Sarma Small Assault Pack Review: A 20L Tactical Daypack for $50

Introduction

The Sarma Small Assault Pack is a 20 litre tactical style daypack from the in-house Sarma line of a European outdoor, tactical, and military surplus retailer. It is built around a straightforward idea: give hikers and woods walkers the layout and look of an assault pack without the price tag of true military issue gear.

The dimensions are 17.3 inches tall, 11.8 inches wide, and 7.9 inches deep, so it stays compact on the back while still offering a useful amount of organised space. Capacity is 20 litres, or 1,220 cubic inches. The shell is 1,000 denier polyester with a PU coating, the buckles are UTX, and the pack weighs 2.2 lb on a home scale. It is available in black, green, and gray, and it sells for $50.

What stands out at first handling is how much structure has been packed into a small shell. PALS webbing, compression straps on both sides, a patch panel, and a hydration sleeve all appear on a pack that weighs roughly as much as a filled water bottle. The construction is tidy as well, with no loose threads along the seams.

Who this product is for

This is a civilian pack through and through. It is aimed at the person who wants to head into the woods, go for a hike, and carry a tactical looking bag while doing it. For that audience, the size and the layout line up well with a typical day out.

It is worth being clear about what it is not. The polyester shell will take some abuse, but this is not a genuine piece of military surplus and it is not built to military specification. Anyone who needs a pack for service use should look at true mil-spec options instead. Buyers who need to carry a full 3 litre hydration bladder should also look at the larger assault pack in the same line rather than trying to force the load into this one.

Main strengths

Materials and Construction

For $50, the materials and the build quality are the strongest argument in the pack’s favour. The 1,000 denier polyester shell with a PU coating feels substantial, and the UTX buckles match the hardware you would expect on a considerably more expensive bag. Stitching is clean throughout, with no loose threads or sloppy seams to report.

The grab handle at the top deserves a mention of its own. It is reinforced and genuinely sturdy, which matters on a pack that will often be lifted and swung around by that single point.

Storage and Organization

There is more usable organisation here than the 20 litre capacity suggests. The lower front pocket is covered in PALS webbing for attaching pouches, and the upper front section carries a large hook and loop panel for patches plus its own pocket. Both use two-way zippers with their own pulls, and the zippers have no metal pulls, which keeps them quiet in the field.

Inside, the layout is just as practical. There is a large mesh storage area toward the front, a hydration bladder sleeve on the back side, and behind that a zippered pocket that accepts a frame sheet if you want to stiffen the pack up. The main compartment opens in two ways: undo the top and dig in, or disconnect the compression straps on both sides and open the pack completely into a flat clamshell. That full opening makes packing and unpacking a load far easier than on a fixed top-loading design.

Each side carries two compression straps plus additional webbing for mounting pouches, so the pack can be cinched down small or expanded to carry more.

Carry Comfort and Load Control

The harness is simple and adjustable. The shoulder straps include plastic D-rings, the sternum strap slides up and down, and there is a waist belt for stabilising the load. Every strap on the pack has a keeper, so excess webbing can be rolled up and kept out of the way instead of flapping around.

A hydration port sits at the top, and the back panel uses 3D mesh that continues onto the straps. For a 20 litre pack, it carries well and stays comfortable with the sort of load this capacity realistically holds.

Things to consider before buying

Ventilation and Sweat Buildup

Ventilation is the clearest compromise. The 3D mesh back panel is completely flat rather than channeled or suspended, so it does not create much airflow against your back. On a hot day, or on a climb where you are exerting yourself, expect sweat buildup on the back panel and on the shoulder straps.

This is a fair trade-off at this price and size, but it is worth knowing before you buy. Riders of warm weather and high effort days will feel it most.

Fit, Sizing, and Intent

The sternum strap works well on a broad chest and broad shoulders, but smaller individuals may find it too large out of the box. The good news is that it is highly adjustable, so it can be dialled in, though some buyers will need to spend time getting it right.

Hydration capacity is also worth planning around. The sleeve fits a 2 litre bladder when completely full, or a 3 litre bladder when almost full. A typical long 3 litre bladder filled to the top will not fit inside this pack. Anyone who wants to carry a full 3 litre bladder should choose the larger assault pack instead.

Finally, keep the intended use in mind. This is a durable and functional civilian daypack with an assault pack aesthetic. It is not military grade equipment, and it is not priced or built to be.

Buying advice

At $50, the value here is hard to argue with. The civilian assault pack market is crowded, and much of what fills it is poorly made. This pack performs above its price point: good materials, tidy construction, quiet zippers, useful organisation, and a harness that adjusts properly.

The practical decision comes down to three things. If you want a compact daypack with a tactical look for hiking and time in the woods, this is an easy recommendation. If you need to carry a fully filled 3 litre hydration bladder or a heavier multi-day load, step up to the larger size in the same line. And if you need genuine military specification gear for service use, this is not that product, so shop accordingly.

Choosing a colour is the simplest part of the decision, since black, green, and gray all suit the pack’s straightforward styling.

Conclusion

The Sarma Small Assault Pack does exactly what a good budget daypack should do. It carries a sensible 20 litre load comfortably, offers far more pockets, sleeves, and attachment points than its price suggests, and opens fully for easy packing. Its flat back panel and snug sternum strap sizing are the two points to weigh up, and both are manageable once you know about them. For hikers who like the tactical look and want solid construction at $50, this is a genuinely good value.