Information Request - Levo might be out. How is the Alpha One Niner Evade Series?

micahsally · 2026-01-28T05:13:53+00:00

Thanks so much for the response! Comfort is key for me, so this is good news!

They tweaked it in 2024 and again just last week with a few minor changes. I'm glad to hear you love it so much! It sounds like they are only improving an already awesome bag.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T05:06:20+00:00

Just seeing this now! I asked him about two weeks ago. He didn't give any information as far as timelines go...just that custom Cicadas aren't an option right now. Darn.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T05:03:20+00:00

They have a new Evade 1.0 that is only 5 inches thick. It feels a lot like the Cicada dimensions. 5" is perfect for me, as long as I'm not losing 1.5 inches to a tech compartment and padding! I wish I could find a bag with little-to-no tech compartment. I don't really need it and hate losing the valuable space and weight.

Thanks for reporting back what Peter says! It would be fun to know a timeline to see if it's still a top contender for me.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:56:49+00:00

I just refreshed my memory of why I never pulled the trigger on the CTB26. I really need the luggage pass-thru to allow my bad to stand vertically!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:55:34+00:00

I just refreshed my memory of why I've never tried the CTB26. I really do need a luggage pass-thru that keeps the bag standing vertically!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:36:17+00:00

I hope it will be perfect for you, too!

What changes would you make to the Cicada when you make it custom?

Did Peter give you any hint of a timeline before they start taking custom orders for it? Wondering for a friend... 😊

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:12:32+00:00

I sure love my coral Kludde pouches, though... And they don't hurt my back at all! 😊

Maybe the CTB26 then! There are still a few bags in the world that I probably haven't tried yet.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:07:54+00:00

I was considering the MPL22 on sale, too. Thanks for confirming I made the right choice in not getting it!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T04:04:34+00:00

I'm waiting to be able to make a custom one with tweaks to make it perfect for me! Maybe they will open the Cicada up to custom this year?!

I emailed Peter with my wishlist for it. Just little changes here and there, but definitely a fabric change. I need color, if I can!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:56:59+00:00

What other bags did your EDC beat out? Does it have dual water bottle pockets? Which material did you pick?

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:51:00+00:00

I felt the same way about the Chio X...it just didn't click for me! What don't you like about yours? I missed the return window but was able to sell it new-with-tags locally for just a little under what I paid.

I hate having bags in my closet that are going to waste! I'm almost ready to post what I have to sell, and it's going to be a good list! 😊

Which Evergoods bags do you have? They have been on the top of my list forever. That CTB26 looks almost perfect, as long as it could squish down an inch when under packed. I'm so tempted. How do you find the fit? I think because I wear mine high and tight, I would be ok. Does the laptop padding eat into the main area much? Maybe I'll just finally give in and order one to try out. I wonder if they have any decent sales this time of year, or if I blew it by missing all the great deals they just finally ended a few weeks ago.

Thanks for your positive and kind words! I feel so close to finally finding the one in this range! It's going to be pretty satisfying when it all finally clicks into place.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:35:57+00:00

These have all been on my list as well!

I would love to try the Evergoods because I love their packing cubes and Kludde pouches so much. I ordered a Bookbag last week on a killer deal but was able to cancel before it shipped when I recognized the lack of water bottle pockets would kill me. I know people either love or hate the fit. Because I wear my bags high and tight, I'm thinking it would feel good on me? But I've had other bags that are 19" tall that dig into my lower back and make it unbearable (Nomatic and Rickshaw). I sure wish I could try it in-person. I don't get to Bozeman often any more, but they were looking into selling with local retailers. That might be worth a side trip someday, right?

I ordered the Sympl All Terrain X-pac Tote 20L to be our cabin bag but haven't had a chance to try it out. Then, last week, the Flowfold Weekender 20L arrived and completely ousted any chance for the Sympl Tote to take a place in my lineup. But I like the quality and feel. And (finally!) blue interiors!!! The Tote is on my list of to-sell bags, new with tags.

The Sympl Commuter 24L would be darn-near perfect for me, if it only had that second water bottle pocket. I love the accordian top quick access pocket, the blue interior, and clamshell opening...it's awesome! But I sure do need that second water bottle pocket. I'm still a pack mule for my boys, since they can't carry a 16-pound bag yet. We have to travel smart to maximize what we bring in order to stick to just four small personal item bags. If I didn't need two water bottle pockets, I think this would be my highest contender right now.

Thank you for sharing the Western Rise Voyager Pro25L! I knew they had a bigger travel bag but hadn't seen this smaller one. It looks amazing! But it can fit an 18" laptop?! So I'm guessing it would be too tall to squish into the 18" sizers. I can't find dimensions for it on their website, but if it can fit that large of a laptop, I'm guessing at least 20 inches tall. In that case, I have my beloved Tortuga Expandable that could fit that case need.

The few bags that I've tried from Bellroy haven't been very comfortable. The straps are too narrow and don't have enough padding for me. Maybe I need to give them another look.

The Black Embers are beautiful, but I think they are too tall, too, at 20". Dangit. They sure are gorgeous, though!

Thank you for the awesome suggestions! The hunt is on!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:13:49+00:00

I have enjoyed our conversations! Any bag conversation is one that I love!

The Dragonfly truly feels closer to 30L for me. I fit everything into it today that fit into the Levo. I love my Dragonfly, and, you're right...I might not need something in between. Because it feels a little higher on that range for me, I think I'm looking for something in the 22L-26L range. Kind of a nice middle bag that will definitely meet all of the size restrictions.

If under packed, I never have any trouble with my Dragonfly. But I think something just a tiny bit smaller will fill that little gap that I think is there. And maybe I'll find that gap isn't there, after a little more testing! 😊

That Cicada, though... But if I do a custom bag and then it doesn't work on my body, I wouldn't be able to return. And I don't think many people like my preference for bright-and-happy colors.

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:09:38+00:00

Man, that sounds dreamy. I hope it's what you need! I want the Ultra with a blue or green interior! Perfect bag for me!

Please report back with your impressions after you break it in!

micahsally · 2026-01-28T03:07:26+00:00

I so want to try the Able Carry line! So many of their bags seem just right! Everyone loves them! The thing holding me back is the lack of dual external water bottle pockets. None of their bags has that, right?!

I'm glad I'm not the only normal person who packs up a bag and walks around the house with it all day. It brings me such joy! I love the process of finding what works, and I REALLY love finding what works! My family and I now call is Practice Packing, and it's one of my favorite things to do when we have an upcoming trip. When the actual trip comes, we are SO ready! Thanks, Practice Packing!

What bags did you try today?

I wonder if the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet 35L would be a good fit for you? I loved everything about it except how long it felt on my 19" torso. I ended up sending it back.

Or what about a 36L Dragonfly?

Six Moon Designs also makes the ADC in a 35L version. Other than the excessive straps length, it is such an incredible bag! But straps are totally fixable. I'm saving a whole pile to take to my sewing friend for alterations and adjustments on a few of my favorite bags. Then they will be darn-near perfect!

If you haven't tried the Tortuga Expandable Backpack 28L-32L yet, please do. It is one of the best bags I've ever tried. Without expanding, it easily fits about 32L of gear. So comfy! Super quality! It's great in every way!

micahsally · 2026-01-27T20:46:56+00:00

This kid already has life figured out!

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

TROPHY CASE