Evergoods Civic Travel Bag 26L - CTB26 Full Review

[@MakingMonroe]

Nice video man! Just picked up the ctb26 myself. Loving it

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video! Great to hear you grabbed one...still love mine as well!

[@rsuninv]

I have a CTB 26 and an Able Carry Max which is 30 liters. Here’s the crazy part. The Max was packed to the Max with my overnight travel gear and work equipment. The CTB 26 swallowed everything and I still have room. I use the lid of the 26 to hold my change of clothes. The Max needed a packing cube. The Laptop area on the Max is worthless for the three items (computer, iPad Pro 11 and iPad mini) I routinely carry. The 26 easily handles them. Don’t get me started on how awesome the water bottle pockets are. The exterior front pocket has that extra “dimension” that allows for an organizer (CAP 1). Then there’s the stash pockets on the 26 and the stash pocket on the Max. Again the 26 wins. Great review. You are why I own a 26.

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out the video and thank you so much for the kind words. I try and give a simple and straight forward review on how I feel and use it. I do agree it's crazy how subjective the liter measurements are between bag companies...I have found Evergoods and GoRuck bags are so much bigger than the rest of the companies based on the liter measurement. So happy to hear you are loving the bag! It's a great bag and so far I'm still using it everyday! I think I am going to be purchasing a CAP 1 shortly and do the same for organization...thanks for sharing!

[@FactFinderGeneral]

After having a water bottle explode in my college bag, soaking several hundred dollars worth of textbooks, I fully agree on water bottles.

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

I'm right there with you...too much risk and no real reward. I would rather not carry a water bottle before I place it in my main storage area. It's just not worth it!

[@e3vL1]

Seeing CHZ and CTB have the same capacity (26L) but the latter have more pockets; is there a big difference in volume of the main compartment? Also is the water bottle pocket shorter on the CTB?

[@realrajiv]

Love the review Ryan. Does the water bottle pocket eat into the main compartment? Thanks

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out my video...I would say sort of, but not very much. It has it's own depth for sure...I have noticed If I really pack out the bag especially width wise by the water bottle holder section it can be a tougher to get my 32oz. bottle in. That said a standard 16oz or 24 oz bottle won't be an issue at all...I only have a tougher time with a larger bottle and it still fits, just a bit more work.

[@realrajiv]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the response.@@Bowmanthebagguy

[@regen2787]

Hi! If the bag is not packed full, will it still look big? Also is it still comfortable? Thanks in advance for your reply!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out the video! Even when it's not totally packed out it does look a bit big. Not as bad as packed out but not very minimal either. However that said, this past week really made me a believer in how much I love this bag. I took a 4 day trip and needed a travel bag along with a roller for what I was doing. After working through 4 other of my travel backpacks I went back to this one and it packed out so much better than the others including larger bags. The volume is so awesome on this bag and the pockets so well thought out...it was fantastic!

[@ChrisCarries_EDC]

Agree with you on the shoulder strap comfort on the CTB. I have the CHZ22, and I feel like that's more comfortable than the CTB when under heavy loads. I find that the sternum strap really helps with it though and it certainly isn't UNcomfortable, just slightly different. Still love my CHZ, that one ain't going anywhere!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video! Yes!!! Well said, not uncomfortable but just not as comfortable as my CHZ!!! and while I liked my CHZ22 I feel like the 26 for me just works better! Glad to hear you are enjoying some good Evergoods quality bags though!

[@eprohoda]

Nice to meet you!Ryan~bravo! splendid -

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video!

[@daviddai7640]

Great review, do u prefer evergoods or AER when it comes to travel backpack?

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video. As of right now I do prefer the Evergoods. The AER is a bit on the heavy side in my opinion. Also I had a bad experience in an airport with the AER bag. There was too many straps and buckles dangling on it and my bag got stuck in the security conveyor. The buckle somehow fell through the gap on the side...the TSA had to shut down the machine and work to get it unstuck! SMH...After that I stopped using it to travel. That being said my son went to Costa Rica this year and used my AER travel bag! But for me, it's currently either Evergoods or I still love my Pakt Travel Backpack for larger trips.

[@KelvinHew7]

​​@@Bowmanthebagguyyour Pakt Travel Backpack is the 35L or the 45L?

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

@@KelvinHew7 I have the original V1 backpack which came in around 30L but felt much bigger than that for sure. Here is my review of that bag, I still use it every now and then when traveling. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYGWk2R_a76optE

[@KelvinHew7]

@@Bowmanthebagguy cool. I compared the CTB35 and the Pakt 2.0 35L side by side. The Pakt is slightly shorter and less bulky. On the other hand, I also compared the CTB35 and CTB26 side by side and it was an easy decision for me. Due to my back surgery, I can only carry any loads on my back up to 10kgs. Also, the CTB26 can be a personal item when it's not fully packed out.

[@manueldelgado5336]

Nice video! Got a couple questions, if you don’t mind. Have you been able to compare it’s capacity to a CPL28? Are those 2 liter difference really noticeable? I want a bag that I can use as an EDC, but also take for some small trips like 4-6 days. Been eyeing the CPL28, CTB26 and Aer Travel Pack 3 Small. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out my video! Those are all really great options, I have not compared it to the CPL28 I have a rule that if it doesn't have at least one but preferably two water bottle pockets I will not buy it! I use them so much that I find it difficult to use a bag that doesn't have them at all. As for your choices the Aer 28L bag is a great bag they make an amazing product as well. Personally in my experience and use, a 28L is the max I would use for a trip and daily EDC...26L feels better for the EDC side of the life and you can typically pack it out pretty well for a small trip. My wife and I just did one overnight and I was able to use the CTB26 for everything and I didn't even take anything else out of the bag that I use daily. Comparing other Evergoods bags such as the CHZ22 vs CHZ26 those 4 liters were quite a game changer for me. My recommendation is if you are okay with the 28L bag size as an EDC I would highly recommend going with that! I used the Bellroy Transit backpack for quite some time and it was 28L but I eventually ditched it because I felt like it was too much bag for my edc...I had a ton of room in it for my normal schedule and just felt like I was carrying too much bag around with me. Good luck but know you can't make a bad choice as it pertains to the bag and quality just trying to find the right size for what you do most!

[@manueldelgado5336]

@@Bowmanthebagguy thanks so much for all the detail! Yeah, tbh the lack of water bottle pockets is what’s keeping me on the doubt about the CPL28, but I was thinking that maybe with a carabiner I could manage with some flasks. Have you tried the Aer then? I think I saw some say that it had less space than other 28L bags, so I wanted to know if it seemed like it could fit the same as the CTB26 or more like the Liter capacity should indicate. Thanks for the reply!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

@@manueldelgado5336 I have not tried that specific AER travel pack...I will say from my experience Go Ruck and then Evergoods seem to be on the larger size of the liter measurements...and in that order. For example if I am comparing something such as 28L bag I know GoRuck's 28L will hold more than Evergoods 28L and Evergoods 28L will hold more than AER's 28L bag. It's a very difficult measurement for the companies to use and be accurate with especially the more pockets they add the harder it is based on how you pack. They get close with the liter sizes but they are not always exact.

[@manueldelgado5336]

@@Bowmanthebagguy awesome! Thank you very much!

[@normang663]

Nice review, do you exactly how much it weighs?

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video. Their website states 3lbs 6oz and that's about right from my checking as well.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

Great information, any experience with a Goruck GR2 for a comparison, especially when it comes to the straps?

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video! I unfortunately don't have a GR2 for comparison...I do have a GR1. I prefer the Evergoods straps over GoRuck in general. They are both very comfortable and padded however I like the fabric better on Evergoods...I feel like it's less abrasive and has a "softer" feel against my shoulders.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

@@Bowmanthebagguy Thanks for the reply! Great to hear about the straps and I look forward to checking out an Evergoods.... Did their latest CTB26 pre-order, hopefully will come in soon

[@MH_6160]

Great review, just ordered the 26, I found that my CTB35 is way too big for short duration trips or even daily carry. Hope this works better

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video! I hope you enjoy it...I do feel the CTB26 is the perfect small trip bag...it carries all I need and then I can use it as my daily when I am onsite w/out it feeling huge. Good Luck and let me know after you get it and use it what you think?

[@MH_6160]

@@Bowmanthebagguy In all honesty I had really high hopes for it… it was way to small. I put the exact same load out from my CTB 35 in the CTB26 and the more I thought about it It was better to have excess space that I wasn't using versus the CTB26 where I felt I would be limited. BUT, it would be a perfect companion pack if I am using it with a roller bag...

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

I did just use it with a roller bag for a week long trip I took and it was fantastic!

[@MH_6160]

@@Bowmanthebagguy right? perfect for that…

[@sovac9107]

Do you prefer this or the bellroy transit backpack?

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out the video! I prefer the Evergoods for sure...The Transit is very nice but I like the material of Evergoods more and I like that bottle holders on Evergoods more since they don't take as much away from the main compartment. The Bellroy bottle holders are nice for stealth and streamlining but I have also moved to a 32oz bottle and it's too big for the Bellroy.

[@PointFortyFour]

Great detailed review. Have the CPL28 which is just a tad big for EDC. CTB looks like a do-it-all. Also noticed the Dave books at the back. Awesome!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my video! Thank you for the kind words...I really like the CTB26 for it's versatility to be used for EDC and small few day trips as well. Definitely a Dave fan, those books behind me changed my life and that's my autographed collection. Glad to hear from others familiar with his teachings and fans!

[@afiq980]

Thanks for the review :)

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@michaelklein23]

I think there is a perfect bag at least for me. It's this bag but the phoenix version which is in x-pac. Prefer the light grey interior of this over the orange in the x-pac but don't really care. Great for edc and light travel (weekend)

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video. I really love this bag, in fact I am still using it for my everyday carry and I have to find some new topics for videos because I can't seem to find a new bag that I even want to use over it! LOL. I do agree that sometimes I feel like If I could add or subtract different options from different bags to create the "Ultimate" bag, that would be nice!

[@James-zy4nc]

Nice review, but the way you pack your cables in the yolk pocket gave me so much anxiety lol. Get a CAP1 for those things!

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

lol…Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video! I keep debating that idea and then I also believe I need to limit what cables I travel with. I just came back from a trip recently where I was only using an Anker three in one cable and it broke, while traveling, which has me rethinking how many cables I take with me. The cap1 is nice though and that and the cap2 are on my list. Cable management is always a pain. Good call though maybe I need to look faster for that.

[@OneElusiveRainbow]

i can not find this bag

[@Bowmanthebagguy]

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video. They did sell out and now they are taking preorders again…see link: evergoods.us/collections/civic-travel-bag-series/products/civic-travel-bag-26l?variant=40139468636294