Necron vs T'au Backpack: Choosing Your Warhammer Day Bag
By Warhammer Officially Licensed Merchandise | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Comparisons
The Necron and T'au Empire icon backpacks share the same 18-litre shell, so the real choice is faction look versus how you pack for a game day. Here is how to decide.
Quick answer
Pick the Necron Grey Icon Backpack if you want the quieter, grey-embroidered look and the lowest catalog price; pick the T'au Empire Icon Backpack if the T'au icon is the faction you actually play. The two bags share the same 18-litre size, pocket layout and strap setup, so the decision comes down to faction identity and color preference, not carrying capacity.
What is actually different between the two bags
On the supplied specifications, the two backpacks are twins: both are official 600D polyester bags measuring 31 x 42 x 21 cm with 18 litres of capacity, a zippered front pocket, a padded back panel, a grab handle and padded adjustable shoulder straps. The visible difference is the embroidered icon — the Necron version uses a grey icon, while the T'au version carries the T'au Empire icon.
That means you should not expect one bag to swallow more dice, rulebooks or mini cases than the other. The real question is which faction emblem you want on your back at the club, and whether a grey-on-grey look suits your everyday carry better than a bolder faction mark.
The trade-off: everyday discretion versus faction statement
The Necron Grey Icon Backpack's grey embroidery makes it the more understated option. If your bag doubles as a work or school bag, a grey icon is less likely to draw attention than a full-color faction badge, and it pairs easily with neutral clothing.
The T'au Empire Icon Backpack makes a clearer faction statement. That is a genuine benefit if you want your bag to start conversations at a store or tournament, but it is a drawback if you prefer your hobby gear to blend in. Neither choice is wrong; just be honest about where the bag will be seen most.
Why 18 litres is the number that matters most
Both bags offer 18 litres, which is a compact daypack size rather than a tournament hauler. That capacity suits a rulebook, a dice bag, a water bottle and a light jacket, but it is not designed to carry a full army in foam trays. If your game day involves multiple large miniature cases, this pair is a secondary bag, not your primary transport.
The zippered front pocket is the useful detail for a Warhammer 40k bag for dice: keep dice, templates and small tokens there so you are not digging through the main compartment between turns. The padded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps matter on longer walks to a venue, though the catalog does not specify strap thickness or back-panel foam density, so try the fit in person if comfort is your top priority.
Decision rules for your Warhammer carry bag
- If you play Necrons: Choose the Necron Grey Icon Backpack. Matching your army's faction is the whole point of a faction icon backpack, and the grey embroidery keeps it wearable outside the hobby. Check the color options before ordering if you want the grey icon specifically.
- If you play T'au Empire: Choose the T'au Empire Icon Backpack. You get the same 18-litre layout and padded straps, with the emblem that matches your collection.
- If you pack heavy for tournaments: Treat either bag as a support bag for dice, books and personal items, and carry miniature cases separately. An 18-litre daypack is not a substitute for a dedicated figure case. Measure your rulebook and dice bag against 31 x 42 x 21 cm before you commit.
- If you want one bag for hobby and everyday use: Lean toward the Necron Grey Icon Backpack's grey icon if you need the bag to look neutral at work or school; lean toward the T'au version only if you are happy to display your faction openly.
Product facts at a glance
- T'au Empire Icon Backpack: Official T'au Empire backpack with an embroidered icon and 18-litre capacity. The T'au emblem is the main reason to choose this version, since the shell and pocket layout match the Necron bag.
T'au Empire Icon Backpack - Necron Grey Icon Backpack: Official Necron backpack with a grey embroidered icon and the same 31 x 42 x 21 cm dimensions. The grey icon keeps the bag visually quieter while giving you the same 18-litre daypack footprint.
Necron Grey Icon Backpack
Who should choose which
Best for
- Necron players who want a low-key faction bag for club nights and everyday carry
- T'au Empire players who want their army's emblem visible on a compact daypack
- Hobbyists who need a small Warhammer 40k bag for dice, books and tokens
Not for
- Players who need to carry multiple large miniature cases in one bag
- Buyers who want a bag with a laptop sleeve or bottle pocket, since none is listed in the supplied specifications
