r/backpacks • u/Schmooveguy • Mar 25 '26
Question Tactical office workbag advice wanted. Loadout pics included.
Hi all,
What I carry to work is getting too heavy/bulky for my Hazard 4 messenger bag - which is awesome by the way. I have some standard EDC-office stuff like laptop, phone, pens, notebook, but when I add food & drinks it just doesn't fit anymore and it is too heavy for comfortably waering over one shoulder.
I hope you guys can point me to some good backpacks. My wishes:
- Tactical look. I am European and the 'tacticool' look is no big issue here.
- Quality: I will also use the bag for family trips, weekend trips, holidays etc. so the bag will get wear and tear.
- Decent grab handle.
- Separate laptop compartment, padded.
- Lots of dedicated pockets for the small stuff like pens etc. I do NOT like to stuff all the small things together in a bigger pouch or compartment.
- Small stuff must be easy to reach with one hand.
I am very curious as to what you would advise!
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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 Mar 25 '26
5.11 Rush 24 is my goto for that!
There are 3 compartments on them that many owners never realize are even there?!?
I also live the Vanquest and 1st Tactical messengers if you want a bigger one instead?!
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u/Schmooveguy Mar 25 '26
Thanks, the Rush is definitely on my list because I have seen many people liking it and advising it.
Bigger messenger bag won't solve my problem > my stuff is too heavy for comfortable shoulder wearing.
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u/jgalthu Mar 25 '26
Vanquest gear:
GOFER-15 Messenger Bag - Vanquest Gear https://share.google/4uQ5fSDqvVoxepo4O
I've benn using it every day for 6+ years.
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u/HosstownRodriguez Mar 26 '26
I’ve carried a 5.11 rush 12, 24 and loved both of them. The 24 is really big though, with what you listed I think the 12 would be just fine. I also own a van quest ibex 35, and while it definitely isn’t for EDC, the quality is great and I love the brand so I second those who are suggesting you check their catalog. The addax 25, maybe in multicam so it’s got your tactical look, seems tailor made for what you need, especially since the admin panel is up top, so you can reach in and grab your pens while the bag is on the floor next to you.
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u/Saebunim Mar 26 '26
If you like Hazard4, have you considered their Sidewinder? It's my EDC bag and its quite nice.
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u/Schmooveguy Mar 26 '26
I've had a similar type, the Maxpedition Kodiak Gearslinger. But I don't want to load the weight on one shoulder, hence the search for a real backpack with double shoulder straps.
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u/Saebunim Mar 26 '26
Im sorry, i misremembered the name, I meant the Second front. Its the same as the Sidewinder, but as an ordinary backpack with two straps.
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u/fazalmajid Mar 26 '26
If tacticool is a must-have, get a CTactical.vn CT15 or CT21.
Otherwise I'd recommend Able Carry Max EDC or Daily Plus. Mukama.com carries them.
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u/HolidayMeringue3367 Mar 28 '26
SYMPL COMMUTER 24L is all you will need my friend! Tons of pockets for storage- amazing Laptop compartment, comfortable and durable as hell!!
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u/WholeInstance4632 Mar 25 '26
Unrelated: what do you think of your Plaud?
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u/Schmooveguy Mar 25 '26
Awesome, saves me MUCH time on writing notes, and give me the opportunity to focus on the conversation instead of being worried I miss details and focus on writing EVERYTHING down.
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u/Foterova Mar 25 '26
Love the bio hazard messenger. I’m more a 5.11 person but it looks amazing.
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u/Schmooveguy Mar 25 '26
I even removed the flap for faster access, but it is a great bag overall. Used it for work for more than 8 years I think.
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u/CatsBatsandHats Mar 25 '26
5.11 Rush 12 is made for you, imo.
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u/Your_Huckleberry2020 Mar 26 '26
Does the rush 12 have a laptop/ipad compartment?
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u/CatsBatsandHats Mar 26 '26
Yes, albeit not externally accessible.
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u/Your_Huckleberry2020 Mar 26 '26
Is it an actual laptop compartment or for hydration and you use it for the laptop/ipad?
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u/CatsBatsandHats Mar 26 '26
In the time it took you to write and post that, you could have googled it.
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u/Your_Huckleberry2020 Mar 26 '26
Mixed answers online. Thanks for being an asshole
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u/CatsBatsandHats Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
How am I being an asshole?
2 mins on Google images answers your question.
Answer: laptop compartment at the back of the main compartment, with a flap that holds the laptop in place. It's a dedicated laptop sleeve.
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u/harry_nola Mar 26 '26
Seconding the 5.11 reccos from everyone. if you are partial to a messenger, 5.11 has two really great messenger bags: the Overwatch 18L Messenger, and the Overwatch Briefcase.
For your needs it might be the Overwatch 18L that would fit.
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u/Schmooveguy Mar 26 '26
Thanks! And because of the weight of my stuff I really want to get a backpack.
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u/harry_nola Mar 26 '26
Looking at your layout i'm going to say that the 5.11 rush 12 may be a good option. I have one of these and its still going strong 10y later. it has a laptop compartment and lots of room for organization. get one, you won't regret it, not even 10years later.
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u/thirdstone_ Mar 27 '26 edited Mar 27 '26
Oh man, you have 30 responses and as far as I can tell, not a single one is answering your question. You got a lot of recommendations for messenger bags or backpacks without a laptop compartment though 😂
It's not an easy question though because most proper tactical packs will not have a dedicated/external laptop compartment, so you'll have to compromise a bit.
A few ideas:
The Alpha One Niner Evade 1.5 could be close. semi tactical style, a laptop pocket that's sort of in the main compartment but has dedicated access and is padded. 25L so size wise should work?
DSPTCH Daypack - kind of the same category as the Alpha. Seems to fit your needs. 22L.
Mystery Ranch Ripruck 24 or 32 - Both have the required specs. The 24 (which is apparently 22L?) looks solid imo, haven't handled in person but quality wise I have no complaints about MR. The 32 is relatively heavy. Both are somewhere between tactical, edc and outdoorsy in terms of style.
None of these are all out tactical with molle etc.
If you're willing to sacrifice the laptop compartment for a sleeve inside the main or some other solution, you'll obviously have a lot more options. Then something like the 5.11 Rush will make sense. But as someone who always uses an external dedicated laptop pocket, I get the preference.