A New Military-Grade Backpack Perfect for EDC

A lot of urban carry is inspired by military gear. After all, tactical efficiency and ruggedness holds strong appeal. But sometimes the tactical aesthetics are too aggressive for daily operations and miss the mark. But in the case of Odyssean and their Urban 30 Series, they might have just found the right balance.

Laying a premium foundation

The Urban 30 Series is tailored towards the urban outdoorsman who wants military-grade toughness and outdoor flexibility in a more urban-friendly, pared-back form. The series features two backpacks, the Urban 30 and the Urban 30 Pro. Both packs are handcrafted with an exterior shell featuring a combination of Dyneema® Composite Fabric, known for its excellent strength to weight ratio, 500D CORDURA® nylon which offers reliable durability and abrasion resistance, and a 200D Nylon Oxford backing fabric. YKK zippers and ITW hardware round out the rugged build quality and premium component selections. Additionally, the backpacks are backed by a lifetime guarantee against defects in workmanship and materials.

Tackling the urban versatility

So the toughness seems to be taken care of, but how about that urban utility? Odyssean turned their attention to stripping back the design for a clean, minimalist feel. A design that flies under the radar, taking on the commute during the week and the hills on the weekend. The key difference between the two pack models is the inclusion of a padded 15″ laptop sleeve in the Urban 30 Pro, with side and top zipper access to quickly reach your tech. The Urban 30 doesn’t include dedicated tech storage, but does offer a slight weight saving. The Urban 30 Pro comes in at 2 lbs 2.5 oz, while the Urban 30 weighs 2 lbs.

Both styles offer a selection of interior and exterior pockets to store smaller items. A total of seven pockets for the Urban 30 Pro and six pockets for the Urban 30, including two side zippered pockets and a lid pocket to stash quick-access items. The packs secure with a cinch top closure and a top flap with a G-hook. And while the packs are already lightweight to reduce carry fatigue, IMPAX shock-absorbing foam shoulder straps enhance the carry comfort.

A solid supporting cast

While the Urban 30 and Urban 30 Pro are the big players in the Urban Series, they’re supported by a useful range of accessories designed to cater to a range of EDC and travel needs. The Urban Organizer and Urban Travel Kit are made from 500D CORDURA® and provide handy organization for clothes, toiletries and other small items. The Urban Bi-Fold Wallet and Urban Card Wallet are made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric and provide sleek means for storing cash and cards. The Urban Bi-Fold Wallet holds 6-12 cards and flat bills, while the Urban Card Wallet fits 3-4 cards and folded bills.

The urban-ready roamer

Finding that tactical/urban balance isn’t easy. But the Odyssean Urban 30 Series appears to have hit the mark. Built to withstand demanding use, but with a minimalist aesthetic that stealths into a variety of settings, from the gym, to work, to a day hike. If you’re keen to add the Urban 30 series to your carry arsenal, head over to Odyssean’s Kickstarter campaign which runs until 2 May 2019.

Note: this is a sponsored series, but only the best candidates are given this feature placement.

Above are the facts, but there’s always a little risk when backing a crowdfunder, so keep that in mind before you decide to back/purchase.