15 ULTIMATE Backpacks for Everyday Carry (2025 Guide)
15 ULTIMATE Backpacks for Everyday Carry (2025 Guide)
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00:00 – Intro
01:23 – Sympl
02:18 – Able Carry
03:18 – Aer
04:18 – Topo Designs
05:02 – Tomtoc
05:40 – Bellroy
07:24 – Alpaka
08:36 – Mous
09:33 – Goruck
10:44 – Modern Dayfarer
11:33 – Evergoods
12:31 – Minaal
13:30 – Nomatic
14:26 – Black Ember
15:30 – CTactical
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15 BEST EDC BACKPACKS
Finding the perfect EDC backpack isnβt easy! Some packs are too bulky, lack organization, or just donβt fit your lifestyle. Whether you need something minimalist, rugged, or ultra-functional, weβve got you covered. Letβs break down the 15 best EDC backpacks that check all the right boxes!
#1 π SYMPL Commuter Pack
βπΌ Clean, minimalist, and perfect for city life. This pack keeps things simple yet functional with sleek organization.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/oAYTp44IvU0
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/sympl-commmuter-pack
#2 π Able Carry Max EDC
βπΌ Built for comfort and efficiency, this rugged yet sleek pack is a go-to for urban warriors and daily commuters.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/kCcOaT5wjVg
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/able-carry-max-edc
#3 π AER City Pack Pro Ultra
βπΌ The ultimate urban tech pack, featuring next-level durability and insane organization for all your gear.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/Bp9FK48Tb8Q
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/city-pack-pro-ultra
#4 π Topo Designs Rover Pack Classic
βπΌ Retro vibes with modern functionality. This colorful yet durable pack is built for adventurers and creatives alike.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/Sj3h1FQWVtQ
ππΌ Check best price: https://glnk.io/109w3/aaron-radcliffe (*use code AARONRADCLIFFE20OFF at checkout for 20% off!)
#5 π TOMTOC Navigator t71
βπΌ A budget-friendly EDC option with great storage and laptop protectionβall without breaking the bank.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/gj8AfoxYxus
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/tomtoc-t71
#6 π Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro
βπΌ Sleek, professional, and sustainable, this pack blends modern aesthetics with functional organization.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/1BRNjNCMij8
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/bellroy-transit-pro
#7 π Alpaka Metro Backpack Pro X-Pac
βπΌ If you love X-Pac materials and tactical vibes, this durable, waterproof, and modular pack is for you.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/kpqtuCQN9QI
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/alpaka (π15% discount code applied with this link)
#8 π MOUS Extreme Commuter Backpack
βπΌ Designed for extreme durability, this sleek and protective pack is ready for anything.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/udGbTjAL-S8
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/mous-commuter
#9 π GORUCK GR2 26L
βπΌ Built for toughness, this military-grade EDC backpack is perfect for heavy-duty travelers and urban adventurers.
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/gTgBYLhM_QQ
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/goruck-gr2-26l
#10 π Modern Dayfarer Backpack V2
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/QdNAvh9PYOs
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/dayfarer-V2
#11 π Evergoods CPL 24L
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/G2a4QdCnh9c
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/evergoods-cpl
#12 π Minaal Daily Bag 3.0
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/jT0HSG3TJbI
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/minaal-daily-bag
#13 π Nomatic Backpack
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/2POLMlAHVGk
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/nomatic-backpack
#14 π Black Ember Citadel R3
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/uPcLOhzL4Mo
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/black-ember-citadel
#15 π CTACTICAL CT21 V3
ππΌ Watch our review: https://youtu.be/uWPphFxAV7c
ππΌ Check the best price: https://go.nomadsnation.com/ct-21
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Looking to have YOUR backpack reviewed? Contact Aaron at aaron@nomadsnation.com
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Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our 15 Best EDC Backpacks review! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!)
Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviewsβif a product isn’t up to par, we’ll tell you.
Whatβs the difference between gr1 and gr2?
Can you review ROG ranger 16 backpack
Are you a fan of the mystery ranch day packs?
To me, The North Face Kaban 2.0 deserves to be in this list. It’s perfect.
Surprised to see a top EDC backpacks video and not have the Vertx ReadyPack on the list.
Any updates on the tomtoc review?
Thank you! Absolutely stunning in depth reviews which helps to pick.
Hey Aaron ! Love your channel !
What do you recommend between the Able Carry Max EDC and the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small ?
I need a bigger EDC Backpack for work where I’d put EDC stuff (wallet, cables, …), a laptop, running shoes and sportswear, and a lunchbox but that’s optionnal
I’d also use the backpack on a week end trip or perhaps longer trip like 1-2 weeks.
Saw a few people mentionning the weight of the TP3S but since it’s only 170g heavier than the ACME and has load lifters, it should be more or less the same I guess ?
Thank you !
hey, any plans to review the ltt commuter backpack? currently deciding on a new bag and it’s on my list of options but there aren’t that many in-depth reviews as i’d like to read and watch before buying a product.
nice review! got yourself a sub !
Waiting for your review of the new Aer city pack 2π
nice casio dude
I just got a 16β MacBook Pro and Iβm looking for a backpack that can fit all the stuff like a large battery pack, AirPods Max, laptop, iPad Pro.. Been leaning towards Mous but this has given me a ton more options! Now Iβve just got to decide π if anyone has any recommendation thatβd be great!
Could you please review Tumi backpack/s?
Have you ever reviewed the Thule Aion
travel backpack 28L?
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Tomtoc for the win cuz of price.
Bro is the Fort Knox of bags
Thoughts on the Chrome Hondo 18L? Review?
26l is not a big EDC bag of you have kids ππππ
Could you do a pack for kids vid? Drinks, lunch boxes, colouring books and pens, wet wipes, toy cars, spare underwear, sub screen, then for me a notebook, pen, battery pack, tissues, glasses, moisturiser.
You should break free and review some of the awesome Samsonite backpacks who have been making carry gear and backpacks longer than all these companies put together.
For me, the Evergoods Civic Travel Bag 20L is the winner for EDC. Something a little bit smaller is my preference for everyday use, and it is (as designed) a good βpersonal itemβ if traveling with a larger bag. (Whereas, for one bag travel I want something that isnβt going to be my EDC at home.)
I know some like a simpler backpack, but⦠The ability to carry a water bottle/coffee tumbler outside the bag is key for me in an EDC.
Hey Aaron, love your videos. Wondering if you have any recommendations for a backpack that is under 30l, has a laptop compartment with padding at the bottom, has a seperate shoe/wet compartment and is built with durable and water resistant materials.
Is there a review for ALPAKA Bravo Backpack 23L soon?
AER is just a fashion brand lmao.
Thanks for the review/guide!
I’d recommend checking out Tropicfeel Shell backpack. At 189β¬, it’s on the cheaper side of the most of the bags you’ve reviewed, it’s comfortable, it has many key features, some of which you’ve discussed, such as clamshell opening, water bottle pockets, luggage pass-through for travel, hidden pocket for passport/cash, durable materials such as YKK zippers, etc. But where it stands out is expandability, going all the way from 20L to 40L+, including via a βkangoroo pouchβ that can be pulled out from the bottom and also help with carrying shoes, wet clothes, lunch boxesβ¦ anything you donβt want to mix with the rest. It also features hip-belts and load-lifters in addition to the sternum strap, to help stabilize the backpack and distribute weight, which can make it more viable for long hours of carry and hikes too. And it’s 1245g (contrary to the older model which used to be 1.5kg) which is lighter than a lot of the backpacks you’ve reviewed.
Tropicfeel also just released the Shell LitePro at 219β¬ and 900g if one wants even lighter. If too big, Tropicfeel offers several other backpacks which all centre on the core feature of expandability, which really helps them be your single bag for everyday carry and more. Two of note would be the cheaper 14-26L+ Tropicfeel Nook at 129β¬, 850g, and the 14-26L+ Tropicfeel Scout ProLite at 159β¬, 580g (this makes it lighter than all your picks, though at the cost of organisational features a little bit, but it makes it quite minimalistic). For more business, squary, or city looks, they also have Nest (16-20L, 159β¬) and Hive (22-32L, 199β¬). All their backpacks are compatible with the same set of accessories for further expansion and compartimentalizing, such as toiletry bags, packing cubes, etc. You can check them out here: https://shop.tropicfeel.com/collections/expandable-backpacks
hynes eagle 40L? It’s like $50 bucks and great!
Purchased the Goruck 16L Bullet for EDC & Office & the 26L Heritage GR1 for travel. I’m done.
Picked up a Sympl Commuter after a lot of deliberation around a week ago, replacing my Aer CPP for EDC! Iβll still use it for travel, but it felt more like a Travel Pack mini than an awesome EDC bag for what I carry. It was my first real bag purchase, and I think it’s the optimal "one bag to rule them all", but in hindsight, if I knew I was going to get a Sympl Commuter, I might’ve pulled the trigger on an Aer TP3 Small which seem like a better fit for travel, just as the Commuter is a better fit for EDC.
The new bag is great in a lot of ways, my only downsides would be that the water bottle pocket is a bit tight for a 24oz bottle, a side access laptop compartment feels a bit less functional than a top loader, and the top tech access pouch feels a bit tight/not a full replacement for my existing tech pouch⦠but maybe I need to be more minimalist. Awesome material and layout though.
Hiking backpacks is the way to go.
Was wondering how do you feel about the Thule bags?
thanks for the video,
i might add Evergoods Civic Travel Bag 20L and alpha one nine whitley to the list
excellent roundup and great pick!! The ultra is just so nice!
Hi Aaron, excellent review. I have the Modern Dayfarer V2, but I find it a bit too small for the gym. Would the Aer Duffel Pack 3 be a better alternative? Thanks!
Just bought 2025 Aer City Pack 2 in Japan. Easily become my favorite EDC! Love it! Interestingly though, AER has not launch their newest City collections yet. But the new City collections are already sold in Japan. π
EDC carry – two things that are important in the city, pic pocket resistance and RFid blocking.
This is why I would go for a pacsafe backpack, or sling. Could you do a review from this perspective?
The amount of pickpockets in Paris and Rome on the metro is unbelievable ! Just a quick search on YT and you will see many videos!! On that basis any quick access pockets are a definite no
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Great video! I need a recommendation for an EDC. I carry a 15 inch laptop +12 inch tablet + Peak Design 2L Tech Pouch + wireless keyboard (in a case) + a gimbal (in a case). Thanks!
Can you please review Aunt & uncle bags? They are missing from your impressive list
Stubble & Co has also some wonderful EDC backpacks with great reviews from users.
HI AARON A GOOD BRAND IS PACSAFE TO REVIEW. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC REVIEWS ON BAGS FOCUSED ON SECURITY FEATURES?
what backpack would you recommend for someone who carries two laptops (17in gaming laptop and 14in macbook) 11in ipad, books and notebooks, some clothes, some personal hygiene products, tech accessories, and a large water bottle. It also has to be comfortable enough to bring for travel. I’ve heard the LTT backpack is good bag for a tech nerd like me but how is the quality of the backpack as an investment for the future( i travel at least twice a year) and are there any other bags in that price range that would be better?
These are not EDCs … when is the last time you needed a weeks cloths when going from home to work and back … O_o
Have you looked into the Oono Backpack?
Hey can you recommend a good roll top back pack for everyday use with good organisational space. I don’t like clamshell design, so wouldn’t prefer them. I like the missionWorks Rake, the everyday bag from Mous and Xiaomi 18 liters travel roll top bag. Looking forward to more recommendations along these specs. Thanks!
Just bought the Aer City Pack Pro in Ultra a few weeks ago. Annoyingly they’re coming out with an updated version that "fixes" the luggage pass through so you don’t have to flip it on its side (makes it even harder without a side handle).
This is my Super Bowl
Big fan of this channel!!
What about DB Ramverk 21L?
Hi! Since you said that the Bellroy transit workpack pro is Margretβs fav, may I ask her something through you? How does the comfort and overall feel compare to Aer City Pack Pro 2? Tyvm!