Best Everyday Carry (EDC) Backpacks – Top Picks and Reviews

Think about what you carry daily and how you move through your world. This will help you determine the best backpack features for you:

• The Student: You need a backpack to carry books, a laptop, and study materials. Look for ample capacity, a dedicated laptop compartment, and comfortable straps for carrying heavy loads. Organization for pens, notebooks, and other essentials is also key.
• The Professional: You require a sleek and organized backpack for work essentials and daily commutes. Important considerations include a professional aesthetic, a laptop compartment, and pockets for organizing documents, pens, and business cards. Durability and comfort are also essential for daily use.
• The Creative: You need a backpack that can safely and securely carry art supplies, cameras, or other creative tools. Look for specialized compartments, padded dividers, and potentially weather-resistant materials. Easy access to your tools is also a major plus.
• The Techie: You prioritize a backpack with ample tech organization and, ideally, charging capabilities. Look for dedicated compartments for your laptop, tablet, headphones, chargers, and cables. A power bank pocket or integrated charging system can be incredibly useful.
• The Urban Dweller: To navigate city life, you need a compact and maneuverable backpack. Consider anti-theft features, a slim profile for crowded spaces, and quick-access pockets for your phone, wallet, and transit pass. Durability and weather resistance are also important for city environments.
• The Outdoor Enthusiast: You prefer a durable and weather-resistant backpack for everyday adventures. Even if you’re not hiking daily, you want a bag that can handle the elements and comfortably carry your essentials. Look for features like water-resistant materials, comfortable straps, and potentially hydration compatibility.

Consider what you do each day and choose features that support those activities:

• Work/School: Focus on backpacks with laptop sleeves, organizational compartments, and comfortable carrying. You’ll need a bag to handle your daily workload and keep your essentials organized and protected. Durability is also key for a bag that gets used every day.
• Commuting: Prioritize backpacks with anti-theft features, quick-access pockets, and comfortable straps. Security is important on public transportation, and easy access to your phone, wallet, and transit pass is essential. Comfort is crucial for long commutes or walks.
• Travel: Look for backpacks with versatile storage, TSA-friendly laptop compartments (for air travel), and durable construction. You need a bag that can handle the rigors of travel and keep your belongings organized and secure. Consider features like a luggage pass-through sleeve.
• Creative Pursuits: Choose backpacks with specialized compartments for art supplies, cameras, or other creative tools. Protection and organization are key, so look for padded dividers, customizable compartments, and easy access to your gear. Depending on your tools, weather resistance might also be important.
• Outdoor Activities: Select backpacks with weather-resistant materials, hydration compatibility, and comfortable carrying for hikes or bike rides. These features are beneficial even for occasional outdoor use. A durable build is also important for handling rougher conditions.

Consider the surroundings.

• Urban Environments: Anti-theft features, sleek designs, and easy maneuverability in crowded areas should be prioritized. Lockable zippers, hidden pockets, and slash-proof materials are important for security in busy cities. A slim profile will also make navigating crowded streets and public transportation easier.
• Suburban/Rural Environments: Focus on comfortable carrying and ample storage for daily errands and activities. You might not need as many anti-theft features, but comfort and organization are still key. Consider the typical distances you walk or drive each day.
• Rainy Climates: Choose a water-resistant or waterproof backpack to protect your belongings. Look for materials like coated nylon or polyester, and consider a backpack with a rain cover. It is crucial to keep your electronics and other essentials dry.
• Varying Temperatures: Select backpacks with breathable materials and ventilation systems. This will help prevent overheating in warm weather and keep you comfortable in changing conditions. Look for mesh back panels and breathable shoulder straps.
• Public Transportation: Consider backpacks with slim profiles and comfortable straps for carrying on crowded buses or trains. It is also important to have easy access to your transit pass and other essentials. Anti-theft features are a plus in crowded environments.

A sling bag is a compact bag worn across the body, either on the back or chest. It’s designed for quick access to essentials and is ideal for carrying a minimal load, such as a phone, wallet, keys, and maybe a small tablet. Sling bags are great for urban environments, travel, or anywhere you want to keep your belongings close and secure. However, they are generally unsuitable for carrying larger materials.

Yes, daypacks (small—to medium-sized backpacks) are a very popular choice for EDC. They offer more capacity than a sling bag but are still relatively compact and comfortable to carry. Daypacks typically have comfortable shoulder straps and some organizational compartments. They strike a good balance between size and functionality for everyday use.

Absolutely. If you regularly carry a laptop, a laptop backpack is an excellent choice for EDC. It features a dedicated, padded compartment to protect your laptop from bumps and scratches. These backpacks also usually have organizational pockets for chargers, accessories, and other essentials. They provide the protection and organization you need for your tech.

Minimalist backpacks are designed for those who carry only the essentials and prefer a sleek, streamlined look. They typically have a clean, uncluttered design with fewer external pockets and features. They focus on providing enough space for your daily necessities without any extra bulk. These are great for urban environments and for those who value simplicity.

Rolltop backpacks feature a roll-top closure that allows you to adjust the bag’s capacity. This makes them adaptable to varying loads—you can roll the top down tightly when carrying less or unroll it to accommodate more items. The roll-top closure also makes them quite water-resistant, creating a tight seal. These are a great option if your daily carry needs fluctuate.

Tech backpacks are designed to carry and organize multiple electronic devices and accessories. They have dedicated, padded compartments for laptops, tablets, headphones, and cameras and numerous pockets for chargers, cables, and other tech essentials. Some even have built-in charging capabilities or power bank pockets. These backpacks are the ultimate choice for the tech-savvy individual.

Anti-theft backpacks are designed with security features to protect your belongings from theft. These can include lockable zippers, RFID-blocking material (to prevent electronic skimming), and slash-proof fabric. Hidden pockets and secret compartments are also common features. This backpack provides peace of mind, especially in urban environments or traveling.

Consider what you carry every day. Don’t choose a bag that’s too big (it’ll be bulky and uncomfortable) or too small (you won’t be able to fit everything). Most EDC backpacks are 15-30 liters, but the ideal size depends on your needs. Think about your “must-have” items and choose accordingly.

Organization is extremely important for an EDC backpack. Multiple compartments and pockets help you keep your essentials separated and easily accessible. Look for features like pen loops, key clips, and dedicated pockets for your phone, wallet, and water bottle. Good organization prevents your bag from becoming a chaotic mess.

Durable, water-resistant, and comfortable materials are key. Nylon and polyester are popular because they are strong, water-resistant, and lightweight. Leather or waxed canvas can offer a more stylish and durable (though often heavier) option. Consider the environment you’ll be in and choose accordingly.

Padded shoulder straps are essential for comfortable carrying, especially if you’ll be wearing the backpack for extended periods. A padded back panel can also enhance comfort and provide ventilation. A sternum strap (a strap across your chest) helps distribute weight evenly and keeps the straps from slipping, which is a big plus.

Look for quick-access pockets on the exterior of the backpack. These pockets are ideal for storing items you frequently grab, such as your phone, wallet, keys, or transit pass. The internal organization also contributes to accessibility—finding what you need inside the bag is just as important.

Security features are particularly important if you live in an urban environment, commute on public transportation, or travel frequently. Lockable zippers, RFID-blocking pockets, and hidden compartments can help protect your valuables from theft. When prioritizing security, consider your surroundings and your level of risk.

Consider the overall design, color, and materials of the backpack. A sleek, minimalist backpack in a neutral color (black, gray, navy) might be a good choice for a professional setting. In contrast, a more colorful or patterned backpack might suit a casual or creative environment. The material can also contribute to the style – leather or waxed canvas can give a more rugged or sophisticated look, while nylon or polyester are often more sporty or practical. Ultimately, choose a backpack you enjoy carrying that reflects your taste.