EVERGOODS Civic Travel Bags

There’s something about my neurotype (whatever it may be) that loves organization and efficiency. Not ‘efficiency’ in terms of getting things done quickly, but in the way of simplicity, in having only what’s needed and having a place for each item. I function well with mental models. For example, were it not for my partner’s wonderful and equally functional chaos, the kitchen would be highly organized, not in the sense of being burdensome, but mentally inventoried, such that at any given moment I know what’s on hand and available to prepare, without having to dig through cupboards and the fridge to figure it out. This has the added benefit of not needing to go through everything before shopping to figure out what’s needed; I can stop at the grocery store anytime and know what’s needed. Similarly with dishes and utensils; I like eliminating the hunt, enabling me to visualize the options more easily. I take the same approach with clothing. Knowing what’s available in the closet/drawers and when, I can mentally select something to wear without having to go through options or look for a specific item.
This may sound like a hassle to many, but it’s entirely the path of least resistance for me. I find it enables a beautiful simplicity and an effortless minimalism when it’s all mentally inventoried; nothing’s left out, nothing’s unused or wasted.
All of this is paramount for travel, too. Being on the move feels best when you’re carrying only what you need; not burdened by excess, physically or mentally. I went down the ‘one-bag carry’ internet rabbit hole in search of a backpack solution that would enable this simplicity and mental modeling. This led me to a number of brands, but one stood out—EVERGOODS, based in Bozeman, MT. These guys (the two founders) know how to design and construct amazing gear. The Civic Travel Bags (CTB) in particular caught my attention for their purposeful design for travel.
It’s remarkable how their three-dimensional patterning enables unique volumes for the well-thought-out storage; packing out one compartment doesn’t take away from the adjacent pocket, making it feel like the bag can accommodate way more than it should. Now that doesn’t mean that you’re carrying more than you need; it means you can take a smaller bag and prioritize mobility and carrying comfort (which they’ve nailed). No need to detail out the pocketing, suffice to say that every pocket is there for a reason; no more, no less than needed or desired. It’s one of those products that is so clearly human-centered that it’s a joy to use. This may be unique to only a handful of people, but I actually take pleasure in packing these bags and carrying them on my travels, knowing I have just what I need, where I need it.
If you’re looking for a daily carry that can easily flex to a weekend away (or a week, if you’re a minimalist packer), then the 26L is ideal. The 35L really shines bright for longer journeys. Most recently, I had the 35L as my single bag for two weeks in Japan. Its integrated and stowable hip belt is particularly useful for longer walks to accommodations, the train, or in the airport.
Check these guys out—they’re doing it right. (26L pictured)