There’s a lot of overlap between outdoor and EDC bags. For one, having items at the ready and being able to organize them well are crucial to preserving your sanity on longer outings. Likewise, durability and weather resistance are a must whether you’re hiking through the wilderness or merely the urban jungle.
Kifaru, the makers of some of the most resilient hiking backpacks for the past 28 years, has now transposed their know-how to the worlds of commuting and travel, giving us a pair of EDC-friendly bags with a hint of ruggedness.
From Hunting Packs to Daily Carry
Since Patrick Smith founded the brand back in 1997, Kifaru has built its reputation on modular systems and bombproof construction for serious backcountry use. Sewing its products at its own facilities, the Colorado-turned-Wyoming outfit earned its stripes with innovations like the Gun Bearer rifle carry system and adjustable suspension designed to haul heavy loads across brutal terrain. Now under the ownership of Aron Snyder and Chad Shumway since 2020, Kifaru is channeling that same engineering into bags built for subway commutes and airport security lines.
The 2025 lineup introduces the Checkpoint alongside a reimagined version of the Echo — a pack that’s been in Kifaru’s catalog since 2023 but gets a proper refresh here with new color options and framesheet upgrades. Both bags ditch the typical hunting-pack aesthetic for something more urban-appropriate (especially in the black colorway) while keeping the materials and construction methods that made Kifaru a backcountry favorite.
Still Just As Tough
The foundation here is 500D Cordura nylon — the same stuff trusted by military contracts and mountaineers. YKK zippers, mil-spec hardware, and proper webbing round out the specs. But the real story is how Kifaru adapted its outdoor DNA for daily use. The Checkpoint brings 27.8L with an internal frame sheet (borrowing from their Ark Frame carbon fiber tech), a clamshell opening for TSA-friendly packing, and a floating laptop sleeve that fits most 15-inch devices. It’s the more structured option at 3lbs.
Meanwhile, the Echo takes a slightly different approach with 21.79L that expands to nearly 30L via a perimeter zipper — ideal for those days when you need extra capacity. It ships unstructured but you can add a frame sheet (sold as an add-on) if you want more rigidity. Instead of just shrinking down their previous Echo, Kifaru actually added travel utility with a luggage pass-through and reinforced side pockets that can fit 32oz water bottles.
Both packs feature ergonomic shoulder straps with foam padding inspired by the Ark platform, giving you comfort for extended wear without the bulk of a full suspension system.
Spec Sheet
Model: Echo
Purpose: Travel, EDC
Capacity: 21.79L (expandable to 29.98L)
Weight: 1 lb 15 oz (unstructured) or 2 lbs 3 oz (with frame sheet)
Shell Material: 500D Cordura
Colors: Moss, Slate, Black
Price: $269
Model: Checkpoint
Purpose: Commuting, EDC
Capacity: 27.85L
Weight: 3 lbs
Shell Material: 500D Cordura
Colors: Moss, Slate, Black
Price: $349
Pricing & Availability
Both the Echo and Checkpoint are available now through Kifaru’s website, starting at $269 and $349 respectively. Frame sheet upgrades for the Echo run an additional $20.
Recap
Kifaru Checkpoint & Echo Bags
Kifaru, the backcountry gear legend that’s been making bombproof hunting packs since 1997, just dropped its first proper EDC lineup with the Echo and Checkpoint — two bags that bring 500D Cordura toughness and thoughtful features to your daily commute without looking like you’re headed into the wilderness.
