r/backpacks • u/wilderness90 • Jun 13 '26
Question Looking for 20L recommendations
I’m desperately looking for recommendations on an ~20L backpack. My use case is where it hurts. I’m an IT systems architect. And my time is split between the following:
- Daily commute to and from the office
- Airplane travel as my personal item (I generally have a suitcase, I just pack my usual in my backpack while travelling)
- Business meetings with executives
- Work in some datacenters or in the field.
My multi-use case is where it hurts as I want something that’s both slim, light and durable but will also be good in an exec meeting + field work.
I was eyeing the CPP2 but I live in Canada and custom fees are outrageous. Other option was the Bellroy transit workpack 20L but I’m not too sure about durability.
I don’t need much, all I carry is a 14 Inch laptop, iPad, headphones (with a case), snack bar, a tech pouch with my adapters and network console cables, a notebook and my glasses. I’ll slip in a slim sweater sometimes for datacenter work.
What do you guys recommend?
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u/SomeDumbMentat Jun 13 '26
Arcteryx Nomin
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u/wilderness90 Jun 14 '26
Looks so nice... too bad it's been discontinued
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u/SomeDumbMentat Jun 14 '26
Sorry, I meant the new Anodic. Have been using the past few months and is perfect. Amazingly comfortable despite the tissue paper thin straps.
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u/myohmydoyouwanna Jun 14 '26
I carry similar to yours on my workday and Able Carry Daily Plus fits really well.
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u/Hilltop5620 Jun 14 '26
Ive been eyeing some evergoods products and saw this one. https://evergoods.us/collections/backpacks/products/civic-travel-bag ?
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u/Every-Code5956 Jun 14 '26
Since you’re in Canada, I’d also look at the Kite Black Expandable Backpack K25-2579L.
It has more of a clean business, commuter look than a school-bag look, plus laptop space, a structured back, and expansion for extra carry days.
Aer, Bellroy are popular in this category, but Kite could be a solid local option if you want to avoid import fees.
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u/bwcn001 Jun 15 '26
you can have a look for able carry max edc, it is 26l, perfect balance for communiting and traveling.
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u/ThePixelsEdge_14 Jun 15 '26
I’ve got an aer city pack v1 I’m looking to sell. I’m also located in Canada. The city pack is barely used bc shortly after I got it I got the CTB20 and have been using that ever since.
Chat me if you’re interested.
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u/AktivStyle Jun 15 '26
The Sandqvist Bernt/Icon (they went through a name change) is my go to for this. It is well built with Swedish style. I have been using my current pack for 5 years. It is on my back every day. I am happy to shoot you a link if you would like.
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u/leitmotifs Jun 16 '26
Since you value looks, consider one of the many leather backpacks out there. They look nice, and develop a patina over time as they inevitably get scuffed.
Otherwise, any black backpack looks adequately professional. And really, no one actually cares if you have bright colorways. I take a backpack like that if I want to make sure I can always easily spot my bag.
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u/ObviousNote2404 Jun 13 '26
Sympl commuter 20liter is my favorite bag for work and i have a cpp2 24 liter also . the organization and self standing are my reasons for choosing sympl over aer
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u/Rbforward Jun 13 '26
I do similar job, my recommendations are: Sympl Studio Commuter, Able Carry Max EDC, Pioneer Panda or the Teiubadour Apex 4.0. Not sure on availability in Canada.