I’ve been carrying the GoRuck GR1 for 8 years. I have one of the original versions with the mesh net in the main compartment that’s slightly narrower and taller than the current generation. It’s been on safari’s, it’s been in pitch meetings, it’s been on a USO tour, it’s been on the red carpet. We’ve seen 11 countries together. I loved it. I still love it. BUT —
For every day use, I was interested in something lighter. The overuse of molle straps and military looks in other bags ultimately was a trend that, for me, got old and sent me looking for something new.
I was set on the DSPTCH Daypack and got it but for various reasons returned it.
Then I saw the Evergoods CPL24 bag on Kickstarter. It looked perfect. A bit of a gamble but the founders (one from Patagonia, other from GoRuck) seemed like they could deliver. They did…
After an almost unbearable wait, I finally got the bag. AND IT’S GREAT.
Excellent clean and discrete design, love the vertical front zipper — it just makes more sense so you aren’t digging stuff from the bottom of a traditional pocket. I actually sought forever this bag with a vertical zipper I saw in Japan but alas could never figure out what it was.
Although the GR1’s 1000D is bomb proof, I’ve always been a fan of the 500D lightweight, refined feel. Plus, small details like strap wings to hold your laptop bag flat is genius. You can see their full set of features straight from the horses mouth.
Of course, I had to do a little customizing (don’t be mad, Evergoods). Grown to love the paracord/shrink tube zippers. So replaced the front zippers. Removed the plastic plate -— they have a nice zippered compartment inside the laptop sleeve for the back plate; came out in a breeze. And added a molle panel from Greyman Tactical for the pouch kit I’ve been using in my GoRuck. The 10.75×17 fits perfect. Agh, GR1 familiarity.
There is one design choice that’s buggin’ me. They have these two sleeves around the straps that you can loop a hydration tube through. But when you put the bag on, those two sleeves have a tendency to pop up forming a scoop of sorts.
Just a little odd looking. If they extended that sleeve a bit more or used an elastic, would prevent that maybe. Small thing.
It was going to take a lot for a bag to supplant my GR1 and I’m not running out to sell my GR1 just yet but looking forward to giving the CPL24 a real run at it.
Original zipper pulls.
Hey Aaron, thanks for the idea with the greyman plate. That was one thing I missed just having switched from a GR1 too. That and the main compartment depth. Still getting used to the new fit, the GR1 sat so nicely.
J
@hjpx
No problem. I really like this bag. But I agree, I think the GR1 might be a hair more comfortable to carry. I haven’t taken this out beyond short daily use so waiting to really travel with it to see before passing judgement.
Hi!
Nice review Aaron! I just wondering what kind of pouch you have for the water bottle? Where did you get it?
Thanks!
Thanks! It’s a Maxpedition Mini Rollypolly Dump pouch: https://www.maxpedition.com/products/mini-rollypoly-folding-dump-pouch?variant=27910305617
Hey Aaron,
This is really great. Thank you. I’m late to the party here but am wondering how you are still finding the CPL 24? Are you still using it daily? Still have the same set up?
@Chuck
Yeah — the bag is great. Well designed and enjoyable to use. I’ve been mainly using it as a commuter work bag since I’ve gotten it but I’ve got a ton of travel lined up this year so looking forward to taking it on the road. Will update with some posts after I get it in the wild a bit more.
My only beef is the finish on it. It likes to attract dust and dirt which was addressed in a recent blog post on the Evergoods website — something with the coating. They changed the coating on the newer bags which kinda sucks for early adopters but I guess such is life! http://evergoods.us/blogs/evergoods-road-to-launch/the-saga-of-500d
You can’t go wrong for the price point though. I sometimes miss the bombproof durability of the GoRuck but they raised their prices too. And I much prefer the “look” of this bag over the GR1.
Thanks Aaron. This was really helpful. loved your greyman tactical solution as well. Best, Chuck @aaronlam
Hi Aaron – this blog actually helped me alot for me to get evergoods CPL24.
But i recently (actually today) just got a DSPTCH dayback as a gift so i’m thinking about using it but i wanted to know why you returned your DSPTCH and got this instead.
Ive been using my CPL24 for a month now and i really like it but i feel like my bag gets packed super quick but seems like dsptch can fit more in the main compartment, even tho technically CPL is 2L bigger.
Thanks!
Hi! If you have both bags, maybe see which one suits you better. I really wanted to like the DSPTCH bag. But it was much bigger than I was expecting although not bigger capacity wise. I like the design of the DSPTCH but not really a fan of the 1680D material they used — it feels thicker, puffier, and less streamlined. I never had both bags side by side though…
I find the CPL24 a much more minimalistic and simple bag.
But that’s just my opinion! Love to hear your thoughts if you have them both in hand. I never really field tested the DSPTCH, only loaded out and wore around the house.
Hi, Aaron! Our loadouts are almost exactly the same! Would you mind listing the little pouches you used for the small edc items and the pouches for the dslr and lenses? This may finally be my endgame bag!
Also, are you doing anything to organize that front quick access pocket? Thank you!
@Hendrik
Hi! The pouch on the left is a Tactical Tailor Double Pistol Pouch (the fight light magna version as it’s a bit smaller): https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Tailor-Fight-Double-Pistol/dp/B00EOXJ7ZS
You can find those pretty easily and much cheaper on eBay.
The center pouch is a Skinth Solution Magnum. Kinda cool company if you don’t know about them but they give you some options to slightly customize your pouch. I’m not entirely happy with this though as it’s not exactly what I need… also the bands on the front are designed to hold a larger knife. My Strider PT doesn’t really fit in well.
The water bottle pouch is an old Maxpedition Rolly Polly.
I’m think about getting my wife to sew me a custom organization system 🙂
For the front, I’m using just a small thin pouch that I can put charger cords, headphones etc in. Then, I like that front to be clear so I can throw my sunglasses in as well.
Hope that helps!
How did you remove the metal zipper pulls to install the paracord? Was it easy to remove?
@Kendrick
I wrapped a pry bar in cloth to lift the bar. Then pliers with cloth on it also to clamp it down. With those precautions, I still marred the zippers a little. Not bad but the zippers are gunmetal painted and you have to be careful.
It wasn’t hard and only took a few minutes but they are big sturdy zippers so it took some effort.