These days, we have to carry around a lot of stuff, including our tablets, phones, and other things. This is why it’s often better to use a backpack for all of those materials. A great backpack should be strong and sturdy, but also comfortable enough to sling over your shoulder, carry with your hands, or fit on your back.
Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Needs
When choosing a backpack, what should you look for? Consider the following:
- Strong and durable: The ideal backpack should be made of material that’s durable enough to be washed when needed. On many backpacks, the stitching of the seams is a little shoddy, especially where the shoulder straps connect to the body of the bag. This poor stitching can lead to tearing. The best backpack should be one that has strong stitching.
- Comfortable: An EDC backpack should also be comfortable to wear. Some backpacks sag on the back and become misshapen very quickly. This can lead to them feeling heavy and cumbersome. A good backpack should be sturdy and fit snugly against your back or over your shoulder. It should have padding in the right places and also be adjustable enough so that you can modify it to suit your body shape.
- Materials: The backpack should also be made of strong materials so that it can withstand daily use. Also consider rainproof or weatherproof materials for extra protection for your gear.
What About an EDC Backpack?
An EDC backpack is literally an everyday backpack. These bags have been specially designed to be used every day for carrying all kinds of things. The good news is that there are plenty of them online to buy, but what is the best EDC backpack for 2019?
1. AmazonBasics Laptop Computer Backpack
For an inexpensive price, you might not think you’d be getting a lot with this backpack, but you’d be surprised. In fact, Amazon makes plenty of products, and this backpack is actually very well made for such a low price. You may not find one this inexpensive and of this quality in the stores.
The Amazon backpack features a nylon construction. Nylon is quite water resistant, though too much water will soak it. Having said that, this backpack will certainly be able to endure the odd shower or two of rain and your stuff inside won’t get damaged.
Amazon has ensured that this EDC backpack is surprisingly spacious, fitting two big compartments inside. This will easily accommodate a laptop of up to 17 inches, which will be suitable for most people. There are also two mesh pockets on the outer sides, which are excellent for carrying water bottles.
Although the straps are sturdy enough and also adjustable, this backpack doesn’t have a cinching belt for extra safety. These waist belts are often great when you’re out hiking, for example. Still, this minor omission doesn’t change the fact that Amazon has produced an excellent and low priced winner here.
2. Fjallraven – Kanken Classic Backpack for Everyday
Fjallraven is a name that’s probably familiar to many younger people, since it has received some cult status on social media. In fact, Fjallraven has been producing great bags for many years and the Kanken line is no exception.
Kanken is an absolutely classic box design that looks cool and will attract the eyes. Despite the boxy shape, this is one surprisingly comfortable and stylish EDC backpack.
Most backpacks are made from nylon or cotton, but this Kanken is made of a synthetic textile called Vinylon F. Apart from the fact that the vinylon is very durable, it also swells when it gets wet, keeping it from getting into your things inside the bag. In fact, the strength and durability of the Kanken line is truly remarkable, and your money will be well spent on this fantastic EDC backpack.
Perhaps the biggest downside is that there is simply one big compartment inside. There are no extra pockets for tablets and such. However, this may be a strength for people who are just looking for a simple to use backpack without all the frills.
3. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS350 15 Liter Anti Theft Laptop Daypack/Backpack
The Metrosafe from Pacsafe is aimed at people who want a more secure backpack so their stuff doesn’t get stolen. This Metrosafe is a great option if you spend a lot of time on public transport or in crowds where theft may be a real possibility.
Unlike most backpacks, this one has been specifically designed to thwart would-be thieves and pickpockets. It includes materials that are slash proof, meaning that they are going to be difficult to cut with a knife. There are also zippers that lock and zippers that are hidden from view and from grabby thieving hands.
One shoulder strap also has a combination lock attached to it, so if you needed to you could secure it to something and leave it unattended for a while. Not that you necessarily would do that, but this bag is like a little Fort Knox.
As strong and durable as the Metrosafe is, it may not be the backpack to wear for a long walk on a hot day. There’s no ventilation at the back, so this is going to get pretty hot. That may or may not be a deal breaker.
4. Osprey Packs Momentum 32 Daypack
Osprey has been making great backpacks for some time now and this is no exception. It looks great and has a nice sleek shape. It’s also very comfortable to wear.
This particular backpack is aimed at bike riders, but it can really be used by anyone. If you happen to ride a lot, you’ll love the addition of an area on the pack where you can easily attach your helmet securely.
The Momentum is also very comfortable because it has great ventilation at the back. This means that you could be out riding or exercising and you won’t get too hot and sweaty with this on your back. The shoulder straps are also made of this same breathable mesh material, so it won’t feel hot and heavy.
The space inside has been well thought out by Osprey and there should be enough room for most needs. There’s a special tablet pocket, laptop compartment, and pockets on the outside. The Momentum also features compression straps and a sternum strap so it can really be adjusted for maximum stability and safety.
An included rain cover is the icing on the cake for the Momentum, and makes it one of the best EDC backpack products on the market.
5. AmazonBasics DSLR Camera and Laptop Backpack Bag
Once again, Amazon has come up with an inexpensive backpack that offers a lot of bang for the buck.
These days, a lot of people enjoy carrying a camera and a few lenses around, but a DSLR can be bulky. That’s why Amazon has designed this bag.
The first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t have the same look as other DSLR bags. It really just looks like an EDC backpack. That may sound strange, but some camera bags really look like camera bags. The problem is that this can encourage thieves. The plain look of this bag is a real plus in this context, although it may not have a stylish enough exterior for everyone.
The real measure of any backpack that claims to be great for carrying around camera gear is how much room there is inside. In this sense, Amazon has not disappointed. This bag has padded dividers in the interior that are removable if you want. There is also plenty of space for a bulky DSLR body or two plus several other lenses. The padded divider keeps everything safe and secure.
If you’re the sort of photographer who also likes to carry around a tablet for editing or uploading your photos to social media, this backpack also has you covered. There’s a laptop compartment that will easily fit a 17-inch laptop.
You might think that this is really just a backpack for carrying around your camera stuff, and while it does this admirably, it can easily be used as a general bag. All you need to do is remove the padded dividers and all of a sudden this Amazon backpack just becomes a nice roomy bag for anything else.
In terms of comfort, the back has an excellent ventilation panel and plenty of padding. It also has a sternum and hip strap, for when you need it to be extra secure. All in all, it is an excellent backpack for the money even if it looks a bit too plain for the style conscious.
6. MYSTERY RANCH Urban Assault 21 Backpack
If you want a backpack that looks rugged and unique, this one from Mystery Ranch is a very good buy. The thing you’ll notice right away is how good the exterior looks and how solid and durable it feels. This feels like a top level backpack at a moderate price.
The backpack itself is made from a type of nylon that’s very tough and very hard wearing. This is not like regular nylon on an inexpensive bag. It’s water resistant and feels nice and solid when you pick it up and sling it over your shoulder or strap it to your back. The other neat feature is that it has a sternum strap for extra stability if needed.
The back panel is well ventilated too, which means that you can carry this around on your back all day and not feel like it’s getting too warm back there. Not all backpacks feature this kind of ventilation, and it’s always worth looking for when you’re in the market for a backpack.
There are three zipper access points: one on either side and one on top. What this means is that you can easily access anything in your backpack by unzipping a side zipper. If you want full access to everything, just unzip the top zipper instead.
Overall, this is one of the best EDC backpack models around. It’s rugged, has plenty of space, feels solid and stable, and has a laptop compartment as well as plenty of interior space. It is not as inexpensive as Amazon’s offerings, but you get a lot of durability for the money.
7. The North Face Borealis Men’s Backpack
If you need an EDC backpack that is bigger than most and will accommodate everything you need, the North Face Borealis might just be the one to buy. It’s bigger than most backpacks and features an amazing 29 liter capacity inside.
All of that space inside is neatly organized though, so you never feel like you’re lost. There are plenty of pockets and zippers, as well as a compartment for a laptop of up to 15 inches. The Borealis may not accommodate the biggest laptop here, but it more than makes up for this with a wealth of other pockets and space.
In terms of comfort, the back panel is nicely padded and allows for plenty of air flow. There is also a spine column, which many backpacks don’t have at all. This is designed to fit snugly into the backpack and provide great comfort for long-term wear.
Overall, the Borealis is a great backpack for just about anything. You could take it camping, hiking, or just use it for your clothes if you’re traveling away for a few days. The versatility of the Borealis is what makes it an excellent choice for nearly anyone.
Conclusion
The best EDC backpack is designed to be a great all-rounder. The good news is that there are a wide range of products, and some with very low prices and surprisingly good features. If you’re looking for a solid backpack, make sure it suits your needs and that it’s strong, durable, weatherproof, comfortable, adjustable, and features plenty of space for what you need.
