Tested: The 7 Best USA-Made Backpacks for EDC

Whether it be from a fledgling startup brand or an established player continuing a long-held tradition of American manufacturing, USA-made backpacks often represent some of the finest bags on the planet. With so many packs currently being constructed in the States, it can, however, be difficult to hone in on the best bags this sector has to offer. So, with this in mind, we’ve thoroughly scoured the product space to deliver this curated guide to the best American-made backpacks. Whether you’re after a military-style rucksack, a hiking daypack, or a modern everyday carry backpack, we’ve tested our favorite American-made backpacks that will resonate with you, regardless of your wants, needs, and personal taste.

How We Tested

More than just a gratuitous qualifier, “Made in the USA” actually carries with it some significance (detailed more below). That said, there are plenty of options out there that are American-made (and even more that claim to be). With years spent in this space, we used our expertise to whittle down the options to a select few, looking at usage, design, construction, price, aesthetic, and size, among other things.

From there, we sourced our units for testing, spending considerable time with each backpack to see what we liked and didn’t like about them. We paid special attention to how each bag felt, both on and off our backs, and spent time figuring out what it was like actually using the bags. Our results are detailed below.

What to Look For

With so many different styles of backpacks on the market, it can legitimately be difficult even knowing where to begin looking when buying a new backpack — and USA-made packs are by no means an exception. Below, we’ll briefly break down the most pivotal factors you should take into account when shopping for an American-made backpack. 

Overall Design: No matter where they’re made, backpacks come in all manner of different shapes and styles, from traditional book-bag-style zip-ups to roll-tops to panel-loaders and practically everything in between. Whether it be ease of access, overall durability, or weatherproofing, each style of pack offers its own unique strengths and drawbacks — making this a wildly important area to review when shopping, as general designs and layouts can play an enormous major role in what makes a bag special or unique — as thoroughly evidenced by models like the Mission Workshop Rhake VX, DSPTCH Ruckpack, and GORUCK GR1. Your intended use and personal aesthetic taste should both be guiding forces when considering this aspect. 

Size: Backpacks are obviously produced in a wide array of different sizes. When reviewing this area, we recommend considering both your intended use and the loadout of gear that you plan on regularly carrying as these factors should help give you a sense of the amount of storage space that you’ll likely need. It’s also worth noting that there are expandable backpacks on the market that can be opened up to provide just a bit more space when needed. 

Primary Materials: One of the single biggest factors that determines the overall quality of any backpack or bag is the material used to craft its shell. Today’s more premium bags often features shells cut from high-denier — often ballistic-grade — nylons, advanced sailcloth fabrics, and waxed canvas, though it’s also commonplace to see proprietary constructions used like Dyneema or CORDRUA. What’s more, in addition to a bag’s shell construction, you’ll also want to look into whether or not a pack’s shell material has been further fortified via some type of treatment or coating to bolster weather resistance. 

Secondary Materials: Though admittedly not as pivotal of a factor as a backpack’s primary construction, secondary materials are nonetheless important as they also play a role in determining a bag’s overall quality. When reviewing this area, you’ll want to check out secondary constructions used for elements such as a backpack’s shoulder straps, back pad, grab handles, and liner material, just to name but a few. 

Hardware & Trim: Alongside shell material, another factor that separates the more premium backpacks on the market from their cheaper counterparts is hardware and trim elements. Playing a major role in a backpack’s overall user experience, important hardware elements to consider include the bag’s buckles, fasteners, and zipper tracks. For trim elements, you should focus on elements like logo patches, labels, and any accent materials.

Build Quality & Craftsmanship: It’s not just the materials used that determine a backpack’s overall quality and durability, but also the manner in which said materials have been pieced together. As such, you’ll want to look into the construction technique — or techniques — that was/were used to make the pack along with any reinforced elements or areas. While this area is always of major importance when shopping for a bag, it’s even more crucial when looking at USA-made packs, as domestically-made bags tend to feature much higher levels of craftsmanship, build quality, and fit and finish compared to their foreign-made mass-produced counterparts. 

Organizational Amenities: Backpacks have massively evolved over the last decade alone. And in addition to their material selections, another way in which these carry solutions have advanced is in their increasingly robust and well-calculated organizational amenities. This includes any external quick-access pockets or water bottle holders, as well as the bag’s interior organizational features.   

Weatherproofing: A backpack’s ability to stand up to the elements also plays a pivotal role in the overall user experience. As such, when shopping, you’ll want to consider a bag’s level of weather and waterproofing — areas owed to factors such as the bag’s shell material, coatings and treatments, as well as the type of closure and zipper tracks being used. This factor is obviously even more important if you happen to reside in a region that receives ample rain. 

Tech Storage: As our devices continue to become increasingly integral parts of our lives, the need to safely store and transport your tech has never been more important — making a bag’s tech storage pretty important. When checking out this area, you’ll want to look into whether or not a pack has a laptop or tablet compartment. If it does, you’ll want to review aspects such as its size, whether its padded, or whether it’s suspended or using a false bottom. On top of organizational amenities designed specifically for housing cables, wireless mice, charging units, and other essential tech peripherals, some of today’s best backpacks also features storage for a supplementary tablet — or second laptop. 

North St. Davis Daypack 20

Best Budget-Friendly Bag: Contrary to popular belief, “Made in the USA” doesn’t have to equate to high price tags. Folks over at North St. have proven just that. Blending a stylish design with materials and hardware sourced from regional suppliers in their native Pacific Northwest, the company does a great job with commuter bags especially. We love their Davis Daypack, a weatherproof 1,000D nylon backpack with a rolltop closure. Great for keeping the rain out when, say, cycling to work, the bag features a water-resistant zipper, sailcloth liner, and modular setup on the inside. If that’s not enough, the hand-made bag also comes backed by a lifetime warranty.

The Good

If you’re not looking for a bag with a million bells and whistles, the North St. Davis Daypack will certainly appeal to you. Getting by on outstanding construction, the backpack feels like a level above your everyday budget bag. Aside from the large main compartment, you get a front pocket with water-resistant zippers. There’s also a water bottle pouch on each side and a sternum strap for support. It’s a small plus but I do like how you can easily tuck the hanging loop underneath the rolltop buckle so that it stays out of the way when putting this bag on your back.

Sporting a minimalist design with classy branding off-centered on the front, the pack sits comfortably on the back and is very easy to adjust the shoulder straps. You also get D rings on the ends of each adjustment strap for attaching a smaller pouch via carabiner. Able to compress down very compactly, the bag can be a great secondary backpack for camping trips, especially if you want a basic hiking bag that’ll keep out any water ingress.

The Not So Good

Admittedly, there’s not a whole lot to complain about with the Davis Daypack. Maintaining a low profile and low price, this handsome bag leans towards an urban lifestyle with ease. That said, I do wish the side water bottle pouches were a bit larger. They couldn’t fit my 32-ounce metal bottle but did fine with smaller thermoses. Likewise, as I stated, the backpack doesn’t have a whole lot of organization options. The primary compartment doesn’t have any smaller pockets or anything, which will be perfectly fine for some but is still worth mentioning.

Verdict: Fairly priced and simple in its approach, the North St. Davis Daypack is certainly no slouch. Sporting a rolltop closure, this backpack features a straightforward yet reliable design with superb construction methods like a 1,000D nylon shell and X-Pac lining inside. It won’t give you much in the way of organization but this is still a bag you can lean on.

Arktype Dashpack 15L

Best Waxed Canvas Backpack: Made by hand in America from materials sourced in the USA, this backpack is a special-edition, waxed canvas version of Arktype’s best-selling Dashpack. Now on its second generation, the bag is made from a 10oz Army Duck waxed canvas — a construction that’s been paired with YKK AquaGuard #8 water-repellent zippers and a 210-denier double-walled ripstop nylon liner. Separating this bag from other offerings on the market are a unique shoulder harness design that’s made with four-panel seatbelt webbing and Duraflex Sliplok buckles, Evazote high-density closed-cell EV50 foam shoulder and pack panels, a padded 15” laptop sleeve supplemented via a secondary 14” tablet or notebook sleeve, front ladder-stitched webbing made from 4000lb critical use Class 1 Mil-Spec webbing, and dual external water bottle holders, amongst numerous other amenities. 

The Good

Not a super common backpack material, the waxed canvas on the Arktype Dashpack brings a unique look and feel to the bag. Likewise, the material makes the fabric easier to clean and maintain as well. In terms of function, the Dashpack gives you fantastic organization features, especially for the price. I especially loved the side compression straps which were easy to operate and actually useful when it came to packing this bag within other bags or luggage.

Perhaps the best quality of the backpack, however, is its ability to make the most out of its space. Despite being just 15L in capacity, it feels like you’re working with much more. There’s a main compartment with a couple of zippered pockets on the lid and an elastic pouch on the inside. Behind your back, you have a hidden zippered pocket that’s quite large and features an inner zippered pocket as well. This design also goes for the front side-entry pocket, which is also large and features a small zippered pocket and some loops that I used for pens and mechanical pencils.

The Not So Good

On the back, I found it incredibly frustrating the adjust the shoulder straps. Removing the backpack makes it easier but it’s still not a breeze. But luckily, the Daypack is comfortable to wear. However, the most frustrating aspect of the pack is the ability to access the zippered compartments within the other zippered compartments. This especially goes for the side-entry front pocket, which makes good use of space but the orientation of the compartment makes it very difficult to unzip the interior pocket, to the point that I just left it unzipped.

Also, like the North St. bag, I found the water bottle pouches to be a bit small for my larger 32-ounce water bottle. However, they fit smaller bottles just fine.

Verdict: A rare waxed canvas backpack in a crowded nylon space, the Dashpack from Arktype is a good-looking backpack with serious durability and easy maintenance. Despite only 15L of capacity, the backpack makes economic use of its interior, even to a fault. Some inner compartments are difficult to access but we still found use for several others. We didn’t love how hard it was to adjust the shoulder straps on the fly but this is a comfortable backpack at a fair price.

GORUCK GR1 USA CORDURA

Best Laptop Bag: Taking inspiration from Special Forces Medical Rucks with a flat lay, full-length clamshell opening, GORUCK’s GR1 USA CORDURA has long been one of our favorite backpacks in existence. Boasting exceptional strength, durability, and overall build quality, the GR1 is cut from ultra-rugged 1,000-denier ballistic-grade CORDURA. Compliant with carry-on sizing requirements for air travel, the bottom panel and handle of this military-inspired bag are also crafted from a 210-denier nylon. Offered in 21-liter and 26-liter sizes (we got hands-on with the 21L version), this bag also gets three rows of MOLLE webbing, a literally bombproof laptop sleeve, 550 paracord zipper pulls, and heavily padded shoulder straps that evenly distribute weight across the wearer’s body. Best of all, this USA-made backpack comes backed by GORUCK’s lifetime guarantee.

The Good

GORUCK simply makes some of the best bags on the planet. I love both the intuitive design of the GR1 and the overall construction (there’s a version of the GR1 not entirely made in the USA for a cheaper price); this bag is obviously durable when you first get hands-on with it. First off, the large main compartment sports several interior compartments, including a stretch pouch that you could use for a laptop or tablet –– although it would block the two rows of webbing against the back panel. On top, there’s a small easy-access zippered pouch that I used for my earbuds and charger but you could get creative here. I loved the hi-vis interior of this pouch, which extends to the reverse side where it dips into the main compartment, allowing you to easily tell what it is.

There’s a back panel zippered compartment as well, which you could put your laptop inside, especially if you don’t want it partially exposed in the main compartment. Nevertheless, the fact that there’s two laptop/tablet compartments gives this some serious versatility. I also loved how I could theoretically “hide” the laptop in the back panel compartment when traveling. Speaking of which, the flat-lay opening makes this bag highly easy to sort through when lying it down on my lap or my desk.

The Not So Good

The zipper pulls on the GR1 were easy to grip but I found the motion of the main compartment zippers to be a little stiff, especially when rounding the corners. This was only an issue when I was in a rush and I didn’t find this to be a problem with any of the other compartments.

In terms of comfort, the GR1 felt fine on my back. However, I had trouble when it came to adjusting the shoulder straps, especially if there wasn’t a lot of weight inside. And then when I did have extra weight inside, there was no sternum or waist strap to help with support, which would’ve been nice.

Verdict: One of the most intuitively designed and well-constructed backpacks around, the GR1 is a classic for a reason. GORUCK imbues its expertise in its setup, including a flat-lay design that makes rummaging easier and clever compartment configurations that include two device storage options. We didn’t love the adjustability on the shoulder straps and the lack of support straps but this is one of the most durable bags you’ll find.

Check out our in-depth GORUCK GR1 review here.

DSPTCH Ruckpack

Best Large Bag: A modernized take on traditional military rucksacks, the DSPTCH Ruckpack is a highly-calculated USA-made backpack with a panel-loading design with an expandable top. Made entirely in America and backed by a lifetime warranty, this bag is cut from hardwearing yet sustainable ECOPAK 450RS fabric using a 45° CrossPly yarn and a super durable RUV matte film backing — though is also offered in Dot Grid and 1,680-denier ballistic nylon versions. In addition to a laptop sleeve capable of accommodating notebooks of up to 16”, the inside of the the bag has been lined with a recycled 400-denier polyester plain weave packcloth with both a DWR coating and a PU backing. Rounding out this rucksack is a suite of  Duraflex hardware, mil-spec webbing, an included removable luggage strap.

The Good

Simply put, the DSPTCH Ruckpack is a superb backpack. Sporting a tactical look, its selling point is its features, including a two-way entry into its main compartment. You can easily enter the bag through the top drawstring closure that has a lid that buckles over the top. This is perfect for quick access without disturbing the lower portion of the bag. You can also keep the hole just wide enough for your arm to fit inside, in case of wet days where you don’t want to risk water getting inside. Meanwhile, the compartment is also accessible via the front, which opens 3/4 of the way in a flat-lay orientation that makes it easy to rummage through when placing this on your lap.

Other features include two small zippered compartments in the lid. I used one for my sunglasses while the other kept my smaller cables and charging cubes. While you could certainly keep your laptop in the main compartment, there’s actually a dedicated space in back for your laptop. Like the GORUCK GR1 above, you could easily utilize one of these compartments for a secondary device.

Another interesting feature is the small zippered pocket in front, which is also accessible from inside the bag. I didn’t find any use for this versatile feature but it’s there nonetheless. This bag also has the only water bottle pockets of the bunch that fit my larger 32-ounce water bottle. And the best part is, if you have a smaller thermos, the compression straps on the side will lock it into place as well. And I should also point out that the shoulder straps are very comfortable, which came in handy when this 25-liter bag was loaded up, as did the sternum strap. Likewise, the straps are very easy to adjust on the fly.

The Not So Good

When it comes to the DSPTCH Ruckpack, its $350 price tag is starting to venture into expensive territory for many consumers. That said, situated at the relatively lower end of the high-end spectrum, this backpack is still a great buy with very few downsides, if at all. Some have commented that the bag would benefit from some sort of alloy hardware but I actually found the lack of hardware allowed the backpack to be relatively lightweight on the back.

Verdict: While its tactical look won’t be for everyone, the DSPTCH Ruckpack is a superb, versatile backpack with a unique main compartment that sports dual access points. From comfortable ergonomics, easy-to-adjust straps, and plenty of room for add-ons, the SF-based brand certainly justifies its slightly steep price tag.

Triple Aught Design FAST Pack Litespeed VX Standard

Best Tactical Pick: Known for delivering military-grade everyday carry and outdoor gear with an unmistakable tactical twist, Triple Aught Design has long produced some of the best backpacks and bags currently being crafted in America. Case in point; the Triple Aught Design FAST Pack Litespeed VX. Offering 22 liters of storage space while weighing just 3.2lbs, the FAST Pack Litespeed combines the highly durable and incredibly modular nature of TAD’s original FAST platform with the weight and agility of a minimalist summit pack. Cut from an ultra-rugged, lightweight VX-21 X-PAC that’s both abrasion- and water-resistant, and reinforced with Hypalon, the backpack is constructed around an HDPE frame sheet and benefits from the use of Evazote closed cell cross-linked ethylene copolymer foam padding set beneath DRI-LEX Aerospacer moisture management mesh. 

The Good

One of the most obviously durable backpacks on this list, the TAD FAST Pack Litespeed can do a whole lot. However, there’s a caveat: You do need some add-ons to fully capitalize on its total capability. Open up the main compartment and find plenty of rings for attachment, which is fantastic if you have extra bags and pouches to do so. This might feel like a downside, especially when paying over $450 for a bag but I still got great use out of it. The wide main compartment is easy to see inside and plenty large enough for loading up everything I needed for a weekend camping trip. I also appreciated the flat-lay configuration which let me use it more like a suitcase than backpack. Also, the pair of zippered lid pockets came in handy for smaller items and featured a mesh construction so I could see inside.

Highly comfortable on the back, the FAST Pack is relatively lightweight for all it can do. The shoulder straps are also pretty easy to adjust, though not as easy as some others (but not as hard either). I loved the large inverted pocket in front which is much larger than exterior pockets on most bags and easier to access too. There’s also a ton of MOLLE webbing in front, and it’s all shrouded behind a front panel so your bag doesn’t look busier than it already does, while also keeping your gear out of sight.

The Not So Good

It’s Strap City over on the TAD FAST Pack Litespeed, with straps and buckles seemingly all over. Contributing to the busy design, there are extra straps down below for compressing the bottom, four straps and buckles in front for the panel that covers the exterior MOLLE webbing, and extra compression and support straps on the shoulder straps –– all admittedly useful features. Luckily, I found the bag’s extras easy to get used to but the busy aesthetic won’t be for everyone.

I should also note that the backpack is devoid of a laptop compartment entirely. Admittedly, you could add one inside with the right accessory but this won’t be a good bag for commuting and the like, despite its weatherproofing and durability. Think of the FAST Pack more as a camping or outdoor bag. Or an ancillary travel bag to go along with your other luggage.

Verdict: Arguably the most durable on this list, the Triple Aught Design FAST Pack Litespeed is admittedly an aggressive pack with tons of straps and webbing that most people won’t know what to do with it. However, considering its purpose of being a tactical or outdoor backpack with a modular construction, it nails the execution. While many won’t want to pay the steeper price tag for something without a lot of versatility, this pack is still a fan-favorite for a reason and has a definite audience.

Mission Workshop Rhake VX

Best All-Weather Pick: Produced by hand in small batches, Mission Workshop’s American-made VX-spec Rhake backpack is undeniably one of the most capable, utilitarian, and high-end bags currently on the market. Cut from Dimension Polyant VX-21 and boasting a dual-layer construction with water-resistant zippers, this weatherproof bag also sports a slew of organizers and pockets, heavily-padded dedicated laptop and tablet compartments, a hidden zip-away water bottle pocket, a pair of FIDLOCK magnetic buckles (non-removable), a luggage handle pass-through, a ventilation-bolstering perforated foam back panel, and shoulder straps with Arkiv rails for accommodating Mission Workshop’s optional Arkiv accessories.

The Good

A sight to behold from both a technical and aesthetic POV, the Rhake from Mission Workshop combines total utility with an office-friendly approach. Obviously designed by a team that utilized their own real-world knowledge and experience, the pack has a plethora of compartments built for organization and yet are incredibly easy to access and sort through. No more rummaging through your backpack just to find a single item –– they’re now situated in two well-organized exterior pockets. I love the buckles below the closure that secures these zippered fold-out pockets, perfect for EDC or tech storage.

Meanwhile, the large zippered laptop pocket inside is one of my favorite aspects of the bag, unassuming and difficult enough to access for nefarious individuals yet keeping your computer protected. Not only is the laptop sleeve suspended but the polyester lining that separates the main pocket from the laptop sleeve serves as a protective barrier as well.

Great at utilizing both inside and outside space, the Rhake features a large primary rolltop compartment that’s adjustable in size and can be perfect for stowing any larger items like a lunch box, jacket, or tech pouch. Each element of the backpack serves a distinct purpose for either convenience or utility. I should also point out how comfortable the shoulder straps are and how easy they are to adjust.

The Not So Good

Although it’s designed as a durable office bag, the Rhake won’t be the first option for many workers, simply because of its $545 price tag alone but also because of its intimidating features which make it so great. The Rhake isn’t for the faint of heart.

In terms of actual criticisms, the backpack could have used some sort of water bottle pouch. Fortunately, there are enough attachment points that I was able to latch it on with a carabiner (this will only work if you have a closed-handle bottle).I also must mention that the sternum strap doesn’t adjust very far. In fact, I almost couldn’t buckle it in the center when it was loosened all the way –– this might be an issue for broader individuals.

Verdict: Utilizing every inch of the backpack, Mission Workshop has outdone itself with the Rhake. Perhaps a bit intimidating for some, this highly-capable option is part technical pack, part laptop bag –– purpose-built for carrying a laptop to the office (or anywhere, really) and doing so protected from the elements thanks to the weatherproof X-Pac shell. We loved the unique arrangement of tech and EDC storage on the outside, which is easy to access. However, we do know the price will be a bit steep for many buyers. Nevertheless, the Rhake is one of our favorites for a reason.

Check out our in-depth Mission Workshop Rhake review here.

KILLSPENCER Utility Backpack

Best Luxury Pick: KILLSPENCER’s Utility Backpack doesn’t contain any particularly novel or innovative features but instead is simply an incredibly well-crafted, high-end take on an American-made leather backpack. Tipping the scales at around 5lbs, this pack is crafted from high-end full-grain leather and accented with genuine bull hide leather straps, flap, and trim. The bag’s 21.3 liters of storage is protected via a pair of Riri Aquazip water-resistant zippers while its grab handles are composed of mil-spec webbing rated to withstand 4,000lbs of force. Other highlights include a foam-padded and nylon-lined external laptop compartment that can house a 16″ MacBook Pro, a fire-retardant and waterproof nylon lining, a pair of interior mesh zip pockets for cables and cords, and an internal hidden stash pocket for valuables and other small essentials.

The Good

I’ve worked with plenty of leather backpacks in my days and the Utility Backpack from KILLSPENCER simply keeps its structure better than most. It’s suitcase-style opening allows you to lay the bag flat on your lap or desk, making it significantly easier to rummage through. I loved the interior pockets when it came to storing my smaller items, although I did wish they came with zippers or some sort of closure. Luckily, the folds stay closed enough to prevent anything from rolling out when the bag is laying down. You can also utilize the bullhide leather patch on the inside as a small pocket –– I used it for my earbud case.

Despite the structured back, there is, however, a pair of split mesh pockets built into the lid, which fold open for easy access. Behind the main compartment is a separate laptop zippered compartment, while the front has a small gear pocket with both button and Velcro closure options.

In terms of the classic leather aroma, the Utility Backpack has one of the nicest. Meanwhile, this is just a really beautiful bag aesthetically, looking great with any outfit you’re wearing. For a minimalist look that won’t look too aggressive on your back, KILLSPENCER ensures that there’s zero branding. Speaking of which, this bag was super comfortable when I was wearing it. The straps didn’t tangle but still felt very sturdy. And the seatbelt straps make this very easy to adjust and also look great visually.

The Not So Good

Like any $1,000+ backpack, a major downside of the KILLSPENCER Utility Backpack is its lofty price tag, which is nearly $600 more than the 2nd most expensive on this guide. In terms of functionality, the snap buttons were a little stiff, making them difficult to use. I actually just kept the button on the top handle unsnapped most of the time because of this, and I used the Velcro on the front pockets instead, never buttoning those either. I should also mention that, as great as the zippers handled opening and closing, the zippers themselves lacked grip and slipped out of my hands at times.

Verdict: While the $1,095 price tag is quite steep, KILLSPENCER justifies the sticker for the Utility Backpack by utilizing superb construction techniques, mil-spec testing, and an eye for style. Maintaining a functional purpose, the bag would be a great choice regardless of what it looked like. However, the aesthetic of the bag is one of the best we experienced as well.

USA-MADe Backpacks Comparison Chart

What Exactly Is So Special About American-Made Backpacks?

The words “made in America” don’t just convey a product’s country of origin, but instead speak to an overall level of quality and craftsmanship that can’t be replicated through corner-cutting and cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel labor. On top of also affording a sense of pride and patriotism, USA-made items tend to be built to higher standards, and by trained craftsmen and laborers that are fairly compensated for their expertise and hard work. It’s also commonplace to see these meticulous manufacturing operations utilize materials that are just as premium as the bag’s build quality — many of which are sourced domestically from within the Unite States. And while a great many of today’s industries have been outsourced to countries overseas, there are still certain segments that feature a decent number of products that are designed and manufactured in America, such as the USA-made backpack space that we’ll be exploring below. 

Honorable Mentions

With its style-forward aesthetic, this DEFY Menace 2.0 has some cool design features like the glossy trim, Cordura interior, and a Cobra buckle with seatbelt straps. We simply weren’t able to get hands-on with the bag during our testing period.

The MIS Daypack S is a cool minimalist backpack for a good price. However, we went with the North St. bag above for our budget-friendly pick since it’s more unique.

While a bit large for an EDC bag, the 30-liter Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 is nevertheless a stylish, useful backpack for those who don’t mind the extra size.

We’ve worked with the Bradley Mountain Biographer in the past and really loved the bag. It came close but we went with the KILLSPENCER above for our leather option since the former is a bit more rugged than a typical EDC bag.

Stone Glacier certainly makes bags in the USA but are a little too military and hunting focused than EDC. We figured we’d give ’em a shout out anyway, especially for their R1 2200.

The Brown Buffalo’s founder Doug Davidson has worked in this space for decades, with seemingly every backpack brand on the planet. He even runs a sewing class attended by several of our team members in the past. However, we left off the firm’s ConcealPack 21L EDC despite its minimalist, slim profile, simply because of the inconsistency in Brown Buffalo’s production. Nevertheless, the brand definitely gets our cosign if you can get ahold of one of their bags.

Tested: The Best Work Bags

Need a bag for the office? Head over to our recent guide where we tested out our favorite work bags and backpacks.