Hi guys, I’m a new member on the forum but I have lurked around for some months. I have a short introduction out already. My reviews will cover the gear I use with both philosophies of use and more “technical” issues about the gear.

I think I acquired the Rush 72 around a year ago and I have used it pretty much every day since.

As a Norwegian, buying tactical/edc gear is expensive, really expensive. In Norway the black 5.11 Rush 72 retails for USD 235$ with the conversion rate of today. But then again, salaries are pretty high compared to other countries.

When I got the bag the build quality seemed really good and about a year I am sure that this will hold up forever with my kind of use. The stress points of the bag is still pristine, the seems are as new and the nylon holds up just like i expected. It has some wear, but I only think that adds a second kind of cool to the bag. I like the quality of the seems, zippers and mesh. I do not have any second thoughts about stuffing this with as much as I can. Which I often do, as carrying heavy loads isn’t new to me having been in the army.

My Rush 72 rocking a norwegian flag in green and a army issued nametape.

This picture is taken today as I write this review and as you can see I choose to not carry anything on the outside of the bag. This is because the bag will fit almost an infinite amount of stuff, it might make the wear of the bag different and also I do not want to look like a tactical inter web operator.

When the bag gets to dirty I use an army issued brush to clean it off, so I can use it for different purposes without bringing a dirty bag around.

So what have I been using the bag for?
Gym bag
The bag has for been put to use every day as my gym bag. I do lift weights 3-5 days a week and going to the gym it fits my every need. I also pack it up with stuff with the sole purpose of carrying a heavy load and bring it out hiking or running.

Carry-on/Checked bag
I travel as much as I can and the bag has seen the streets of Rome and the Vatican, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Copenhagen and many cities in Turkey. When packed gently the Rush 72 fits perfect as a carry-on within my airline of choice Scandinavian Airlines/SAS. I usually pack all my toiletries, an extra day supply of clothes, my iPad mini, the book I currently read, an external battery if I’m stranded on a airport without a power outlet available. Usually frequent fliers with SAS get access to lounges so I also bring a charger for both my phone and tablet. I also have two checked bags included in my silver eurobonus card so if my bag is refused as a carry-on I have no problem with checking it in. When I’m bringing the bag to airports in usually take off both the nametape and the current patch as I do not want to draw attention to it as a “military” bag.

School
Although I have to used it for this purpose yet, I have no doubt it will fit my needs when I go back to school this fall. It fits my Macbook 13 in its sleeve in the back pouch, my iPad in the front pocket and it will be perfect for carrying a heavy load of books between lectures.

I have little to none complaints about the bag, but if there was something I would add it would be another compression strap between the top and bottom which comes with it. I am saying this because if I am carrying a light load I do not have the option of optimally compressing it. As you can see on the picture above the side pockets kind of stick out even though they are empty. I am currently looking into aftermarket compression straps to solve this. Any suggestions?

The Rush 72 loaded with my level 2 FAK from NFM(Norwegian brand), Hazard 4 Reveille toiletry bag, iPad Mini with its Incase sleeve, Maxpedition EDC pocket organizers with my chargers and my Jawbone Jambox, a 5.11 pocket organizer I got when I bought the bag carrying my Lacie Rugged 1TB HDD, my Macbook Pro 13″ in a 13″ Dakine sleeve with a 15″ laptop sleeve in norwegian woodland camo.

Although I do not have anything but my army issued backpacks to compare with in this tier of bags, which did not have all the organizational abilities as the Rush 72. The build quality seems better than the army issued ones and I am able to bring the same amount of weight and gear in them.

Pros: Build quality. Organization. My army ocd about loose straps is taken care of. Good yoke system. Not flashy.
Cons: “Lacking” a mid section compression strap, price could be lower but you pay for quality, longer compression straps on the sides to accommodate a tarp and sleeping bag.

Overall judgement 8/10

I hope you enjoyed my review.

I bought the Rush 72 from the norwegian website equipnorshop.no and I am in no way affiliated with the norwegian retailer or 5.11 itself.