The iconic 5.11 RUSH 24. I originally did this review on a popular gear forum and took it down. Since then, I’ve been getting requests from EDC enthusiasts looking for it so I’ve decided to re-publish it here with a few updates. This is probably one of the most popular MOLLE packs out there. Many of us have owned it at one time or another. I had a REV 1 in the Dark Earth a couple of years ago, but didn’t really care for the color. So, when a Black REV 2 became available for sale in the “grey market”, I jumped at the chance to own one again.
One of the first things I did was to remove the standard zipper pulls and replace them with Charcoal Gray 550 Paracord, which IMO contrasts nicely with the rest of the pack. I also added a Trident Tactical Admin Pouch. More on the pouch later in the review.
The 5.11 Tactical RUSH 24 Backpack
There’s MOLLE webbing all over this pack, which gives it tremendous versatility. As you can see, I haven’t added hardly anything to the exterior. This was by design. Honestly, the 5.11 RUSH 24 has so much internal organization that adding more pouches to the outside is usually unnecessary and it just results in cluttering up what I think is a terrific looking pack. But, it’s good to know the capability is there if you need it.
There are upper compression straps that can be used to compress the pack when not carrying a full load. They do a fair job although having upper and lower straps would have been better.
With that said, you can do a mod using 5.11’s Tier System Straps to create a lower compression strap on the RUSH 24. Here is a pic. It does a pretty good job of simulating the real thing, but you have to buy the straps separately, which adds to the overall cost of the pack.
Strap management is also key. The RUSH comes with matching elastic keepers and so do the tier straps. So everything cinches up nice and neat and it all looks pretty much integrated. I’m not sure this is exactly what 5.11 had in mind with these accessories, but hey … whatever works.
The yoke harness does a great job of distributing a full load out evenly across the shoulders. The shoulder straps are very adjustable and well padded. I also like having the option of a sternum strap for more stability (it’s removable on the RUSH 24). There are also attachment points for a waist belt if desired and a large carry handle. It’s not boxed stitched so I’d be careful long-term about using it when the pack is fully loaded. I could see it being a stress point.
Here is a shot of the straps when worn. One thing I noticed on the second go-around with this pack was how close the straps rode to my neck. On the 24, the yoke is wide enough to not cause me issues, but I have a pretty broad chest. It might give someone with a more narrow frame problems.
For an Admin Pouch, I needed something durable and low profile that would give me quick access to items I use often without the need to get into the pack – primarily my RITR field book, pen, light, and a knife. I also wanted good retention and non-zippered access so someone behind me couldn’t easily lift the contents. The Trident Tactical admin pouch fit my requirements perfectly.
It features a main compartment with a velcro opening where you can store and/or clip various items to the inside and a flashlight/knife pouch and four elastic loops for quick access on the outside. Here I’m storing a small Coast flashlight, a Zebra F-301 Compact pen, and a Spyderco Native 3.
The pouch includes built-in straps to attach to any molle compatible pack – similar to those found on GoRuck’s pouches except there isn’t a pocket on the bottom to tuck in the ends.
Overall, it met my need perfectly without adding hardly any bulk or weight to an already large pack. T3 Gear is advertised as the only gear in the world created by combat-veteran Navy Seals and carries a lifetime Guarantee.
The admin pocket in the 5.11 RUSH 24 is one of the best you will ever find. Lots of pen loops, sleeves of various sizes with and without retention, two key keepers, and a zip pocket for loose items…
Here I keep my Spec Ops Dry Cell Organizer with a pair of combat shears and other goodies that I can grab and go inside. A stainless steel Sharpie, Zebra F-701, and County Comm Embassy Pen in the pen loops. My Leatherman Bit Kit is in the sleeve to the right of that. Underneath that in the right sleeve with a retaining strap is my Leatherman Skeletool in a sheath. To the left of that is a Maxpedition Mini Pocket Organizer with another set of small EDC items.
I’m not even using the long sleeves in the panel right now, but they would be a PERFECT place for gloves in the winter. The panel opens three-quarters of the way for easy access…
Ah yes, the side zippered compartments on the 24. In a word, awesome. You’ll notice I didn’t put gray pulls on the side pockets because I don’t want to attract attention to them. With the storm flies that cover the zippers, they are very “incognito” on this pack and they could be used for any number of things. Need to get water bottles into a venue that doesn’t allow them? Check. Want to smuggle some food into the same? Check. Could they be used to store a small firearm? Probably… as long as you have it secured properly in a holster or a pouch. Not ideal, but in a pinch. Absolutely. (BTW, I’m not suggesting you take a concealed weapon into a venue that doesn’t allow them. Not a good idea.)
To give you an idea on size, I had these two tall 24 oz insulated Polar Bottles in the pack during much of the shoot…
Here is a bottle in the pocket. And before you ask, no… a 32 oz Nalgene will not fit. It is too wide and the zipper will not close shut. The diameter of my Polar bottles are 2.95 inches according to the manufacturer. Anything wider than that would be a no-go.
P.S. A big thanks to EveryDayBeer on EDCF for donating the Black 550 paracord (shown above) for the side zippered compartments. I had run out and he kindly sent me some out of his own pocket. I don’t frequent that forum any longer but most of the members there were awesome back in the day and he was no exception.
The two small zip pockets above the admin panel consist of a pocket with a soft material to prevent abrasion, a sleeve, and a small facing zippered mesh pocket.
I usually buy a maxpedition 5″ or Smartphone phone holster with every bag I own to house my smartphone, but these pockets make that unnecessary (unless you want to attach one to the backpack straps for quick access). My Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx slides right in behind the sleeve and fits without an issue. The RAZR Maxx is one of the larger smartphones on the market (at the time of this writing) so most other makes/models should fit no problem including the iPhone. Of course, you could use the pocket to store a music player like an iPod Touch or any other similarly sized electronic device. You could also clip a knife, flashlight, or another small EDC item to the sleeve. The mesh pocket is perfect to store a charging cable, headphones, or other accessories.
The pockets are also deceptively large. Here I used the right pocket to house my Spec Ops T.H.E. Wallet Jr. Despite its name, it isn’t a small wallet measuring 4″ X 4″. It won’t fit in the sleeve but hopefully this gives you an idea of what could fit if you just want to throw something in there for quick access (such as a passport, work badge, folded boarding pass, etc.).
One of the things I would change on the 24 would be the size of the zippered sunglasses pouch on the top of the bag just behind the carry handle. It’s small and pretty much impossible to store a pair of sunglasses in a medium to large-sized case in there. I still store my sunglasses in the pouch but it offers no protection from damage other than scratches. They made the pouch in the COVRT 18 larger and I suggest 5.11 carries it over to the next revision of the RUSH 24.
Moving onto the main compartment, the 5.11 RUSH 24 offers a generous amount of capacity which can be accessed freely because the pack can be unzipped and laid flat (as shown below).
There is a zippered mesh pocket and a magazine/laptop sleeve with a bungee cord closure. I received this pack from another member here and it came with the cord jury rigged because it had separated from one side of the pack. Given this, I would hesitate to use this pocket to hold anything of significant heft (like a laptop). It isn’t padded either and therefore the hydration pocket would probably be a better place for that.
In fact, if I had to change one other thing about the RUSH 24, it would be to take the velcro secured padded laptop sleeve from the COVRT 18 and incorporate it here. Perhaps 5.11 will do that with the next iteration of the RUSH series.
The flap side has two more zippered mesh pockets and another small zippered pocket under those. Obviously, these pockets provide a tremendous amount of built-in organization without the need to add additional pouches. Many RUSH owners talk about using their packs for travel and it’s easy to understand why.
Note: I also replaced the interior pulls with grey 550 mil spec paracord. They are much easier to find as a result.
FINAL THOUGHTS (UPDATED)
The 5.11 RUSH 24 is one of my favorite all time tactical packs and from a value perspective it has few peers. 5.11 really cracked the code on two strap versatility and capacity with this pack and they kept the price reasonable, which is even more amazing.
Is the RUSH 24 perfect? Absolutely not. For instance, I can’t recommend the RUSH for office EDC. It doesn’t have a dedicated padded laptop sleeve and putting a laptop in the partially padded hydration sleeve works fine, but I think it would be better protected if it was located inside the pack, completely padded, and slightly raised and not flush with the bottom (like the Camelbak Urban Assault).
The RUSH is also very tactical looking and therefore it isn’t appropriate in all office settings. In the covert tactical pack category, the 5.11 COVRT 18, Vertx EDC Gamut, Camelbak Urban Assault, or Camelbak Dispatch would all be better choices in about the same size range although (again) they are all more expensive than the RUSH 24. See a trend?
The RUSH 24 is also on the large end of the scale for Everyday Carry. It measures out at 20″ (H) x 12.5″ (W) x 8″ (D) and 2,000 cubic inches in volume. I honestly wish 5.11 would make a RUSH 18. I found the COVRT 18 to be too floppy/lacking in structure and the RUSH 12 was smaller than I needed at times. I sometimes criticize manufacturers (like GoRuck) for iterating an existing design to death and not coming out with something new but, in this case, it would be a good thing. Note to 5.11: if you do follow though on this idea, I guarantee it will sell like hot cakes. Just make sure and send the royalty checks to this address once the sales start rolling in. 
Despite it’s minor short comings, if you’re on a budget and looking for a larger durable EDC pack that has lots of organization then the RUSH 24 should definitely be on your short list. For many, the RUSH 24 was the gateway drug to their Milspec pack obsession and for that reason it’s still held in high regard.
The 5.11 Tactical RUSH 24 retails for $131 but can be had for less if you’re patient enough to wait for a sale. It’s available direct from 5.11’s website and other retailers who sell 5.11 products.
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