Is this samurai capable of overthrowing the powerful 5.11 Tactical Rush 12?
Written by Brian Smith | Published 7:13 AM, June 30, 2021
Like most people, I have been carrying a backpack for many years. During college, in addition to carrying a sturdy backpack with a laptop and books, I also worked in the water sports industry for many years, relying on a sturdy bag to hold towels, sandals, dry clothes and other necessities. The latter experience slowly shaped me into the personal and everyday carry (EDC) practitioner I am today. Water taught me how to find a good backpack.
Over the years, I went to work, clocked in, and hung a pocket on my hips. My lightweight backpack is equipped with important first aid and CPR equipment, and whatever I lack, I can find it in a first aid kit full of nearby walls. As my training and experience increase, I increasingly find that I feel naked every time I leave work. No matter where I go, I want a complete first aid kit, but a high-quality first aid kit cannot fit well in my pocket. Finally, I pulled the trigger and grabbed an EDC backpack, which I immediately loaded into my own customized first aid kit. In the past few years, I have carried my backpack almost everywhere, including a fast-paced trip to the Mediterranean, naming it.
Editor's note: The Samurai Tactical Wakizashi backpack was also selected as a review of Task&Purpose's best tactical backpack of the year.
In the field of tactical backpacks and EDC backpacks, 5.11 Tactical's Rush series backpacks set a benchmark for the rest of the backpack. Some people try to take the innovative route and show their impressive upgrade to the gold standard, while others insist on using proven models to imitate success while trying to make the price affordable. Samurai Tactical’s Wakizashi tactical backpack takes the latter route, trying to provide budget-conscious buyers with affordable alternatives to replace the acclaimed 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 backpack. Has Wakizashi accomplished this task? Let us find out.
We all know but rarely consider the fact that packaging costs money, but the folks at Samurai Tactical obviously do. To minimize costs, Wakizashi comes with two simple black labels: one for Samurai Tactical and the other for the bag itself. The product label advertises all key features and key dimensions in standard and metric units, which is a great feature for anyone trying to convert cubic inches to liters. Both labels have a large amount of white text and subtle enough red and chrome decorations to attract your attention without bullying you. Low-key, but elegant.
My first impression of Wakizashi is to what extent it mimics the industry standard 5.11 Rush series backpack, especially the Rush 12, which is the backpack I reviewed recently. Although Wakizashi is its own product, it is undeniable similar to the original Rush 12. A large number of MOLLE compatible webbing, overall layout and quick release shoulder straps are almost the same as 5.11.
In other words, there are many differences between the two, the most notable is the incomplete clamshell design of the Wakizashi main compartment. Although this backpack does use a tough nylon shell, it does feel a bit thin compared to Rush 12, and the shoulder pads are significantly thinner than the market leader. The outer plastic also feels like a low-budget option, and Wakizashi does not have a connection point between the belt and the aforementioned accessories. On the other hand, the top handle is padded with soft, comfortable padding, which is significantly thicker than the handle of the Rush 12, and the chest strap can be adjusted in two directions. It is also much lighter than its 5.11 competitors.
The size of Wakizashi is just over 17 x 11 x 6 inches, with a cargo capacity of 24 liters. Like most backpacks, its water tank is located in the main compartment with a hose opening at the top. It has a padded, ventilated back panel, an adjustable chest strap, side compression straps and a lined pocket for cell phones or sunglasses. The side water bottle pocket and drain hole at the bottom of the main compartment are a nice touch, especially suitable for non-operator types. (Admit it, help desk jockey. You are not a SEAL.)
After getting the updated RUSH12 and taking a cyclone tour across the country, I combined my fresh memories of jet plane adventures with past portable travel, international travel, EDC use, and hiking to evaluate the samurai tactical threat . Using this knowledge, I designed my test protocol to see if the package meets my expectations of a sturdy, reliable package.
The Samurai backpack is mainly used as my EDC bag, which contains my Vertx SOCP panel, which contains all my first aid equipment, ballistic panels and other odds and ends connected to it. Although nowhere near as heavy as the three-day travel load, my EDC load is closer to the situation where I tend to use Wakizashi in the real world.
In addition to experiencing my daily carrying procedures, it also experienced some long-distance routes to help simulate a sunny day hiking or traveling through the urban wasteland known as the airport terminal. This included traveling with my leaking two-liter water tank to see how it handled the unfortunate event of dampness. I also spent some time filling Wakizashi with sweatshirts and a large number of other odds and ends to see if it can handle fillings like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Reviews without advantages and disadvantages are incomplete, and without them there would be no complete backpack. To be honest, the two most obvious advantages of Wakizashi must be its price point and its weight. The back of this backpack and wallet are very light, coupled with its relatively compact size, is a very good EDC backpack. My entire EDC load occupies about half of the internal cargo space, leaving enough space for me to put all kinds of extras. When I put it on my cheeks for an imaginary three-day summer vacation, it handled the swelling load very well, even though the zipper was a bit strained at the corners. (However, when such services are performed on a regular basis, I suspect that it may not be able to hold them together under strong pressure. Bags of this caliber can only withstand so much.)
Although it is certainly not a 5.11 bag, Wakizashi is very durable for most people. Its back panel and shoulder straps are well ventilated, allowing it to surpass basic EDC duties. The backpack itself has many functions, and the side water bottle bag is a good reward for EDCers and hikers.
In meeting tactical needs, Wakizashi performed well in the functional department. As one might expect, it has a large number of MOLLE-compatible webbing on the front and sides, four webbing connection points on the bottom, which can be used for lightweight sleeping bags, and double straps to tighten your gear. The adjustable sternum strap allows for a custom fit and helps reduce long-term shoulder pressure. In tactical situations with lateral movement, quick release of the shoulder straps can be a huge benefit.
No bag is perfect, and budget-level products are often more compromised than similar products with higher prices. The two most obvious shortcomings of Wakizashi appear in the main compartment. Due to the water bottle pocket on the left side of the exterior, this backpack lacks a true clamshell design, and the lack of a laptop case is really frustrating for some people. The third negative feature that caught my attention is that there is no belt, and there is no fixed point if you decide to buy it separately. I also noticed that Wakizashi does not have a dedicated concealed carrying compartment, which is a major disadvantage for some people. I must admit that it didn't bother me much, but for those who care, it is certainly worth mentioning.
During my hiking trips, Wakizashi’s back panel liner kept my back cool and dry under the heat, but after a 25-minute walk near me, there was a very leaky cistern and I found a whole new side To this package. After only about 10 minutes of walking, my cotton T-shirt started to alert me that there was a leak, less than half the time it took for the Rush 12 I recently tested to reach the same saturation. The padding on the back panel is much worse, like a sponge. At the end of my 25-minute walk, I found a small pool in the water storage bag. Whenever I applied pressure, the cushion on the back panel would visibly squash. The grommet on the bottom panel of the main compartment has always been as useful as a politician in a war zone to reinforce drainage holes. Although this does mean that the water storage bag can protect most of your gear from good soaking, your lower back and back can make you feel like you forgot to change it after your last swim.
In terms of manufacturing quality, I found that compared with high-end bags, the choice of materials is a bit lacking. The building material feels similar to the classic Jansport on Walmart shelves, and it wrinkles when you touch the foam under the mesh lining of the shoulder strap. The fit and finish in the main compartment is also a bit disappointing, with threaded ends and frayed material edges visible inside. Although I do think this bag will last for a few years, you will definitely replace it before your senator is re-elected or the Army chooses another new ACU camouflage pattern.
A few weeks later, I took Samurai Tactical Wakizashi wherever I went, and I came to a clear conclusion that this bag is know-it-all but knows everything. As far as I am concerned, it is most suitable as a basic backpack that can be used in various roles, but it will not perform well in any of them.
Despite its tactical appearance, Wakizashi is not a real combat backpack. It lacks the necessary durability, and the feature list cannot meet the basic element standards for tactical applications. It's not just a repairable EDC bag, but its size is a bit larger and it's a truly streamlined choice. It does not have a belt, or you can choose to add a belt, which makes it a less ideal hiking or home bag.
As the saying goes: "You get what you pay for". Although Wakizashi's economical and lightweight features are indeed admirable, this bag is most suitable as a school backpack, an oversized EDC bag or a flap bag for short-term adventures. It will deal with the basic harsh conditions of American life, but it lacks the sturdiness and professionalism required to truly stand out.
More questions? This is an additional introduction to the mission and purpose.
A. Wakizashi’s suggested retail price is US$40, but as of press time, the Samurai Tactical website lists it as US$32. You can buy it for less than $30 if you stroll through the window.
A. EDC backpacks, such as Samurai Tactical Wakizashi, are (usually) lightweight backpacks that keep your important daily equipment at hand. These sturdy, lightweight backpacks can hold items such as water bottles, jackets, snacks, first aid kits, and other equipment that don’t fit in your pockets.
A. No. Although their appearance and layout are strikingly similar, they are not exactly the same. The dimensions and features of the two bags are slightly different, such as Wakizashi's thick padded handles.
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For 25 years, Brian Smyth has been a neighbor of the Air Force Academy and the U.S. Army Ivy Division. He enjoys the challenge of writing text and writes for The Drive, Car Bibles and other publications. Nothing can cheer him up more than the roar of Pratt & Whitney, the smell of cordierite, and the story of the greatest generation.
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There is room for three pistols. Can this backpack take us to the shooting range and back? Let us find out.
Comfort and design are suitable for long days when you want to be closer to nature and away from idiots.
comfortable? Yes. hidden? Absolutely. Capable? Clearly.
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