Looking for a backpack loaded with tactical features but without the tactical look? That’s exactly what 5.11’s LVC12 offers.
We’ve all seen the gray man memes online. Maybe you even know someone who dresses that way in real life. They think they’re blending in, but in reality, they’re sticking out. Wraparound sunglasses, tactical pants and cop boots are the fashion equivalent of putting a Glock bumper sticker on your truck. You’re just announcing to the world that you have a gun. There are better ways to add functional capability to your wardrobe without the tactical aesthetic, and as far as backpacks are concerned, 5.11 offers exactly that with its LVC12.
The 5.11 LVC12 isn’t covered in MOLLE webbing or Velcro for your coolguy patches, and it’s not offered in camo patterns or overly tactical colors. It’s designed to be truly camouflaged in an urban environment. Frankly, it looks boring and generic, but that’s exactly what you want. My LVC12, which is pictured in this article, is in Dark Earth. That’s frankly the most tactical color it comes in, but it’s offered in plenty of other shades too, like blue and red, to look as unassuming as possible.
Despite its pedestrian appearance, the 5.11 LVC12 is anything but. This bag is loaded with features that make it easy to stay armed and protected in public.
For example, it has an ambidextrous quick-access CCW pocket for carrying a handgun. The pocket even has Velcro lining and a strap inside for securing your holster to facilitate a rapid draw.
The bag’s rear compartment is also sized to accommodate either a laptop or a large SAPI plate and features a strap to hold everything in place. Hidden inside that compartment is access to another thinner pouch designed to hold a soft body armor panel. Whether you want to run two layers of armor or just one or the other, the LVC12 can keep you well-protected in a pinch.
For more offensive capability, the main compartment is easily large enough to accommodate a smaller PCC like an MP5K or a very short AR. The main compartment can open 270 degrees and also features Velcro lining for organizational straps to keep a gun or any other gear secure.
Other more general features of the bag include two large and stretchy water bottle/gear pockets, a fleece-lined top pocket, a hidden zippered front pocket and an internal mesh pocket in the main compartment. For comfortable carry, it also has a padded back panel and an adjustable chest strap. For additional storage space, the LVC12 also features straps for attaching a 5.11 LV6 waist pack to the outside.
If you’re looking to be well armed and armored while blending in, the 5.11 LVC12 is worth checking out. It has an MSRP of $160.
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