EVERGOODS Civic Half Zip 22L (V2) Review (2 Weeks of Use)

[@bixby451]

I wish Evergoods would do a shorter bag. I'm a 5'4 (163 cms) woman and their backpacks would look ridiculous on me since they're so tall.

[@ziklagfire3453]

I was an early adopter of the CHZ22 (first run) and I've enjoyed it from the beginning. Comfortable and great everyday office/school carry! For a quick weekend trip (Fri-Sun/Mon), sometimes I'll use a small peak design packing cube and store it vertically which leaves just enough room for a waist pack or tripod in the main compartment still. The side water bottle pockets also easily holds a 32oz hydroflask for me (but it does eat a little bit into the main). I'm sure the new fabric and extra mesh pocket only make this bag better.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing 😃 We love hearing how folks use gear. -Eric

[@kodessa]

EG should've added some of the niceties from the PLC20 to the updated CHZ22, tbh.

[@verselines]

Any long-term review/comment on the stuck zipper/piping issue? Would be an absolute deal breaker for me.

[@gundam0816]

Do the zippers smooth out overtime? Looking to buy but that zipper getting stuck is a huge turnoff

[@jessicaho19]

I love my CHZ22 v2 so much! I also have the PLC20 which is a great pack, but it's just not quite as comfortable as the CHZ.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing, Jessica! 😃 We love hearing how folks use gear. -Eric

[@wlimfy]

I heard some complaints about the slippery straps. Do you have such issue? Thanks

[@jessicaho19]

@@wlimfy don’t have that issue with the CHZ but with my PLC the straps do have a tendency to slip a little bit. I just use the sternum strap for heavier loadouts and that helps a lot!

[@jessicaho19]

@@s.r5534 I would definitely get the CHZ22. It’s an amazing backpack

[@tywiggins13]

Is this bag as long as it looks in photos?

[@jtcrichton]

I want a 26l of this in green (or some other neutrals) so badly...

[@zul7724]

Is it possible to fit a liter and a half bottle of water in the side compartment?

[@_-DarkLight-_]

Hi, great review guys! And I have a question, would you be able to measure the height of the backpacks? I see that on the website both are listed as 45.7cm tall. But from the video here it looks like the old version is clearly not as tall? Thanks a lot :)

[@_-DarkLight-_]

Unless it only looked that way since the new pack was full. If so, then my mistake hehe

[@mat8650]

I have the CHZ22 and does not seem to work for me. Everyone is always full of the backpanel and straps but i think this is a bit overrated. For me, I am not very tall and muscled(5,6 ft)and it really does not fit my back. I think the straps are too far from eachother in combination with the way it needs to be worn , tight to the body. This means i have to tighten it very hard which makes it really annoying to put it on and back off but also just not very comfortable when it is fully packed. The hard front of the straps rubs to my skin which i hardly experienced with other backpacks. I have also the AC daybreaker 2 which is now my favourite backpack. it wears extremely easy, light and comfortable with lots of more weight compared to the CHZ22. I wish i could experience it the same as many people seem to to because besides of the fitting, it still is a great backpack with great materials. Wish i could love it more!

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙 -Eric

[@crudolol]

Did you find a simular alternativ?

[@mat8650]

@@crudolol Hi! I'm glad you asked this, because I was already forgotten about my comment here. Actually I totally changed my view on the CHZ22. After using it now for 1 year, I can say that this bag really has grown on me. It took some time but now I found the right spot for me how tight and high I can comfortably wear the backpack on my shoulders, both on a tshirt in summer or on thick jacket in winter. Since then i never changed the straps anymore. It is a special wear, but I somehow enjoy it really really much. I used it now for some short weekend trips and it never let me down. With lots of weight (8+kg) it still wears quiet comfortable and the water bottle pockets are just superb. I also bought the Brown buffalo conceal 21 L, but is kinda huge on my body (i'm 168 cm) and feels easily like a 24+ L backpack. Funny thing is, at first time, i thought it would fit a lot more than in the CHZ22, but I did the test one time; and because of the water bottle pockets, I was able to fit exactly the same, but it still wore more comfortable and my water bottles were much easier to grab. I also love how versatile and flexible the backpack is, with just the right amount of attachement handles to use. I am using it now as daily backpack together with Tom Bihn freudian slip which is a great match. The only thing i still not like is the odd shape sometimes but in the end , it is more about the use for me.

[@crudolol]

@@mat8650 thank you for your detailed answer. Im trying to figure out If 22 or 26 is the right size for me :-/

[@mat8650]

​@@crudolol though choice! It think it all depends what you really want to do with this backpack. For longer travel trips from 3 - 5 days , the 26L will be better IMO but then it is bit large for EDC. the 22L is a good size for EDC and short (3 day?) trips, but the backpack will be well full.

[@thejordanflynn]

Love my new CHZ22 but had some issues with the main zip being sticky and catching on the lining (to the point that the piping is getting ripped). Have emailed ever goods though and they seem to be pretty responsive.

[@dmoneysong]

curious...what did they respond? I have same issue on my chz26 (v1)

[@thejordanflynn]

@@dmoneysong They're looking into it so havent come to a conclusion just yet but it sounds like it is a common issue. It's annoying because other than that I really like the bag.

[@fakeplastic31]

I have had these problems on all the evergoods bags I have. It goes away more and more as the zippers break in. I expediated the process by zipping and unzipping the main zip a bunch of extra times while using it

[@honestmanmusic]

@@thejordanflynn Did you end up keeping the bag? I just ordered V2 so now I'm curious...

[@thejordanflynn]

@@honestmanmusic They were pretty responsive and replaced the bag so all is good with me! though it does seem to be a bit of a design flaw.

[@zerofivetwelve]

hi guys..i am on the fence between this one or CPP AER...anyone experience both? I usually carry my bag with 1pc slim jacket and 2pc 2lt pouch + some other small tech accessories..which one should i get? i am gonna use this bag for overseas traveling as well so i guess comfort factor is kinda important for me too. I really like the design of CPP AER but i am worried the weight will disappoint me because the material is 1680d which is quite thick? any suggestion? Thanks guys.

[@PackHacker2]

Hey there! Both bags are great options, check out our detailed reviews on our site. You might find something in there to help you choose the best bag for you! Aer City Pack Pro: packhacker.com/travel-gear/aer/city-pack-pro/ EVERGOODS Civic Half Zip 22L (V2): packhacker.com/travel-gear/evergoods/civic-half-zip-22l/

[@zerofivetwelve]

Thanks PH for helping me to decide. I finally bought the CHZ22 together with their 1LT and 2LT pouches.

[@PanaMaJwaaRd]

Does this stand up straight? Does anyone know? If it doesnt, it LITERALLY defeats whole purpose of working out of it, half zipped.

[@Salty_Biscuitz88]

it doesn't. I have one of this and is planning to sell it because of the lack of organisation. and when the tops gets heavy it tends to show the rhino horn shape.

[@PanaMaJwaaRd]

@@Salty_Biscuitz88 if the top gets filled to get heavy, then im deff assuming you cant ge tto laptop? Not sure how some simple questioned things get missed sometimes. Very strange.

[@Salty_Biscuitz88]

@@PanaMaJwaaRd yeah if laptop is bigger than 13 inches or 13 inch Macbook, the pocket will obstruct you when getting in and out for your laptop. for me is when i put stuffs into the 2 top pockets, it weighs down the bag alot. you have to packed full the bag to avoid that.