EVERGOODS CIVIC Half Zip 22L (V3) Review

The third iteration of the EVERGOODS CIVIC Half Zip 22L has new organization features and segmentation. Still, it uses the same durable materials and comfortable harness system we’re used to from the brand. That said, how will the new features affect how much gear you can fit inside and how versatile the pack is? Let’s dive in and find out.

External Components

The exterior fabric is 840D ballistic nylon 6, which is a solid medium between being incredibly durable without weighing you down too much. Don’t get it twisted, this pack isn’t ultralight, but it isn’t as heavy as a military-style backpack, despite boasting similar durability. We’ve tested multiple packs from EVERGOODS that utilize this material, and we can’t say enough positive things about it.

If you aren’t familiar, the EVERGOODS logo typically presents itself as a hook-and-loop fastener with a diagonal line through it, and that’s what we have here. It’s minimalistic and hard to see from a distance, which we dig. You can add a patch here if you want to, or leave it blank. Some users might find it odd, though it still isn’t loud or noticeable if that’s the case.

The zippers are from YKK, which, if you have read Pack Hacker reviews in the past, you know is one of the best brands in the business. We’ve had fewer issues with YKK zippers than any other brand, and we see them more than most others. When you see YKK, especially when paired with high-quality materials, you know you’re in for a treat, and this pack is no exception. They glide easily, don’t get caught up, and don’t make a ton of noise.

The plastic hardware is from Duraflex and works well. The buckles are snappy, well-sized, and feel durable. The plastic adjusters haven’t given us any issues and don’t loosen when you aren’t intending to adjust them, which is a positive.

The pack only has one handle, which makes sense for a bag of this size. It’s on top of the bag and lacks padding or aeration, which affects comfort. Still, this is a backpack, so you’ll wear it most of the time, not carrying it by the handle. It stays out of the way when you aren’t using it, so it doesn’t get caught on things while walking through the aisle on the plane or in the city center.

We’re working with two water bottle pockets, which are ideal if you like to stay hydrated or are traveling with somebody who won’t have a way to carry a water bottle. We’ve all got that friend who declines to bring a water bottle but then asks to borrow yours, so you can stow their bottle in the other water bottle pocket. Or, you can stow a travel tripod for photography here, which we did numerous times in testing.

The bottom of the pack has a large footprint, so it can stand independently, which is handy. This isn’t a feature we often use, but it’s convenient if you’re commuting in the city and want to grab something out of the bag quickly. Just watch where you’re putting it!

Fit Notes

In typical EVERGOODS fashion, the back panel is incredibly comfortable without being too much, especially for an urban pack. It’s well-padded and has stellar aeration, which you wouldn’t guess by looking at it. The cushion adds comfort, and the aeration keeps you cool. Additionally, there’s a plastic frame sheet, which adds structure to the pack and long-term comfort on long days wearing the pack. There’s no material bunching or areas that feel inadequate; the back panel is well-rounded and comfortable.

The shoulder straps have similar padding and aeration to the back panel and feel just as comfortable. They have a curvature that molds to most body types, but your mileage may vary. In trying on dozens of EVERGOODS packs since the brand was founded in 2016, we’ve found that their fits are more tailored to the masculine body type, but they aren’t uncomfortable for those who don’t fit that mold; they just might not be as perfect-fitting. Either way, it’s worth trying to see how you like it because we can’t speak highly enough about how comfortable these packs are.

The sternum strap is on a ladder, not a rail, so you can’t make micro adjustments, but it’s less likely to get out of whack, which we dig. There’s no hip belt, but for a 22-liter pack, we didn’t expect there to be.

Overall, this thing is comfortable! But what can it carry?

Inside The Pack

Compared to previous versions of the CIVIC Half Zip, the third iteration has new organizational features and pockets to keep your gear organized.

As mentioned in the CHZ 26L review, the top pocket reminds us of a dolphin’s head. There’s a lot of room above the mouth (zipper), and we’ve found it hard to stuff with gear at times. Larger items fit here fairly well, like a packable rain jacket, hat, or over-ear headphones, but smaller gear tends to bunch up at the bottom of the pocket and spew out of the zipper (or dolphin’s mouth) when given the chance. There’s a key leash here, which is handy, but larger gear generally works better in this pocket.

The laptop compartment is raised so your computer won’t slam into the ground when you set the bag down or slide it into the pocket. It’s well-padded and has the frame sheet for protection, too. Instead of stowing a laptop here, you can use it for a water bladder, and there are pass-throughs on either shoulder strap to stay hydrated while adventuring through the city or on the trail. As always with EVERGOODS, this pass-through is well integrated, and you wouldn’t have noticed it if you weren’t looking for it.

The main compartment has two small zippered pockets for organizing your gear so it doesn’t bounce around in the expanse of the compartment. One is on the back wall, and the other is on the front flap; they both work well for stowing dongles, pens, pencils, headphones, cables, and other small tech items. Additionally, they work well for personal items, like medication or a small first aid kit.

The only other organization here is the stretchy mesh slider pocket on the back wall, which works for a tablet, laptop, or other relatively flat items. If you have something else in the laptop compartment, this is a place you can store your computer, or you can stow one in each place if you travel with two for work. If not, this is a solid place to lock down things you don’t want to bounce around too much, like your tech pouch or toiletry container. In testing, the stretchy mesh hasn’t lost its elasticity.

The rest of the area is wide open so you can stow anything inside. At 22 liters, you can get away without using packing cubes and other pouches to stay organized, though we’d still recommend using some to make the most of the large space available. We could fit a medium-sized camera cube inside, a few small packing cubes, and our toiletry and tech pouch without much fuss. After adding our extras into the laptop and secondary compartment, we were ready to take on the day.

We dig the added segmentation and organization on the new version of the CIVIC Half Zip models, though it might not be worth the upgrade if you’ve still got one of the other ones. That said, this thing is sleek, durable, and comfortable, so you might want to anyway!