Army bags are a trend that isn't going away any time soon in the carry world. In fact, as long as there has been military, there have been those who want to use the gear for their civilian lives. As long as you're not going around claiming you're a soldier when you are not (that's not cool), feel free to enjoy the benefits of these awesome packs and gear.
People get attracted by this tough gear for good reason. Bags, clothing and kits designed specifically for armed forces are all meant to go to war - literally. Their design is focused on strength, modularity, durability high activity, and premium quality materials. Fashion isn't a priority - it's all pure function here. Let's take a look at what makes an army bag great versus a common bag for fashion's sake.
Material
Generally, the army bags Australia retailers offer packs made from quality fabrics that can take a beating. As a general rule of thumb, a high-quality army bag should be made from 500D -1200D Cordura nylon fabric or something better. A bag made from 200D, Kodra, or polyester isn't a strong option. You may find packs using even nicer materials, such as X-Pac (VX) fabric. These fabrics tend to be heavier, weather-resistant, and very durable.
Construction
Anyone can say that a bag is "build tough" or "high-quality construction". However, these details can be easily hidden away from the untrained eye. This can be translated into " brand reputation". If you can find out what kind of thread the brand is using, search for nylon thread. And when shopping from an army bags Australia retailer, look for brands that use a solid third party factory or have their own factory under their own roof. Considering the fact that this information ins't always available, your best bet is to dig through reviews on your site and other websites that can help you learn more about the products and brand's reputation for quality. Lasty but not least, a solid warranty never hurts!
Zippers/Hardware
Look for brand names listed in the pack's specification. If you haven't heard of the brand or if it's intentionally left off, it probably doesn't have a reputation of having a great track record. Keep in mind that these parts can make or break a pack, so you'll want something you can trust. Image yourself deep in the wilderness and a buckle that keeps your shoulder straps attached busts on you. This's something you don't want to happen to you.
Modularity
One of the things that make a pack visually scream "tactical" is the MOLLE feature. MOLLE is the short term used for "Modular Lightweight Load-carring Equipment". The whole purpose of this feature is to allow the attachment of external gear and pouches. This means if Brand A has a MOLLE pack, you should be able to put accessories on from Brand B, Brand X, etc. It's a standard that brands follow worldwide. MOLLE is an awesome feature because it allows you to build out your pack based on what you're doing - whether it's a trip to the market or a 10 days in Southeast Asia. MOLLE system can also be on the inside of a pack for organizing less used gear or expensive gear that you want to keep on the interior.
Comfort
Many brands have their own suspension system to transfer weight from shoulders down to your hips. Some rely just on super comfortable shoulder straps, which is fine if you don't plan to load out your pack with tons of weight. While there are some favourites, you also need to consider your body type and preferences. You need to find what works best for your requirements as well as body type and comfort preferences. Make sure you try on your pack before your really need it, to see if you can load it down with weight and have a feel.
Access
How do you get into the pack's compartments? Is it one cavernous compartment or are there a few smaller easy-to-access zippered pockets to store your small gadgets? Is it a clamshell that opens to expose everything inside or does it have a 3-ZIP style opening? There are advantages and disadvantages to all of these. A full clamshell opening with a 3-Zip is a popular option as many find they provide excellent and easy access to everything inside. Rolltops offer a larger main compartment but can be a bit cumbersome trying to find an specific item you placed at the very bottom.
Volume
For general use, a 15-26 litres pack is what most people look for. This pack size is suitable for light hikes and 1-3 day trips. But if what you want is an army pack to go hiking for 3 weeks or to travel the world with, a larger volume pack is obviously a better option. But remember - more gear equals more volume. The best option here will depend on you, your practice of minimalism versus your gear, hoarding , and your activity.
