Backpacks & Duffles

5.11 Tactical Skyweight 25L Backpack

The 5.11 Tactical Skyweight 25L Backpack (Style #5860158) is a lightweight tactical daypack with 25-liter capacity, 330D nylon ripstop construction, HeiQ Barrier Eco Dry Durable Water Repellent (DWR) C0 coating, a ventilated anti-odor back panel, and a load-bearing hip belt with laser-cut Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) attachment points. The Skyweight 25L Pack retails at $150.00 and weighs 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg) in L/XL sizing without the hip belt (2.36 pounds / 1.07 kg). The Skyweight 25L serves 3 primary use cases: fast day hikes on trail, travel days with gear-heavy loadouts, and Every Day Carry (EDC) commuting with laptop and personal items.

TactaBlue carries the 5.11 Tactical Skyweight 25L Backpack alongside the full Skyweight Collection and 5.11 Tactical range bags for shooting range, training, and outdoor use.

Skyweight 25L Sizing

The Skyweight 25L Pack is available in 2 torso-length sizes: Small/Medium (S/M) and Large/Extra Large (L/XL).

S/M Sizing

• Torso fit: 17 inches to 20 inches (43.2 cm to 50.8 cm)
• Belt length: 29 inches to 45 inches (73.7 cm to 114.3 cm)
• Capacity: 23 liters
• Weight: 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg) with belt, 2.16 pounds (0.98 kg) without belt

L/XL Sizing

• Torso fit: 19 inches to 22 inches (48.3 cm to 55.9 cm)
• Belt length: 31 inches to 47 inches (78.7 cm to 119.4 cm)
• Capacity: 25 liters
• Weight: 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg) with belt, 2.36 pounds (1.07 kg) without belt

The S/M version holds 23 liters and the L/XL version holds 25 liters. Measure torso length from the C7 vertebra (the prominent bone at the base of the neck) to the top of the iliac crest (hip bone) to determine the correct size. The Skyweight Hip Belt ($35.00) is sold separately and attaches to the pack frame for load-bearing support on loaded hikes.

Skyweight 25L Materials and Construction

The Skyweight 25L body is made of 330-denier (330D) 100% nylon ripstop fabric at 4.81 ounces per square yard (163 grams per square meter) with DWR C0 water-repellent coating and HeiQ Barrier Eco Dry treatment. The 330D nylon ripstop uses a grid pattern of reinforced threads woven into the fabric at regular intervals that stop tears from spreading beyond the initial puncture point. The DWR C0 coating is a fluorocarbon-free (C0) water repellent that causes water to bead and roll off the fabric surface without saturating the nylon fibers. HeiQ Barrier Eco Dry is a bio-based water repellent treatment applied during manufacturing.

The Skyweight 25L uses double-stitched seams at stress points and reinforced bartack stitching at strap attachment points. The pack includes an orange rain cover made of 200-denier (200D) polyurethane (PU) coated polyester that covers the entire pack body during heavy rain. The Skyweight 25L measures approximately 24 inches (61 cm) from top to bottom in the L/XL size.

Skyweight 25L Storage and Compartments

Main Compartment

The Skyweight 25L main compartment uses a clamshell design with a quick-access full-zip main opening that unzips the pack flat for easy packing and fast gear retrieval. The clamshell opening allows the pack to open like a suitcase, and the full-zip design provides access to the entire main compartment without digging through layers of gear from the top. The main compartment holds clothing, rain gear, food, and bulky items for day hikes and travel.

Front Pockets

The Skyweight 25L has 2 front pockets: a shove-it pocket and an EDC organizer pocket. The shove-it pocket is a stretch-mesh pocket on the front face of the pack for quick-access items that need to be grabbed without unzipping the main compartment. The EDC organizer pocket has internal slots for a knife, pen, multitool, phone, and other small carry items.

Side Pockets

Two stretch-mesh side pockets hold water bottles, flashlights, or trekking poles. Side compression straps tighten over the side pockets to compress the load and reduce shifting during movement on uneven terrain.

Hydration Sleeve

The Skyweight 25L hydration sleeve system is an internal sleeve with hook-and-loop retention that keeps a hydration bladder secure during fast-moving hikes. The hydration sleeve sits flat against the back panel and routes the hydration tube through a dedicated port near the shoulder strap. The Skyweight 25L does not include a hydration bladder — the bladder is sold separately.

Skyweight 25L Fit and Comfort

Ventilated Back Panel

The Skyweight 25L uses a ventilated anti-odor back panel with a channeled foam design that creates airflow between the pack and the wearer's back. The ventilated channels reduce heat buildup and moisture accumulation during sustained hiking. The anti-odor treatment prevents bacterial growth in the foam padding.

Load-Bearing Hip Belt

The Skyweight 25L load-bearing hip belt is a padded belt with laser-cut MOLLE that helps distribute weight from the shoulders to the hips while providing modular attachment options for pouches and accessories. The hip belt transfers 60% to 70% of the pack weight from the shoulder straps to the hip bones, which reduces shoulder fatigue on long hikes. The laser-cut MOLLE panels accept standard MOLLE-compatible pouches, water bottle holders, and accessory pockets.

Shoulder Harness and Sternum Strap

The Skyweight 25L shoulder harness uses dual-density foam padding that distributes strap pressure across the shoulder surface. The integrated sternum strap clips across the chest and prevents the shoulder straps from sliding off the shoulders during movement. The sternum strap adjusts vertically on the shoulder straps and horizontally across the chest for a custom fit.

Skyweight Collection

The 5.11 Tactical Skyweight Collection includes 16 products across 6 categories: backpacks, chest packs, crossbody bags, pouches, accessories, and hip belts.

• Skyweight 25L Pack — $150.00, lightweight 25-liter daypack with clamshell opening
• Skyweight 35L Pack — $200.00, mid-size 35-liter pack for multi-day trips and heavier loads
• Skyweight 65L Backpack — $350.00, full-size 65-liter pack for extended backcountry use
• Skyweight Utility Chest Pack — $70.00, front-worn chest pack for quick-access carry
• Skyweight Survival Chest Pack — $60.00, chest pack with survival gear organization
• Skyweight On the Go Crossbody — $45.00, crossbody sling for minimal daily carry
• Skyweight Access Pouch — $25.00, compact accessory pouch
• Skyweight On The Go Pouch — $40.00, general-purpose accessory pouch
• Skyweight Utility Chest Pack MultiCam — $49.49 (sale from $75.00), MultiCam pattern variant
• Skyweight Chest Pack Extension — $6.00, modular extension for chest packs
• Skyweight Hip Belt — $35.00, standalone hip belt for Skyweight backpacks

The Skyweight 25L and 35L share the same construction materials, DWR coating, and ventilated back panel design. The 35L adds 10 liters of capacity and fits longer torsos. The 65L Skyweight Backpack uses a full internal frame for multi-day and extended backcountry trips.

Skyweight 25L Compared to 5.11 RUSH Series

The 5.11 RUSH series uses 1050D nylon construction that is 3 times heavier per square yard than the Skyweight's 330D nylon ripstop. The RUSH 24 2.0 Backpack (37L, $140.00) weighs more than the Skyweight 25L because of the thicker 1050D nylon body and heavier MOLLE webbing. The Skyweight 25L prioritizes weight reduction over abrasion resistance — the 330D ripstop is lighter but less resistant to heavy abrasion than the RUSH series 1050D nylon. The RUSH series uses external MOLLE webbing panels across the entire pack body, while the Skyweight 25L limits MOLLE to the hip belt for a cleaner, snag-free exterior profile.

Skyweight 25L Care and Maintenance

Clean the Skyweight 25L by wiping the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not machine wash, bleach, or dry clean the Skyweight 25L — machine washing degrades the DWR coating and damages the foam padding. Reapply DWR spray treatment after extended use or when water stops beading on the fabric surface. Store the Skyweight 25L in a dry location with the zippers open to allow airflow and prevent mildew growth in the foam padding.