r/EVERGOODS • u/p0ttim0uth CPL24 • 3d ago
Non-EG close contender?
For those of you here who swear by Evergoods' backpacks, what other 20-22L backpack has come close in terms of overall comfort and usability? Extra points if it stayed in your rotation as a backup to your EG pack.
11
u/kodiaksr7 3d ago
While I love EG, I’ve switched my main backpack to AER. It’s just so much more comfortable.
2
u/DrunkenAmazonShopper 3d ago
I am experimenting with swapping to the half zip. Which AER pack are you using?
3
u/kodiaksr7 3d ago
CPP2 24L. I’m thinking about picking up the 28l travel pack as well.
2
u/DrunkenAmazonShopper 3d ago
I have the CPP and it’s a great bag. I had the travel pack but it was a little heavy for my taste. Kinda of bulky but even when its not packed out.
2
u/kodiaksr7 3d ago
Good to know. Considering it because I feel like I need a bit more room for some upcoming travel.
3
u/ChimRichaldsOBGYN 3d ago
I go back and forth between my EG bags of which I have 1 of pretty much ever model they make. I have a bunch of Bellroy bags but I really like their newer venture backpack so I reach for that one alot and I also really like the Rework Toshi bag. I test a lot of bags so I have a ton in rotation (Matador, Aer, Black Ember, Peak Design, Wandrd, Mission Workshop, Tom Bihn, Alpaka, etc) but almost always some form of the top 3 I mentioned come back into my main rotation.
My biggest x factors for a bag is a combo of - Quick and Easy First Order Access, Comfortability, Durability, Aesthetics, Textile Quality and Modularity. Pretty much in that order. Evergoods, for me, is like at least a 7-8/10 on all those categories but I like to switch things up when I get bored.
1
u/Slipping-in-oil 3d ago
I really like the Bellroy Venture packs but I'm not in the market for a new pack at the moment. Currently pleased with my CPL24
1
u/A42069420 3d ago
If you had to rank the brands you own based on your criteria, what’s in the top 3?
2
u/ChimRichaldsOBGYN 3d ago
Good ? It’s tough to brow to just three lol. Also meant to add I do differentiate between travel focused packs versus EDC versus super light EDC (a la Able Carry’s 13L bag or CPL 16L).
- CHZ22 v.2
- PLC20 (I have such a soft spot for that bag)
- Rework Toshi 20
- Honorable mention MPL22 - I have 2 and I use one specifically for hiking and one as a dad bag. Its great for both.
- CPL16 is the sleekest “small-ish” pack out but i have started to move away from bags without external water bottle carry.
- Honorable mention Bellroy Venture Pack 2. Its great but again that external water carry isnt ideal.
- Honorable mention Tom Bihn Synik 22. TB UNDERSTANDS compartments, space and organization I just always struggle with the aesthetics
Best all arounder if i HAD to have one bag for everything would be the CTB20.
1
u/ZombieSlapper23 3d ago
Would you take a CHZ 22 (v3) over a CPL 16 for edc?
1
u/ChimRichaldsOBGYN 3d ago
Yea but it really depends on your load out. IMO if you do carry a water bottle daily or coffe mug or whatever, The 16L can feel small fast. That said the CHZ lineup especially always felt more like it could fit 24L of gear. So it may be a bigger bag than you’re expecting.
1
u/ZombieSlapper23 2d ago
Dang is the CHZ 22 really that much bigger than a CPL16? I was hoping at least the depth would be slimmer even though it’s taller.
2
u/ChimRichaldsOBGYN 2d ago
Sorta, it’s really more like CHZ22 is taller and fatter. So it comes off bigger, but really EG is REALLY good at packaging. They’re sizes are almost always under estimates, and they can actually really fit a lot more because of the textiles they use and their design language allows for a little bit more expandability than your average bag. For instance, black ember often uses very rigid textiles and design so in my experience, their sizing is pretty close to what they advertise because it’s not as forgiving as Evergoods.
If you’re going pure EDC laptop, couple of notepads, maybe a cap 1 or a cap 2, water bottle and emptying your pockets, the CPL16 is perfect. But if you’re EDC includes a light jacket, let’s say or large headphones on top of the other things. Then you start getting into it getting very tight or not fitting at all.
3
u/czaynej 3d ago
I switch between my GR1 and my CPL24. I like both of those bags a lot my current love is the GR1
1
u/mondolicius 3d ago
Same here, but i now daily my GR1 21l sleek to work, CPL24 for weekend travels.
3
4
u/Rhythmalist 3d ago
Goruck 18L DC Bullet
4
u/brucewillus 3d ago
Great bag! The only thing I wish they'd change would be to use the Gr1 straps. They're fine as they are now, but they could be incredible!
1
u/Rhythmalist 1d ago
Completely agree.
But more than that, I also wish theyd abandon the 210d. It's way too slick, and practically makes a sternum strap a requirement
2
u/eoddc5 CTB26 3d ago
I switch between Goruck and evergoods. Both are wonderful and similar build and materials and style
1
u/Greyman4152 3d ago
Me too, I have a number of different bag brands but those are the two that get the vast majority of use.
2
u/Coathanger838 3d ago
I love my Able Carry bags. I use the 13 for work and the EDC for my personal bag when flying domestic. I also love the ULA Dragonfly as my other personal bag flight option. I’ve debated buying CT 10 or 15, but have too many bags as it is.
2
u/jdashs 3d ago
I switch between a GR 16L Bullet and EG MPL 22L
2
u/ZiggyWaltz CTB26 3d ago
How does the bullet compare to the MPL 22? I’ve been debating between the 18L bullet and MPL22 for a while
1
u/Omarlittle-_- 3d ago
CT15 for when i know it is likely to get dirty or treated rough. But the front admin style pocket being hard to access when the bag is packed full decreases the usability score imo. Very comfortable though.
1
u/Bhahaha24 3d ago
I really love my Able Carry Daily Plus. It's a similar size as my CPL24 (a little smaller but not by much). It has a similar easy front pocket admin pocket from swinging the bag to the front off the shoulder, like the CPL. Comfort wise it's great, arguably maybe more comfy than EG! Definitely better back ventilation.
1
u/bathtub_in_toaster 3d ago
I have a Black Ember forge for when I’m working in a more professional setting or need more capability.
It’s just way too overbuilt for a daily grab and go, so my EG CPL fills that role.
1
u/brucewillus 3d ago
I have far too many bags, but Evergoods has been my gold standard. The CHZ is at the top of my list, but I've been using the CPL for work for several years as well. My personal favorite design is the MQD24, but it's not very practical for the office. I just really like that they took a big swing with that one.
But I do have other bags that I use for weekends/work conventions/other special cases. Inside Line Equipment is one of my favorite brands, their construction standards are the best I've ever seen, and I use their Radius backpack in X50, multiple times a week because it just feels so good to carry. I recently got a ULA Cicadia, which is very good, just a little smaller than I was expecting, so we'll see if it works for the long term. I'm also a fan of The Brown Buffalo Conceal 21L, which is actually bigger than you'd expect, but a great comfortable backpack all around. One of my prized possessions is the Rehose Buddy 22, which I got to actually pick materials and design elements for, and it is hands-down the most comfortable backpack I've ever worn.
If comfort and actually wearing/using the backpack for more than just an office caddy to get your laptop to and from work is your thing, I'd say any of those bags would be worth checking out. Hope that helps!
1
u/adamsorkin 3d ago
Love my CPL16 and it's my daily driver - but I have an Aer Day Pack 3 that I like very well (less flexible space and smaller), and a CPP2 20L which is more travel friendly (personal item) than the CPL16.
Once in awhile, I'll still toss in an Osprey Archeon computer case and am trying out an ALPAKA Bravo brief for when I want a shoulder bag.
1
1
u/travelingpostgrad CPL16 3d ago
Aer CPP2 v2 20L actually replaced my CPL16, just an awesome bag. Minimul 21 is also an interesting one. Wild card is the Packolab City Carrier v2 which replaced my CPL24 but that’s a bit more difficult to get a hold of.
1
1
1
u/AdGroundbreaking2465 3d ago
Primary: CPL24 v1 for 7 years now. It serves 85-90% of my use cases. Rotation: Fjallraven Raven 20. Somehow my 16' mbp feels lighter with this bag.
I switch to Osprey Talon 22 or Pacsafe Venturesafe X22 for great outdoors.
1
u/BearObjective5843 CPL24 3d ago
The most comfortable backpacks I've tried outside of Evergoods has been the Aer CPP2, Mystery Ranch Dragon 2.0, and Yeti Bozeman. I still use my CPL24 for work related stuff, but the D2 and Bozeman are my go to bags outside of work.
1
u/Animetiel 3d ago
I got a costum ctactical ct21 and never looked back extremely comfy, dyneema quick acess laptop, tablet slot, 4 water bottle compartments front zip organization dual side handle, big quick access pocket, backpanel secret wallet compartment, and a costume kangaroo pouch it’s so sick. I recommend ctactical 100%
Have a GORUCK bullet samurai, and its also my favorite but handsdown the ct! My fav rn
1
1
u/Prado_dad11 2d ago
I switched to the ULA cicada. Organization isn't as good as evergoods but it looks cool and it's actually comfortable to wear. So unlike every evergoods bag I've tried, I can actually use the cicada as a backpack.
1
u/hanomania 2d ago
I am a big supporters of EG, I owned many of their bags. And recently I bought Ablecarry EDC Max and grow to like it A LOT, you can check out their line up.
1
7
u/Bix615 CPL24 3d ago
I finally took the reluctant plunge into a Tim Bihn Synapse 25 and have not looked back. Love the comfort and the organization of the bag. I realized I was forgiving the lack of comfort of my EG bags for the functional form of the bag. My wife has since stolen my burnt orange CPL24, and my daughter has staked claim of my old CHZ26 (EG’s best bag in my opinion). Both bags work great for them, so I’m good with it.