5.11 Rush 72 pack

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Tiley

Life Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,364
374
60
Gloucestershire
Does anyone have any thoughts about this beast? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

If it's OK, are there any similar packs that would be worth looking at?

Many thanks, in advance, for your help/advice/observations.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Hi.Theres a fellow who describes his likes and dislikes, on youtube. He attached an osprey belt to it.About 4.48 in.[video=youtube;QBtBxOwr6i8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBtBxOwr6i8&t=0s[/video]

He does some good videos I enjoy his pace.
 

Buckshot

Mod
Mod
Jan 19, 2004
6,466
349
Oxford
I have the 24 and really love it.
biggest problem for us in the UK is waterproofing as a clam style opening is anything but!
also the sunglasses section can leak into the main compartment if water gets in.
I solved it with a rucksack cover which works well.
 

Tiley

Life Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,364
374
60
Gloucestershire
I have the 24 and really love it.
biggest problem for us in the UK is waterproofing as a clam style opening is anything but!
also the sunglasses section can leak into the main compartment if water gets in.
I solved it with a rucksack cover which works well.

Many thanks for that. Do you know what capacity the 24 is in good ol' litres? I know that the 72 is around the 45-ish litre mark and I'm wondering whether the 24 might suit me better... If you wouldn't mind giving me a bit more of a review of the 24, that would be truly great.

I know what you mean about waterproofing and, like you, I tend to use my Aiguille rucksack cover and assorted dry bags to keep out the worst!

Richard
 

Damascus

Native
Dec 3, 2005
1,662
194
65
Norwich
I have and used my 72 for a couple of years and really pleased with it. Well built and cleverly thought out especially the split front and rear pocket. It will do for a weekend camping and is comfy to carry as I have done walk ins (7 mile) with no issues, I use a small shoulder bag to complement it, more for ease of access to small bits..
 

Wander

Native
Jan 6, 2017
1,418
1,983
Here There & Everywhere
Do you know what capacity the 24 is in good ol' litres?

I've seen various different claims - some say 34L, some say 37L.
So it's that kind of size.

Like all 5.11 stuff it's very well made.
But heavy.
I find all the 5.11 packs to be of a very high standard but they are heavy for their size. I think they are a bit too over-engineered. All those compartments and pockets seem like a good idea but I never used them and all they do is add weight.
And, as others have mentioned, water-proofing them is also another issue. And adding dry bags just adds more weight.
The Rush 72 I think is the worst of the bunch - for similar size and cost you can do better. The Rush 24 is a good one but the Rush 12 is the best of the bunch - it may be heavier than similar 25L packs but the difference is now down to just being negligible and the build quality makes up for it. The Rush 12 is just a day pack though.

I tell you a good make - Wisport.
The Sparrow 30 (it's a 30L pack) is a cracker. Well made and extremely well laid out (not carved up into lots of small compartments which so many modern packs seem to do)
Another good option is the Karrimor SF Predator 30.
 

Tiley

Life Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,364
374
60
Gloucestershire
Many thanks for the input and suggestions. I like the look of the Wisport variation - particularly on price, which makes it a very competitive possibility. I also like the look of the Karrimor Thor 40 - good size, simple design, including a rain cover... These two seem to be pretty strong, reasonably priced alternatives to the 5.11 Rush models or the (ludicrously expensive) TAD Gear pack I looked at briefly.

Any further thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Richard\
 

Allans865

Full Member
Nov 17, 2016
470
196
East Kilbride
I can’t comment on the 72, but I do own a 12, and it is a great bag....by far the most hard wearing and bombproof bag that I have ever owned.

As the guys are saying, it is heavy and perhaps a bit expensive, but you do get a lot of bag for your money. The build quality and materials are excellent.

I paid about £80 for mine about a year ago, but I’m glad I did, because it is still like new and it’s going to last for years to come.

I use it daily for my work, my gym bag, my bushcraft bag....I basically use it all the time, and there are no signs of any wear and tear as yet.

My Bergen for hillwalking, weekends etc is a karrimor predator 45, but when the time comes to upgrade, renew, whatever.....I’ll certainly look at the Rush 72, as I know I’ll be getting a good, quality bit of kit.

I only wish they were around when I was in the army, as I would certainly have had one as an ops sack.

Hope this helps,

Allan


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Tiley

Life Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,364
374
60
Gloucestershire
Any personal experience of these things is useful so, yes, it most certainly does help - thank you very much.

How does your Rush hold up in the wet? It seems that there are a number of people who feel that this is something that makes it less than ideal for the U.K.'s temperate/often wet climate. I'd appreciate your thoughts on its 'weatherproofness', if possible.
 

Buckshot

Mod
Mod
Jan 19, 2004
6,466
349
Oxford
I like all the little pockets and compartments in the rush 24. it makes things easy to get hold of and not just a big pile of 'stuff' at the bottom of the bag. It wouldn't be as good to have a clam shell opener if kit all slumps to the bottom when you put it on your back.
one thing I don't like about it is the small front pocket split into two sides. IMO it would be much better with the same internal compartments but with a single zip opening going over the top which would make it more versatile.
Other than the waterproofing issue mentioned I really like it.
I had a maxped prior to this which was OK as well. similar in terms of pockets
 

Allans865

Full Member
Nov 17, 2016
470
196
East Kilbride
Any personal experience of these things is useful so, yes, it most certainly does help - thank you very much.

How does your Rush hold up in the wet? It seems that there are a number of people who feel that this is something that makes it less than ideal for the U.K.'s temperate/often wet climate. I'd appreciate your thoughts on its 'weatherproofness', if possible.
I carry a highlander daysack cover, tucked away in one of the inner pockets, should i be caught out in heavy rain.

The bag itself is ok in showers, but definitely needs a waterproof cover for prolonged rain....most bags do anyway, so I wouldn't see this as a negative.

Cheers
Allan

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Tiley

Life Member
Oct 19, 2006
2,364
374
60
Gloucestershire
Increasingly, I'm being drawn to the Rush 24. It looks to be about the right capacity, seems pretty well-made from what I've read and offers the possibility of rather better organised storage of my bits and bobs. I am used to the generally heavy U.S. packs, so that is not too much of an issue and I can transfer the raincover from my current EDC pack to cope with the grotty, wet weather.

Unless anyone else has got a critical observation that might dissuade me, I might just press the 'add to cart' button and see what it's really like...

Many thanks to all for your input.

Richard
 

Dark Horse Dave

Full Member
Apr 5, 2007
1,739
71
Surrey / South West London
For what it's worth Richard I can offer nothing to dissuade you! I use my Rush 12 as my everyday work bag, and much appreciate the organisation it gives me. At a push as well as my normal work stuff - laptop, big hard-backed folder thing, drink, pens, glasses, phones etc etc - I can get my trainers & gym kit in there as well. OK it's a bit of a squeeze, but it leads me to think that the 24 will be plenty big enough for you. As others have said, yeah it's likely to be a bit heavy but like most things it's a compromise and you pays your money and makes your choice (which is imminent by the sound of it...!)

Have fun with it whatever; you can always flog it on here if you don't get on with it!
 

Wander

Native
Jan 6, 2017
1,418
1,983
Here There & Everywhere
The only genuinely negative thing I can find to say about the Rush 24 are the side pockets.
I'd rather they weren't there.
You can't see them just by looking at pictures, but both sides have pockets on them. These side pockets do infringe on internal space. So if you bulk out the main compartment it will mean putting anything in the side pockets (which are just about big enough to fit a 1L nalgene bottle) is tight. Likewise, put a water bottle in one of those pouches (which is what I reckon they were designed for) will mean the space inside the main compartment is not as spacious as it started out.
Like I say, I'd rather they hadn't put them on.
 

shibafu

Member
Jul 31, 2013
18
8
UK
I tell you a good make - Wisport.
The Sparrow 30 (it's a 30L pack) is a cracker. Well made and extremely well laid out (not carved up into lots of small compartments which so many modern packs seem to do)

A second vote for Wisport, I have the 35l Whistler and it's very well made. Lots of adjustment, and a great hip belt, but it's on the heavy side. I still had 5.11 Rush organiser envy though, I ended up making an internal organiser out of a cheap fishing vest.
 

CLEM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jul 10, 2004
2,420
428
Stourbridge
I've recently upgraded to a Rush 24 from my LK35 so far I've zero complaints, very well made, well thought out, easy to organise my kit so it's easier to find ( I am not an organised chap 😁 ) so this does help 😁. It is heavy though but not so heavy as it's really bothersome. I still love my LK's though 🙂
 

Wander

Native
Jan 6, 2017
1,418
1,983
Here There & Everywhere
If you haven't spent the money yet then there's another option:
First Tactical Specialist 1 Day pack (yeah, it is a stupid macho-male name):
https://www.firsttactical.com/products/specialist-1-day-backpack

Designed by the same chap who did the 5.11 Rush series.
But cheaper, lighter, and without those annoying side pockets.

At 36L it's about he size you're looking for.
If it was me I'd take the First Tactical over the 5.11 any day of the week. You won't go wrong with the 5.11, but you'd be more right with the First Tactical bag.
 

Allans865

Full Member
Nov 17, 2016
470
196
East Kilbride
Increasingly, I'm being drawn to the Rush 24. It looks to be about the right capacity, seems pretty well-made from what I've read and offers the possibility of rather better organised storage of my bits and bobs. I am used to the generally heavy U.S. packs, so that is not too much of an issue and I can transfer the raincover from my current EDC pack to cope with the grotty, wet weather.

Unless anyone else has got a critical observation that might dissuade me, I might just press the 'add to cart' button and see what it's really like...

Many thanks to all for your input.

Richard
Go for it Richard, you won't regret it!

Cheers,
Allan


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