Your survival backpack is a critical piece of your survival kit or bug-out bag.

Some would argue that it is the most important as without it, storing all that vital gear becomes much more difficult.

Whether you should go with a traditional civilian or military backpack, however, depends on your needs.

Outdoor Hiking Backpacks

One of the benefits of choosing a hiking style backpack is how light and comfortable they are. Over the last couple of years these bags have really come into their own; they are lighter, stronger and a whole lot more comfortable to carry than bags from even a couple years ago. If you plan on traveling over long distances, where fatigue will become an issue, then these bags are probably going to be one of the best options to consider.

Because these companies cater to hikers, many of whom are a little obsessive about their pack weights; these bags are designed to be carried on long hauls. Unfortunately, the light hiking craze does have a downside; for every ounce you lose in pack weight, you sacrifice organizational tools like MOLLE, pouches and other methods of carrying extra gear.

The downside to buying these types of packs:

One of the biggest drawbacks to these types of packs is their lack of compartments and organization. Since every bit of extra material can add weight to the bag, many of these companies have slimmed down the amount of storage space in favor of one large compartment.

Military Style Backpacks

If you’re not concerned with the weight of your pack, then a military pack can be a good option – especially if storage and organization is a concern. While these packs are on the heavy side, they are super durable, made to be carried through harsh conditions, and are easy to organize and add attachments and gear to.

The benefit of choosing a military style bag is the ability to attach utility packs, accessories and magazine pouches right to the bag, using a MOLLE system or ALICE system on older style packs. Since most modern accessories are designed to be used with MOLLE style bags I would tend to stay away from ALICE packs.

The downside to buying these types of packs:

The downside to these packs is their weight. If the pack is going to be carried by someone with back issues, or someone who has a hard time carrying large amounts of weight, then a hiking backpack might be the better option since they are much easier to carry.

The type of backpack you choose should be dictated by your needs and physical abilities.

While you should not obsess over which type of backpack to have, it is important as you do not want to get into a survival situation and realize you made a mistake.

For more information on types of backpacks and their pros and cons, please visit Off Grid Survival.