I’m in the same situation. I’ve been researching edc packs, looking at designs, basically to a complete overkill degree. I’ve spent a lot of time on YouTube. The pack needs to have a reasonably professional appearance. No camo. But I really want it Made in USA, or at least not China Or any country where the low prices are because of sweatshop type labor.
Big fan of Kifaru in general, and I’d like to make an Antero work. But to not have either the organizer pocket or a built-in padded laptop sleeve at the $300 price point is a tough sell (But one I’ll consider only because made in USA). Would a chamber slider work? Only available in Coyote unfortunately. Found a video with a Tom Bihn Cache laptop sleeve that fits well. For the organization, I wish the Organization Pocket was built in where the MOLLE is located on the front, and just delete the existing plain front pocket.
GR1 is interesting. 1000D is a bit overkill in my opinion, but certainly bomb proof. Big drawback is that the GR1 is made in Vietnam. Better than China, but if I open the aperture on manufacturing to Asia there are many, many really well designed packs.