The Best Military Bags for Civilians

Military bags offer some impressive features and benefits for our service members, but just because they’re designed for our troops doesn’t mean they’re not available for everyone to use. You can get just as much use out of a military bag in the civilian world as our brave men and women in the Armed Forces. In this blog, we’ll talk about the different military bags civilians commonly use and what to look for if you want to grab your own. 

Different Types of Military Bags Civilians Can Use

Military bags are designed specifically with service members in mind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them as a civilian. In fact, you can get just as much use out of these bags as one of our troops, and they’ll offer tactical benefits you might not find in a typical bag you’d find in the civilian world. Below, we’ll go over some options you have when looking for a bag for civilian use. 

1. Assault Packs

Assault packs are designed for military or tactical operations, but they can also be handy in heavy-duty civilian applications, such as camping trips, hiking, or work. These bags are designed to be compact for easy handling and can carry anywhere between 24 to 72 hours worth of supplies depending on their size. You can carry a lot of different supplies inside one of these bags, including:

• Clothing
• Water and food
• Batteries and first-aid kits
• Equipment of tools
• Personal necessities

While these bags traditionally have tactical applications, they’re a sturdy bag for the more rugged civilian who wants a bag they can rely on to store and carry all their supplies for their daily needs. 

2. Wheeled Duffles

If you’re traveling, wheeled duffles or wheeled loadout bags are an excellent option. In the military, these bags are often used to carry gear required for a mission and are a popular choice for service members leaving on deployment. These bags vary in size but are known for their durability since they’re meant to handle the rugged conditions of military operations. 

Wheeled loadout bags come in different sizes to accommodate different supplies and they’ll often boast different features based on the needs of our service members. However, civilians can also use these bags when they’re traveling or need to carry a lot of supplies from one place to the next. These bags are excellent if you’re dealing with more rugged conditions than what a typical civilian duffle may be able to handle. 

3. Rucksacks

Service members often use rucksacks during their training or during ruck marches as a way to maintain and improve their physical health while preparing for real-life missions or deployments. These bags are designed to carry a lot of heavy items over long distances, which means they’re notoriously durable with more than enough storage space for a wide range of items. As a civilian, you can use these bags similarly to a backpack when you have a lot of bulky or heavy items to carry. You can trust that a rucksack has the necessary durability to help you carry what you need for your personal applications. 

4. Bugout Bags

Bugout bags are common among service members and tactical enthusiasts who want to be prepared during emergencies. These bags are specifically designed to carry emergency supplies, including clothes, food, water, first-aid kits, flashlights, camping supplies, and more. Just because you’re not in the military or a tactical professional doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. You never know when the next big weather event might roll through and cause power outages or when you need to leave home suddenly for a few days. Getting a bugout bag and stocking it with your emergency supplies can help you feel more prepared to handle unexpected situations if they arise.

5. Garment Bags

Service members are frequently using garment bags to protect their official military dress while they’re stored away for safekeeping or while they’re traveling. These uniforms are generally expensive, and it can be tedious to find a replacement, so these bags offer ample protection when our troops are on the go. 

You can also use garment bags to protect your business attire or outfits you might have for a special event, such as weddings or conferences. You can even find garment bags with enough space for your outfit, a spare change of clothes, toiletries, shoes, and other essentials. 

What to Consider When Buying a Bag for Civilian Use

It’s important to consider a few different things when buying a bag for civilian use. Bags designed for military use don’t just have to be used by our troops, and make an excellent option for several civilian applications. When you’re choosing a military bag as a civilian, there are a couple of things you’ll want to consider, including the following:

• Use cases: You’ll want to consider what you need to use a bag for before you decide on which bag you want to get. For example, if you want a bag to take with you to work or while camping, an assault pack would be a better fit than a wheeled loadout bag. Carefully consider what you’re going to be doing so you choose the right bag to handle the job.
• Durability: It’s important to have a bag that won’t fall apart the moment you start filling it with your supplies or when you’re carrying it. Look for bags made of high-quality materials, such as nylon or polyester. Also, consider the bag's stitching to ensure it has strong seams that won’t fray or break the moment the bag becomes full. 
• Size: Size is another important factor to consider since you will want a bag that’s big enough to carry everything you need, but not so big that it’s weighing you down with unnecessary space. If you only need a bag for the day, an assault pack would work the best, while a wheeled loadout bag is ideal for travel or times you have a lot of bulky items to carry.
• Comfort: You don’t want to have to lug around a bag that’s going to give you back and shoulder problems almost immediately. Instead, look for a bag that prioritizes ergonomic features so you maintain your comfort while carrying your belongings. These features can include a padded back panel, padded shoulder straps, and sternum or waist straps.
• Organization: It’s always good to stay organized, so you know exactly where to find what you need. A good bag will allow you to organize your belongings into different compartments or pockets, so it’s an important feature to look for, especially if you’re carrying a lot of smaller or important items. 

Find Your Next Military Bag at MLC

Whether you’re in the military or just a civilian who wants to take advantage of the benefits of military bags, Military Luggage Company has you covered. We offer a wide range of bags, packs, and cases designed with our troops in mind, but they have practical everyday uses for those on the civilian side, too. We personally vet all of our products to ensure they meet rigorous quality standards, so you can trust our bags will meet your needs. Check out our selection to get started, or contact us today with your questions.