Everyday Carry

5.11 Holiday Gifts for Merry Missions

Authored by:
Everyday Carry
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
5.11 Holiday Gifts for Merry Missions

As the holidays are coming up, so are some of the toughest missions you might face: unpredictable travel plans, dinner with the in-laws, and of course, taking care of your holiday gift shopping. 5.11 has earned their reputation with EDCers for their mission-ready gear, which covers all the bases from their iconic tactical bags to EDC tools and functional apparel. But no mission is impossible with the right gear, which is why 5.11 put together gift ideas for any budget and any kind of EDCer on your list.

We’ve selected some of our favorite items from their “Merry Missions” gift guide below to help you with your holiday shopping this year. No matter what you need, you’re bound to find something the people on your list will appreciate, and it's the perfect time to start shopping for them too, because 5.11's 20% off sitewide Black Friday Sale is now live through to November 30th.


RUSH72 2.0 Backpack 55L

Whether it’s for a weekend getaway, a bug out bag, or a camping trip, they’ll need a reliable, comfortable backpack with plenty of storage and organization to boot. Standing in at a whopping 55L, the RUSH72 2.0 will provide them with all the space they need (and more) for multi-day missions. It’s built tough with 1050D nylon, which offers great abrasion resistance and some water resistance to keep up with them whether they’re trekking outdoors or zipping through the concrete jungle. Inside the main compartment you'll find organizational features, such as three zippered pockets and a padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 15“. An admin panel inside the front compartment offers quick access and secure organization for smaller essentials like pens, tools, and gadgets. To safely stow delicate gear like sunglasses or their smartphone and help prevent scratches, there's a zippered pocket lined with soft fleece. Other features like all-over MOLLE webbing, side zippered pockets, a rear hydration compartment, and hidden CCW compartment make the RUSH72 2.0 a great gift they'll be sure to use and enjoy.

Check It Out ($180)


Norris Sneaker

While you might be familiar with 5.11 more for their tactical accessories, they also carry a plethora of men’s and women’s clothing, all designed to deliver the same level of functionality as their gear. One example is the Norris sneaker that not only looks and feels great, but has the performance that EDCers need that they can’t find from most other footwear. Starting from the bottom, the Norris features a durable Vibram Marbrani outsole with enough traction to help prevent slipping even on wet terrain. Inside, an Ortholite-cushioned footbed provides support and comfort. The outside of the shoe is puncture-resistant and features a climbing-grade rubber toe for surefooted scrambles. If you want to keep their feet stylish and protected, the Norris Sneaker is a great option.

Check It Out ($110)


Field Watch 2.0

One of their best selling watches, the Field Watch 2.0 is a great present for those who spend a lot of time in rugged environments and need a timepiece that can keep up with them. The Field Watch 2.0 comes in with a moderately big wrist presence of 44mm in the form of a stainless steel case for added durability. Under its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, you’ll find a highly legible face, featuring oversized Arabic numerals for easy time-telling. If you look closer, you’ll also find a 24-hour subdial for those used to military time as well as a date window, powered by an accurate Japanese movement. And if things get dark, they’ll still be able to tell the time thanks to Super-LumiNova® paint on the hands and hour markers. Other features like a screw-down caseback, 100M of water resistance and a rotating bezel make the Field Watch 2.0 a good option for handling encounters with water.

Check It Out ($170)


Base 1SF

With a closed length of only 2.365", the Base 1SF will be an incredibly practical addition to their keychain without the bulk that involves carrying a regular-sized pocket knife. For starters, it features a 1.5" blade constructed from 8Cr13MoV steel, a common choice for knives at this price range thanks to their durability and ease of maintenance. Sporting a sheepsfoot shape, this knife will excel at utility tasks like cutting boxes and opening up packages. Moving on to its handles, you’ll find a skeletonized stainless steel body to keep the overall weight down, since it’ll spend a lot of time inside their pockets. These handles are also the home to a sturdy framelock that’ll keep the blade securely locked into place after it’s been deployed via a thumb stud. Finally, for carry purposes, the Base 1SF already comes with a split ring and a mini Hardpoint carabiner, to provide them with multiple attachment options.

Check It Out ($15)


Flex Admin Pouch

If you’ve noticed they need a little bit of help with organizing their tools or having a way to carry them from place to place, the Flex Admin Pouch can be a game changer. Made out of double-layered 500D Nylon, the Flex Admin Pouch remains water-resistant, ready for the outdoors or wherever their journey might take them. On the front, you’ll find horizontal laser-cut MOLLE webbing for attachment to their favorite platforms. They’re also compatible with hook-and-loop systems for mounting the panel onto bigger items. On the back, there’s Flex-HT 1/2" webbing ladder for even more modularity. Opening the 180° zipper reveals three slip pockets in multiple sizes, an extra pocket behind the front panel, elastic bands to keep things organized, and an adjustable bungee cord to cinch things down securely.

Check It Out ($35)


Acadia Down Jacket

With the colder months coming up, having a way to keep warm is always a welcome gift. And if you add a thoughtful design with tactical heritage to the mix, you’ll get the Acadia Down Jacket. Crafted from extra tough ripstop polyester fabric and coated with DWR for water resistance, the Acadia’s exterior is more than ready to stand up to even some of the worst weather conditions. However, the inside is no slouch either, thanks to the use of 100% down insulation, this jacket is sure to keep them toasty. As an EDCer they’ll appreciate the Arcadia’s storage options: 2 zippered hand pockets and a concealed chest pocket on the left side. The jacket can also pack down into itself for storage in their EDC bag until the weather calls for it. Finally, a polyester-lined hood and a chin guard will make sure your giftee is comfortable even in high winds.

Check It Out ($200)


Gunner Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt

For a casual night out in the town, a day inside home working on DIY projects, or even a short outdoors getaway, plaid shirts are said to be one of the most versatile pieces of clothing out there. Help them stay stylish no matter the situation with the Gunner Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt. Thanks to its 100% cotton yarn dyed twill construction, the Gunner is considerably more durable compared to other plaid shirts while remaining warm and comfortable to wear. While it has the classic buttoned layout that most plaids tend to have, it adds the 5.11 twist by having RapiDraw snap plackets, which are way easier (and faster) to open and close. And if they carry slings or shoulder bags often, they’ll appreciate the double-layered back yoke, which should make them less painful to carry for extended periods. Finally, two chest pockets will make sure they have an additional place to carry their EDC gear.

Check It Out ($65)

The 5.11 Black Friday Sale is already live, and they've got an impressive selection of bags, backpacks, clothing, and gear discounted. Check out the sitewide deals and save 20% on everything through November 30th. 

Check Out the Deals

This is a sponsored post presented by 5.11.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

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