Let’s be real, there’s no shortage of cool backpacks on the market for EDC. If you’ve ever been to a gun show or Bass Pro, you have seen dozens of backpacks lined with molle straps in hundreds of colors. Big, small, with or without Velcro panels, camouflaged, pink and purple camo with “Hello Kitty” on it, the options are endless. With so many choices out there, determining the best EDC backpack is no easy task. To narrow the field, I went on a hunt for a 30-liter bag that could be carried daily without being too “tacticool.” What does that mean? I’m going to avoid the outrageous camo patterns and neon colors and go for a solid black or brown. I want a bag that is durable with enough pockets to store my gear and not have it fall out into a mess. I don’t want military patches or anything that will draw attention to me. Consider this my “Gray Man” bag.
I reached out to 221B Tactical for this review because they have a great reputation among those who hard use their products. Not only do they make great packs and bags, but they are well-known for their incredible innovations in cooling vests and body armor. With that kind of involvement and dedication to those who protect us every day, there was no question their Ultimate Assault Pack was going to be another top-notch example of their great work.
When I was first introduced to 221B Tactical, I thought “what an interesting name for a company. Why is that so familiar?” After pondering my life and where I’d heard that before it hit me. 221B was Sherlock Holmes’ street address! The company’s slogan is “Eliminate the Impossible” which was what Holmes does to solve his crimes. Using that same open-minded approach, Suresh Madhavan and Bradley Pedell started 221B Tactical in 2004 to “Eliminate the Impossible” problems that were associated with body armor. As a veteran police officer, Madhavan had the experience to know what the industry needed and Pedell had the textile manufacturing experience to get things moving.
Since then, 221B Tactical has made huge leaps to help our fighting men and women stay as comfortable as possible while wearing their gear. If you’ve ever worn body armor for an extended period, you welcome new products to make the day go by a little faster and a little less smelly. The Maxx Dri Vest is the flagship item that launched 221B into the world of tactical gear. This vest is a super lightweight 3D layer of mesh between the base layer and body armor to allow air to move out of and into the body. This keeps the wearer cooler, less likely to have rashes, and helps keep the vest from smelling like an old gym locker. They sell out regularly, so if you’re interested in this product, be sure to get on the list!
More innovations have followed such as an ultralight thermal layer for keeping you warm and agile without being bulky, a full line of apparel including all levels of gloves and even K9 gear. With all these fantastic items in their inventory, I knew they had a strong entry for Best EDC Backpack. The fact that I had to wait almost 3 months for it was a solid clue that people love their products and I was excited to see the box when mine came in.
When I opened the box and pulled out the Ultimate Assault Backpack/ Sling Bag, I could immediately tell a big difference in material over those bags I mentioned before. The material was thicker, the stitching was meticulously woven, and there were zipper pulls for every pouch. Visually it’s not much different than your typical 30L bag. There are molle straps all over the exterior for adding additional pouches and small area on the upper-front pouch for your patches if desired. The Ultimate Assault Backpack/ Sling Bag’s claim to fame is not just superior manufacturing of the bag itself, but some of the creative innovations that set this bag apart from its competitors.
The reason there is a “/ Sling Bag” in the title refers to the ability to wear this bag three ways. You can go regular backpack with two straps or sling the bag on either side by unclipping one strap and stowing it in a Velcro compartment in the back of the bag. Sling bags are becoming more popular, and this is a great choice while retaining the option for both straps. There is also a sternum-strap for added support across the chest when “two strapping” it.
Another reason this is a candidate for Best EDC Backpack is the added magnetic rear pocket for off body carrying of your firearm. This pocket is advertised to work great for a backup pistol or extra magazines. When wearing the pack as a sling, all you have to do is spin the bag around to access the pocket and the gear inside. I used my Glock 43 to test the magnet strength (unloaded of course). The results were not quite what I’d hoped for. The magnets were not strong enough to hold the pistol when wearing it as a backpack. I gave the bag a light shake to simulate going up or down stairs and the pistol fell out immediately. I wouldn’t carry any weight in that pocket, but it might be good for a passport or something along those lines.
Lastly, the bag is Level 3A Armor Panel Ready meaning you can purchase a custom level 3 plate to go inside the bag for added protection straight from 221B Tactical. While this isn’t something I use on a regular basis, it’s nice to know that if things got hairy, I could always add a plate for a little extra protection.
Color: Black
Material: Polyester, Nylon, Velcro
Dimensions: 10” W x 18”L x 10”D
Size: 30L
In the race for Best EDC Backpack, 221B has a strong contender in the Ultimate Assault Backpack/ Sling Bag. The company brings their ethos into everything they do, including this pack. “Eliminating the Impossibility” that the 30L bag had seen its glory days, 221B added more functionality, stronger materials, and an overall superior product stand out in a crowd of wannabes. Priced at $99.00 the UAB/SB is more than reasonable for all the features. I’ve seen similar items without this kind of quality in the $250 range. While the “secret compartment” wasn’t perfect, it could serve a purpose. For a day on the trails, on patrol, or just living life, it’s only Elementary to choose this pack as a definite finalist for Best EDC Backpack in 2025.
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