EVERGOODS Civic Panel Loader 24L (CPL24 V3) Review

The Civic Panel Loader Series from EVERGOODS is one of our favorites in terms of versatility, durability, and style. Upon initial inspection, 24 liters feels like a middle ground between a daypack and a travel bag, so we’re curious to see how it holds up for travel, everyday carry, and commuting. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The primary material used on the CPL24 is solution-dyed black 840D ballistic nylon 6, which is highly durable, water resistant, and sleek-looking. EVERGOODS uses similar materials on all of their packs, so if you already have one, it’ll match, and if you don’t, you can look at their other bags for more information on how it holds up. In testing, we’ve had no issues!

The zippers are from YKK. They’re big and beefy, but they aren’t hard to open and close, and we’ve never had an issue with them while using the pack. YKK is one of the best brands in the business and, when paired with durable materials, creates a solid exterior shell that keeps your gear safe and dry.

Throughout the pack, you’ll find Duraflex hardware, another solid brand we love to see on travel backpacks, daypacks, and slings. The buckles are snappy, and the adjusters are easy to work with. We’ve got nothing negative to report here!

The EVERGOODS logo is a square hook-and-loop fastener with a diagonal line running through it. It’s minimalistic and enables you to put a patch on easily; however, some travelers may dislike how it looks. Still, it blends into the bag from a distance well enough not to draw any eyes.

There are handles on the top and side of the pack that come in handy when grabbing the bag from your trunk, the overhead bin on the airplane, or when riding public transit. While they’re not well padded, they’re comfortable enough for short trips carrying the bag.

Similar to other EVERGOODS bags we’ve tested, there’s not much going on around the bag’s exterior. This model has no water bottle pocket; overall, the look is very sleek and subdued.

Fit Notes

The back panel is well-padded and has ample aeration to keep you cool while wearing the pack, even in warm weather. You’ll still sweat on hot days; however, it’s comfortable, even when moving quickly on foot or by bike.

The shoulder straps have similar padding, aeration, and an S-curve, which will work well for most body types. That said, the fit feels more tailored to masculine-shaped travelers, so keep that in mind.

The sternum strap is on a ladder, so you can’t make micro-adjustments, but it won’t get too out of whack because it can’t move more than a few centimeters at a time. If you’re picky about your sternum strap placement, this may be annoying, but we find that it’s always very close to where you want it to be.

Overall, the harness system is very comfortable. We’ve been loving EVERGOODS aeration standard for a while, and this pack uses it as well as we’re used to from the brand. At 24 liters, the size of the pack works well for everyday adventures, no matter how hot it is outside.

Inside The Pack

The front pocket has a vertical opening and is accessible while you’re wearing the bag on one shoulder, which is handy for commuting or grabbing gear on the go. Inside are skinny and medium pockets and a zippered mesh pocket, which works well for the gear you want quick access to but don’t want to bounce around inside the compartment. This is a solid place to stow your phone or wallet.

A pocket on the top of the bag is also ideal for items you want quick access to, like a phone, wallet, sunglasses, or snack. After all, nobody likes to be hungry while they’re traveling. Or, if you’re like our primary tester, you’ll find it’s the perfect size to fit a breakfast burrito to warm up and eat once you get into the office. Yum, potato, egg, and green peppers!

The laptop compartment has a dedicated place to stow your computer, secured with a red hook-and-loop fastener. There’s more space here to stow a book, paperwork, or other flat items inside. There’s also access to the hard plastic back panel, which you can remove if you want to.

The main compartment is where the real party is, even if there isn’t much organization. On the lid, there are two pockets. The top one is small and crafted from the bag liner. It works well for pens, pencils, or your passport. Below is a larger mesh pocket you can see inside. It is handy for larger gear, like a laptop charger or other tech. In a pinch, you can stow a change of clothing here, so long as you aren’t bringing an oversized sweatshirt.

On the back side, a mesh slide pocket works well for a tablet, socks and underwear, a small computer, or similar-sized items. It doesn’t offer much padding, so keep that in mind before stowing delicate gear or tech here.

Inside the main compartment, you can access the aluminum side supports, which are removable. We recommend leaving them in unless you must take them out for some reason, as they offer structure and support for the bag.

Attachment loops on the backside enable you to secure gear like a tech pouch or toiletry bag.

Overall, there isn’t much organization inside the EVERGOODS Civic Panel Loader 24L, but we like it that way. There’s enough segmentation to use the bag as-is; however, the lack of organization enables you to use it for a wide array of things, like photography, travel, everyday carry, and commuting. Plus, you can use packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other organizers to keep your gear under wraps if you’re worried about being organized!