Everyday Carry

Best EDC Backpacks on the Market in 2024

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Best EDC Backpacks on the Market in 2024

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When efficiently hauling your gear daily, nothing gets the job done quite like a good EDC backpack. The best everyday carry backpacks typically feature plenty of storage, thoughtful organization, durable materials, and an ergonomic design to make carrying heavier loads comfortable and easy. With the right EDC backpack, you can have one bag to cover most of your needs, whether you're using it as a travel pack, a camera backpack, a laptop backpack for college, or a bug-out bag for emergencies. This buying guide will help you pick the right bag for your EDC by highlighting 10 of the best everyday carry backpacks. Whether you want a tough-as-nails tactical backpack, a laptop backpack for your tech or mobile office, an outdoors-ready hiking backpack, or a feature-rich commuter backpack for carrying around town, we've got you covered with these picks.


Our Top Picks

The Best Overall EDC Backpack: Aer City Pack Pro X-Pac [Buy]

The Most Premium EDC Backpack: Mission Workshop Rhake [Buy

The Best EDC Backpack on a Budget: The Ridge Commuter [Buy] / [Full Review]

The Best Waterproof EDC Backpack: Prometheus Design Werx All Terrain Pack 24L [Buy] / [Full Review]

The Best EDC Backpack for Travel: EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 26L [Buy


Aer City Pack Pro X-Pac
Mission Workshop Rhake
The Ridge Commuter
Prometheus Design Werx All Terrain Pack 24L
EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 26L





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Capacity: 24L
Capacity: 22L
Capacity: 20L
Capacity: 24L
Capacity: 26L
Materials: VX42 X-Pac
MaterialsVX21 X-Pac
Materials: 900D nylon
Materials1000D RPET
Materials: 420D HT nylon 6
Key Features: Quick-access top pocket
Key Features: Expanding main compartment
Key Features: Weather-resistant
Key Features: IPX7-rated waterproof
Key Features: Stretch woven side pockets
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Our Top Picks for EDC Backpacks

Aer

The Best Overall EDC Backpack: Aer City Pack Pro X-Pac

Purchase
Key Features
Quick-access top pocket
Luggage handle pass-through
Exterior water bottle pocket
Specifications
Capacity
24L
Weight
2.5 lbs
Materials
VX42 X-Pac
EDC Rating


Price
$$$$
The Aer City Pack Pro has been a top pick for overall best EDC backpacks for years. This unique bag edition lightens the load because it features a laminated X-Pac VX-42 technical sailcloth shell which is substantially less hefty than the original nylon version. Fully unloaded, the bag weighs just 2.5 pounds while still being durable and waterproof for your urban EDC needs. There are 24 liters of space inside its clamshell-opening main compartment, quick access pockets, and a luggage pass-through which lets this carry-on compliant bag take you from the office to your vacation travels in no time.
Mission

The Most Premium EDC Backpack: Mission Workshop Rhake

Purchase
Key Features
Expanding main compartment
Modular components
Made in the USA
Specifications
Capacity
22L
Weight
3.1 lbs
Materials
VX21 X-Pac
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$$$
Mission Workshop makes some of the highest-quality everyday carry bags made of technical fabrics, unique design elements, and quality-of-life touches that explain their high price point. Their Rhake is made to be a one-bag wonder. This weatherproof laptop backpack has the space to carry your tech essentials, the organization needed to handle your smaller gear and stationery, and enough space for your clothes and water when traveling. It features a large 22-liter roll-top main compartment that lets you pack more if you need to fit extra clothes and gear during your travels. The diamond ripstop VX Dimension-Polyant material also makes this a lightweight bag at just 3.1 pounds fully unloaded. And each bag is designed, developed, and made in the United States by Mission Workshop in San Francisco, ensuring quality and craftsmanship with a lifetime warranty.
The

The Best EDC Backpack on a Budget: The Ridge Commuter

Purchase
Key Features
Water bottle pocket
RFID-blocking compartment
Luggage pass-through
Specifications
Capacity
20L
Weight
2.5 lbs
Materials
Waterproof 900D nylon
EDC Rating


Price
$$$
While its minimal design lets the Commuter fit right at home in the city, its design and materials let this daypack go off the beaten path. It has 20L of storage across two main compartments, with ample space for your 15" laptop and other tech, with numerous interior and exterior pockets to keep everything organized. The secret to its outdoor-ready sucess, however, is its waterproof 900D nylon shell, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and clever design that makes sure water droplets aren't able to sneak into any interior spaces or pockets. All of that, and it's still the most affordable bag on this list.
Prometheus

The Best Waterproof EDC Backpack: Prometheus Design Werx All Terrain Pack 24L

Purchase
Key Features
IPX7-rated waterproof
External attachment points
Removable sternum strap and waist belt
Specifications
Capacity
24L
Weight
2.6 lbs
Materials
1000D RPET
EDC Rating


Price
$$$
Many of the best EDC bags and packs advertise water resistance and waterproof capability up to a point. But few are designed to survive literal immersion into a body of water like the Prometheus Design Werx All Terrain Pack. This pack (and its brothers) are specialized bags made out of eco-friendly laser-cut 1000D RPET material that's been high-frequency seam welded. Combined with high-quality water-repellent YKK AquaGuard Zippers, each Prometheus Design Werx bag is rated IPX7 waterproof, meaning they can be completely immersed in water. That's far more than the regular rain shower, and it's vital if you're carrying items that absolutely cannot get wet, like tech essentials and important documents.

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EVERGOODS

The Best EDC Backpack for Travel: EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 26L

Purchase
Key Features
17" suspended and padded laptop compartment
Luggage pass-through sleeve
Stretch woven side pockets
Specifications
Capacity
26L
Weight
3 lbs
Materials
420D HT nylon 6
EDC Rating


Price
$$$$
With its travel-friendly design and versatile 26-liter capacity, the EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag comes from a long line of community favorites, and designed to be a more compact one-bag solution for your daily EDC and vacations away from home. The CIVIC Travel Bag has a fully breathable padded back panel and a comfortable harness. If you bring a carry-on or checked roller bag, there's a luggage pass-through. The internal padded laptop sleeve is fully suspended, keeping your up to 17" laptop safe from sudden jolts and bumps. And its 420D HT Nylon 6 shell sits at a practical middle ground between ultralightweight and overbuilt ballistic nylon bags, and it weighs just over 3 pounds fully unloaded.
GORUCK

GORUCK GR1 USA EDC Backpack

Purchase
Key Features
Redesigned, less abrasive back panel and straps
Hidden laptop compartment
Ruck-ready
Specifications
Capacity
21L/26L
Weight
2.8 lbs
Materials
1000D/210D CORDURA
EDC Rating


Price
$$$$
Whenever the topic of the toughest EDC bags gets brought up, it's hard to leave the GORUCK GR1 out of the discussion. Its simple, efficient design has stood the test of time, with an unchanged design and heavy-duty construction philosophy since blazing a trail for tactical bags a decade ago. They recently launched its latest iteration, which takes one of the most useful aspects of their Rucker series of packs—a 210 HT back panel that’s much, much less abrasive than the standard 1000D exterior—and applies it to their flagship rucksack. It’s a welcome upgrade that lets users have the best of both worlds of durability and comfort, making this community icon an even more stellar option for EDC and beyond.
The

The Brown Buffalo ConcealPack 21L EDC Backpack

Purchase
Key Features
Structured, stand-up design
15" laptop compartment
Modular accessories
Specifications
Capacity
21L
Weight
2.9 lbs
Materials
VX21 X-Pac
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$$$
The ConcealPack is The Brown Buffalo's flagship everyday carry backpack. A few unique design features make this bag stand out from the rest. The 21L ConcealPack has a structured design that can stand up on its own and holds its shape even when fully unloaded, and its clamshell opening design lets it lie completely flat for easy access. The rear panel’s entire front is a loop field in the main compartment, making it a blank canvas for modular accessories and customization. Across it on the back of the front panel is a unique configuration of a zippered pocket and two long pod pockets, making it an excellent dropoff for gear like a water bottle. There’s also a laptop pocket for your daily driver, accessed via a hidden zipper on the rear. The ConcealPack is also one of the best travel backpacks, with the rear of the bag featuring a pass-through luggage strap for carry-on compatibility.
Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx Granville 25 EDC Backpack

Purchase
Key Features
Refreshed, sleeker design
Taped seam
Stretch-mesh internal laptop sleeve
Specifications
Capacity
25L
Weight
1 lb
Materials
N400r-AC² nylon 6
EDC Rating


Price
$$$$
The clean and minimalist look the Arc'teryx Granville 25 offers makes it different from most EDC bags. The technical fabric construction makes this a lightweight bag at just 30.5 ounces fully unloaded. It also makes this one of the most weather-resistant bags you can EDC. With 25 liters of capacity, the Granville 25 has enough room for a day's worth of tech essentials and other gear you want to avoid carrying in your pockets. A dedicated laptop sleeve and internal dividers help you organize your backpack for easy access when you need it. And when you have the bag fully packed with your equipment, the padded, vented shoulder straps and the AeroForm back panel offer lots of comfort for long treks to your next destination.
Modern

Modern Dayfarer V2 EDC Backpack

Purchase
Key Features
Water-repellent exterior coating
16" laptop compartment
Shoe compartment fits up to size 14 men's shoes
Specifications
Capacity
24L
Weight
2.2 lbs
Materials
840D nylon
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$$$
Finding an everyday backpack that holds all your gym/sports gear (and your laptop) while looking ideally at home in an office setting is challenging, which is why we love the Modern Dayfarer DAYFARER V2 Backpack. It's a great solution to those packed days when you must take your gym gear to work or an important meeting. The sleek, all-black design and slim, minimalist profile balance sporty aesthetics and workplace elegance while featuring valuable compartments for all your essentials. It also comes with top-tier hardware like a Fidlock main buckle and Hypalon zipper pulls. The Modern Dayfarer V2 is an ideal all-around bag for busy days transitioning from the workplace to the gym.

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Mystery

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 EDC Backpack

Purchase
Key Features
Signature tri-zip opening
Highly adjustable harness
Device sleeves
Specifications
Capacity
24L
Weight
2.6 lbs
Materials
500D CORDURA
EDC Rating


Price
$$$
Mystery Ranch's iconic tri-zip design is one of the best easy-access opening methods available on an everyday carry bag. But they originally could only be found on Mystery Ranch's premium military-only bags. Over the years, they've brought that tactical and outdoors know-how to a more accessible point, especially with the Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24. This is a dedicated urban EDC bag featuring the tri-zip, rip-open design the community loves but still featuring the bombproof construction and comfortable, adjustable harness that marks a Mystery Ranch bag.

Key Features of an EDC Backpack

We understand that there are many options when picking out the best backpack for EDC. That's what we're here for, and this guide will go over some of the most critical aspects you should consider before making your next choice.

Weight

A bag that's too heavy to carry will be highly uncomfortable for you to EDC. And when weight is restricted, like on an airplane, a bag with a higher initial unloaded weight means you can fit fewer travel goodies inside before paying extra fees.

Capacity

Capacity, measured usually in liters or cubic inches, is a helpful way of gauging the overall size of a bag by how much space you have inside to pack your things. You should pick the right size for your gear most of the time. Packing light but carrying a huge bag will look weird and carry your EDC gear improperly. But if you need to bring more capacity, you will find yourself wanting when you need to pack more. You can deal with this by choosing bags that cinch down with compression straps or collapse if you don't need the extra space. You can also opt for a lightweight, packable bag for your EDC backpack if you need extra space.

Comfort

A daypack that's uncomfortable to wear will be one that you will leave home. While weight is significant, the bag's design also comes into play. Look for bags with padding on the harness, straps, and back panel. Sternum straps, buckles, and waist or hip belts attached to the bag can help stabilize a heavy load.

Durability

Durability is a significant draw that gets people into an EDC pack. People become tired of regularly buying a cheap generic pack, so they search for durable bags that won't fail so quickly from everyday use. Durability has several components in the best everyday carry bags. The shell of a bag determines whether it will rip from a heavy load or scratch during use. You can opt for a bag with higher denier fabric like CORDURA for abrasion and water resistance. Lightweight technical fabrics appear in the best EDC backpacks that let you use thinner material while keeping much of the durability of heavy-weight fabrics.

Organization

The organization of your bag is essential because a large backpack can become a black hole for your small gear and EDC loadout. Dedicated zippered or expandable mesh pocket compartments and padded front pocket areas for tech goods like a laptop, MacBook, iPad, or camera with a charger can transform a bag into the best for your everyday carry needs.

Features

Choose the EDC bag with the features you need. Many options exist, from hydration bladders, MOLLE webbing, Velcro areas, and water bottle pockets to quick-access compartments for keys and stationery. These features influence the versatility of your bag, and you should consider them appropriately.


Best EDC Backpack FAQs

How big should an EDC backpack be?

Your EDC bag should be the size you need to fit the gear you need. A bag that is too small won't serve your needs. On the other hand, a bag that's too big will be too bulky for EDC.

How should you choose an EDC backpack?

If this is your first time picking an EDC backpack, scroll up and look at our favorite picks for the best EDC backpack. From there, please do your research and check it against your requirements.

What is the best men's backpack?

You don't have to pick between fashionable, stylish bags and practicality. Many bags work well for men, whether you're headed to the office, the gym, or a frequent flier.

What does EDC stand for in backpacks?

EDC stands for everyday carry and refers to the gear you bring with you on your life's journey. EDC also refers to picking out the equipment you both want and need in your daily life. Picking out the right mix of features, looks, and practicality instead of just picking the first one you see at a low price. Think of something you’ll be proud to call “my EDC.”


How We Picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what's new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men's essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (7 total)

Heath Filbert ·
The basic Jansport just criminally overlooked
Roberto Gonzalez Sosa ·
I wish companies took more risks in the color department. I appreciate it when Alpaka or Chrome Industries do Purple or crazy patterns, but even those are a bit few and far between.
Tys Sniffen ·
man, you guys should really check out the next generation of backpacks - one that does all the stuff described above, but ALSO connects to other bags and transforms into one sleek carry-on for travel. Check out the Journey System from Idea Mountain
4 more comments