Daily Carry Pack Choices and Recommendations

[gearNut]

Hello everyone,

So I am having a hard time choosing a new every day carry pack. Currently i'm carrying a multicam Mystery Ranch 3 day assault pack which is 2000 c.i. I use it for work daily to carry my gym clothes and shoes, lunch, and other little things. There isn't any thing wrong with the bag, and it's a great bag but for some reason I just don't enjoy it like I do my late season or other bags I have had before. I've been looking at the Kifaru 14'r (2,400) and X-Ray (2000) due to being a similar size. Between those two I like them both so i was curious if any of y'all had experience with the packs mentioned or what your recommendations would be? Thanks everyone.

 

[TacticoolMike]

I have a Kifaru Urban Zippy on the way. Looks like it will be an excellent edc pack. 1500 cu in. The kifaru Antero is a great pack as well (1500 cu in). Other than those I'd go with a Goruck GR1. Awesome packs and low profile.

 

[rhunter424]

I highly recommend the antero over the xray and zippy's.

The antero is very simple, comfortable, and functional.

The urban zippy is a mess in both function and aesthetics.

 

[mrbillbrown]

I run the urban zippy for edc and love it. The layout and organization is great. Side pockets are great for water bottles, nalgenes, or coffee mugs. Added a KU grab it for quick exterior jacket storage. It's big enough for my laptop, iPad, lunch, possibles pouch, and any other daily necessities I want to carry. Haven't tried the Antero yet but don't see a need to change from a bag that works perfectly for my edc needs.


molon labe

 

[Jaysop]

I highly recommend the antero over the xray and zippy's.

The antero is very simple, comfortable, and functional.

The urban zippy is a mess in both function and aesthetics.

I have to agree with this. I've had the x-ray, 3dap, street fighter, and rush 11 and the only two I really liked for EDC was the street fighter and Antero. I love the Antero. I've had it for about a year now and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[freebird134]

I have had the Antero for a few months. I'm happy with it, but it's far from perfect. Especially by the time you throw an organizer on it, it's a dang expensive backpack. I kind of wish I had got the 14'r, but still think it might look at little funny walking around campus

 

[Old_Navy]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, For me the Urban zippy is just about The Perfect bag. love the dual outside pockets for easy access to water bottles. & multiple zippered panels, plenty of options for Dock n lock pockets

 

[trapperjay]

UZ for me also. All the pockets are just super convenient for daily carry organization. I dont always run it bit thanks to mrbillbrown's recommendations I have a grab it that works grat on mine too.

 

[TFP]

GR1, although the zippy is a cool little pack if you need a crap load of pockets

 

[trapperjay]

Thinking about selling my UZ and getting an Antero or an Arcteryx. I guess daily carry packs are like purses- my wife changes one out every so often but the other one was perfectly good. Lol

 

[TacticoolMike]

I received my Urban Zippy a few days ago and so far it is one of the best packs I have tried in a long, long time. It is very comfortable. Plenty of room for EDC or day hike gear with the ability to expand if you really wanted too. Mine is in Olive Drab. I did have an Antero for a few months. It is a great pack as well and the only reason I sold it was for superficial reasons. Coyote brown was about the only option that appealed to me but unfortunately Kifaru's Coyote Brown in 1000d is more yellow/gold in color than a true brown color. I really didn't like it and If I'm dropping $350+ for a day pack, I better love everything about it. That said, if they come out with Antero's in OD I will buy one. But this UZ isn't going anywhere. After having my hands on both packs, I would give a very slight edge to the Antero for Urban use. It's just a little more streamlined overall. But, if you want a pack for both urban and outdoor use, I would go hands down with the UZ. You have better/more organization options on the UZ. Top loading pack makes it easier to overstuff if you need to (imho) but side access lets you get to everything easily.

Last thing.......Kifaru's Olive Drab is one of the best green colors I've seen available for packs. I can't speak for older packs in OD but the current OD with the brown zippers and hardware is by far my favorite color combo I've seen. The pics of OD on the Kifaru website make it look very light/brightly colored but it's a darker green than that. Their OD is actually Camo Green found in the US Military Woodland Camo pattern or very similar. If Kifaru would make more gear in that OD I'd be more in debt than I already am. Just my $0.02......I know not everyone is as caught up in the color of their gear but like I said......If I'm dropping big $$ on packs I want to be as aesthetically pleased with it as it is comfortable.

 

[gearNut]

Thanks everyone for the responces, it's great getting all this advise on packs.

 

[Matt W.]

I changed careers this year and needed a bag that looked a bit nicer. I went with the Vertx EDC Courier bag. It's a shoulder bag vs a pack, but works well for carrying a lap top and other necessities. It blends well in urban work environments as well.
http://vertx.com/edc-courier-bag
Vertx usually has 20% off coupons if you are patient.