A good gray man backpack is a huge upgrade for a variety of survival kits.
The “gray man concept”, simply put, is the ability to blend into a crowd and not draw attention to yourself. Many tactical backpacks do the opposite of this, which can work against you in a wide range of situations: from survival to every day encounters.
The best gray man backpack is versatile and functional enough to withstand all sorts of punishment, yet it still blends in.
The Best Gray Man Backpack
5.11 COVRT18 Tactical Backpack
The backpack that provided the best functionality, versatility, durability, and value.
EDC Gray Man Backpack
Vertx EDC Ready Pack
Blend in every day.
Trusted by operators. Ridiculously durable. Low visual profile.
Gray Man Messenger Bag
Blackhawk Covert Messenger Bag
One strap, many uses.
Use for your BOB, GHB, EDC, INCH, or even as your CCP range bag.
Budget Gray Man Backpack
Venture Pal Hiking Backpack
Cheap but functional.
Extremely light with a smaller backpacking profile. Inexpensive and unassuming.
What is a Gray Man Backpack?
- Hiding in plain sight
- Wolf in sheep’s clothing
- Middle of the pack
The concept of being a gray man is simple: blend in and do not draw attention to yourself. We’ll get into more gray man detail in a section below, and share some resources to point you to where you can learn more about it.
Unfortunately, for many military members, first responders, preppers and survivalists: tactical gear does not achieve this goal. There are plenty of signs that can instantly give away your job, affiliation, and intentions. A few of those include:
- Your gait, or how you move
- Your posture
- How you are dressed
- Your appearance and hygiene
- What you are carrying
Just a few details of a bag that could torpedo your attempt to blend in:
- MOLLE – Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment straps and gear is a sure-fire giveaway that you are carrying useful equipment for survival.
- ALICE Clips – Less noticeable than MOLLE, but a telltale sign of someone with military gear.
- Paracord – Yeah, we know it is useful: but do not hang it off your bag. It screams ‘military’ and adds a motion component to your bag. Take off the paracord bracelet while you are at it.
- Attached Gear – Rapid access gear is awesome in deployment zones. If you are trying to blend in, that folding shovel and firearm maybe should be concealed either within the bag or on your person.
- Military Colors – MARPAT, ACU, or really any camouflage will, ironically, not do you any favors blending in. Even olive drab green is heavily associated with the military. Bright colors are also good to avoid, but as the name may suggest: gray is always a solid choice.
- Size and Profile – A bag shaped like an AR will draw attention. A stuffed 60L backpacking bag will draw attention. A middle-of-the-road size with a standard profile is best here.
How to Use a Gray Man Backpack
A gray man backpack is versatile, and you should pick one similarly to how you pick out a backpacking backpack. Size is always a consideration, since you must balance comfort and capacity. Backpacks are typically measured in cubic inches or liters, which make them pretty easy to compare against each other.
Here you can see how the backpack capacity compares to the average male’s profile:
Some examples of kits matched up with appropriate sizes include:
- EDC (Everyday Carry) – 10L – 30L
- BOB (Bug Out Bag) – 30L – 60L
- INCH (I’m Never Coming Home) Bag – 40L – 75L +
- GHB (Get Home Bag) – 20L – 30L
- SCARE (Social Chaos and Response Emergency) Bag – 10L – 20L
Full text:
The Best Gray Man Backpack for Survival and Prepping
Лучший рюкзак "серого человека" для выживания и готовности
