Our Favorite Versatile Backpacks
For all the thousands of carry products we discuss on this site, we figure we should occasionally step back and reflect on some of the best pieces. What are the bags and wallets and luggage pieces that have become our go-to gear?
So we’ll kick it off with an update to our Versatile Carry theme, and then in the coming months we’ll dive in to some more specific themes. To achieve Versatile Carry status, a backpack needs to adapt from work to play to adventure and back again. It needs to carry a laptop and some tech, clothes and toiletries, it needs to travel well, and it needs to look appropriate while it does it all (fluoro pink doesn’t look great in an office).
This is not a definitive list, but rather a starting point. As always, we’d love to hear your comments if we’ve missed some firm contenders.
You’re keen to view a real clean, high res of the image above huh? Here’s the above image in 1800 glory for your screen
In price order:
Goruck GR1
Sometimes it feels like the whole world is getting on the Goruck wagon. Blending a conservative aesthetic that fits in a work space, with a military spec that can John Rambo through war zones, the GR1 is a super versatile workhorse. It ain’t cheap, but it will definitely last.
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Camelbak Tri-zip
A surprise realisation was that this backpack intended for forced marches through hostile territories actually makes for a great go-to pack. With really smartly organized pocketing, a spot that works fine for laptops, and an incredible Tri-Zip opening for awkward loads (like big SLRs), this Dana Gleason collaboration will surprise you. You just need to order it in black.
Buy the Camelback Tri-zip now
Watch the demo clip.
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Mission Workshop VX Large Rucksack
The better cycling commuter packs generally make for great versatile carry, as they need to work for active peddling, and in conservative workspaces. Mission Workshop have loads of goodness in this space, but we have to admit to being suckers for their Advanced Projects bags. Better fabrics, a great closure system, and all the usual thought and innovation. Love this stuff.
Buy the MW VX Large Rucksack
Watch a demo clip.
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Quiksilver Grenade
Quiksilver designed their Grenade backpack years ago. It has sold with almost no changes, through a mountain of fabric options, and for the same price since. It’s something like the cargo pant of bags, with a tonne of external pocketing, and a visual language that speaks of adventure. Foam structure deals great with your tech, and the price represents awesome value for this sort of bag.
Buy the Quiksilver Grenade now.
Gravis Metro
Yeah, the Metro also keeps popping up in our discussions, but it’s deserved. It ticks all the boxes for a versatile carry, it offers a gazillion fabric and print options, and it does it all with street smarts at a great value price. The Metro outshines many bags at twice its price, but never makes you feel cheap for running it. We love you Metro.
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Hey, Gang!
I just discovered your site a few weeks ago, and I love your stuff! I guess I would qualify as a bag fiend (I currently own a variety of Timbuk2, Saddleback, and Tom Bihn products in messenger and backpack forms), and I have found your insights and commentary to be outstanding!
To add to the bag discussion: my go-to bag on a regular basis is my Tom Bihn Brain Bag, and I would toss it in as my vote for a worthy contender in the versatility space. I’ve had it for over two years, travelled extensively with it, and have found it to be the most versatile and durable bag I’ve used so far. The elegant design looks good in the office or on the campground, and the flexibility of the design (two huge chambers, cinch straps, three good-sized exterior pockets) allows it to support a whole range of uses.
Which leads to my question. I love a big, flexible bag… but I’m hunting for something a bit smaller for use as a daypack when I need to be quick & nimble. Something you can toss under the airplane seat with an ipad & essentials, empty out for sightseeing and hiking, and still rock at the office on a slow day. It seems that the bags in this article tend towards the bigger size… what are your thoughts on contenders for the smaller, flexible daypack that meets the criteria you have established here? The MW bags appeal tothe designer in me, but they seem to be on the large size for the most part. I keep eyeing up the Goruck Echo and Radio Ruck, though one of those bad boys might cost me a trip to the jewelry store to balance my marital Karma.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Keep up the great work!
Some great thoughts there Bob. Let me try and do justice in a response…
Yep, Tom Bihn seems to have an incredibly loyal following. Their bags are favourites of the One Bagger crowd, winning respect from many frequent travellers. I was going to say that sometimes they aren’t all that ‘sexy’, but then I realised we just linked to the Camelback Tri-zip, which is anything but! Haha, maybe we should get a Brain Bag and see if it can make the next update.
For smaller backpacks, it’s a really hard mission, as going too small often look quite dicky. For sure Goruck do a good job here. Some others to check are:
The Mission Workshop Sanction ($180, not much pocketing but a neat shape in a mid size): http://missionworkshop.com/products/bags/backpacks/rucksack/sanction.php
The Incase Compact backpack ($80 and works with tech):
http://goincase.com/products/detail/compact-backpack-cl55302/1
KILLSPENCER Special Ops (darn it, another bank breaker, but running a great slim shape):
http://www.killspencer.com/product/classic-original-wax-special-ops-backpack
Or lots of small options from Timbuk2:
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/shop/category/backpack
Hope something there helps. There will probably be some good suggestions from other readers.
I would agree about the Tom Bihn styling. Clean, functional & conservative is the theme there, no doubt. They don’t turn heads, but they are rarely out of place either. I can snap some pics if you like.
Thanks for the recommendations! Gads, that Killspencer is a pretty little monster! Hrmmm… decisions…
Nice review!
and it is very hard to get these bags over here 
( – and if there is a possibility to get it – it is so overprized!)
So I wrote an Email to Quicksilver Europe if the “Grenade” will be in the product line soon…Let´s wait for the answer! (Otherwise I will go for the Metro!)
Now, I am searching since october for a new backpack. I want to have a bagpack which I can use for the university (to carry a lot of stuff like 2 books, 1 or 2 A4 folder a 15″ Laptop and a lot of other stuff – like my wallet a digi cam, sunglasses etc.) and on the other hand I want to have a backpack to go for “weekend travelling”.
My first choice was the Chrome Ivan, after a while I decided to go with the Mission Workshop Rambler or Vandal!
Than I thought: “hmm let´s go for the Metro, it looks great it is not too small and I can buy a MissionWorkshop or Chrome when I am visiting the United-States again!” (you have to know that I am from Germany
So after reading this great article I decided to get the Quicksilver Grenade, because I think it is a great compromise between carry a lot + nice pockets for all the small stuff and be not so “big” when you are using the public means of transport (that i have to do sometimes). I went on the Quicksilver HP and wanted to order it and now they don´t have it in there product range here over Europe
In any case: The work you are doing with carryology is really great! Every time I am visiting your homepage it is a pleasure to read your articles! Keep up the good work!
Hello, i am a product design student and also love bags, i have too many and many are “made in USA” although it is always a hassle with the customs (i live in Portugal). Allow me to propose three day pack that I usually use to university, they are the Double Cayuga from Tough traveler, Reload knapsac in waxed canvas and the Topo light daypack in navy.
All the bags contain books, notebooks, ipad and maxpedition cuboid medium with edc items like flashlight knife etc…
Hey guys, I just have one quick question. I see that the VX Large Rucksack is recommended. However, I feel as if i’m only average size being 5′ 8 and that the large might be a little too big. Would you still recommend the VX Small Rucksack with Arkiv straps for an everyday pack thats used for Uni/College? I would need it to carry 13inch mbp, 1 textbook, 1 folder. Ty in advance
Let me just reiterate what you’ve said already: Goruck GR1 is the boss. I love mine!
Does anyone know what happened to the Nike ACG Messenger bags?
It looks like they are a discontinued line