In my continuous search for the next best EDC bag, I happened to come across the 5.11 Covert Boxpack. While I usually rotate my EDC bags around, I will always keep a select few on hand that I feel are purpose-built for what I’ll be using them for. In my case, I want a bag that I can take on day trips with the family to carry all the things I might need to sustain us for a day.
The 5.11 Covert Boxpack makes for a very reliable bag when it comes to EDC use. Up front, I will say that one of the best features about this bag is the quick access pocket in the front for your concealed weapon. It is specifically designed with Velcro and soft padding to hold your firearm, no matter the size. I carried a Glock 17 with two spare mags while I was using this pack.
The best part about this compartment is the lining material, which can be used to affix a Velcro holster if you want your firearm to really be held in place. The main compartment is quite large and very open. With the roll top design, it feels like I’m opening up one of the wet weather bags I used in the Army. Depending on what you’re carrying, you can adjust the roll top to fit your needs. If you’re carrying less gear, then all you need to do is roll down the top a few times and you’re good to go.
The main compartment can be accessed either through the roll top or from the back by way of a zippered enclosure. Now mind you, the zippered part of the bag is designed to allow quick access to a laptop, which may make it difficult to get into the rest of your gear. Either way, it’s not an issue when you’re trying to get to your stuff. The roll top design makes the bag water-resistant, which is always a nice feature to have.
On both sides of the bag, there are zippered compartments that are deceivingly large. I used these to hold a water bottle and spare mags, held in place by a sturdy elastic strap built into the pocket. Just below the roll top opening, there is a zippered pocket that is designed to hold your sunglasses, but it’s large enough to carry much more. My only complaint about this pocket is that the opening was a little small for my hand, but not a deal breaker.
The bag is made of 1680D ballistic polyester material and has YKK zippers, as well as Duraflex hardware. The shoulder straps are reinforced with padding, making for a very comfortable fit. There is also a slide adjusting sternum strap and a fixed waist strap, but my personal preference is not to use these features. I recommend this bag to anyone that may need a new EDC bag or even for hiking use and day trips.
Available in Black, Tundra (Brown), and Storm (Gray), you can pick up yours for $99.99 at 5.11’s website.
Author – Rodney Pointer is a former Army Infantryman. After graduating from Airborne School, he was ruthlessly assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana to live out his days as a dirty leg. He served with the 2nd BN, 30th Infantry of the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Following his deployment to Afghanistan, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Operations. He currently works as a nuclear security contractor.
