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 |
 |  |  |  |  |
| $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Capacity: 24L | Capacity: 22L | Capacity: 20L | Capacity: 24L | Capacity: 26L |
| Materials: VX42 X-Pac | Materials: VX21 X-Pac | Materials: 900D nylon | Materials: 1000D 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 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Our Top Picks for EDC Backpacks
The Best Overall EDC Backpack: Aer City Pack Pro X-Pac
Purchase
The Most Premium EDC Backpack: Mission Workshop Rhake
Purchase
The Best EDC Backpack on a Budget: The Ridge Commuter
Purchase
The Best Waterproof EDC Backpack: Prometheus Design Werx All Terrain Pack 24L
Purchase
The Best EDC Backpack for Travel: EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 26L
Purchase
GORUCK GR1 USA EDC Backpack
Purchase
The Brown Buffalo ConcealPack 21L EDC Backpack
Purchase
Arc’teryx Granville 25 EDC Backpack
Purchase
Modern Dayfarer V2 EDC Backpack
Purchase
Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 EDC Backpack
PurchaseKey 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.
