I recently wrote a review on this pack’s brother, the 5.11 PT-R Daily Grind Duffle which you can read here. https://spotterup.com/5-11-pt-r-daily-grind-duffel/
These bags and the 17L PT-R Daily Grind Sack Pack are great entry-level 5.11 bags. They come at a reduced price point, and while they are not built for rugged field use, they are made with quality materials and are absolutely durable enough for extended everyday use.
This pack can carry the essentials for the gym or a writing session at a local coffee shop. It carries the load comfortably and looks good while doing it.
By the numbers:
Comfort – 5/5 The pack has well-padded shoulder straps and a padded back panel with a ventilation channel in the center. The padding also serves to cushion the laptop sleeve. It does not have a torso strap or waist belt, but for a 26-liter day pack, they aren’t necessary.
Durability – 4/5 The pack is made of 600D Polyester and is well-stitched at all stress points. The YKK zippers have 550 cord pulls added for ease of use. The front inside of the clamshell is lined with a rubber-like TPE layer that will protect the pack’s contents from moisture or light rain. The bottom has two rugged TPU non-skid strips to protect the pack from being dropped or dragged across the floor.
Functionality – 4/5 The pack is pretty basic. It measures 19″ H x 10″ W x 6″ D with a capacity of 26 liters. It has a clamshell zippered opening with a padded laptop sleeve that easily holds my 14-inch Mac. There are two stretch pockets on the outside for water bottles or items that need to be kept handy. One feature I really liked was a small, zippered pocket on the outside top of the bag where the shoulder straps connect. This is great for throwing your car keys or sunglasses. It also has a larger zippered mesh pouch inside the pack for holding chargers, computer peripherals, or whatever you need to keep handy. The bag carries the 5.11 branding across the front and offers the option to customize it with a 3”x3” laser-cut MOLLE loop panel, and a 6”x1” Loop name tape Velcro panel.
The one aspect of the pack I didn’t love was that the shoulder strap adjustments were covered by a layer of fabric. This protects the adjustment buckles but makes loosening the shoulder straps more difficult. Over time I found that as long as you are not carrying too much weight in the pack there is no need to cinch down the straps each time you put it on, so the straps seldom need to be loosened.
Weight – 5/5 The pack is incredibly lightweight, but even so, I loaded it down with far more than a normal EDC load and it carried the weight easily.
Value –5/5 At $65, this pack is at the low end, price-wise, of 5.11 backpacks, but it isn’t a field bag. It’s built to carry your computer or gym clothes and it will do that very well for a lot less than many other packs.
Overall rating – 4/5 It’s a great everyday gym or office backpack for a great price.
- Full clamshell main compartment opening
- Top zippered pocket
- Stretch water bottle pockets
- Internal laptop sleeve
- Internal slip pockets with org.
- 3×3 laser-cut MOLLE loop panel
- Side compression straps / Zipper stop option
- Nonslip strips on bottom panel
- 6×1 Loop name tape
- 100% 600D polyester
Final Thoughts: I’ve started re-thinking my necessity to carry field-quality gear when I’m not going the field. For the price, you won’t beat the PT-R® Daily Grind pack. Check it out here
I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based on my personal experience with the product.
*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.