9 Best Concealed Carry Backpacks for Everyday Discreet CCW
A good CCW backpack should first and foremost have easy-access to your carry compartment that keeps your gear safe and secure. But there is more to a good concealed carry backpack than special pockets. The best CCW backpacks are also discreet enough for everyday carry and have the features of a regular daily carry backpack. This means having pockets for small essentials, a laptop compartment and a roomy main compartment for daily items.
You shouldn’t have to choose between a good daily backpack and a concealed carry bag. Luckily, there are plenty of backpacks on the market today that can function as both. Here are our top picks.
How we picked the backpacks on this list
Easy CCW access through special pocket or compartment
Versatile enough to be used as an everyday backpack
Discreet design that isn’t overtly tactical
Best Concealed Carry Backpacks
5.11 COVRT18 Concealed Carry Backpack
From the outside the 5.11 COVRT18 2.0 looks like any other backpack you might see at your local department store. But believe us when we say this ain’t no Jansport. On the inside 5.11 has truly utilized the space by adding plenty of functional compartments and two different ways you can access your conceal carry.
The conceal carry compartment is located in the front pocket and can be accessed on both sides for ambidextrous entry which is a great feature. Anyone looking for a concealed carry laptop backpack will be glad to know that the COVRT18 2.0 also includes a padded TSA-friendly laptop compartment.
Roomy 32 liter capacity
Dual-access conceal carry compartment
R.A.C. compartment conceals a full-sized firearm
Made of water-resistant 500D nylon
Padded laptop rear compartment
SOG Surrept 24/ CS Daypack
SOG is brand best known for their their tactical knives and EDC tools but lately they have really impressed us with their Surrept line of ccw backpacks for daily carry. The Surrept/24 CS Daypack is the goldilocks of the crew with 24 liters of main compartment carry.
The features in the SOG Surrept 24/CS include everything you’ve come to expect from a great EDC backpack: water resistant fabric, lots of pockets for organization and a padded laptop pocket. But where the Surrept/24 CS really shines is in its concealed carry compartment that allows for quick access to your emergency gear through a cover pocket. Although the SOG Surrept/24 CS has very few “tactical” bells and whistles, it’s the perfect EDC backpack for those who value discreet carry without compromise.
Covert rear CCW pocket that can be accessed by swinging backpack around
Also available in 36L and 16L sizes
Modular carry system - compatible with smaller SOG Surrept packs
Padded laptop pocket and great EDC organization
Maxpedition TT26 CCW Backpack
The Maxpedition TT26 ditches the tactical style found in most concealed carry backpacks for a discreet look that is great for everyday carry. Inside you’ll find a 15” laptop sleeve, a roomy 26 liter main compartment and plenty of pockets for organizing small items.
But don’t let its discreet appearance fool you, the Maxpedition TT26 is a serious ccw backpack with a lockable concealed carry compartment. The compartment itself is dual access and can be located on the rear of the backpack giving you easy-access when you need it most.
26 liter capacity
Dual access rear CCW compartment
Made of 500D ballistic nylon with water resistant coating
Removable sternum strap and hip belt
3V Gear Shield Redline Anti-Theft Backpack
3V Gear offers an anti-theft backpack that can compete with most non-CCW backpacks in terms of daily functionality and style with their Shield Redline Anti-Theft backpack. Designed from the ground up to deter theft, the Shield Redline offers a large tech compartment that features a 15-inch laptop sleeve, tablet sleeve and plenty of pockets for tech accessories. Other awesome features include an external USB charging port, stash pockets on the shoulder straps, and discreet water bottle pockets that blend in when not in use.
As a concealed carry backpack, the 3V Gear Shield Redline has a hidden back pocket on the back panel that can store a small CCW or other valuables you need to keep hidden like passports and cash.
30 liter capacity
Hidden small CCW pocket on back panel
Anti-theft tech compartment with padded 15” laptop sleeve and tablet sleeve
External USB charging port
VERTX GAMUT 2.0 CCW BACKPACK
The Vertx Gamut 2.0 has all of the features you would want from an everyday backpack with added tactical features you come to expect from a conceal carry bag. This is what makes the Gamut one of the most versatile conceal carry backpacks on the market today. Virtually every compartment has a clamshell zipper designs that allows the most important compartments to be opened flat.
The conceal carry compartment is located on the back of the pack and includes a velcro lined platform that holds both a full sized handgun and separate magazine. One of our favorite features is the quick release shoulder straps that allows you to snap off a shoulder strap to quickly sling the backpack around if needed.
25 liter capacity
Loop-lined conceal carry compartment located in back for quick access
Concealed carry platform accepts ballistic panels
Modular padded laptop sleeve
5.11 LV18 CCW Backpack
The 5.11 LV18 Backpack is designed from the ground up to provide maximum tactical organization and easy CCW access while still giving you a discreet backpack profile from the outside. Inside you’ll find plenty of MOLLE webbing on the inside for all of your add-ons and on the outside you’ll find discreet lower webbing straps for attaching extra cargo as needed.
Like any dedicated daily carry backpack, the 5.11 LV18 provides must-have pockets and compartments for water bottles, small admin items like pens, phones and more. And for anyone looking for a high quality concealed carry laptop backpack, the LV18 features a padded 15” laptop sleeve right in its main compartment for easy-access.
29L capacity
Ambidextrous side entry CCW compartment
Laser cut MOLLE front pocket
Made of water resistant 840D Nylon
Maxpedition Prepared Citizen Classic 2.0
The Maxpedition Prepared Citizen is the discreet tactical backpack for those who need take preparedness seriously. Purpose-built as a concealed carry backpack, the Prepared Citizen also offers ballistic protection by offering the option to place a panel inside the rearmost CCW compartment.
As a daily use backpack, the Prepared Citizen offers a discreet everyday design and a generous 22 liter main compartment for essentials and a front pocket with an admin panel for organizing smaller items. But one of Maxpedition’s best design choices is removing any obvious logos to leave you with a clean concealed carry backpack that does not attract attention.
22 liter capacity
Dual-side accessible CCW compartment
Can be used with ballistic insert
Incredibly discreet concealed carry backpack design
3V Gear Transit Redline EDC Backpack
Featuring a hidden CCW compartment on the back panel, the 3V Gear Transit EDC backpack is more than your typical tactical bag thanks to its easy-access admin panel, padded 15” laptop sleeve and tons of other small features that make the Transit great for work, workouts and travel.
Those looking for a large CCW backpack will love the Transit’s 40-liter main compartment and clamshell zipper design. As a clamshell backpack, the main compartment opens for lay-flat loading and gives you full access to the pockets lining the inside making easy-work of packing for travel or gym days.
40 liter capacity
Hidden CCW pocket on back panel
Clamshell main compartment allows for lay flat loading
15” padded laptop sleeve
Vertx Ready Pack 2.0
Vertx has really managed to pull off a super functional and high quality CCW backpack with the Ready Pack. One of our favorite features is their rapid pull tab feature that gives you quick access to the concealed carry platform. Other great tactical features includes hydration bladder compatibility, strategically placed loop panels and a front flap with MOLLE attachments that can be hidden for a discreet appearance.
Not only is the Vertx Ready Pack a great discreet tactical backpack but it also has all the features you need for daily carry. The main compartment offers 20 liters of carrying capacity as well as a padded sleeve for laptops up to 15-inches - which is perfect for anyone looking specifically for a concealed carry laptop backpack. The inside is also lined with pockets for all of your daily essentials to make organization a breeze.
20 liter capacity
Rapid access pull tab feature allows for quick access to CCW
Plenty of pockets and organizers for all of your gear
Padded 15” laptop sleeve
CCW Backpack Alternatives
An alternative to a CCW backpack is a CCW sling or single shoulder bag. These bags are usually smaller, lighter weight and easier to access than a traditional double-shoulder backpack for concealed carry. An advantage to having a sling bag is the fast and easy-access to your gear or CCW compartment. Just about every tactical backpack brand offers their own versions but here are some of our favorite discreet CCW slings.
5.11 LV10 CCW SLING PACK
The LV10 sling is a great alternative to a conceal carry backpack thanks to its roomy 13 liter capacity and clever pocket placement for both daily essentials and ccw. Features like tuckable brand logos, internal MOLLE attachment points and a minimalist exterior gives you a low vis profile when out and about.
The concealed carry compartment is located in the rear of the bag and features a “hot pull” system for fast access when you need it most.
Vertx Tourist Sling
The Vertx Tourist Sling is a mini go-bag designed to go from satchel to chest rig in seconds. The CCW compartment features full loop lining and a rapid access pull tab for easy access when needed. Vertx also manages to allow the Tourist Sling to accept ballistic panels.
Although only 6 liters, the Vertx Tourist Sling is perfect for anyone who needs a small concealed carry bag that still has room for everyday carry essentials. Along with making full use of the CCW compartment you also have access to loop panels for attachments, an admin panel front compartment and a 11.5” tablet sleeve.
Maxpedition Entity Tech Sling Bag
When you are trying to keep it light, sometimes carrying a large CCW backpack isn’t the best option. This is where the Maxpedition Entity Tech Sling Bag really shines. This small sling has it’s own dedicated CCW compartment with 2-way access and is fully loop-lined for secure carry. Its discreet design and branding also makes unassuming and low key.
For storing everyday items, the Entity Tech Sling Bag also makes it easy to carry small tech items such as tablets, chargers and accessories. Inside you’ll find a padded 11” laptop sleeve, organizer pockets and a full clamshell opening for easy-access to all of your gear.
Discreet & Functional: Making the Cut
We purposely did not include overtly tactical bags in this review and instead we focused on concealed carry backpacks that can be used daily and not look out of place. This means no loud branding or excessive MOLLE webbing.
Although tactical backpacks are amazing for a day at the range or for those in military and law enforcement, they are not discreet enough when used on a casual day out or during a daily commute. We instead focus on practical daily use ccw backpacks that were toned down in their tactical features. The backpacks listed here will do well when worn during commutes to work, a day out or during travel.
For those looking for tactical style backpacks without the conceal carry feature make sure to check our list of Affordable GoRuck Alternatives that feature great options by some of the brands listed in this article.
