Top 5 | Best Everyday Bag

In my humble opinion, “Best Everyday Backpack” is the equivalent to the “Best Picture” category if we’re going to use the Academy Awards as a benchmark. It’s the most competitive category, with the most products up against one another, all from the world’s biggest and best brands. These brands put all of their design efforts into making these packs, which balance the act of being awesome for a casual stroll around town, the commute to and from work, and even for travel/adventure. This is it, the pinnacle.

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Alpha One Niner WHITLEY

Who It Suits

It feels like Alpha One Niner created this pack to appeal to both their existing loyal fans as well as a new group of customers… and that’s a great thing. Both camps demand all the toughness and high quality construction that A19 is known for, all in a streamlined elegant form factor, fitting the part for both outdoors or in the office. And one killer price tag, too.

The Lowdown

Alpha One Niner is no stranger to being in the Carry Awards, having won the 1st place top honors spot for their tactically-inspired EVADE 1.5 backpack back in 2020. So how does Helmie Ashiblie and A19 up their game to dethrone their own champion? By doing what they always do, listen to their customers, adapt, refine, and ultimately… make something new, which doesn’t “defeat” their other offerings, but compliments them and fits different needs.

Customers asked for a more minimal pack from A19. One that was lighter, slightly smaller (and shorter), but still had the incredible build quality, materials, and features of the EVADE. One tall order. A19 listed. And they delivered.

First things first, they shaved off 5 liters from the blueprint of the EVADE, bringing the Whitley down to 20 liters. More or less, they just removed 1” from every dimension (now 18.5″ x 11″ x 6″), which puts this into a really nice commuter-sized everyday pack zone. While decreasing the size for the everyday user, it also knocked more than 1 full pound off the (admittedly somewhat heavy) EVADE’s design, bringing the Whitney to a much more manageable 3.3 lbs (as tested in the X-Pac version). 

Organization for days. The entire front panel is dedicated with well-built and various-sized tech pocketing. And hey, it’s in 210D ripstop blaze orange so you can find all your little doodads, nice hat tip right there. Personally, I count 12 pockets/sleeves in that front compartment, enough where no matter what I have, it’ll find it’s home and it’ll be ready to grab quickly.

Aesthetics. A19 builds military tough stuff and occasionally it can look the part. The Whitley is a minimalist looker, showing real restraint on the exterior. It can look great in a boardroom, I suspect. I avoid those places at all costs, so that’s up to you if you want to give it a try. But while it’s aesthetically minimal, it has everything you’d want, including a rear laptop access, a quick access fleece lined dump pocket in front… and yes… bottle pockets that blend in seamlessly along the sides. 

All this – and it’s between $189 (500D Cordura) and $199 (XPac VX42). You don’t need to be a math wizard to calculate the value for dollars that you get here.

Strengths

• Minimal aesthetics
• Military tough construction
• Quality material (with material options)
• Reputable brand and warranty
• PRICE!

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Bellroy Venture Backpack 22L

Who It Suits

For the tech focused individual who enjoys organization who also requires outdoor features/functions in their everyday go to pack. With a perfectly sized volume at 22 liters, the streamlined Venture can carry everything for a weekend trip or trip out to the front country, all while securely carrying a 16” laptop. The Bellroy design team down in Australia checked all the boxes with this one.

The Lowdown

Calling the Bellroy Venture Backpack a little brother living in the shadow of the Apex Backpack of the Bellroy x Carryology Chimera Backpack is honestly both a compliment and one hell of an insult. Of course, it’s a compliment because the Venture does indeed share visual similarities, access methods, and design DNA with both of those other amazing packs. But why is it an insult? Because even if those other two packs never existed, the Venture is one incredible backpack and it deserves to get its own spotlight and stand proudly on its own. Here it is in this year’s top 5 in the toughest category, so I’d say it certainly did just that.

The unique access/closure method is the first thing that draws you into the Venture. And that’s not just for looks (but it is also quite handsome, if you ask me), as the flap can expand or cinch down your load, as we all know our gear fluctuates day to day. It also allows you to swiftly open the lid and rip down the center panel via the two zippers on the side, in one swift motion, presenting you with an array of organization within. You’ve got a top-loader via the flap on top and then a full panel-loader with the flap on the lower/middle. Ultimate access win.

Coming in at a nice 22 liters of volume (482 x 335 x 122mm), it can swallow up a bunch of gear as well as a 16” laptop. Despite its minimalist (dare I say architectural?) exterior clean lines, it also has a little trick up its sleeve.We know some folks live or die by the water bottle pockets and just like the Venture’s much bigger brothers (Transit and Transit Plus), it has two hidden rear vertical zipper pockets on the side/rear, which can each neatly fit their own bottle or passport or whatever else. Speaking of water, the 100% recycled nylon sheds off rain drops as well as scuffs, while having an almost Konbu-like crinkle finish, achieved by some fancy dark Aussie science magic. 

Strengths

• Handsome exterior design
• Hidden zippered bottle pockets
• 22 liter sweet spot for everyday and light travel
• Recycled materials from a certified B Corp brand
• Unique and functional top loader panel loader hybrid access

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GORUCK M22

Who It Suits

For those who know and love their GORUCK packs, but who have been wanting a fresh update on aesthetics and features that the trusty GR1 just doesn’t offer… but still providing all the toughness you’d expect. Inspired by pocketing from rucksacks from WWII and updated with a modern fresh spin, this is sure to be another instant icon from the folks down in Florida.

The Lowdown

When you hear the word “GORUCK” you immediately think of their flagship original product, the GR1 backpack. It *is* a Carry Awards hall of fame winner, afterall. The clamshell design is an icon and a workhorse, you can just envision it in your mind’s eye. The M22 takes a hard left turn away from the classic silhouette of the GR1, an unexpected and surprising move from the design team down in GORUCK’s Florida HQ. But the risk paid off and the M22 has become an immediate crowd favorite (currently sold out for quite some time now at the time of writing this).

Inspired by a World War II military-issued pack called the M1945 (named after the year it was launched), GORUCK’s version of the M1945 is named the M22 (you guessed it, since it was launched in 2022). With the advancements in materials and technology over 80 years difference, the M22 truly is a modern day improvement and evolution of the M1945. First up, it’s built with goldilocks fabric, 500D Cordura nylon, incredibly abrasion resistant, water resistant, and lightweight (2.6 lbs total weight). 

But where the M22 really shines is the access and organization. You see, back in 1945, zippers were expensive, used metal, and prone to failure. On a military pack in wartime, that’s not ideal. GORUCK has tried and true, durable, water resistant zippers all over the place, providing quick access to small pockets as well as quick access into the main compartment to grab your items on the fly. For really getting down into the main compartment, the M22 utilizes two hybrid metal/polymer G-Hooks to keep the top floating lid closed, with a water resistant sleeve to keep everything dry and secure.

Start with great organization and then add on an external water bottle pocket (which users have been begging for), the ability to stow a 14” laptop in their bombproof laptop compartment, a killer warranty, and GORUCK’s well-known build quality with a $195 price tag, and you’ve got yourself a solid Carry Awards finalist right here.

Strengths

• Legendary tough build
• Worldclass warranty
• A fresh new design from the folks at GORUCK
• Bottle pocket on a GORUCK!
• Unique access with 3 exterior pockets

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JanSport Pro Pack System

Who It Suits

The legendary titans at JanSport have taken everything they know about producing timeless icons and used it to create this wonder. The Pro Pack System was designed for modern individuals who want a simple carry solution at an unbelievable price. Transitioning from backpack, to sling, and then back to a sling+backpack combo, this pack system can do a little bit of everything. All this at $150, it’s almost cheating.

The Lowdown

Yep, JanSport. And they earned it, too. JanSport is THE brand when you think of the word “backpack”. It’s ingrained into our society and into our childhood memories. For me, I always had the no name brand school backpacks, so I always dreamt of owning a real deal JanSport. Anyway, I digress. I mention this because that legacy (another Carry Awards hall of fame winner) is a blessing and a curse for JanSport. Anything too wild and there will be a dramatic pushback from loyal brand lovers. So how do they launch something new and awesome, while respecting that legacy?

Enter the Pro Pack System, available in three classy colorways, is a chameleon that plays a balancing act between future and past as well as backpack and sling. Visually, for the untrained eye, the PPS looks a whole like the iconic Right Pack. But looks can be deceiving. The system starts with a full-featured backpack with a front admin organizer pocket, then transforms into a minimalist backpack with JanSport’s simple and quick daisy-chain loop attachment system, leaving you with a cross-body bag to sling over your shoulder to walk around with. Three bags for the price of one.

The 33 liter system swallows up everything you can throw at it, including a dedicated rear compartment for a 15” laptop and two water bottle pockets, one on each side. It has plenty of built-in organization for all your small trinkets that you carry everyday and for light travel. Wrap this all up in JanSport’s custom made highly water-resistant 100% recycled polyester fabric with 2-ply diamond weave for added durability and anti-stretch, you’ve got a seriously capable pack for anywhere your adventures take you. Oh, and the price is at a shockingly affordable $150, the best in category. Legitimately, I love the Pro Pack System and plan to use it for many years to come.

Strengths

• PRICE!!!
• Convertible system provides 3 different formats (backpack, cross-body bag, and minimalist pack)
• Custom-made 100% recycled fabric
• Dual water bottle pockets for those counting
• A killer new design from an iconic legacy brand who has been making packs since 1967

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Mystery Ranch District 24

Who It Suits

Created for folks who are long-time fans of the extremely high pedigree of brutally tough gear that has been coming out of the Montana-based kings of carry at Mystery Ranch. The District 24 leans upon the knowledge of decades of expert pack making and offers plenty of intelligent tech organization/access while providing the user with the confidence of a reliable and tough pack from the gurus up at The Ranch.

The Lowdown

If you’re reading Carryology, then Mystery Ranch needs no introduction. To keep it short and blunt; Mystery Ranch is one of the pinnacle top-tier carry brands and one of my personal top carry brands to ever exist. Now let’s move on to the District 24 backpack specifically.

Sure, it doesn’t have that instantly-recognizable 3-ZIP design, which some folks love and some folks aren’t too keen on. Personally, I love the 3-ZIP. But for the District 24, I’m glad it doesn’t have it. The expert design team up in Bozeman sat down and tried to create the perfect everyday pack and I’ve gotta say, their efforts paid off. It checks all the boxes for what excels in this incredibly competitive category, such as; a padded laptop sleeve (fits a whopper of a 17” laptop), 24 liters of volume (that sweet spot), quick access pockets, two stretch-woven bottle pockets on the sides, a super comfortable breathable fixed harness system (which adjusts), all wrapped in a nice lightweight package (2.7 lbs) made from Cordura’s new 100% recycled nylon 420D re/cor fabric (highly abrasion resistant and water resistant). 

Available in 4 different colorways, Mystery Ranch is truly aiming to make this the pack for everybody and everyday. The real “everyday” feature that I love about this particular form factor, is that curious front panel flap you’re seeing.  This is the secret sauce that always seems to be infused in MR packs. SImply flip up the Velcro front rainflap, and then in one quick motion, rip down the panel to expose a generously-sized admin style panel for quick access tech and organization. No more reaching down into a small opening to get your Fruit Stripe Gum. I notice this “rip” motion access does share a lot of similarities with other MR products, so you kind of get that same tactile fun from a 3-ZIP, in an entirely new and useful manner.

Again, another awesome price at a low $169. One hell of a deal for everything you’re getting from the carry legends up at the Ranch in Montana. 

PS- Bonus points for that bright orange interior (Mystery Ranch’s brand color).

Strengths

• PRICE!
• Comfortable and breathable harness system
• From an iconic USA maker who knows packs inside and out
• Unique rip-down organization access panel
• Perfect size and features overall for an everyday pack

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[VOTING CLOSES APRIL 1ST]