At SHOT Show 2026 my friends at 5.11 Tactical showed off their newest backpack, the LVC12. LV stands for “Low Visibility,” and the 12 stands for 12-hour use. This backpack looks like a generic consumer backpack, hiding its tactical roots and features.
This backpack offers an ambidextrous pass-through CCW chamber with a strap, and hook-and-loop panels. Behind its generous 270º zippered main chamber, is a padded pocket that can fit 16″ laptop or a large SAPI plate.
At SHOT Show 2026 my friends at 5.11 Tactical showed off their newest backpack, the LVC12. LV stands for “Low Visibility,” and the 12 stands for 12-hour use. This backpack looks like a generic consumer backpack, hiding its tactical roots and features.
At SHOT Show 2025, 5.11 showed off the new SIG Sauer branded collection of apparel and range bags. SIG And 5.11 have shared athletes and have partnered in events and promotions in the past. This collection is their first collaboration, with 5.11’s designers creating custom range bags, training bags, and backpacks for instructors and shooters.
5.11 Tactical was asked by the Las Vegas Police Department to supply their new duty uniforms. 5.11 too it a step further. Rather than simply supplying their off-the-shelf apparel, 5.11 talked to the Department, and using their feedback, they customized their uniforms to fit the Department’s priorities. At SHOT Show 2025, they showed off the results.
5.11 Tactical released a stylish men’s sports coat blazer loaded with tactical-ready pockets and straps. This jacket was teased at least year’s SHOT Show, but was called at the time, the “Bravo” jacket. This travel blazer is available on 5.11’s website and is the closest thing to wearing John Wick’s jacket without being bulletproof.
5.11 worked with law enforcement SWAT teams to design the X.VI tactical pants. These pants were only available to Law Enforcement and Military until this year when 5.11 made them available to civilians on their website. I had my first look at them at SHOT Show in January, where I learned that X.VI was Roman numerals for 5.11.
These pants are robustly made with gusseted stitching to reinforce stress points, especially around the waist. The pants are loaded with well thought out performance features. All the pockets are oversized and the cargo pockets contain internal mag holders, zippered venting slits, and patented straps to adjust the height and position of the knee pads. The legs have built in knee pads with removable polymer knee covers and padding. The pant legs have boot hooks that anchor the pant ends to the top laces of your boots and keep them from riding up and exposing the top of your boots to debris.
In my week long testing of the pants, I found them comfortable but a bit heavy. The only disappointing feature were the knee pads. Though well built with a variety of adjustment, they never stayed where I wanted them when sitting the car. I found myself constantly repositioning them by hand. Fortunately, the pads can be removed to allow me to use them with my Hatch knee pads.
The other aspect that would make me balk, is their price of over $200. While these pants are now available for civilians, but those civilians probably drive Rivians and not Kia’s.
“5.11” comes from the a rock climbing difficulty rating in Yosemite national park. 5.11 got its start specializing in making rock climbing pants. These were discovered by and purchased Special Forces operators who prized them for their durability, ergonomic pockets, and flexible design allowing for a wide range of dynamic motion.
At the 5.11 booth a came across their BRAVO travel jacket. This blazer sports coat has internal secure pockets and retaining straps. This covert jacket allows you to carry various EDC gear in a secure and ergonomic manner for rapid access and deployment. It isn’t quite John Wick’s bullet proof Italian suit but I imagine it’s a suit he’d wear while on vacation from a “job”.
5.11 Tactical is a outdoor and tactical outfitter which is best known for making specialized backpacks, hiking, and duty pants. At their own stores and 5.11 branded sections at retailers, you can also find 5.11 accessories like EDC knives; almost as an afterthought like swag.
One of their newest is the 5.11 Braddock DP and on first blush it could be easily overlooked. The Braddock has the generic look of a archetypical tactical folding knife. Polymer handle with a frame lock design and a traditional drop point, with a half-length swedge and a black stonewashed finish.
On closer inspection, I found the handle to be solidly constructed with a grippy textured finish without the creak you’ll find on cheaper polymer knives. The blade was very sharp out of the box able to cut paper, 1/8″ paracord, and 1/4″ nylon clothesline with ease.
Overall it does feel a bit basic. The only stand out feature was the reposition-able pocket clip which comes in a matching color to the polymer body panel (kangaroo brown or black). The clip itself was shorter than typical knives. Its short length and matching color has the advantage of making the Braddock slightly more covert than most EDC knives.
5.11’s products command slightly premium pricing not as much as Arc’teryx or TAD but certainly in that “technical clothing” eco-system. While its a bit more than a baseline model from better known knife brands, the Braddock DP is well designed and well constructed. You’re getting good gear while paying only a modest brand name premium.
5.11 got its start making rock climbing pants and is known as an outdoor and tactical outfitter. So its a natural evolution that they would develop knives and tools. Their offerings include folding knives, sheathed knives, and hatchets. At SHOT Show they literally opened up their drawer and let me see their product line.
I’ll be posting a review of their new Braddock DP EDC knife soon. The striking orange knife you see in this video is the Fero knife and is available on Amazon https://amzn.to/49trjul
