The complete guide
Picking the right capacity: why an expandable pack beats guessing
The usual advice for buying a tactical backpack is to work out your maximum load and buy for that — which means carrying an oversized, half-empty bag on every trip that isn’t the maximum. An expandable design sidesteps the trade-off: compressed down, it sits at 20 litres for a day hike or a commute; opened out, it takes a 3-day loadout at 45 litres without buying a second bag. The MOLLE webbing runs across the full front and side panels, so pouches for a first-aid kit, water bottle or radio can be positioned based on how you actually reach for them, not wherever the manufacturer happened to sew a fixed pocket. The velcro patch panel is a genuinely practical touch too — it’s where most people put an ID or unit patch, but it doubles as a spot for reflective tape if you’re moving near roads in low light.