I have had a slight obsession with bags since elementary school. She really wanted a Jansport backpack. What I got was a generic copy on sale at the local sporting goods store; almost a Jansport, but not quite. It wasn’t the label, I didn’t care who made the bag. It was build quality. The zipper got caught on the generic version. The back pocket was not that big.
Since then I have been obsessed with quality bags and backpacks and it has paid off. A good day bag or backpack is an investment. My Lowe Alpine backpack lasted over 20 years. My Belstaff bag was in its second decade when I sold it for more money than I originally paid.
In my book, this rarefied category of expensive bags worth owning is currently held by GoRuck, Mystery Ranch, Mountainsmith, and the latest entrant: Evergoods. The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L Backpack has been my only bag on a number of trips this spring.
GoRuck Heritage
Let’s say you love the solid construction, rugged construction, and beltless design of a GoRuck GR1 (7/10, WIRED review), but you’re less convinced by the “tactical” style and molle straps. This is where Evergoods comes from. Co-founded by former GoRuck product manager and former Patagonia R&D designer, Evergoods is exactly what those two pedigrees imply: tough, durable, military-inspired construction, combined with a design aesthetic that blends more outdoor and Travellers. Add the fact that it is made in the USA (Bozeman, Montana) and uses a Eco-friendly solution dyeing process. for its black fabric, and you have a bag worthy of consideration.
Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L has a very clean and minimalist design on the outside. This belies the considerable number of organization options available, some of which are so well hidden that I didn’t discover them until writing this review (I never noticed the pen loops in the front panel pocket). I quite like this, I don’t like bags with dozens of jingling zippers and endless ornate pockets everywhere.
Photography: Scott Gilbertson
As its name suggests, it is a 24 liter bag. It weighs 3.1 pounds (1.4 kilograms), which is heavy for a bag this size (18 x 7 x 11.5 inches). That weight comes from Evergood’s custom tough 840d ballistic nylon, which is water-repellent (though it’s worth noting that it’s not completely waterproof), and the aluminum holds up. All of which is technical language: it’s well done, but it’s heavy. The only downside is that you’ll probably want to bring some type of rain protection if you live in the Pacific Northwest or another humid region.
One of the most interesting aspects of the CPL24 is that it is designed to function as a backpack (what I would call vertically) and on its side, or as I see it, as a briefcase. There are handles on the top and side, so you can carry it however you want. The side handle was great for getting through airports. The remarkable thing about the design is that it really works well no matter how you wear it.
Organizational genius
My favorite part of the Civic Panel Loader 24, hereinafter referred to as CPL24, is the huge main compartment that opens completely on three sides (with locking tabs on each end). The design allows you to load and unload the CPL24 like a suitcase. The interior is lined with light gray 420d HT nylon, making it easy to view the contents.
Photography: Scott Gilbertson