Tactical rucksacks and bags from Recon Company – for operations, duty and the outdoors

There’s a world of difference between a hiking rucksack with MOLLE webbing sewn onto it and a genuine tactical rucksack. What matters is: stable load distribution for loads under 25 kilos, no slipping during rapid changes of position, and access to every compartment without having to take the rucksack off. In our rucksacks and bags category, we stock over 80 brands – from Bundeswehr rucksacks with tropical camouflage to specialised operational rucksacks for response teams and paramedics. We select our range according to the same criteria that we apply to our own products as a development partner for government agencies. Over 30 years in the business have taught us one thing: a rucksack doesn’t prove its worth in the showroom, but after its third week in the field.

What distinguishes a Bundeswehr rucksack from a civilian trekking rucksack

A Bundeswehr rucksack has to carry loads that a civilian rucksack never has to: a body armour vest, ammunition, rations for several days, plus a radio and personal kit. That quickly adds up to 20 to 30 kilos. The carrying system is crucial – a good hip belt transfers 60 to 70 per cent of the weight to your hips, so your shoulders don’t go numb after two hours’ march. Back panels with ventilation channels reduce heat build-up, so you’re not completely drenched after an hour’s march.

The Bundeswehr combat rucksack is designed precisely for this scenario: long marches with heavy loads. The Bundeswehr 110-litre rucksack is used when you need to carry your full bivouac kit – tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and rations for several days. It’s not just volume that counts here, but also the ability to reduce the pack size to the bare essentials using compression straps. For everyday service use – guard duty, standby duty, short exercises – compact models between 25 and 40 litres are sufficient. Compatibility with the rest of your kit is key: MOLLE loops for additional pouches, a hydration bladder guide and attachment points for a helmet or body armour.

Tactical rucksack – which capacity for which mission

The question of which tactical rucksack is right is determined by its intended use, not by the brand. A 20-litre tactical rucksack is a daypack for the shooting range, the police station or as an emergency escape pack. A 30-litre tactical rucksack carries the kit required for a 24-hour exercise. From 40 litres upwards, it becomes serious operational kit.

Three things distinguish a tactical rucksack from its civilian counterpart. Firstly, the material thickness: 500D to 1000D Cordura instead of thin nylon. This adds weight, but withstands thorns, abrasion from vehicles and rough terrain. Secondly, accessibility: tactical rucksacks have main compartments that open flat rather than top-loading designs – because you don’t want to be rummaging through the rucksack from the top whilst on a mission. Thirdly, modularity: MOLLE webbing on all sides allows you to configure the rucksack precisely for the mission – from magazine pouches to a medic pouch.

A 40-litre tactical rucksack is the sweet spot for many: big enough for a two-day exercise with a sleeping bag and rations, yet compact enough not to get in the way in a vehicle. From 60 litres upwards, we’re talking about expedition and long-term luggage – relevant for extended operations or when you need to carry all your bivouac kit.

Operational rucksacks for emergency services – police, paramedics, special forces

An operational rucksack is not a general-purpose rucksack with a tactical twist. It is tailored to specific requirements. Entry teams need quick access to breaching tools and protective equipment. Paramedics need structured compartments for first-aid supplies. Reconnaissance personnel need flat, close-fitting systems that can be attached flat to a plate carrier.

The police operational rucksack differs from its military counterpart primarily in colour – black or dark blue instead of camouflage – and in its internal organisation. Police operational rucksacks often have pre-configured compartments for handcuffs, radio, first-aid supplies and documentation. Brands such as Zentauron, 75Tactical and Lindnerhof Taktik have specialised in precisely these requirements – developed in collaboration with German authorities and manufactured to their specifications.

Anyone looking for a tactical medic rucksack should look out for another key feature: the opening must be designed so that the contents are immediately visible and within easy reach when the rucksack is open. No searching, no repacking. Red or colour-coded inner pockets help you find your way round under pressure – every second counts when you need to get to the tourniquets.

Brands in our range – from Tasmanian Tiger to Mystery Ranch

Our range includes over 80 manufacturers. This breadth is intentional – because no single rucksack can do everything.

Tasmanian Tiger offers the widest range of tactical gear in the German-speaking world. From patrol packs and operational rucksacks to MOLLE pouches – all developed in-house, with 500D Cordura as standard. The Tasmanian Tiger rucksack is something like the ‘company car’ of tactical rucksacks: reliable, well thought-out, never the cheapest.

Eberlestock hails from the USA and specialises in firearms and hunting rucksacks. The Gunslinger series allows long guns to be carried concealed, without the rucksack drawing attention from the outside. For snipers and hunters who spend days on end out in the wilderness, self-sufficient, there is little else quite like it.

The Berghaus Munro II rucksack is standard issue with the British Army – and is correspondingly robust and designed to carry heavy loads on long marches. Anyone who values tried-and-tested military standards will find their ideal system here. Mystery Ranch is based in Montana and manufactures rucksacks that were originally developed for US fire service ‘hotshot’ crews and special forces. The patented 3-ZIP access system allows full access to the contents without taking the rucksack off. The Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault CL rucksack is regarded as the benchmark in the tactical segment – originally developed for US special forces, it is now in service with emergency services worldwide.

We also stock Savotta from Finland for carrying extreme loads, Warrior Assault Systems for plate-carrier-compatible systems, Helikon-Tex and Pentagon as reliable entry-level options, and Ortlieb for waterproof packing solutions. If you’re looking for shoulder bags, cross-body bags, rucksacks or travel bags, you’ll find the right range in the respective subcategories.

Rucksacks and bags at Recon Company – expert advice included

Choosing the right rucksack depends on your operational profile, not on the price or the brand. 30 litres or 110? MOLLE or Clean Look? Camouflage or black? If you’re unsure, just give us a brief description of your requirements – we’ll suggest the right system for you. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and that’s precisely why the majority of our public sector clients keep coming back.

• Government discount for departments and members of the Bundeswehr, police, fire service, THW and customs.
• Field post delivery worldwide – so your kit arrives even when you’re on overseas deployment.
• Personalised expert advice from the Recon team, online or in-store in Salzgitter.
• ISO 9001 certified: audited from procurement right through to order fulfilment.