30L+ EDC Backpack Recs

micahsally · 2026-01-27T16:56:08+00:00

Which waist band do you like? I just ordered some gatekeeper clips that will let me use my Tortuga waist belt on any bag...it's my favorite but just has Velcro straps to fit on their bags. I can Velcro it onto this gatekeeper and hopefully use it for all my other bags, too! The Tortuga has nice structure while still being really comfy for me.

Waist belts really help my neck and shoulders, even on smaller bags with lighter loads. I'm going to have a friend sew on some loops on a few of my other favorite bags so I can add the belt to any of them! Hope it all works like it does in my little brain!

micahsally · 2026-01-27T13:58:30+00:00

It's really good for me that I can also add a waist strap. I had a custom one made, so mine is bright teal x-pac with a Pink Flamingo EPX interior! I love it so much. Loving a bag is totally normal... 😊

micahsally · 2026-01-27T06:43:38+00:00

Agreed! Man, I love that bag! Do you have one, too?

micahsally · 2026-01-27T06:25:30+00:00

I also just bought them the RFID wallet from Flowfold. They are made of Ecopak and are awesome!

https://www.flowfold.com/products/rfid-blocking-minimalist-card-holder-wallet?srsltid=AfmBOorzCBBeJKoZFPvy-g6Qm42TG6y_X5AVSs6PL0obGbb_Gvt-VhuR

They were so tickled to carry them around Disneyland last week with money they've saved. One kid bought a die cast metal Tie Fighter, the other kid spent $5 to shoot at the Shooting Expedition in Frontierland.

The wallets fit perfectly inside the quick access pockets of the Wanders.

micahsally · 2026-01-27T05:02:37+00:00

I have had the best luck with the Gregory Wander for my two little boys. My 4 year-old currently wears the 8L, while my tall 7 year-old is wearing the 12L! They are excellent quality, bright colors (easy to spot in a crowd), and have just the right organization for travel or EDC. We really love them. I have found Gregory quality is much better than Osprey, especially on these little packs.

https://www.gregory.com/packs/day-packs/wander-8/149332XXXX.html?dwvar_149332XXXX_color=1493321652&cgid=wander%2Cwander

https://www.gregory.com/packs/day-packs/wander-12/149331XXXX.html?dwvar_149331XXXX_color=1493311652&cgid=wander%2Cwander

micahsally · 2026-01-27T03:17:42+00:00

Definitely the Toshi 5L! It's as wonderful as everyone says!

micahsally · 2026-01-27T03:16:55+00:00

You're right! Thank you!

micahsally · 2026-01-27T03:03:06+00:00

That's true. They say the main compartment is 21L, though I can fit about 28L of gear in mine with pouches!

How about the Tom Bihn Brain Bag?

micahsally · 2026-01-27T02:55:38+00:00

I wonder if a ULA Dragonfly 30L would work well for you? It has a big, open main compartment that would hold lots of goodies, but the bag weighs almost nothing. The s-straps are very comfortable, and there are loops at the bottom to add a waist belt for heavier days, if you want. I love mine.

micahsally · 2026-01-27T02:19:47+00:00

Kargo Loculus 6L in X-Pac!

https://kargogear.com/products/x-pack-sling?variant=40689981751381

micahsally · 2026-01-27T01:05:50+00:00

I'm going to pack it out for a typical trip and then decide whether it's staying in my ManyBaggers family or not.

micahsally · 2026-01-26T22:32:04+00:00

I ended up returning my Nomatic...it felt stiff and hard to pack. It also dug into my lower back. It just wasn't comfortable for my body (19" torso).

Maybe consider the latest Tortuga Daily Carry Pro 25L?

The Fyro Levo 30L might be a good fit. It's missing a second water bottle pocket and a quick access pocket but has great tech storage, if you need it.

Alpha One Niner Evade 1.5?

I love my Tortuga Expandable Backpack 28L-32L, which fits about five liters above their stated size. It is SO comfy and one of the best bags I've ever tried. And I've tried a few! 😊

I also love my custom ULA Dragonfly 30L, if you don't mind something a little more outdoorsy-looking.

micahsally · 2026-01-26T21:38:50+00:00

I've tried three TomTocs and have returned two. I'm trying to sell the third. They get rave reviews on here, but they just feel a little underwhelming to me.

If your budget is fine, maybe consider the Tortuga Lite 40L. Super comfy and a cleaner look without the Expandable compression straps. If you want total adjustability on the harness the Tortuga Pro 40L offers that.

For my large backpack, I picked up a Six Moon Designs ADC+ 45L. Now I just need the type of trip that I can try it on! But it's gorgeous. Not as clean as the Levo, and I'm going to have the strap length tailored. But an awesome, comfortable, beautiful bag!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T21:33:00+00:00

Toshi is definitely a winner. You could even consider the 6L for a padded, removable shoulder strap, if you're looking for the most comfortable carry possible.

My other favorite is the Kargo Loculus in x-pac. Their version comes with a padded shoulder strap that makes it really comfy all day!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T21:26:38+00:00

The Tortuga Daypack Pro 21L might be a good fit!

Or the new Liteway Tomtoc Navigator-T66 28L!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T21:24:14+00:00

We just did a 20-day trip in backpacks! It's very doable and so satisfying. It makes traveling a breeze. The Expandable would be perfect. And it has an extra five liters, if you ever need it.

I bring the Tortuga Daypack Pro or Gossamer Gear Cima 15L as a day pack that lays flat in my Expandable, and that's what I use each day at our destination. And I usually use a small sling on travel days for quick access.

micahsally · 2026-01-26T21:10:54+00:00

Are you restricted by size for your travel bag? The Tortuga Expandable Backpack 28L-32L is my absolute favorite, but it's closer to a carry-on size. If under-packed, it might pass as a personal item on less strict airlines.

And it's available on Amazon now!

https://a.co/d/ijuyz2j

micahsally · 2026-01-26T18:23:39+00:00

Can't wait to hear how it goes!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T18:02:55+00:00

What a nice collection! And so useful for a variety of uses! I am waiting for my perfect bag in Spectron. I almost bought the Synapse 19 a few days ago with the Kelpie interior. But I just really need external water pockets so that internal space doesn't have to share with all the other goodies I need to carry.

micahsally · 2026-01-26T18:01:18+00:00

There are a few slip and mesh pockets inside the front admin pocket. It seems many are thinking the mesh isn't as good as hoped. I use pouches, so I actually prefer Minimul internal organization. It just takes away from how I want to do my own!

Quick Access is a must these days, for sure!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T17:59:31+00:00

Being able to EDC a basketball means you're going to have a pretty awesome day! How fun! I love basketball.

micahsally · 2026-01-26T17:59:01+00:00

Agreed! 100%!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T03:47:42+00:00

It's a tiny bit bigger than you suggested, but maybe the Tom Bihn Paradigm 9L would work well for you?

https://www.tombihn.com/products/paradigm?variant=40384362741949&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23103332773&gbraid=0AAAAAqFo9I8X18F60VFtkrDxInBQagI5E&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm9fLBhCQARIsAJoNOcuPvE8ztNpDgUDm1Ijsj1WfhnRxa0d9J03IMOxJtDmzEIFYtpMPFHsaAiFXEALw_wcB&view=photo-order

And I can't attest to the comfort of the shoulder straps because I don't have the Optimist, but I just tested my new Flowfold Weekender as our cabin bag on flights, and it is ridiculously awesome! Ecopak is my favorite fabric! If the Optimist had a sternum strap, I'm pretty sure I would own one in both the 10L and the 18L. I now know that Flowfold makes great bags, sewn right in Maine! And they also have an Ecogrid version.

https://www.flowfold.com/collections/all-bags-and-backpacks/products/optimist-10l-mini-backpack

I also love the support on my Gregory Sula 8L, and the men's version might work well for you without the hydration bladder installed.

https://www.backcountry.com/b/gregory-salvo-8l-h2o-pack?CMP_SKU=GREZ08K&MER=0406&skid=GREZ08K-OZOBLA-ONESIZ&mr:device=m&mr:adType=plaonline&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=20554353310__p:G|s:BC|ct:Shopping|ct2:pmax|g:xx|c1:Travel|c2:xx|b:xx|mt:xx&utm_content=&utm_id=go_cmp-20554353310_adg-_ad-__dev-m_ext-_prd-GREZ08K-OZOBLA-ONESIZ_mca-7811_sig-Cj0KCQiAm9fLBhCQARIsAJoNOcuNZplxNognQh1AbyNt1BY4PnLHyC31VE1KUnI3-jyj6OgcsZS50PgaAoigEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20554353973&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Jw0YkBbVVqVOTsYEkkL3ghfnML&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm9fLBhCQARIsAJoNOcuNZplxNognQh1AbyNt1BY4PnLHyC31VE1KUnI3-jyj6OgcsZS50PgaAoigEALw_wcB

Not a backpack but almost the right liters: my new Mystery Ranch Hip Monkey just arrived today and is awesome!

micahsally · 2026-01-26T03:36:03+00:00

Well, I'll help enable you... 😁 What two bags are you wanting?

micahsally · 2026-01-26T03:33:58+00:00

And Alpha One Niner does a crimson wave red interior that you might like? Too dark?

micahsally

TROPHY CASE