If there’s one thing that gun people love (other than guns and arguing about guns) it’s backpacks. Of course that could be me, I do love backpacks. I have 5 or 6 that I use for various things, so when I got the chance to review the new Beretta Tactical Backpack I jumped in with both feet.
The Beretta Tactical Backpack would be a fine choice for a student (do they still carry backpacks?), a mil/LEO looking for a day pack for their gear, a light ruck here or there, or as I’ve got it configured: a grab-and-go airline carry on. I like to have my carry-on bag preset up with most of the stuff I want with me on flights, and this bag is perfect for that.
On the front/face of the Beretta Tactical Backpack you have a grid of MOLLE webbing. This is great if you want to add some external pouches or storage to the bag, like a dump pouch for carrying snacks. Up from that is a quick access pouch and a patch panel; the QA pouch is big enough for a phone charger, some AirPod Pros, and a set of keys but not much else. Since those are all items I’d want to get at with a minimum of hassle in an airport, that’s what I store there.
Moving to the Beretta Tactical Backpack’s first of two main compartments, you have a webbed pouch on the inside face of the bag, and then the usual array of media pockets and small pouches. The two main small pouches fit a Phlster Pocket Emergency Wallet and my CAT tourniquet like they were designed for them. I always have medical gear pre-staged in my carry-on bag, as I’m far more likely to encounter a medical emergency in the airport than I am a gunfight. In the media pocket, intended for phones I keep alcohol wipes for disinfecting surfaces, as well as different sizes of band-aid. These are great in case someone gets an injury that’s less serious than a gun shot wound, but also doesn’t want to bleed all over the place.
The second main pocket is big enough for 72 hours worth of clothes and toiletries if you pack light, which is the best role I see for this bag. An overnight-to-48 hour stay is well within the capabilities of the Beretta Tactical Backpack. In the large second main pocket, there’s an auxiliary pouch that appears to be designed for a hydration bladder. There’s a pass through from the main compartment for a hydration bladder drinking hose, so if you’re wearing the bag on a ruck or light hike you can stay hydrated.
Lastly, the Beretta Tactical Backpack’s pad section has a zippered compartment. This is the part of the bag that’s actually in contact with your back, so it’s a logical place for a light weight if you’re interested in rucking this bag. Because it doesn’t have a robust waist strap, I wouldn’t load it down with 50lbs, but it could easily handle a small 10-25lb plate.
The Beretta Tactical Backpack is available from Beretta USA for $140. If you’re looking for a hybrid bag that works just as well on the range as it does on an airline, give it a look. I’ll definitely be keeping this one.
