The new All Missions Packs (AMP) from 5.11 Tactical Gear are perhaps the most well-designed packs I have ever encountered. The folks at 5.11 truly went back to the drawing board (with expert input) to design a pack system that is extremely versatile and can be adapted to, well, “All Missions.”
Eye-Catching Versatility
5.11 Tactical Gear currently offers three AMPs, each designated by how many hours it is designed to support your mission — 12, 24 or 72. I received an AMP12 for evaluation, as it seemed most appropriate for the mission of everyday carry.
The innovative 5.11 HEXGRID multi-angle, load-bearing platform on the front of the pack immediately caught my attention. I had to research how it worked, as I had never seen this system before.
Mounting MOLLE support gear using the standard MOLLE loop system is, for a lack of a better term, a pain. Threading the straps through the MOLLE loops is tedious, but once you get the snaps secured to the attachment — whether a holster or a pouch — it will stay in place.
The HEXGRID panel provides much easier gear attachment and adds the versatility to make attachments at odd angles. I tried it out with an old MOLLE shotgun shell pouch and it worked great! It really is a major improvement over the original MOLLE system.
Pick a Pouch
Detach the HEXGRID panel and you can install several 5.11 pouches in its place. I chose to install a 5.11 Admin Gear Set for easy access to my keys and other small items. While the AMP12 sample pack arrived in black, I chose the Admin in Kangaroo so it would stand out in the photograph. Removal of the HEXGRID panel and installation of the Admin was quick and easy.
Other features of the 5.11 AMP12 bag include:
- CCW pocket with loop panel for holster attachment
- This frontside flap pocket can be accessed fairly easily. Instead of carrying a handgun in that space, I attached my holstered TASER. A canister of OC or other self-defense items (or even a spare firearm) would fit as well.
- Full clamshell-opening main compartment
- Internal loop platform panel with mesh and admin organizational pockets
- Secondary compartment with fleece eyewear/media compartment
- Thermo-formed back panel with comfort yoke and quick-release shoulder straps
- Hydration or laptop rear compartment
I unloaded my gear from a sling pack into the 5.11 AMP12 and had room to spare, especially with the addition of the Admin Gear Set to the front of the pack. Because of my more senior lifestyle (wow, did I just say that?), I am not likely to use the rear pouch for a hydration pack, but it will shine as a laptop or iPad storage compartment.
The AMP12 is one great pack, and the HEXGRID panel is an amazing improvement for mounting MOLLE gear. You can even attach smaller items to the small traditional MOLLE loops on the shoulder straps. Those would come in handy when using the AMP12 for hiking. If you want more space, look at the AMP24 or 72. MSRP of the AMP12 is $169.99.
