No matter your trade or pleasure, having the proper luggage or baggage to cart your stuff around is paramount. Finding the perfect bag or backpack can be daunting. We recently were sent one of AET Tactical’s backpacks and got a chance to take it for a few spins. The “Large Military Tactical Travel Backpack for Men,” also called a large three-day expandable outdoor backpack, actually worked out well for us.
AET Tactical
The tactical backpack by AET was sent to us kind of on a whim.
We previously had purchased one of their ARCAMO Parachute backpacks and they were seeking a customer review of the product. The parachute bag was used for about a year before the water bottle pocket was blown out and the bag was retired. The parachute bag was made of a lightweight nylon and we used it for mostly outdoor activities as well as carting around stuff when on many of our travel outings.
As a sidebar, we still have and use one of their parachute fanny packs.
After letting the rep at AET Tactical know that we had discarded the bag after wearing it out, we discussed a potential testing and evaluation of another product. AET’s representative picked out the tactical travel backpack for us to try.
The bag MSRPs on their website for $58.99 and at the time of publication is discounted down to $34.99.
Let’s cut to the chase though, because being above the fold is important. In AET’s frequently asked questions, the manufacturing origin is discussed, “Our products are primarily manufactured in our state-of-the-art facilities in Asia, with additional manufacturing capabilities in Texas, USA, to meet Berry, TAA, and CA Prop65 compliance standards.”
First impression
When we first got the bag, it was nothing that impressed. It was a backpack. Exploring the pockets and pouches did reveal that it’s very roomy and would hold a fair amount of stuff. There’s a laptop sleeve in the main compartment, as well as a bunch of other useful pockets. The PVC backed nylon was something that reminded me of maybe a promotional item. But I kept an open mind.
The bag’s stated size is 39L to 64L, so it’s roomy.
Evaluating the bag’s best use
I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to use the bag. It wasn’t something I wanted to take out into the field for say an extended outdoor activity like a hike or camping trip. It could be more than sufficient for a short hike or to use as a gear bag for casual trips, but nothing I was ready to take out for high adventure – not that I’m doing anything too high adventurey these days.
I committed to using it as my gear bag for SHOT Show® 2025. I laid out all the stuff that I was taking as a carry-on the airplane as well as what I’d be using while actually at the show. What did I stuff into the bag that I wanted to have at my fingertips at the show?
- Laptop, charger, and wireless mouse
- Corded handheld microphone
- Wireless lavalier microphones
- Phone charging cables and transformer plug
- Three backup battery packs – (One TACAMO and two Dark Energy)
- Handheld MEMO recorder
- Steno pad, reporter’s notebook, and pens
- House key
- Business cards
- “One pager” promotional flyers for media personnel
- Cigars
- Protein bars
- A telescoping tripod
- Reading glasses
There were some other assorted random things stuffed in the bag, but nothing to write home about. It was actually pretty heavy when filled with all that gear.
How’d everything work out using it?
The bag performed surprisingly well. It had more than enough room for my stuff. The ballasting of it might have been a little off, as I had some heavier items in outer pockets, but that’s a packing issue, not a bag issue.
The zippers worked fine, without an issue through and through. They were not yarded on, but I did not baby them either. Are they tough as nails? Probably not. But they got the job done.
One of the big downfalls was trying to find stuff in the main compartment. That compartment is so large that things could easily get lost in there. That’s something to consider when packing, it can hold a fair amount of stuff.
The water bottle side pocket is weak and is not going to last in my opinion. It’s also not very large. Generally, this is a big selling point – a quality water bottle side pouch – but, for this kind of application, I think it’ll last long enough.
That bag did what I needed it to do
Pretty much I made it completely through SHOT Show unscathed while using the bag. Not long after my return from SHOT Show, I headed off to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the NRA Great American Outdoor Show, and used the bag for that event without issue as well.
This backpack will be my go-to for these kinds of events going forward, until I wear it out. It’s a great bag for business purposes, or maybe for someone in school. I’m personally not going to be relying on it for any type of overly taxing activities, but I’m sure it’ll perform just fine in the field.
The quick and dirty
Pluses: The bag is fairly inexpensive. There’s plenty of room for a ton of stuff. Worked great in a business setting.
Minuses: PVC backed nylon is not as rugged as some of the other materials out there. Construction seems not as durable as some other bags on the market.
Overall, this AET Tactical Military backpack got the job done for me. Will it work out for you? That depends on what you’re going to use it for. Considering the sale price of $34.99, it’s not a bank breaker. I would not, however, pay the regular price of $58.99. That’d be overpaying by a large margin. I can recommend this bag for light duty. Just understand what you’re buying, where it comes from, and what your particular expectations are.
