CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack Review

The CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack is one of the brand’s most Earth-friendly backpacks, the first to earn a Platinum Badge on their sustainability scale thanks to its thorough range of recycled fabrics and materials.

The pack is versatile, suitable for daily use, outdoor adventures, or as a backpack for a two-bag travel setup, thanks to its limited 20L capacity. It is also compatible with CamelBak’s reservoir system, fitting a reservoir up to 3L. Despite its minimal approach, the pack features substantial organization, such as a dedicated laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 15-inch laptop, a water bottle pocket, a sunglasses pocket, and a quick-access pocket on the side with a convenient key clip.

External Components

The CamelBak A.T.P. 20 backpack’s body and base are 100% post-industrial recycled 210D CORDURA® re/cor™ Nylon 66, which produces half the greenhouse emissions compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Although the material provides good protection from the elements, it can be somewhat noisy during use, similar to a tarp-like material.

We’re testing the Eco Undyed version, which is whitish, in contrast to the popular “all-black” aesthetic. Of course, you can also get it in Black if that better matches your style. The recycled material adds a protective, albeit loud, touch when using the bag, and while it is noticeable, it was not bothersome or an issue. CamelBak warns that under rare circumstances, the undyed fabrics may yellow slightly over time, adding character to the bag and contributing to its history.

The white color with black accents has grown on us and offers an attractive look. However, after testing for two weeks, some yellowing and light staining are noticeable. From a distance, it may look like a solid white color, but up close, it is evident that certain areas have minimal yellowing. There are also some stains on the bag and its straps, which are not significant issues but important to note. The bottom of the bag is the same undyed material as the rest, and we have some minor concerns about placing it on the floor in unfamiliar environments.

The front of the bag features four attachment points that link to deployable attachment points located on the back panel, offering hidden compression straps when not in use. These straps can also secure items like tripods, jackets, or yoga mats to the bag’s exterior. You can store them in a compartment on the bag’s back when not in use. The bag also features an expandable water bottle pocket on one side and a quick-access zip-secured compartment on the other.

This backpack offers three methods of carrying. The top-grab handle is pretty minimal and provides a basic means of handling the backpack. It is sturdy nylon webbing but lacks any padding. Although the grab handle’s opening is small, it will do in a pinch.

The shoulder straps, made with super light and cushiony EVA foam, might look thin and flimsy but are surprisingly comfortable for extended use. These straps lack an ergonomic shape, so comfort may vary based on the wearer’s size and build. They also feature four Hypalon lash points with a subtle black CamelBak logo for hanging or clipping items. An adjustable and removable sternum strap provides comfort when carrying heavier gear. The sternum strap offers an adequate amount of adjustability using a hook-style fastener on each shoulder strap. The shoulder straps are incredibly easy to adjust with the pack on or off and come with strap managers to maintain organization.

Lastly, the pack has a luggage pass-through that allows it to be positioned upright on top of roller luggage, ensuring items in their pockets, such as a water bottle, will not fall out. This backpack is also compatible with CamelBak’s reservoir up to their 3L sleeve for on-the-go hydration (although the reservoir is not included). They also note that the reservoir tube can be integrated with the four attachment points we mentioned on the shoulder straps by feeding the tube through one or two of the hypalon attachment points. This helps ensure organization and ease of access.

Fit Notes

The backpack certainly stands out due to its white color and black accents, offering an alternative to the typical all-black aesthetic. It is most suitable for casual, outdoor, and adventure environments but can also fit into professional settings, albeit with a notable presence. Depending on the situation and location, this could be a pro or a con. A significant part of the pack’s weight and bulk comes from the back panel, which features a substantial amount of EVA-padded foam. This makes it incredibly comfortable, especially with the integrated airflow channels that enhance breathability. The back panel contributes to the backpack’s rigid shape and protects its contents. However, despite its firm structure, the pack cannot stand up on its own, regardless of what’s inside.

Inside The Pack

The bag’s interior liner is constructed from 100% post-industrial recycled 210D CORDURA® re/cor™ Nylon 6. The bag’s top features a soft-lined sunglass pocket, which also functions as an additional quick-access pocket. This is ideal for storing items like a pair of AirPods and a phone without any concerns about their safety or protection. Although there seems to be some protection for the zippered compartments, it’s hard to determine the level of protection against weather or external elements based solely on this.

The backpack features an expandable water bottle pocket on one side that you can unzip to reveal a gusseted pouch large enough to fit a 32 oz Owala Sip water bottle. When zipped up and not in use, it sits flat against the bag and can still hold smaller items like pens and pencils, although there’s no guarantee they’ll stay inside. Smaller, thinner water bottles also fit, although there is less guarantee that they will stay put.

On the opposite side of the water bottle pocket, there’s an L-shaped zippered pocket that offers a nice amount of internal organization for easy access. This pocket includes a clip at the top to keep keys easily accessible and out of the way with a standard carabiner. The clip is held in place by a short nylon webbing that doesn’t stretch, so you have to unclip the keys entirely to use them. There are also four loops for writing implements or cord management, and below that is a mesh slip pocket with a decent amount of stretch.

The main compartment utilizes a front-panel loading style, which provides great flexibility in how you pack it. This allows for a clear overview of everything inside, as well as an easy method of access on the side without having to take the backpack off. One minor issue we noticed here was with the zippers. They seem a bit stiff throughout the bag. While this is not a significant issue, it is worth noting that some minor adjustment with the positioning is usually required to use them, and even then, the zipping process could be smoother.

Inside the main compartment, you can find a removable sleeve for a laptop or tablet, a zippered mesh pocket that sits in front of the laptop compartment, and two additional mesh pockets. These pockets are located on each side of the main compartment and are helpful for smaller items, thanks to a small amount of flex in their mesh material. Another notable feature is a massive zippered pocket opposite the laptop compartment. This pocket extends the entire length and width of the bag and can be used to stash wet items, effectively separating them from the rest of your gear.

The laptop sleeve fits into a dedicated compartment towards the rear of the main compartment. This compartment provides an additional level of protection with very minimal padding. However, the inner lining has no plush or soft lining to prevent scratches. Without the dedicated laptop case, this compartment resembles more of a document sleeve than a laptop compartment due to the lack of padding and protection. The compartment is raised about an inch from the bag’s bottom, providing extra protection for your laptop in case of accidental drops. We could also fit a 16-inch MacBook Pro into the laptop compartment without the dedicated sleeve reasonably well. However, take care if you do this, as the inner lining is not the softest nor most padded. The rest of the compartment functions much like a cavern, providing ample space to throw in various items such as clothing, packing cubes, tech pouches, and more.

The flexibility of the backpack as a whole is one of its strong points. We tested it as a standard daily carry for work essentials, a personal item daypack, and a gym bag and found that most of the features just worked. The dedicated compartments paired with the simplistic organization provided an experience that was easy to use and did not require any additional thought about what goes where.

The CamelBak A.T.P. 20 Backpack is a versatile and environmentally-friendly bag that suits a variety of needs, from daily use to outdoor adventures and travel. Despite some minor issues with the Eco Undyed colorway, such as the potential for yellowing and staining, it offers an excellent range of features, including a removable laptop sleeve, a dedicated laptop compartment, a water bottle pocket, a sunglasses pocket, and a quick-access pocket. Its use of 100% post-industrial recycled materials deserves high praise. With its distinct aesthetic and increased functionality, it stands out as a unique and sustainable backpack option.