Readers Choice Awards | Carry Awards XI

Our Carry Awards XI are a time to celebrate the best of the best. And while our category winners and Highly Commended standouts have been given the recognition and praise they deserve, there’s another category that’s particularly special to our community. The Readers’ Choice Awards. An opportunity for our community to choose their favorite pieces; the gear that stood out and really stoked them over the past year. So without further ado, we’re shining the spotlight on the pieces that scored arguably the greatest award of all, our carry-savvy community’s love and admiration. Congratulations to all the Readers’ Choice winners!

Best Work Backpack – Osprey Aoede Briefpack

With its clean silhouette, easy access, and multiple carry options, the Osprey Aoede Briefpack is a great choice for a work partner. Stowable backpack straps, a removable shoulder strap, a carry handle, and a luggage pass-through make it quick and easy to adapt on the fly. And with its wide-opening compartments, your gear is close at hand throughout the day.

Best Work Shoulder Bag – GORUCK Shoulder Bag

Tough, sleek, and exuding old-school charm, the GORUCK Shoulder Bag is a professional option for the workplace that still manages to pack in some welcome personality. Crafted with waxed canvas, this burly piece will only get better-looking with use. Dual compartments and quick-access pockets keep tech, EDC, and accessories within easy reach, while the hard-wearing construction will take day-to-day and travel use easily in its stride.

Best Everyday Backpack – EVERGOODS CTB26

The CIVIC Travel Bag 26L finds the sweet spot for everyday and travel use, with handy features such as quick-access water bottle pockets, a luggage pass-through, and quick-access tech storage. The wide-opening main compartment and quick-access pockets make packing and accessing gear a breeze, while the 26L volume offers versatility for larger daily loads, trips to the gym, or short travel use.

Best Messenger Bag – Trakke Bairn Pro

The Bairn Pro is the big brother to the popular Wee Bairn and is a slick option for anyone seeking a multifunctional messenger that can move from work to travel and play. The Bairn Pro elegantly fuses heritage style, premium materials, and handcrafted construction, with its durable waxed canvas that will age beautifully with use while protecting your gear from the elements. With useful features such as a laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets, and smaller pockets for corralling the essentials, this handsome messenger works equally well in the office or zipping through the airport.

Best Travel Luggage – EVERGOODS TD35

The Transit Duffel 35L packs plenty of thoughtful features into a travel-ready design that’s great for planes, trains, cars, or even day-to-day use with larger loads. The structured design makes packing and retrieving gear super convenient, with interior pockets to organize smaller items. And with quick-access storage for a laptop and other essentials such as EDC and travel accessories, you can easily retrieve frequently used items throughout the journey. Add in the durable, water-repellent construction and you’re all set for travel, whether you’re heading on a business trip or a last-minute getaway.

Best Travel Clothing – norda 001

Travel clothing is all about maximizing the utility of every single piece you pack, helping you do more with less. And the norda 001 is an excellent option for travel footwear. Sure, it’s a trail running shoe, but the durable construction, great comfort, dependable grip, and urban-friendly aesthetic make this a versatile travel shoe for outdoor and city trips alike. It’s made with a seamless Bio-Dyneema® upper, paired with an exclusive Vibram® midsole and soleplate featuring Litebase® and Megagrip® for confident exploration on both trails and urban settings.

Best Outdoor Bag – EVERGOODS MPL22

The Mountain Panel Loader 22L helps you stay agile and comfy outdoors with its lightweight build, ergonomic harness, removable waist belt, and breathable back panel. Plus you get great packing and access courtesy of the panel-loading design. Inside you’ll find a sleeve that doubles as tech storage or a space for a hydration bladder, while quick-access exterior pockets offer handy storage for water bottles, snacks, EDC essentials, and more. With its versatile design, you also get a flexible pack for everyday urban use or overnight trips, making this a solid multifunctional addition to any carry collection.

Best Camera Bag – WOTANCRAFT Pilot Backpack

The updated WOTANCRAFT Pilot Backpack brings classy multifunctionality to your camera carry, with a clean but customizable design, thoughtful organization and access, and comfortable portability. Externally accessible pockets provide convenient organization for a water bottle, camera accessories, and other small items, with side access keeping a camera ready too. And if you want to secure additional items, there are plenty of exterior attachment points to serve your needs too. A removable camera cube and dividers protect gear inside the main compartment (accessed through a handy Fidlock magnetic buckle), while the luggage pass-through enhances travel functionality. And with its understated aesthetic, it’s a smart option for safely carrying camera gear without advertising the expensive kit inside.

Best Everyday Carry – EVERGOODS ELEMENT Drop In

Some things simply require an extra layer of protection from the elements. And when you need ultimate peace of mind, EVERGOODS steps in with the appropriately named ELEMENT Drop In. This waterproof pouch features RF-welded and flat bonding construction, while retaining 3D patterning for usable space. But the pouch goes a step further than simply shielding gear from the elements. A floating panel creates customizable organization zones too, so you can keep gear tidy and accessible whether you’re storing EDC, travel essentials, camera accessories, or more.

Best Sling – Packolab Samurai

If you’re looking for an extra-special customized touch to your carry, the Packolab Samurai is hard to resist. Handmade in Ukraine, the bag is made to order and offers a host of customizable options, from materials to colorways, organization options, strap attachments, and more. Compact and multifunctional, this nimble companion is a nifty choice for EDC, travel essentials, or even small camera setups. So when it comes to smaller carry, if you can dream it, you can have it.

Best Travel Accessory – Matador BetaLock

A carabiner comes in ridiculously handy across diverse travel environments, from securing gear to your bag, to hanging your bag off various objects. But what if the humble carabiner could do more? Matador came up with an innovative twist on the carabiner that also allows it to serve as a lock, perfect for securing gear to immovable objects (or securing valuables on your bag). The spring gate can be locked with two included keys, making this an easily portable and multifunctional travel accessory that’s a no-brainer addition to your packing list.

Best Carry On Backpack – Matador SEG28

Packing cubes are awesome for organization but what if you had a travel backpack that merged cubes and pack in one? Meet the Matador SEG28, a travel backpack with segmented pockets that let you organize your gear without the need for separate packing cubes. In addition to easily accessible segmented pockets, the pack also has exterior-access laptop storage, while the clever clamshell base compartment offers convenient separate storage for dirty items and/or shoes. Additional features such as a luggage passthrough, removable hipbelt, and exterior water bottle pocket boost the travel-friendly design, making it a smart choice for your next trip.