesh organization areas that allow you to easily segment your gear and clothing as your mission requires. The extensive amount of PALS webbing around the bag means you can attach any number of MOLLE-compatible pouches and gear, making this bag truly modular and ultra-versatile in actual use.
Norris Sneaker
Sometimes wearing combat or hiking boots as part of your daily EDC ensemble can make you stand out in the wrong way, especially when you’re trying to run a low profile. 5.11’s Norris Sneaker was built with this use case in mind: it features a casual high-top sneaker design that doesn’t scream its tactical heritage. But with its Vibram Marbani outsole and climbing-grade rubber toe protection, you can go from path to trail at a brisk pace without slowing down. And because it has an Ortholite footbed, this high-top sneaker is built for long-term wear.
Field Watch 2.0
5.11 designed their Field Watch 2.0 to be able to keep up with the bumps and scrapes of daily use whether that’s out in the field or just around the block. It features an ultra-legible face with big Arabic numerals and phosphorescent Super-LumiNova hour and second hands for at-a-glance convenience even in total darkness. The internal Japanese quartz movement is built tough against shock, the mineral crystal holds up to scratches and wear, and the stainless steel case and screw-in back is water tight down to 330 feet. And while the watch comes with its own 22mm NATO strap, you can easily swap it out for one of your choice.
Rapid PL 1AA Flashlight
The Rapid PL 1AA flashlight features an XP-G3 LED module that puts out 190 lumens when using a standard AA battery, or 330 lumens max if you use a rechargeable 14500 battery instead. The AA-sized battery compatibility means it’s easy to find spares in a pinch, making this a great backup light in an emergency. Its compact 4.24″ length and lightweight 2.53oz heft fully loaded also makes it a great choice if you need to use it with a drawn weapon for duty or self-defense use too.
Doug Marcaida Talon
If the designer of this knife sounds familar, that’s because you’ve been watching Forged in Fire. Its host collaborated with 5.11 to make this folding karambit knife with a striking translucent handle with solid frame lock and a sturdy D2 blade with a “BRAMP” opening that deploys as you draw. Its recommended that you train with this style of knife before you use it on the daily, but once you’re a master you’ll find its ergonomics give you options that a standard pocketknife just cannot provide, especially in an emergency situation.
This is a sponsored post presented by 5.11.
