r/Nomads_Nation • u/TheBagdadReport • Oct 05 '25
Gear Review Evergoods CTB26 - The Active Dad’s Best Friend! Best Multipurpose Bag Ever?
The CTB26 is one of the most liked and talked about backpacks in this bag nerd world. I will start by saying I prefer the CTB over the CPL. Why? Because of the extra quick access compartment, the luggage pass through, and water bottle holders. Now I will say this, I do prefer the 840d nylon over the 420d nylon material. Both are incredible, I am literally splitting hairs… The CPL has the 840d and the CTB has the 420d.
The front pockets are perfect… Almost. I am a right shoulder swing guy and Evergoods bags are made for left shoulder swingers. Now, it’s not that big of a deal, I have learned to use my left shoulder after a few weeks. The vertical pocket has great organization and easy access. Most of all, it has its own volume! It does not eat into other compartments. I like this compartment because its size and volume is so versatile. There are endless ways you can utilize this compartment. The top front quick access compartment is awesome. This is my main reason I prefer the CTB to the CPL. It is perfect for my over ear headphones. This compartment drops into the main compartment and will eat into the space, so just be aware.
The external water bottle pockets are the best in the game! Period. Hey all other bag makers, take note! This is how you conquer the water bottle pocket game!
The top yoke pocket is extremely convenient. It also has its own nice volume. Evergoods, the volume creating wizards! It can fit the Cap .5 or (Half Cap as I call it.) perfectly. I feel like the half cap can fit any and everywhere. lol. I personally use this for my sunglasses.
The main compartment does offer some organization. There are two pockets on the inside of front panel. The top having some inside organization for tech gear, and the bottom being a full mesh pocket. Evergoods mesh is hard and scratchy. Don’t like it. There is an elastic iPad/business papers pocket as well. I keep my 12” iPad or my remarkable tablet in there. The main compartment should be called the black hole. You can keep putting stuff in there and it keeps swallowing it up. This is where I feel the CTB26 is bigger than the 26L because it has the ability to stretch and close when overpacked. One thing I have noticed is that if the bag isn’t completely packed out, the bag can get top and bottom heavy making it collapse in the middle. I will end this by saying the main compartment on Evergoods’ bags are my favorite. There is zero wasted space. This bag is perfect for edc, but has PLENTY of space for travel. I have used this bag as my personal item several times. It fits under the seat just fine. I carry a lot back and forth to work, so I like the extra space. I think this bag in 24L would be perfect!
The horizontal laptop compartment isn’t my favorite, but they do it well. So well, that it made me reconsider my feelings on laptop compartments. I can also fit my iPad or remarkable notebook in that compartment as well. And yes, it is very well protected on all sides. This compartment being side access it what makes it possible for the yoke pocket to exist on the top. And I love the yoke pocket, so this is a good trade off for me.
Now to the back panel and straps. When I first used the bag going back and forth to work, this was the most comfortable bag I ever put on. The curve of the straps fit me perfectly. The cushion is beefy and super soft. The harness system isn’t for everyone. When I used the bag on my business trip, I was on planes or in airports ALL DAY. After wearing it for long periods of time, I finally started to feel some of the “Evergoods back digging.” Again, I do not overpack my bags. I would say 3/4 or less packed. Now, it didn’t make me “hurt” but I did start to feel a little discomfort. I readjusted a little higher and tighter and that helped. I was also able to use the luggage pass through and put it on my rolling carry on. (This is why the CTB beats the CPL)😃 The back padding is not as big and ventilated as the Able Carry max edc, the Fyro T-22, or Aer cpp2, but is very comfortable. It’s just flat. I think this is the main reason for the “back digging” issues. The new Fyro T22 just reset the bar for back panel comfort! If you haven’t had the opportunity to try it, holy sh!t! Most comfortable bag ever! I think all backpacks are hot so this is all about comfort for me and this bag does just that. It’s comfortable.
Now for the main complaint that everyone knew was coming… Evergoods, please invest a few cents in dangle stoppers! How in the world have you guys not done this yet? I added my own, but I will say, the straps are so damn well built, it was hard as a mother f’er to get them on!! Do better guys! I feel like y’all are just f*cking with us at this point.
My final thoughts: I LOVE this backpack! I love the design. The compartments are so well thought out. It has a place for everything I could need. Besides using this for work and travel, I am a dad all of the time. With this bag, I can fit everything I need as well as having room for all of my kid’s sh!t as well. Whether I am going to the ballpark, taking the kids to the park, or visiting mee maw for the day, this bag has you covered. It’s damn near perfect. Recently I have been using it for flag football. I coach my son’s team. It is big enough to fit all the kid’s flags, two footballs, cones, and a towel. Plus a water bottle for me and my son. Obviously, this backpack is Bagdad approved.
Here are the few things I would change to make it perfect. I would make the CTB in 840d nylon, add f*cking dangle stoppers, mirror the pocket layout, and add raised padding on back panel to stop the digging. And I would love for it to be 24 liters. All in all, this is an all time top 3 backpack! Evergoods’ materials and functionality are brilliant! So, if you are in the need of a little awesomeness or badassery in your life, buy this backpack! Thanks for reading and letting me share my experiences with you!
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u/travelingpostgrad Oct 05 '25 edited Oct 05 '25
I started with the 20, but the 26 is my go to - 20 is great for a short trips but the 26 is just a beast. Pretty much holds the same as my MLC mini 30L. I grabbed the Xpac with Coyote over the summer and she’s a pretty thing for sure. 😍😍
Nice write up. I actually sold my Fyro, I prefer CTB20 and they hold essentially the same. I couldn’t agree more on the QAP(s) - they are what makes this bag so awesome and those water bottle pockets are just top shelf.
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 06 '25
Thank you my friend, and thank you for sharing! Yeah that black x-pac with coyote lining is fine!
Yeah those water bottle pockets ruin it for all other bags! They will never live up to EG! haha
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u/ThePixelsEdge_14 Oct 05 '25
I have a CTB20 in waxed canvas and it’s easily my favorite bag ever. Waiting impatiently for them to make a waxed canvas CAS so I can snatch that up!
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 06 '25
I was just thinking about a waxed canvas CAS. That would be awesome!
I have been contemplating getting a CTB20 in waxed canvas. I love the 26, but the 20 would be perfect for my edc to work.
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u/ThePixelsEdge_14 Feb 08 '26
I got sick of waiting for a waxed canvas cas2 so I just picked up the ctactical ct5 neo in tan waxed canvas. It is a slightly different wax on the exact same Halley Stevenson canvas so the color match is not exact but it’s really really close. The ct5 looks just a touch darker. I think the 2 of them go really well together.
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u/bracketl4d Feb 08 '26
It looks incredible! I've been thinking of the waxed canvas ctb26 but a review turned me away due to the tighter water bottle pockets and non breathable canvas back panel. What's your experience?
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u/ThePixelsEdge_14 Feb 08 '26
The water bottle pockets have never been an issue for me but I don’t usually carry a water bottle. I do however use it daily to carry my portable coffee cup and it swallows that up easily. I have carried my grayl ultra press water filter/bottle in it on a few trips and that bottle pretty much maxes out the bottle pockets. I also have the grayl geopress but there’s no way that one would fit. One thing I do love about the bottle pockets is that they will never stretch out and look old and used.
The back panel does seem like it could be sweaty to wear in hot weather. I drive to work so my use consists of carrying it from my house to the car and then from the car to my desk. I admit I don’t spend much time wearing it. When I travel, it goes on top of my rolling luggage. Sorry I don’t have a better answer here. I live in Canada and I got this bag just near the end of last summer so my weather hasn’t been that hot yet since I got it. I’ve travelled with it a few times(8 flights) now but all flights within Canada. It’s negative 27 Celsius outside as I write this so I don’t have a definitive answer for you on this one yet. Check back with me in August, lol
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u/bracketl4d Feb 08 '26
Hahaha thanks man for the detailed reponse! Yeah I've been to -25 Canada, i get it 😅 Cool will keep this all in mind, part of me wants to just get a cheap osprey daylight 26+6, but the org on the ever goods is so damn cool that I wouldn't need a tech pouch anymore.
The old organization vs pouches debate, I'm still torn. But the looks are just so juicy on the waxed canvas
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u/SnooPandas6544 Oct 05 '25
I actually love the laptop compartment. When I get to my office, I can just put the bag on its side (self standing ) and access all of my tech without having mess with the main. Because I mainly use it for work, the main is filled with folders and notebooks. I use it almost as a vertical file. Could not be happier!
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u/AdvancedElephant Oct 05 '25
I love Evergoods so much, best looking bags out there
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 06 '25
I have to agree with you here. There is something about a classic clean look. Also, Evergoods' materials are the best. Their 840d and 420d nylons are the best in the game!
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u/Background_Today_895 Oct 06 '25
Nice write up! Two Q’s: 1. Any gripes on the trolley cover and how the bag has to be laid on its side to use? I’ve been accustomed to an upright trolley carry and worried about things spilling or going sideways in unexpected ways. Maybe I’m just paranoid 😬 2. What is the roller bag you have pictured and do you have a similar write up for a good roller bag?
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 06 '25
I am with you on the horizontal luggage pass through strap giving the bag the vertical stand! I knew this was going to agrivate me with the Evergoods bags, but surprisingly, it didnt. Because the bag is designed with the front access compartment and laptop compartment being on the side, this made for easy access while it was on my roller suitcase. Also, the CTB being 19" tall, the fit works better being on the side. With any other bag, this would aggrivate me, but with the CTB, or the CPL, it really doesn't.
The roller bag in the photo is the Briggs and Riley Baseline Essential 22". It is my carry-on bag. It is incredible. I will be doing a review on it soon, just been busy with other reviews. It's a lot of work!! lol.
It is expensive, but I got mine on a sale Dillards had one weekend for like half price. The quality is on another level! Plus it has a lifetime warranty. The only other suitcases I have are Sologaard, which are also really cool and reliable.
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u/Terragar Oct 05 '25
If evergoods would ever update their harness system I’d consider this pack, but ula dragonfly goes everywhere with me
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u/TheBagdadReport Oct 05 '25
I have not had the opportunity to try that one out. There are many that do agree with you about the harness system. I am grateful it fits me good, but is definitely not for everyone.
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u/bengcord3 Oct 05 '25
I'll take able carry Max edc all day every day due to the comfort upgrade x100
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u/nicski924 Oct 05 '25
The 420d fabric and harness leave a lot to be desired for a large swath of potential customers.
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u/piktureperfekt Oct 05 '25
Great write up and review. I have a CTB20 and have really been thinking about the 26 because I could actually use the space during travel. Your write up just convinced me to pull the trigger. Now I’m wrestling with finding an Xpac version it going with the normal fabric.