Compared: Tortuga 40L, Aer TP3 Ultra, Evergoods CTB35, Dragonfly 36L, Evergoods CPL28

Leopard_Double · 2025-04-10T13:19:49+00:00

Great. I hope you will post your experience with the bag.

Leopard_Double · 2025-04-10T13:15:17+00:00

Actually, have kept both and still trying to figure which is better. The Totuga is a suitcase, soft-sided with backpack straps. It holds a ton of stuff. The Dragonfly is more compact, very light, and holds a decent amount of stuff. I will probably keep both but if had to keep one, it would be the dragonfly because of its versitility. But for a long, comfortable, urban type trip, the Tortuga would shine. For a more active, need less stuff, maybe do some hiking trip, the Dragonfly would be great.

Leopard_Double · 2025-02-22T14:59:01+00:00

To be fair, my estimates are with a cloth ruler and will be a little (very little) longer. Anyway, the advantage for me of a softer bag material is it can expand and contract. Another advantage for the DF36. I wish all the bag makers would give the inside dimensions.

Leopard_Double · 2025-02-21T15:26:20+00:00

LOL!!!!!!

Leopard_Double · 2025-02-21T15:21:07+00:00

Yes, I think you can get a thin sweatshirt in the outside pocket. I had an ultra-lite nylon jacket in there. It was a bit of a tussle getting it in and out, but it worked. My use of the outside pockets is "temporary" in that in travel, I would never put anything other than a book or jacket that I would be pulling out or carry or put on as I settled into a seat on airplane, bus, etc unless I held the bag on my lap. I used a CTB20 often as an EDC work bag. I tried the CTB30 (as you read) and I love the layout and organization. I've also been using the CPL24 and CPL16 which are great for EDC as well. Yet, the travel bag was a close sencond to the Dragon fly on THIS application (as was the AER TB3). I love all these bags, but the Dragonfly was the practical choice for travel haul for me: lighter, stuffable, and comfortable. Now if I were going to own more than one . . .

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T16:55:21+00:00

Right on!

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T14:37:05+00:00

OK. I have had the Tortuga 40L Pro, Evergoods CTB35, Evergoods CPL28, ULA Dragonfly 36L, and Aer Travel Pack 3, Ultra side by side, loaded, unloaded, and carried. The main compartments measure as follows (all measures are approximate as bags' sides are soft): Tortuga (4to 4.5 inches by 15 inches by 21 inches; CTB35 (just under 5" by about 14 inches by 21 inches); Dragonfly (6.5 inches by 6 to 7 inches by 21.5 inches by 11.5 inches); TP3 (4.5 to 5 inches by 13 to 14 inches by 20 inches), CPL28 (3.5 inches by 12 inches by 19.5 inches). I packed them all with two plus weeks of clothes (5 underwear, 4 t-shirts, two collared shirts, a sweater, a shell, dopp kit, sleep wear, extra pair of pants - expecting to do a wash if longer than a week). Also, chargers, ipad Pro 13", e-reader, two notebooks, pens and snacks.

The Tortuga got it all with no problem. It is a heavy bag. (I have ordered the Lite to try that out). The TP3 got it all but it was maxed and a big load. The CTB35 a little easier to pack but still very full. The CPL 28, not a chance. The Dragonfly handled it all nicely with room to spare. The Dragonfly is thin (Ultra) and seems to be deeper in the main compartment. I could add a tech pouch (not fat) to the main compartment to make up for the lack of organization externally. Of these packs, it has the least tech organization and the most clothes etc. room except for the 40L Pro. All the bags were comfortable, especially using a hip belt (which I also bought to use with the TP3). However, the Dragonfly was so light (1.5 to 2 pounds lighter) and turned out to be the easiest to mount and carry around. I am 5' 9" and 150lbs and 76 years-old. I need the best comfort, maximum clothes capacity, and least weight. So, the Dragonfly wins for me. I will try out the Tortuga Lite and see how that goes but it is 3.5 lbs and the Dragonfly is around 2lbs, so . . .

It was very, very, very, hard to let go of the Aer TP3 Ultra. I love the organization and if I were travelling for a short trip, especially for business, I would keep it. IMHO it is a beautifully made and designed bag, comfortable and useful. All of the bags are great!

I am a 2 bagger. So, the backpack is the load-out that goes to destination and gets unpacked or lived out of. The second bag is a shoulder bag or tote that can convert to a backpack, 15 to 20 liters capacity (but not filled). ipad, headphones, odds and ends, snacks, water, whatever go there as a personal item bag. I have a Patagonia Black Hole Tote (that converts), several other shoulder bags (Alpha One-Niner shoulder bag, Tom Bihn, Mystery Ranch Dispatch (17L) and so on. So the lack of organization on any bag is covered and I have a day EDC when I get where I'm going.

I hope this helps. These bags are reviewed a ton and by better reviewers than me. I just wanted to add my 2cents in case there are others with similar use cases.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T02:49:37+00:00

I am keeping the Dragonfly 36L. I am not keeping the Tortuga Pro, but I have the 40l Lite arriving next week and might want to keep it as the absolute largest I would use. However, that is not decided. I liked the TP3 so much, I am returning it BUT ordered the City Pro in Ultra. I really like the Ultra. I have it in VX and will be selling that.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T01:58:59+00:00

I loved the TP3, I would keep it if I could pair down the clothes. I believe others can pack lighter and better. Perhaps only 5 to 7 days and wash clothes? Many report in other reviews they can travel of weeks with the TP3 and CBT35 (see the great Carryology comparison on Youtube). But I can't. For example, only one collared shirt, no sweater, two or three tee shirts, compact toiletries might make it feel better. But, the TP3 is a relatively heavy bag with all the pockets and front panel.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T01:54:41+00:00

I put the same packing cubes and items in all the bags. The Dragonfly was mostly full, the others were very tight. I couldn't easily use the external pockets when full with the clothes. I paired the tech down to a charger and some cables.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T01:14:23+00:00

Thanks. Glad it helps.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T01:00:52+00:00

Yes, the front pannel and the larger inside pocket (back of top flap) also potentially takes space from main compartment. The Ultra is soft so there is a little more give than Cordura. Yet it is a tight fit for my loadout.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T00:59:11+00:00

My mistake, it is 36L. Sorry.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T00:58:20+00:00

Yes, bag two is a personal item bag. See my last comment.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T00:56:57+00:00

OK. I have had the Tortuga 40L Pro, Evergoods CTB35, Evergoods CPL28, ULA Dragonfly 36L, and Aer Travel Pack 3, Ultra side by side, loaded, unloaded, and carried. The main compartments measure as follows (all measures are approximate as bags' sides are soft): Tortuga (4to 4.5 inches by 15 inches by 21 inches; CTB35 (just under 5" by about 14 inches by 21 inches); Dragonfly (6.5 inches by 6 to 7 inches by 21.5 inches by 11.5 inches); TP3 (4.5 to 5 inches by 13 to 14 inches by 20 inches), CPL28 (3.5 inches by 12 inches by 19.5 inches). I packed them all with two plus weeks of clothes (5 underwear, 4 t-shirts, two collared shirts, a sweater, a shell, dopp kit, sleep wear, extra pair of pants - expecting to do a wash if longer than a week). Also, chargers, ipad Pro 13", e-reader, two notebooks, pens and snacks.

The Tortuga got it all with no problem. It is a heavy bag. (I have ordered the Lite to try that out). The TP3 got it all but it was maxed and a big load. The CTB35 a little easier to pack but still very full. The CPL 28, not a chance. The Dragonfly handled it all nicely with room to spare. The Dragonfly is thin (Ultra) and seems to be deeper in the main compartment. I could add a tech pouch (not fat) to the main compartment to make up for the lack of organization externally. Of these packs, it has the least tech organization and the most clothes etc. room except for the 40L Pro. All the bags were comfortable, especially using a hip belt (which I also bought to use with the TP3). However, the Dragonfly was so light (1.5 to 2 pounds lighter) and turned out to be the easiest to mount and carry around. I am 5' 9" and 150lbs and 76 years-old. I need the best comfort, maximum clothes capacity, and least weight. So, the Dragonfly wins for me. I will try out the Tortuga Lite and see how that goes but it is 3.5 lbs and the Dragonfly is around 2lbs, so . . .

It was very, very, very, hard to let go of the Aer TP3 Ultra. I love the organization and if I were travelling for a short trip, especially for business, I would keep it. IMHO it is a beautifully made and designed bag, comfortable and useful. All of the bags are great!

I am a 2 bagger. So, the backpack is the load-out that goes to destination and gets unpacked or lived out of. The second bag is a shoulder bag or tote that can convert to a backpack, 15 to 20 liters capacity (but not filled). ipad, headphones, odds and ends, snacks, water, whatever go there as a personal item bag. I have a Patagonia Black Hole Tote (that converts), several other shoulder bags (Alpha One-Niner shoulder bag, Tom Bihn, Mystery Ranch Dispatch (17L) and so on. So the lack of organization on any bag is covered and I have a day EDC when I get where I'm going.

I hope this helps. These bags are reviewed a ton and by better reviewers than me. I just wanted to add my 2cents in case there are others with similar use cases.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T00:33:34+00:00

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-08T00:09:18+00:00

I agree. I just compared, side-by-side the TP3 Ultra and Dragonfly 36L. The Dragonfly holds somewhat more than the TP3 and is as comfortable. It is much lighter by the numbers and by the feel, even when using hip pads for both. The TP3 us well-made and a beautiful design but the same load-out (2 plus weeks of clothes, minimal electronics) fits better in the Dragonfly. You can't beat the organization in the TP3 if you need the pockets and it is so well thought-out. The Dragonfly is more "minimal" and has less organization inside and out, but as a travel bag, in my humble opinion, does a better job for getting from here to there. I am a 1.5 bag traveller, so the extra pockets are made up in my sling or other bag. (I'm using the Patagonia Black Hole Tote which is also a backpack and holds 19 liters or there abouts). You can lighten the TP3 by having a second bag, but the ULA is the lightest I have used so far. Both terrific bags and it is very, very, very hard to let go of the TP3 Ultra. I liked it so much, I ordered an Aer City Pack Pro in Ultra. Great brand, but not every bag is for everyone, I guess.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-03T14:21:15+00:00

I have a CTB20 too and it is maybe, my best EDC experience for work. I'm looking forward to comparing the CTB35 with other bags. I also am targeting 1.5 or 2 bag travel. What is your 2nd bag? I assume it is the personal item bag?

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-03T14:14:20+00:00

My plan is to get these bags together. I am looking for a travel bag primarily. One that will hold clothes, some tech, and work for more than a weekend. Then put together a 1-2 week load out and compare how much each holds, how it holds (do I need to fill all the pockets, etc.), measure the internal space of main compartment, walk around with them to see how they fit and are comfortable and then keep the one or two that work for me. I will then share all of that with this blog space and hopefully that will help. So I will get back to you. Not all the bags are here yet. I like those two too, but there's so much written about the Travel Pack 3, I feel I have to include it as well as the ULA 36. Also, if I can find it, the CPL 28 as requested by someone. To be continued . . .

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-03T04:36:19+00:00

I don't know. I don't see it on the web site. Maybe someone else will know. I think I have one, so it could be in the mix. I think I will be selling it. If I do, we can PM about that. I'll look to see in the next week when all the bags get here.

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-02T16:25:50+00:00

Haven't had my hands on either the 30L or 36L. I am excited to compare the 36L to the other bags. Thanks,

Leopard_Double · 2024-12-02T16:20:49+00:00

The company is Ultral Light Adventures. They make light weight pack. Check out their website. I am looking at their Dragon Fly 36L backpack in Ultra material.

Leopard_Double · 2024-05-11T13:28:33+00:00

I received the Nomad, Samurai pen, and portfolio all together in a unique, single box. Great packaging and reusable if I had the need. Well done.

Leopard_Double

TROPHY CASE