The 5.11 Rush series have been around for almost 15 years now. This year we see the first update in the form of the Rush 2.0 series. We got our greedy mitts on the Rush24 2.0 and have been putting it through its paces.
What’s New With The Rush24 2.0
First, they added a concealed carry pouch. It’s hidden ingeniously but quick to access. It sits as a pocket between the front pocket and main pouch. It’s sealed with hook and loop, so it’s effortless to open and access.
Second, the inside of the main pouch now features a laptop pouch that allows you to fit a 15-inch laptop in it. This was added due to user demand. The EDC world has largely adopted military and tactical packs, so small things are changing to better accommodate every user. Plus, the tactical world is changing, the implementation of technology is being infused into our warfighters.
The Rush24 2.0 comes in a multitude of colors, including tactical favorites like Multicam, but also black, brown, and various greens. The bag has a wide variety of pockets and pouches to allow the organization of everything from sleeping gear to pens and paper. Let’s look at the features that stood out to me.
Organization
You learn quickly how important pack organization is when it starts to rain on your field op. Your sprint to cover your gear, but you packed your tarp at the very bottom of the pack. Organization is critical. It doesn’t matter if it’s an EDC pack, a hiking kit, a bug-out bag, or whatever. You want it organized.
The Rush24 2.0 exists as a pocket packing machine. There are pockets everywhere. The side pockets allow for the easy stashing of important gear. From phone chargers to IFAKs, you can store it all for relatively easy access. Organizing your gear in the dozens of pockets is easy and accessing them even easier.
Pockets in the top, front, and side give you plenty of room to stash emergency essentials that you might need right away. I pack an IFAK and rain poncho in the quick access compartments.
Capacity
Thirty-seven liters of your junk can be shoved into the Rush24 2.0. This much space gives me enough room to pack for days at a time. I can pack at least 48 hours of supplies in this bag. If I stretch it a bit and eat thin, then the bag can last 72 hours. I can pack a sleeping bag, extra clothes, a few MREs, lots and lots of water, as well as a good flashlight, an IFAK, and so much more.
I’ve put the pack to the test in my adventure rucks and packed it with a 45-pound load to simulate the Wildland FireFighter pack test. It fit in without making the bag bulbous and tough to close. The extra pockets and dedicated hydration pack makes a huge difference in your capacity.
I’ve loaded the bag for EDC purposes from the office to the gym, and it served as a bag for both. I filled it up with weight to help shoot a gun like an improvised Caldwell Lead Sled. The Rush24 2.0 is a powerhouse of a pack with plenty of capacity for crossing the border into Iraq or going to that 3 PM college class.
Fit and Comfort
Remember when I loaded this bad boy with 45 pounds? Well, I also took it on a three-mile hike. That three-mile hike was completed in under 45 minutes to comply with the Wildland firefighter fitness test. That’s mighty fast for a hump, and it admittedly gave me a good perspective on the pack’s comfort.
Without an external frame, 45 pounds seems to be about the top weight I’d want to carry in this pack. The good news is 5.11 designed the Rush24 2.0 to carry a hefty load for a ‘backpack.’ A healthy amount of reinforced padding on the back. Padding provides an excellent degree of comfort, and the pads allow air to pass between you and your pack.
The shoulder straps are thickly padded and extremely wide. These wide pads provide a high level of comfort to the pack and help support the weight without the straps digging in. The Rush24 2.0 provides a high degree of comfort even when loaded down with heavyweight.
Inherent Quality
Is it made well? Well, it’s made from high-strength 1000D nylon that’s also water repellant. It’s tear-proof, and 5.11 sews everything on with what appears to be a double stitch. The zippers are all YKK high-quality, smooth-moving sealing devices. Duraflex makes the buckles, so you’re well covered here too.
Plus, when it gets filthy dirty, I just hose it down, dry it out and get back at it. For the price, it’s tough to make a better backpack. I’m sure you could, but selling it for under 150 bucks is next to impossible. Give it a peak and let us know what you think below.
