I’ve been a big fan of 5.11 Tactical for several years now. Their products have never let me down, whether we’re talking about pants or packs. Their RUSH line of backpacks has been around for a bit now, but they’ve recently introduced a new colorway called Moonlight. After seeing the 5.11 RUSH 12 in the new colorway, I had to get one for myself.
RUSH 12 and the RUSH Pack Series
The packs in the RUSH series are named after the number of hours each pack was designed to supply the user. The RUSH 12 is a 12-hour pack, whereas the RUSH 72 is more suited for a few days. The largest is the RUSH 100, which is a 60L pack.
For years, I used a RUSH 24 as my main pack. While it was a bit large for EDC, it served me just fine in that regard. I eventually passed it along to one of my sons. Recently, I found a need for a smaller pack, and the RUSH 12 turned out to be just the ticket.
RUSH 12 2.0 Specs
This is a 24L pack. The main compartment is 18 inches by 11 inches by 6.5 inches. There’s a 1.5L hydration pocket at the back of the pack that measures 16.5 inches by 10 inches.
There is one pocket on the front of the pack. It measures 12 inches by 9 inches by 1.75 inches.
Empty, the RUSH 12 weighs 3.15 pounds. Not bad at all, especially for something this rugged and well-made.
Organizational Capabilities
One of the hallmarks of 5.11’s backpack line is its organizational capabilities. With the RUSH 12, you have a main compartment with a laptop sleeve. It will fit laptops up to 15 inches, and the sleeve is padded to protect the electronics. There are also two mesh pockets inside the main compartment.
On the front, the lower zippered pocket has several internal slip and zippered pockets, along with an admin panel. Above, there is a second zippered pocket. There’s a hidden CCW compartment with Velcro closure as well. It’s designed such that you can quickly and easily access the contents. At the very top of the pack is a fleece-lined zippered pocket for your sunglasses.
The front and side have MOLLE webbing for those who want to add additional pouches or other accoutrements. That said, I feel like adding things to the outside of this particular pack defeats the purpose and intent behind it. This is quite literally a day pack. While you could pile on extras, for my money, I’d rather get the RUSH 24 or RUSH 72 if more space is needed.
The New Moonlight Colorway
I’m really liking the new Moonlight colorway. It’s not just handsome, but practical. In the prepper world, there’s a school of thought that says a tactical pack makes it look like you’re carrying something worth stealing, especially in a major crisis. While I don’t necessarily agree with that line of thinking, as in a bad situation any pack will be assumed to contain something of value, I can’t argue with the notion of striving for a Gray Man approach.
And that’s precisely what you get with this Moonlight colorway. It’s unassuming and definitely lacks a tactical feel. Plus, I’ll admit I have a thing for blue gear.
RUSH 12 2.0 Performance
I used the RUSH 12 on a couple of trips recently. It was comfortable on my back and generally performed very well. On one trip, I used it to hold a day’s worth of clothes and some other gear. It had just enough space, but it was admittedly a tight fit for everything. If it had been winter rather than summer, there may have been problems getting all of the clothing inside.
I love the organizational capabilities of the RUSH packs. So many little pockets and such that help keep everything easy to find. I hate having to rummage through the main compartment of a pack to find small items that have worked their way to the bottom.
The RUSH 12 is a great EDC pack. It’ll hold your laptop and other work items, along with some preparedness gear, as you go about your day.
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