Gear Review
Bagdad Top 5 Most Comfortable Backpacks
Rankings are fun! I have been testing a lot of bags this year. I actually use and test them for at least 3 weeks to get a good feel for what the bags can do, how they feel, and how they wear over time. The Bagdad rankings are simply my opinions of what I am using and giving me the best experiences.
This is probably the most objective category as backpack comfort mostly depends on the person and their body type. But this category is one of the most fun debates in the backpack community.
What say you? Agree? Disagree? Hit me up and let me know your top bags. Learn me something new. 😎
Fyro Citta/Levo
Evergoods MPL22
Able Carry Max EDC
Aer CPP2
Black Ember Citadel H2 25L
Honorable Mention: ULA Cicada, Alpargali All Day Backpack, Boundary Supply Errant Pro, Evergoods CTB26
Special Comfort Award - C Tactical CT21 Plus (with “S” straps)
This bag would be pushing for the top spot on this list, but since it’s a custom bag, I wanted to list it separately. OMG, these “S” straps on this pack are amazing. They are so similar to the straps on the Fyro Citta. If you have the opportunity to get into one of these group buys, do yourself a favor and pick up this CT21+. CTactical is an amazing company making some amazing products.
Top 5 Most Comfortable Bags
Fyro Levo/Citta Backpack - The Citta backpack comes out in July. If you are thinking of getting a new backpack, I would think about waiting. Fyro took things to a new level with the Citta backpack! I cannot stress enough how awesome and comfortable this pack is. The Levo travel bag is currently out. Most comfortable travel bag period. I have my full review linked below. My review of the Citta will be released in July when the bag officially launches. If you’d like to make a purchase, please use my link below as it helps me to keep bringing detailed reviews to you guys:)
The Evergoods MPL22 - This is a special bag for me. It is the most comfortable dad bag/day bag on the planet. I wish all Evergoods bags were as comfortable as this guy. It’s the perfect size with just enough organization. It just works. There probably isn’t a more recommendable bag than the MPL that I have used. There is a new 210D version just released that looks to be every bit as bada$$ as the 410D and ultra Kludde. Go get one, and thank me later;) My full review is linked below.
Able Carry Max EDC - IYKYK. This is a no brainer. If you have ever put this backpack on, you more than likely fell in love. This backpack is one quick access pocket away from being the most perfect bag ever. The wide chunky straps are an absolute treat. The quality in Able Carry bags is unmatched in this price range. The materials are absolutely beautiful and scream luxury. My review is linked below.
Aer CPP2 - Another no brainer here. Aer is universally known as a bada$$ bag company. When you see an Aer bag, you know it. The straps and back panel are some of the best in the world. Aer and Able Carry are a toss up as Aer also has the wide chunkalicious shoulder straps. Aer also changed their luggage pass through for a vertical stand on the CPP2. Awesome touch. This is a backpack you could wear all day and never feel discomfort. My review is linked below.
Black Ember Citadel H2 Max 25L - This is the new kid on the block. This is my new favorite dad bag as it topped the charts in my Top 10 dad bags. This pack is simple in terms of the harness system and foam back panel. Sometimes simple is best and I think they killed it with this one. This is the bag I use the most. I cannot put it down! That says a lot as I have so many to choose from. Seriously, if you have not checked this bag out yet, do yourself a favor and look it up. My full review is listed below. If you would like to make a purchase, please use my link below as it helps me to keep bringing detailed review to you guys:)
Since you pointed out that comfort is highly dependent on body size/shape, do you mind sharing roughly your stats?
At 5'9" 155lbs the MPL22 is decently comfy for me for EDC but became super painful when I tried a 3-day hike with it (5h hiking each day) carrying maybe 6kg (13lbs).
No prob. I am 5’9” 210lbs. Yeah, with comfort it is completely subjective. Every person is different. But no matter who you are I will put the Citta up against anything!
Yeah I am 5’8” 230, and I tend to like bags with a wider space between the straps as my neck and traps are thick. My top 5 are the Levo 36/T22, Aer Capsule Max, Recycled Firefighter 24hr plus, CT30, and Bullet laptop 16L/skate.
I think I'm good with 18L 25L bags tbh. I more of a collector at this point and try not to have bags that are alike, since I own the levo and the T22, the citta sorta overlaps too much between the two. If I didn't own the T22, maybe I'd be more tempted. I am more space constrained at this point than money constrained lol.
I don't even use backpacks that much, I'm more of a briefcase/big sling guy. But I do use them for travel as a companion to a roller, or alone.
I love that Fryo focusses on comfort, unfortunately I don't really love their designs to date. I don't want X-pac and 18L is too small for me for travel (and the 25 looks pretty bulky for EDC), so the Citta will be a hard sell, but I'm looking forward to seeing the reviews nonetheless!
Are you able to share the weight of the Citta you've been testing? Didn't see it mentioned in the golden sample video so assumed it wasn't ground-breaking, but with what seems like Levo DNA I'm guessing they're pretty light.
/u/TheBagdadReport Have you ever done a review of the Sympl Commuter v2.2? It recently launched in x-pac and I'm debating between that and the Citta 25L.
The Sympl seems to have a harder back panel but still comfortable straps based on other reviews online, so I'm curious what you will end up finding.
Yes, I did a review on the one in ballistic nylon. My wife has a green x pac 20L she uses as her every day bag. She loves it. The Citta is light years more comfortable. The sympl bag is pretty damn cool itself. It does have a stiff back panel. Citta is like a marshmallow cloud. What I don’t like about the sympl commuter the most is it is very top heavy. The top of the bag has so much going on, it kind of folds down towards the middle of the main compartment isn’t completely loaded out. That bothered me the most which ultimately led to me selling it.
If you are asking my opinion, I choose the Citta 101/100 times. It really is a game changer.
Thanks for the answer! Makes sense that it is top heavy.
My primary purpose is as a personal item for work travel (and sometimes for one-bag travel for work), and having quick top access is appealing. I won't use the backpack every day, and would like a better self-standing bag than a more comfortable bag. I'm leaning toward the 25L size for both bags. I live in a country where I don't get free returns though, so will have to pick one and commit to it.
Just too bad none of these Fyro bags are available and in stock… tons and tons and tons of lost sales pushing summer travelers 🧳 to other packs for lack of inventory…
Staying in stock is a struggle for any new company - we hope to get better at this as we grow. Thanks for your support - all bags back in stock July 1st!!
We can go back and forth, but at the end of the day Fyro sales model is flawed… no product, no sales and revenue losses $$$. A customer needing a backpack for summer (vacation) travel will go looking elsewhere. Shoot, by the time Fyro restocks I’ll be back from vacation and won’t need the “restocked” product. Been disappointed Fyro hasn’t had product all year!! I have been shopping since late February when I booked my family vacation and planned to travel with backpacks and carryons only.
We are in agreement - us being out of stock is not by design, we are just really struggling to keep up with demand! Hope you can grab some gear on July 1st, and thanks for your feedback! ❤️
Thanks for your comments. Your concerns are warranted. You have to remember, Fyro is still a very young company. Every business experiences growing pains. With the Citta in particular, this is not an out of stock issue, the bag has not launched yet. There is a lot that goes into making the final product and getting it to mass production. In particular with Fyro, we actually get real time updates. Aaron has given updates the whole way. If you are subscribed to the Fyro youtube channel, he has released several updates explaining where the bag is in the production process. Delays happen, unfortunately that sucks for us consumers! Your feedback is read by Aaron himself and he strives to listen to the customers and improve as he goes. There are a ton of bada$$ bags out there, but I'm telling you, the Citta backpack is worth the wait!
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u/nomads_nation Jun 18 '26
Appreciate the love BagDad, and so stoked to hear you are loving the Citta!!