When you start shooting racegun competitions like PRS, you quickly realize how much gear you need to have on hand for most situations, either for fixing or maintaining your rifle and optic during matches, or just all the different rifle and barricade supports, rests and attachments and even the whole bunch of ammo, and snacks you and your rifle consume during the match.
Not just for PRS competitions either, a good tactical backpack, can do multi-purpose duties as a PRS competition backpack, a hunting backpack, a grab bag and a travel backpack when traveling, so choosing the right one, and one that will stand up to abuse, is quite important.
Even before you start competing, just researching and getting ready to get into the sport, you suddenly realize you have quite a bit of gear, and need something to carry it in. Naturally, as your hands will be busy carrying your precious rifle, the best hands-free solution remains the faithful backpack. But that said, there can be thousands of options, so finding the best PRS backpack for you, can be daunting. It is a personal choice, but here are some of the options, we either use, have used, or have seen being used successfully in PRS matches.
When competing in PRS, racegun and other precision rifle shooting competitions, we often need to carry quite a large amount of gear with us between stages. This gear can include shooting bags, kneepads, gloves, rifle tools, ranging and wind measuring equipment and much more. The most comfortable and efficient way to carry so much gear on your person, is through the use of a back.
1. Eberlestock FAC Track Pack
Many hunters would have heard of the name or quality of Eberlestock products and gear. Their backpacks are no different, super sturdy and great build quality. Lasting quality.
I personally have now grown to love this backpack so much, it is my NRL Hunter competition backpack, as well as my hunting backpack, because of how comfortable it is to carry over longer hikes, even loaded heavily. I also like the rigid backbone structure of it, for when needing to use it for a back support when shooting off a bipod front or bag front. I have used it to shoot over on two occasions when hunting and a few more in NRL Hunter competition stages.
Coming in a just over 31 liters capacity, it is slightly smaller than some of the models listed above, but should still be able to hold all your PRS gear, especially with the waist belt to support heavier loads.
It has two internal compartments to the sides of the main pouch, that are great for holding water or cooldrink bottles, and separates them from the rest of the stuff inside, so your gear does not get wet from the evaporation moisture that sits on the cold bottles. I can fit 2 x 500ml water bottles in each pouch.
My favorite feature for this pack when it comes to hunting, is when you need to carry a tripod with you, it has two bottom pouches on the outside sides of the backpack. You can put two of the tripod feet into one of those pouches with the third clamping on outside it, then clamp the whole tripod onto the backpack with the top clamp strap. This allows the tripod to be fastened securely to the backpack when hiking, but makes it quickly and easily accessible when in a hurry to get set up for a shot.
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2. 5.11 Rush72 Backpack
My previous personal favorite, and the one I am still using for all my PRS matches. It has more than enough space for everything I can imagine to pack in it. Carries super comfortably considering how heavy it is if you load it anywhere remotely full, and it’s construction is as per 5.11 standards, probably one of the most sturdy and durable finishing on a backpack that I have felt and seen. I like the number of pouches it has and the internal layout, and this works perfectly for my PRS rifle setup as well as even just as my go-to travel backpack when I travel abroad for longer trips.
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The 5.11 Tactical RUSH 72 backpack is an all-around backpack that is highly robust, weather resistant, and has enough molle strap on the exterior to allow you to ad-lib when the circumstance calls for it. The large size, strong slings, and huge capacity make this the best elk hunting backpack.
The RUSH 72 tactical backpack is uniquely designed and performs flawlessly. Whether you’re in survival mode above the treeline at night or trying to help your neighbors through flood waters, the RUSH 72 will let you bring equipment, supplies, blankets, medication, or whatever else you need, and keep everything dry and ready to use.
3. CamelBak BFM Backpack
Already known for their superb quality hydration packs in the mountain biking and adventure world, Camelbak also has a large range of tactical, hunting and shooting sports focussed products.
With 47 liters of capacity and full front molle webbing, this BFM from Camelbak is a great PRS backpack. Not only does it have enough space for all you may want to take with you to a PRS match, it also has space for the included 3L drinking fluid bladder so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.
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4. Direct Action Dragon Egg
Not one of the large manufacturer brand names, this Dragon Egg bag by Direct Action has made a name for itself since being released because of the great quality for the price and great design it offers.
Made from 500D laminated cordura, it is not only durable, but also most water resistant. The genuine YKK zippers and Duraflex hardware also ensure it keep functioning through hard use.
Coming in at 25 liters capacity, it is smaller than most of the backpacks on this list, but some shooters prefer a smaller backpack and only carry the bare minimum with them during a match. The small size also makes it a perfect size hunting backpack, and the comfortable yet strong straps make carrying it a breeze.
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5. Maxpedition Tiburon Backpack
With a 34 liter capacity, this smooth backpack by Maxpedition is on of the most comfortable backpacks we have felt. With as many interior pockets and compartments as you could possible want, when further paired with a few of the other small attachments and pouches that Maxpedition makes, you will have a greatly organized and compartmentalized PRS backpack setup.
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6. Maxpedition Mini Rollypoly Folding Dump Pouch
By far my personal favorite dump pouch to keep all my fired brass in after each stage. Best thing about it, is when not used, it folds up super small and light, right there on the outside of your backpack and does not get in the way. But when you need to start using it, you just unfold it and it is ready to go.
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What To Carry In Your PRS Backpack?
Everything you need or choose to carry with you in your PRS bag is a personal choice, and often refined and changed somewhat a lot after doing a few PRS matches yourself, and seeing what you actually need, and what you do not actually need and can do without. But that being said, there are many general items that most shooters use or carry in their backpacks during a PRS match, and here is a breakdown of what I mostly carry to give you some sort of idea to build on for your own list:
- Pens
- Arm board/dope cards
- Kestrel
- Phone that has a solver app and my reticle image on it.
- Small file for notes and that holds my match book or course of fire
- Lenspen
- Fixit Sticks torque all-in-one kit
- Electronic Ear protection, with two sets of backup in ear foam earplugs.
- Spare Batteries
- Tourniquet
- General light rain coat (if I suspect rain heavy rain for a match, it will be a rain coat and rain pants)
- Gloves
- Knife
- Bipod Backup Rubber Feet, I usually have the spikes feet on my bipod permanently
- An ammo binder with the ammo for that day’s match
- Water/food, including electrolyte mix sachets to mix into water on every second stage.
- Masking tape
- Rangefinding binoculars in tripod mount, that gets taken out and mounted to the tripod as soon as the match starts.
- A spare trigger
- 2 mag holders
- A Armageddon Gear shmedium gamechanger clipped to the molle webbing of the bag with a Nite-Ize s-biner
- Tac plate / tac table with two-way arca mount
- Spare light fill, small rear bag
- Sunscreen
- Shooting / sunglasses
- Tripod clipped to the side of the bag
PRS Backpack Buying Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tactical backpack?
This type of backpack is designed to give military personnel, first responders, emergency services, hunters, climbers, campers, and others easy access to essential equipment, tactical pants, and accessories in order to be aware of situations and stay in the know, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article.
What Brand Tactical Backpack is the Best
This is a fairly common question but quite subjective. There are those who swear by this brand of backpack and others who are just as vehement in their support of a competing brand and model. The basic question should really be: “Who makes the best tactical backpack for your needs?” Personally, based on own use, we love anything from the 5.11 Tactical Gear stable.
What are the uses of a tactical backpack?
This style of backpack is made to handle higher stress levels, withstand a variety of environmental risks, allow you to think on your feet, and provide you quick access to the items you need to deal with situations.
You should carefully consider how to distribute equipment and other emergency and other supplies in your bag, focusing on accessibility and likelihood of use.
Why are Tactical Backpack so popular?
The following are the key reasons why students want to use this type of bag. It is intended for use in the outdoors and for survival. As a result, it has a long lifespan.
They come in a variety of school-appropriate models. They can hold a lot of stuff and come with a range of features that help with packaging.
Depending on the design, they can also be converted into a travel bag. It has a spacious compartment, is lighter to carry, and helps to relieve fatigue.
Things to Consider When Buying a Tactical Backpack
Materials – The material your best military backpack for hiking is made from is important. If you spend a lot of time outdoors exposed to the elements, you’re going to want one that’s waterproof and extremely durable.
Storage Capacity – Depending on how you intend to use your backpack, you may require one with ample storage space for emergency blankets and other items.
If you only plan to use it to store carabiners, ice screws, power bars, and water, a smaller box would suffice.
Portability – You’ll want a backpack with padded shoulder straps, a chest strap, and a waist strap if you plan on wearing it on lengthy excursions.
A basic shoulder strap might suffice if you’re merely slinging your bag up quickly while heading towards the crash victim.
Carrying capacity – While the volume of the backpack storage space is important, the total weight of the bag when fully loaded is also important.
You shouldn’t carry more than 20% of your whole body weight on your back for an extended period of time.
Hydration Bladders – Hikers must consider their hydration needs.
If you’re going into the woods or on a lengthy, exposed hike, the more water you have, the better.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a long range shooting backpack, a hunting backpack or a PRS backpack, you are bound to find a good one among the options we reviewed and have had personal experience with mentioned on this list.
We hope we have helped on your PRS gear guide, and do not hesitate to comment below if there are other options you have used that you think should be included on this list.
AJ Deysel is a competitive rifle shooter in the PRS and NRL Hunter series, a lifelong hunter, and a recognized ballistics specialist whose load development expertise has been featured by industry leaders like Hornady. He is the founder and lead editor of LoadDevelopment.com. Read more about AJ or view our Editorial & Testing Guidelines.
