What is an EDC Backpack?

There are Instagram accounts and subreddits dedicated to people showing off their EDC. Everything from cool pens, phones, headphones, pocket knives, and first aid kits can be in someone’s EDC. Personally, my EDC is quite simple: keys, phone, wallet, and headphones if I know I’ll be on the move a lot. When I was working as a guide in the Canadian Rockies, my EDC changed to a more outdoor-based set up that involved a multitool, first aid kit, bear spray, and extra layers.

So what does this all mean? What do you carry daily on your way to and from work or on your way around town? Can your current backpack accommodate all of these odds and ends? Are they well organized? All of the packs on this list are essentially developed for everyday carry needs and offer ample space and organization for urban travel and even some backcountry activities. Let’s dive in!

How Did We Judge?

What qualifies a bag to be one of the Best EDC Backpacks of 2021? The judging was simple enough. Does this backpack accommodate everything that may be needed throughout a day? A lot of people travel with laptops on their daily commute, so that was important. Storage and organization are essential. Comfort is also quite important, and, as you will likely be carrying this bag around for most of the day, you want it to be comfortable. Finally, material and durability are at the top of the list. Sure, the bag may have all the coolest pockets, but if the pack tears or the zipper breaks, it is going to be a headache—and no one likes headaches.

We also took the price of the pack into account. Some packs are more expensive than others, and that fact often comes down to the materials and where the backpack was manufactured. Backpacks that are manufactured overseas are often much cheaper but have a higher carbon footprint, and while backpacks manufactured in the US or Canada often trend up in expense, some believe these packs last longer and are higher quality. So the price was a consideration, but there are a lot of factors to consider when looking at the price of a backpack.

Best EDC Backpacks of 2021

Other Backpacks

GoRuck GR1

Osprey Daylite Plus

Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Mystery Ranch Urban Assault

Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack

Tom Bihn Synapse

Evergoods CPL 24 v2

Fjallraven Kanken 15” Laptop

Aer Flight Pack 2

Best EDC Backpack for Travel

Aer Flight Pack 2 is a ready-built travel companion. With room for all of your electronics and important documents, this pack is ready for meeting rooms in Shanghai or lecture halls in college. The organizational features are excellent, and the accessories that make this backpack travel-ready include the three styles of carrying options that are both aesthetically nice as well as comfortable. Other than the overall size being a bit small for our liking, the Aer Flight Pack 2 is almost perfect and was an easy selection as the Best EDC Backpack for Travel.

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The North Face Borealis

Best EDC Backpack for a Student of 2021

The North Face Borealis is our Best Everyday Carry Bag for a Student of 2021, and here is why. The organization is set up for carrying a laptop as well as books and binders. The aesthetic is very “school bag” forward, and even North Face has marketed it towards college students. The material is solid, and the price is excellent, sitting at a comfortable $89. The backpanel is comfortable, and the bungee system on the front is great for stuffing a raincoat while sprinting out of the door. I wish I could go back as a college student, just for this backpack (among other things).

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Dayfarer Backpack

Best EDC for Gym Goers in 2021

Are you a business person who loves to hit the gym after or before work? Look no further, the Dayfarer Backpack was designed with you in mind. With a shoe pocket, padded laptop pocket, and easy to access main compartment, everything has been designed to make it easy to transition from the weight room to the workplace. Read on to find out why the Dayfarer was named our Best EDC Backpack for Gym Goers in 2021.

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Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack

Best EDC Backpack for Carry-on

The Tortuga Setout Laptop Backpack will be your favorite carry-on travel companion if you give it the chance. The organization is simple but versatile and very convenient. There is a great laptop pocket that will hold a 15” laptop and a tablet as well as your cables. The main compartment opens fully, with additional mesh pockets inside for added organization, and the shoulder straps are stowable for easy side carry. It’s easy to see how we chose it as the Best EDC Backpack for a Carry-on.

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Other Backpacks

GoRuck GR1

The GoRuck GR1 will be the last EDC Backpack that you ever need. It does merge slightly into the one-bag travel sizing, but I think that helps to show its adaptability. The main compartment is large, and the laptop pocket will hold up to a 16” laptop and is solid—no worries there. There is not much on the outside except for some Molle straps and a thin zippered pocket that will become the first place to look whenever you lose something. If you like the tactical look and feel of the GR1, then it is an excellent option. It even has a hydration bladder pocket and hose hole which is a nice addition. If you want to bring a backpack into a meeting and then quickly go into the forest to fight a bear while wearing a backpack the entire time, look no further than the GoRuck GR1.

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Osprey Daylite Plus

Osprey has upgraded an already great pack. The Daylite Plus is perfect for just about any day trip, whether that’s into the city or for a long hike. The organization is excellent, and the stuff pocket on the front of the pack is great for those days where you aren’t sure if you’ll need a coat or not. The Daylite is also compatible with several of Osprey’s larger travel packs and would be an excellent carry-on bag while exploring the planet. At $90, there are very few reasons why you shouldn’t buy the Daylite just to see where in your life you need a great little backpack.

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Peak Design Everyday Backpack

If you are a photographer, look no further. The Peak Design Everyday Backpack is our Best EDC Pack for Photographers of 2021, and here is why. The internal organization comes with FlexFold dividers to keep your cameras and lenses separate and organized. The bag’s material is waterproof to keep your gear safe from light rains, and the external straps and pockets make carrying larger equipment like tripods or other large items a breeze. You get all of this while carrying a very attractive bag and still having room for a laptop or tablet.

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Mystery Ranch Urban Assault

The Mystery Ranch Urban Assault is a great commuter and trail bag. The exterior simplicity will make it appealing to everyone from office workers to college students. The internal storage and ability to hold both a laptop and tablet are excellent features for anyone tackling the urban jungle. The pack also comes in 13 colors, which is a nice feature, and for only $125, it is a great value.

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Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack

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Tom Bihn Synapse

Tom Bihn has created what can only be a cult following with their products. So please do not let this humble gear reviewers’ opinion rattle any cages. The Synapse 25 is an excellent backpack, however at $220, it is quite expensive. There are great pockets on the exterior for organization, and the material and design are top-notch. The pocket that confuses us the most is the center-mounted hydration pocket. It is able to hold a hydration bladder, but if you have a water bottle in there, you need to take the bag off every time you need a drink. There is also the fact that for the pack to be at its absolute peak level of performance, you would need to purchase 3-5 separately sold Tom Bihn accessories to go along with the bag. We like our packs ready to hit the streets right out of the shop!

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Evergoods CPL 24 v2

The Evergoods CPL 24 v2 is everything it promised to be: a great update on a great pack. The versatility and option to use the laptop pocket for a hydration bladder is excellent. Having all of the pockets accessible while the bag is on its side, even interior pockets, is proof of great initial designing. The material is durable and weatherproof, and the exterior material and zippers are both covered in a DWR finish. The clamshell opening’s main compartment allows for excellent organization and storage opportunities. Everything is perfect—except for the price.

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Fjallraven Kanken 15” Laptop

Fjallraven’s Kanken line is very diverse, as it includes around 20 different varieties of packs. The Kanken 15” Laptop Backpack performs exactly as advertised: it will hold your stuff plus a 15” laptop! Made with a durable Vinylon F and really only having 3 pockets, this bag is perfect for a high school or college student.

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