5.11 Tactical COVRT18 2.0 | A Low Profile Pack

In the fall of 2023, I found a great sale price on one of the new COVRT18 2.0 low profile backpacks from 5.11 Tactical. I had previously owned one of their Gen 1 COVRT18 packs. And although it was a good pack, I just couldn’t get it to work for me. So, when I was able to get the new 2.0 during a 60% off sale, I grabbed it. I’ve been using it for about six months now including a trip to Spain and Italy. And I’ve found that the 2.0 fills in the gaps that left me not using the original. The following are the features and dimensions from the 5.11 website.

Features:

• 5.11’s signature Center Line™ design
• 500D Nylon | 840D Nylon
• Hydration or TSA checkpoint friendly laptop rear compartment.
• Front pocket with removable ID panel, slip pockets, web MOLLE and loop.
• Shove-It compartment with side gussets and zippered drop pocket.
• Dual side water bottle pockets.
• Dual access CCW compartment with internal loop panel.
• Internal zippered mesh pockets in main compartment.
• External Hypalon® gear loop.
• Flex cuff channel.
• Tuckable 5.11 logo woven labels.

Dimensions:

• 19”H x 10.5” L x 6.5” D
• 32-liter / 1953 cubic inch
• Weight – 2.64 LBS
• Fits up to a 15″ laptop.

What I like about the 2.0 COVRT18 compared to the Gen. 1 right out of the gate is the appearance of this pack. It looks like a million other day packs out on the street, from the material to the zipper pulls. It just looks plain ordinary. Which is what it’s supposed to do. And not look like a tactical pack that had the MOLLE removed. Construction and quality are of the high standard that I’ve come to expect from 5.11. It’s a pack that you don’t have to baby for fear of breaking it. Shoulder straps are comfortable and include a sternum strap. If there is one change I would make on this pack is that the sternum strap be movable to other positions. I’m a big guy and the sternum strap rides up close to my neck. If I were carrying this pack with heavy weights over long distances this might be a deal breaker for me, but since it is an EDC or travel pack carrying lite weights, I can live with it. Otherwise, it rides comfortably with a reasonable load of EDC and or travel items.

The features that I like about the COVRT18 2.0 are the dual water battle pockets on the sides. I don’t like to have to search the main compartment of my pack to find my water bottle when I want to grab a quick drink. Next is the shove it compartments on the front of the pack. This is perfect for, as the name implies, shoving items you want to have quick access to. I like to use it for my coat or a rain jacket when traveling. It’s great to be able to jam my jacket in there once I’m on board a plane and in my seat, no trying to figure out where to put it or having to open the main compartment or overhead bin if I want to put it on. It’s also a good place for my med gear that I want quick access to.

Behind the shove it compartment is the dual access concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) compartment. There are zippers on both sides allowing easy access. On our trip to Spain and Italy I put a 215 Gear hook & loop Admin panel in to keep our passports, cash, and other small items in. Obviously, it can also be used for CCW purposes as well. The flap on the shove it pocket also has an admin pocket that can be used for storing quick grab items when traveling or on the go. The admin pocket also has MOLLE strips with Velcro that allow you to attach pockets or pouches.

Additionally on the front is a small zipper pocket that’s perfect for small frequently used items. Or as a place to quickly put keys, wallets, documents, and other stuff in while going through airport security. The main compartment opens clamshell style. There are two mesh packets on the inside of the wall of the exterior flap for organization of items and a large main compartment for the rest of your gear. There is also a hydration/laptop pocket on the back of the pack secured by a zipper.

I got a black pack as it is the most common color used by travelers. It is available in several other color choices. The zipper pulls are white which really give it the everyday look to it. I swapped out the white zipper pulls on my CCW compartment as I wanted it to be as low profile as possible. The interior of the main compartment is a light grey color that makes it easier to find things, especially when in low or no light situations. Other than the sternum strap issue I like this pack and it is in my travel EDC pack rotation. MSRP is $135.00.