EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 20L (CTB20) Review

The EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 20L (CTB20) is a smaller iteration of one of the brand’s most popular packs, and we’re amped to see if the design transitions well into a smaller package. Will we see new functionality, or will the larger version be shrunk to 20 liters? Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The primary material on the pack for the Solution Dyed Black model is 420D high-tenacity nylon 6, and for the other colorways, it is 420D high-tenacity nylon 6,6. Though we only have the black model in hand, we have experience with EVERGOODS bags that use both materials and can vouch for them. They feel like a lighter-weight CORDURA® with similar durability.

The fabric performs well in light rain, though we don’t recommend getting it soaked. That said, there are few daypacks we recommend getting sopping wet. Lucky for you, we have a Best Waterproof Backpack Guide if that’s your thing! However, in most situations, the CTB20 does well.

Like other EVERGOODS bags we’ve tested, the CTB20 has YKK zippers, our favorite brand. They’re smooth, easy to use, and durable. There isn’t much to say here—they just work.

Like the pack’s use of YKK zippers, the Duraflex hardware on this pack doesn’t require much description. The buckle is snappy, and the plastic adjusters are easy to use.

The EVERGOODS logo is prominent, per usual. If you aren’t familiar with it, it is square with a diagonal line through it. On most of their packs, this takes the form of a hook-and-loop fastener, which enables you to put a patch on the bag to customize it or leave it and allow it to be a conversation starter.

The pack has two mesh side pockets, solid for water bottles. You can fit larger travel bottles here if the pack isn’t completely full—think 40 ounces or more. When the bag is completely jam-packed, a 12-to-20-ounce bottle fits better. They’re also easy to access when the pack is on, which we dig for urban walks or quick jaunts onto the trail after work or between meetings.

There are handles on the top and side of the pack, which stay out of your way when you aren’t using them and are handy for grabbing the pack quickly. There’s rigid plastic inside the handle, and it doesn’t have any padding, but the fabric makes it comfortable to hold onto for short periods. After that, it will dig into your hand slightly. However, how often do you hang onto your pack by the handle for an hour? If so, you may be entitled to compensation!

Fit Notes

Almost every EVERGOODS pack we’ve tested has had a similar harness system, which is a good thing, and this pack falls into that camp.

The back panel is well-padded and comfortable, and an HDPE frame sheet adds structure to the carry. The panel is well-aerated and breathes extraordinarily well, especially for an all-black pack that absorbs the sunshine. It performs well even in situations typically producing excess sweat, like cycling. There will always be sweat, but there’s much less of it with a back panel like this.

The shoulder straps are well-padded, too, and have similar aeration to keep you cool while walking, cycling, or commuting.

The pack’s sternum strap is on a rail, so you can’t make micro-adjustments, but it can’t slide too far if it gets caught on something, which is a perk. Changing the height isn’t complicated, but popping the plastic adjuster out of place can be challenging. Once you have it in the spot you want, it won’t shift.

The pack doesn’t have a hip belt, but at 20 liters, we didn’t expect it to.

A luggage pass-through under the back panel makes it easier to carry the CTB20 with rolling luggage. When you utilize this feature, the pack is horizontal, not vertical, making accessing your gear more challenging but not impossible. We dig the feature; it sits on your rolling luggage without interfering with the telescopic handle because of the orientation. This pack is comfortable, whether it’s on your back or a rolling luggage handle.

Inside The Pack

The upper front pocket doesn’t have any internal organization but has a fair amount of space to stow larger items you want to have relatively quick access to. It can hold over-ear headphones, a phone, a wallet, or a combination of all three. In testing, we stowed a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller here, which was safe on the ride.

The side front pocket is easily accessible in transit by slinging the pack onto your front. The compartment’s organization orients itself to be accessible this way, which we dig. There’s a medium-sized liner pocket that works for a phone or wallet, a smaller liner pocket for your pen or pencil, and a zippered mesh pocket that is a perfect fit for the gear you want to lock down, like a wallet, passport, or loose change for tolls or parking.

The top or yoke pocket is a staple of EVERGOODS packs. It is the easiest pocket to access from the top of the bag and works well to stow sunglasses or similarly sized gear. You could instead stow several smaller items here, like your phone, wallet, and AirPods.

The laptop compartment offers more than computer storage, making this a solid work pack. You can access it from the side of the pack, and there’s a laptop storage area and more room for papers, a notebook, documents, or a book. The laptop storage area has a hook-and-loop fastener strap to ensure your laptop doesn’t slide around or fall out of the pocket, even if you accidentally leave the zipper open. Pro tip—don’t leave the zipper open!

The main compartment doesn’t have much organization; however, it’s where most of the pack’s capacity is. We’ve said it multiple times when testing EVERGOODS packs—a lack of organization makes them so versatile. There isn’t excess internal organization to limit what you can bring and how to pack it. It has loads of open space, which is designed well, so you can bring whatever you want, from camera gear and work equipment to workout gear and beers for the boys after hitting the gym.

The lid on the CTB20 has two zippered pockets. The top iteration is crafted from liner material and is smaller than the lower, which is made of mesh so you can see through it. Both are handy for organizing smaller or flat gear, but you can’t fit huge items here. The pocket depth, however, can handle large gear. The only other organization inside the pack is a stretchy mesh pocket on the back wall of the compartment, which works well for small or medium-sized gear or a tablet.

If you’re using this bag for travel, because of its small capacity, you might be able to get away without using packing cubes, though we’d recommend it to stay organized. Plus, once you arrive at your destination, you can pull out two packing cubes more easily than a weekend’s worth of clothing.

The EVERGOODS CIVIC Travel Bag 20L (CTB20) is as effective and comfortable as we thought it would be. Though we don’t find the size as useful as some of the brand’s larger packs, it might be the right choice if you’re looking for a small pack to commute to and from work or for light travel!