Before we start this review, I will be completely honest with all of you, 5.11 Tactical is not one of my favorite brands. It’s nothing against 5.11, they make a great product, but I just don’t want to be that “wannabe operator airsoft dude” that wears nothing but 5.11 gear. I like being discreet in everything I do and I definitely don’t want to act like an “Operator” when I’ve never been one. 5.11 tends to stand out even in their civilian clothing and that’s the big problem that I have with 5.11. Already having a super biased opinion about 5.11, the editor here at the Loadout Room, Scott, told me about a quality pack by 5.11 and I told him I’d give it a shot. I also told him that if I didn’t like it, I was sending it back to him. That pack was the 5.11 Tactical AMP24. AMP stands for All Missions Pack. Long story short, I never sent it back…
5.11’s All Mission Pack (AMP)24 is built for 12 hours of fun in the sun and 12 hours of fun with no sun… (It comes in 3 sizes, each with a play on how many hours its ideal for, 12, 24 and 72). It’s an ideal 24-hour pack, but I personally think that its one of those packs where if you are good at tactical tetris packing you could push the limits to 2 maybe 3 days. There is a lot of room for activities in this pack! So what about this pack made me keep it? It’s narrow, it’s comfortable, it’s dynamic and versatile, and lastly it is a breachers friend. Now I’m not a breacher (I’m in the process of becoming breacher certified) but this pack is set up to be a breachers best friend because it is narrow and spacious. Another great quality to add to the breacher aspect is that it features the hex platform that 5.11 runs. Now I had never ran anything with that platform hooked up to it, but I love it now. It’s crazy and the possibilities are endless.
The AMP24 was introduced at SHOT show 2018 along with a slew of other products. It’s one of those packs that I take into work every day, on just about every operation I am on and its just all around super durable and comfortable. I wear it with the First Spear AAC Frog and I have no complaints. I have had a lot of problems wearing packs on top of my plate carrier, but with the AMP24, I really haven’t had any. The AMP24 features lots of compartments – most notable the CCW pocket with loop panel and webbing strap for holster attachment for “off the grid, civilian life concealed carry”. I also like the quick release shoulder straps that come off in the blink of an eye – perfect for getting yourself out of it if need be as well as a fleece lined pocket that I put either my Clear Lens Gatorz in or my Gatorz Magnums in. I also love the back padding for if you’re carrying a heavy pack. The biggest compartment that I like is the Laptop or hydration compartment. While having a frozen camelback defrost in that compartment, my gear in the main compartment stayed dry and that’s huge to me as I freeze my camelback 99% of the time before operations. When getting the pack completely soaked in saltwater, I had no issues with the zippers or with my gear getting wet and in the maritime world, that’s one of the biggest things I like in my gear.
All in all, I’m not completely sold on 5.11, but I am sold on their amp24. It’s solid, rugged, durable, and all around my day to day pack whether at home or on operations. You can pick up the AMP24 for $189 and it’s well worth the money. Do yourself a favor and pick up this pack!
