If you spend any time in the r/manybaggers subreddit or scouring Carryology for the perfect "one bag," you’ve likely seen the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L (CPL24) pop up. It’s a backpack that looks, well, kinda boring at first glance. It’s a black rectangle. But people obsessed with zippers and fabric density treat it like a religious relic. Why? Because the CPL24 isn't just a bag; it's a specific engineering philosophy applied to something you carry your lunch in.
Jack Barley and Kevin Dee—the founders of Evergoods—didn't just stumble into this. Jack came from GORUCK and Kevin from Patagonia. You can see that DNA everywhere. It’s got the "tough as nails" vibe of a military ruck but the ergonomic refinement of high-end outdoor gear. Honestly, it’s a weird hybrid that shouldn’t work as well as it does. It’s heavy. It’s expensive. Yet, it’s basically the gold standard for a 24-liter crossover pack.
The Civic Panel Loader 24L Design Philosophy
Most bags are either "top loaders" or "clamshells." The Civic Panel Loader 24L is a true clamshell, but it’s designed to be accessed from the side. This is the big "aha!" moment for most users. You swing the bag around to your front, and the zippers are positioned so you can get into the main compartment or the laptop sleeve without taking the thing off. It feels snappy. It feels intentional.
The 840d ballistic nylon is the current standard for the "V3" model. Previous versions used different materials that were notorious for being hair-magnet lint-collectors. If you’re looking at an older used model, just know you’ll be carrying around every piece of cat hair within a five-mile radius. The newer 840d fabric solved that. It’s matte, it’s rugged, and it has this structured look that doesn't collapse into a sad puddle when the bag is empty.
That Infamous "Evergoods Fit"
Evergoods bags have a very specific "high and tight" carry. If you like your backpack sagging down by your butt, you’re going to hate the Civic Panel Loader 24L. It’s designed to hug your upper back. This is great for ergonomics because it keeps the center of gravity close to your spine. However, it’s also the source of the most common complaint: the "digging" sensation.
Because the back panel is curved to fit the human spine, some people feel the bottom edge of the bag digging into their lower back. It’s a polarizing fit. You’ve basically got to try it on to know if your torso length plays nice with Kevin Dee’s patterning. For most, it’s the most comfortable carry in the game. For a vocal minority, it’s a dealbreaker.
The shoulder straps are beefy. They’re made of EV50 foam. Unlike the cheap open-cell foam in your high school JanSport, this stuff doesn't bottom out over time. You could carry a load of bricks and the straps would still feel substantial. It’s overkill for a 24L bag, but that’s exactly why people buy it.
What Most Reviews Miss About the Laptop Compartment
Everyone talks about the "side access" laptop sleeve. It’s a dedicated, padded compartment that fits up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro easily. But the real magic is the "suspended" design. If you drop your bag on the concrete, your $2,000 laptop doesn't hit the ground. There’s a gap. A literal "false bottom."
But here’s the nuance: the laptop compartment is also curved.
If you have a totally flat, rigid laptop, it can actually feel a bit tight because the bag wants to wrap around your body. It’s a complex bit of patterning that most brands wouldn’t bother with. Evergoods did. They also added a small internal pocket inside the laptop area for a tablet or documents. It’s those little layers of utility that justify the $279+ price tag.
Internal Organization: The "Opaque" Approach
Inside the main compartment of the Civic Panel Loader 24L, things are minimalist. You get a large mesh pocket and a solid "security" pocket at the top. That’s it.
Evergoods believes in "volume that you can use." They don’t want to dictate where your pens and chargers go with fifty tiny pockets that eat up space. They give you the room, and you’re expected to use pouches. It’s a "bring your own organization" setup. If you’re a "pouch person," this is heaven. If you want a pocket for every individual dongle, you might find it frustrating.
The top "brain" pocket is another story. It has its own independent volume. This means even if the bag is stuffed to the gills, you can still easily get your sunglasses or keys out of that top pocket. Most bags fail here—the main compartment "steals" space from the pockets. Not the CPL24.
Comparison: CPL24 vs. The Competition
Why get this over a Peak Design Everyday Backpack or a GORUCK GR1?
The Peak Design is a camera bag first. It’s stiff and the "origami" dividers are finicky for non-camera gear. The GORUCK GR1 is a tank, but it lacks any meaningful internal organization and feels a bit "tactical" for a board meeting. The Civic Panel Loader 24L sits right in the middle. It looks professional enough for an office but is tough enough to survive a hike in the Pacific Northwest.
- Versus Aer City Pack Pro: Aer is more "techy" and has more small pockets. But the Aer lacks the soul and the ergonomic patterning of the Evergoods. The Aer feels like a product designed by a committee; the Evergoods feels like it was designed by one guy who is obsessed with 3D geometry.
- Versus Mystery Ranch: Mystery Ranch has that legendary 3-zip design. It’s faster to open but harder to pack neatly. The CPL24’s rectangular shape is way better for packing cubes and folders.
Real-World Limitations and "Quirks"
No bag is perfect. Let's be real.
First, the Civic Panel Loader 24L has no external water bottle pockets. For some, this is a "straight to jail" offense. Evergoods argues that external pockets ruin the clean silhouette and snag on things. They want you to put your bottle inside or use their aftermarket "MHP" or other attachments. Personally? I think it’s a bummer. Digging into the main compartment for a sip of water while walking through an airport is a chore.
Second, it’s a right-shoulder-swing bag. The side access is designed for you to drop the right strap and swing the bag under your left arm. If you’re a "lefty" who prefers swinging the bag under your right arm, the zippers will be facing the ground. You’ll have to retrain your brain or just deal with it. It’s a "directional" bag.
Third, the price. At nearly $300, you are paying for the R&D and the custom-developed textiles. You can get a bag that holds 24 liters for $50 at Target. The value here is in the 10-year durability and the fact that you’ll never need to buy another daily driver.
How to Maximize Your CPL24 Experience
If you've pulled the trigger and bought one, or you're about to, there are a few things you should do to actually make it work for you. Don't just throw your stuff in and hope for the best.
- Use the "swing" motion. Practice swinging the bag to your front using the side handle. Once you get the muscle memory down, you’ll realize why people love this bag. You can grab your wallet or headphones in seconds without ever taking the bag off.
- Invest in a CAP1 or CAP2. The Evergoods Civic Access Pouches (CAP) are designed to fit perfectly in the CPL24. The CAP2, in particular, fits like a glove at the bottom of the main compartment. It creates a "modular" system that makes switching between bags incredibly easy.
- Adjust the straps high. Seriously. Pull those load lifters and shoulder straps until the bag is sitting against your upper back. If it’s hanging low, the frame sheet will fight your anatomy.
Final Practical Insights
The Civic Panel Loader 24L remains a benchmark because it doesn't try to be everything to everyone. It’s a bag for people who value textile quality, intentional geometry, and a clean, "civic" aesthetic. It’s not a hiking pack, though it can hike. It’s not a travel pack, though it’s great for a 2-day trip. It is, at its core, the ultimate "everything" bag for the person who lives in the city but wants gear built to survive a mountain.
Next Steps for Potential Owners:
Check your current laptop dimensions. While the CPL24 fits most 16-inch laptops, extremely thick "gaming" laptops can be a tight squeeze due to the curve of the back panel. If you carry a massive water bottle (like a 40oz Hydro Flask), measure its diameter; anything over 3.5 inches will start to eat significantly into the internal volume since there’s no outside pocket. Finally, look for the "V3" or "Mirror" versions if you want the most updated harness and breathable back panel—the older V1 and V2 models are great, but the V3's "monofilament" mesh is a massive upgrade for preventing a sweaty back during summer commutes.
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If you're unsure about the 24L size, Evergoods also makes a 16L and a 28L version of the same design. The 24L is the "Goldilocks" for most, but if you're under 5'5", the 16L might actually be a more proportional fit for your torso. Look at the "Product Measurements" section on their site and compare the "Torso Length" to a bag you already own. It's the most reliable way to avoid the "digging" issue mentioned earlier.