What Is the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 Backpack?
12 Backpack Review 5.11 Tactical 12 Hour: The 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 Backpack is a compact daily / tactical pack (24 L) designed for “daily duty or light deployment.” It’s built to combine organization, durability, and modularity—making it suitable for urban or field use where you need a robust pack but not a full “rucksack.
Key features from the official listing include:
- CCW compartment (concealed carry) which stays out of sight but accessible, integrated into the internal layout.
- Internal layout that handles laptop, hydration, and admin gear.
- MOLLE (PALS) webbing throughout to let you scale with attachments.
In short: it’s essentially a “tactical daypack” meant for those who want ruggedness, organization, and flexibility without going full-size.
Design & Build: Materials, Features & Layout
Materials & Durability
The Rush 12 (and its sibling packs) uses high-denier nylon, rugged hardware (YKK zippers, Duraflex gear), and stitched seams meant to withstand tougher use. The exact denier is high enough to resist abrasion and rough handling in urban or outdoors settings.
In user forums, many note that 5.11 backpacks hold up over years of heavy use, with no broken straps or tears.
Modularity & Attachment
One of the signature design elements is the extensive PALS / MOLLE webbing on the exterior of the pack. This allows users to add modular pouches or gear attachments as needed—making the pack expandable and adaptable. Some reviewers (Pack Hacker) mention it as possibly “too much webbing” for casual users.
Compartments & Organization
The interior layout is well thought:
- Main compartment with room for laptop / hydration / larger gear.
- Admin / front panel pockets for smaller gear, pens, cables, etc.
- Hidden CCW compartment behind the admin panel (using Velcro rather than zipper) for budgeted discreet carry
- Hydration sleeve or pocket, with passthrough points for tubing.
- Top zippered pocket, often fleece-lined for glasses / small valuables.
One design trade-off: access to the laptop sleeve is somewhat awkward in certain packing configurations, per reviewer observations.
Comfort & Fit
The pack is relatively small compared to larger rucksacks, so weight distribution is manageable. The shoulder straps are padded; however, some note that the strap’s “collar connection” design is narrow and could feel tight in some frames, but in testing it seemed acceptable.
Because of its smaller size, the pack doesn’t usually need a waist belt, though it has compression straps to stabilize the load.
Performance in Real Use & Field Reviews
This section aggregates user feedback and reviewer insights from two weeks to long-term use.
Short-Term Testing
In a two-week review by Pack Hacker, they praised the harness comfort, modularity, and organization. They also noted that the sheer volume of webbing might be overkill for users who don’t intend to attach many modular pouches.
In a video review, durability and rough use were highlighted—suggesting it holds up to rugged daily wear.
Long-Term / User Comments
Reddit users report that 5.11 packs (Rush series) have lasted 4–8 years of everyday use without strap failure or fabric issues.
Another user, having used 5.11 packs across years, says material and construction are “solid” with all zippers still functioning.
Forum users also observe 5.11’s packs as comfortable even when handling reasonable loads, and well-organized interiors helping with gear sorting.
That said, some mention the Velcro CCW pocket could be larger or more refined.
Pros, Cons & Suitability
Based on specs and user feedback, here are the key advantages and trade-offs of the Rush 12 / what you likely meant by “12 hour” pack:
Pros
- Compact but capable: Enough room for daily gear without being oversized
- High durability: Strong fabric, solid stitching, robust hardware
- Modular / expandable design: Extensive MOLLE / PALS webbing for attachments
- Well-organized: Thoughtful compartments for admin, hydration, CCW, etc.
- Good for tactical, EDC, and field use: A balanced tactical daypack
- Positive reviews on longevity: Users report years of trouble-free use
Cons / Trade-offs
- Overabundant webbing: For users who won’t use all attachments, it may feel cluttered or unnecessary
- Access quirks: Laptop sleeve or internal compartments can be a bit fiddly depending on packing
- Strap / fit nuances: The collar-style strap connection might feel narrow for larger frames
- No stow system for shoulder straps: Clunky or no clean way to tuck away unused straps
- Size limit: For heavier loads or multi-day trips, its 24 L capacity may be insufficient
Best Use Cases
- Everyday carry / tactical daily operations
- Urban / commuting use where you want modularity but not too much bulk
- Field work, patrol, or assignments needing a rugged, compact pack
- Light deployment / short missions
- Not ideal for extended trekking or heavy load missions, where a full rucksack is better.
Comparison to Alternatives & What to Consider
If you’re comparing the Rush 12 (or 12-hour / daypack style) to other packs, here are important comparisons and points to watch:
Rush 12 vs Rush 24 / Bigger Models
- The Rush 24 offers more volume (often ~34 L or more), making it better for longer trips or more cargo.
- But the 12-series keeps things leaner, lighter, and more streamlined—ideal when you don’t need full “ruck” capacity.
Versus Non-tactical / Travel Daypacks
Tactical packs like Rush 12 typically offer more modularity, durability, gear organization, and versatile attachments than generic travel daypacks. But they also may be heavier, visually more “tactical,” and possibly overbuilt for casual use.
What to Watch for When Choosing
- Capacity / volume: Ensure 24 L is enough for your day gear
- Attachment needs: Do you need a lot of modular pouches or minimalism?
- Comfort & fit: Try packing a load and see how it carries
- Access design: Some designs make accessing internal pockets harder
- Durability vs weight trade-off: Heavy materials last, but increase carry weight
If your intended “12 hour” product is a different line (not Rush 12), these comparison principles still align.
Conclusion & Recommendation
If you were referring to a 12-hour or “12 hour” pack by 5.11 Tactical, the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 (24L) is the closest match and a solid choice. It combines durability, modular design, and smart organization in a compact tactical daypack. It suits users who prefer flexibility and rugged build in a lean form.
Strong points: rugged materials, modular webbing, good compartment layout, positive long-term user feedback.
Weaknesses: somewhat heavy webbing for casual users, occasional access issues, strap stowage limitations.
