Everyday Carry

Readers' Choice: Top 3 EDC Bags in 2018

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Readers' Choice: Top 3 EDC Bags in 2018

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With the new year right around the corner, there's plenty of new gear in store for us to look forward to. But until then, now's a great time to look back on the gear that served us best through 2018. We polled our community in our exclusive Facebook group and asked what their favorite EDC gear was in the past year. In this quick round-up, we're highlighting your favorite backpacks! We've narrowed it down to the top three answers among the community — read on to see what your favorites were, and stay tuned for more gear to come in our Readers' Choice series.

3. Peak Design Travel Backpack

With a fully expandable 45 liters of space, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is suited for an extended excursion. Unlike other bags with that kind of carrying capacity, Peak Design has made their Travel Backpack with speed and discretion in mind. It features a clamshell design for easy loading, and quick stash pockets at the top and sides of the bag. And while the bag slims down via compression straps to keep things small and carry-on compatible, the expansion zippers let you take full advantage of the available space once you're on the ground. This makes the Travel Backpack ideal for a one-backpack travel set up. And with its 400D weather proof material construction and DWR coatings, the bag has the chops to stand up to the elements no matter where you find yourself.

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2. Aer Tech Pack

Premium technical materials and rock-solid durability define Aer's minimalist Tech Pack. It features a tough 1680D Cordura ballistic exterior paired with a water-resistant coated front. Its dual compartment construction gives you lots of space for your gear with smart organizational features as well to keep everything on hand with easy accessibility. And unlike a lot of other bags, its structured design allows it to hold its shape, even when it's not fully packed, making loading and unloading the bag on a regular basis a breeze.

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1. Black Ember Citadel Modular

The Black Ember Citadel modular backpack system represents a versatile option for everyday carry as we enter the new year. As its name implies, you're able to configure the bag for both light and heavy-duty storage options, depending on your needs. The basic pack is made out of 800D performance textile, laser cut, and with YKK Aquaguard zippers to keep your gear dry in inclement weather. There's a comfortable 25 liters of space available to store the essentials, and the modularity of the pack lets you snap dedicated expansions onto the bag using magnetic Fidlock hardware. Once available only through crowdfunding, Black Ember is now making this stellar pack available for preorder to a wider retail audience at the link below.

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What was your favorite bag in 2018? Leave a comment and let your fellow EDCers know about bags you think should be on their radar! Stay tuned for more Readers' Choice picks as we wrap up this year.

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 (15 total)

Michael Rayburn ·
Wife got me a Tumi Bravo this holiday. Just started using it. More expensive than I'd buy for myself, but seems good so far.
Kevin Streit ·
Other than my Peak Design Travel Bag I have a C-Ruck by Red Oxx which is the most durable rucksack I have ever owned. I've traveled all over the world and this bag has never let me down!
Kevin Streit ·
I am really enjoying my Peak Design Travel Bag! It is the most versatile travel bag on the market. Glad I got it on Kickstarter!!
Goldthunder ·
Gotta keep that gear dry while it sits in the airplane and by gear I mean clothes and head phones. Cmon this isn’t EDC bags.
North Face Overhaul 40. Fits all international carry-on sizers I have used including Australia, Asia and Europe. North Face gave me a free replacement after my 6 year old beaten up original had a very minor defect. Accept no substitutes.
Franklion ·
Shouldn't this be called Top Travel Bags? Something like an Evergoods CPL or Opposethis Invisible II is more EDC.
I have been using the Citadel modular since receiving it from the Kickstarter campaign. It's an awesome EDC pack that has filled all of my needs very well. The water proof shell and zippers work as advertised.
Phat Nutz ·
my arc’teryx leaf courier bag 15 is way easier to edc than the travel bags listed here plus it's less conspicuous.
Am I the only one who laughs at the price of 90% of the “must-haves” here? I’d much rather get a PacSafe 40L bag for 50% the cost with 100% more security.
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