Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22L - Long Term Review [2021] 

I’ve missed you so much! This evergoods bag reminds me of the Ogio Newt 15 (minus the side pockets). They don’t make it anymore, but its a fantastic bag that has a similar structure and addresses the laptop compartment issue you mentioned.

Great review! I am gaga for the Evergoods aesthetic, design thinking, materials, build - and founders' passion. Like you, I was sold after listening to Jack and Kevin. Bought the CHZ22 and CPL24 V2 but my short torso (17") - after a year - is still unhappy. It should fit (at 18")! The bottom hits me in a bad spot and the frame sheet bows. Wish I knew what to do about it. I love the hug it gives. Love that it rides high. Maybe load lifters would have solved my problem. We'll never know...such smart guys. Glad it loves your back.

Glad to see you back

Why am I just finding your channel? Awesome first impressions and reviews. As a bag white, you've been missed. I'm playing catchup.

Always dig your reviews. While I find the zippers to be decently smooth on the Evergoods stuff if you ever have a chance to try something from Recycled Firefighter or DSPTCH.. They both use seriously smooth zippers. I can like one hand unzip the outside number 10 on the RF24 while the bag is empty and say on the floor in one motion. Wonderful stuff haha. Ah, also, the Bellroy Workpack does exactly that thing you mentioned about the laptop compartment in the back behind the stash pocket ;)

Thanks for making a video again

An excellent review. Good to have you back

The “5” for organization is a deal breaker. Good review.

Great longterm review, mate. Just made a short video about the 26L bag myself. Both are great bags

Awesome review man. Thank you. I have the CPL24 and CPL24 v2 but I've always been on the fence about buying a CHZ26. I might just go for it to have some more variety.

Super helpful review - I was on the fence of getting this - thanks!

Great review! I use this bag as my dedicated gym bag/“dad” bag and love it. But I do have trouble getting the bag to stand up on it’s own which is very frustrating.

Keep it up! I look forward to watching your videos.

It looks great only complaint is the weight I love bag a tad lighter otherwise really great design and care

Great video! The zips also have a dwr finish making them water resistant👍🏽 I always wanted this bag but i couldn’t get pass the limited organization! I am really considering the the new ChZ 26 because you get one more pocket 🤣

Great review! Very detailed

I think the CHZ has just the right amount of pockets. I much prefer a pack to be underdone than overdone with pockets. You can always use pouches if you need more organization. A single external stash pocket for frequently accessed items is all you really need for a pack like this. I appreciate the designers decision to be minimal. They make bags with more pockets if that’s what you’re after. And you can always add organization with pouches but you can’t remove a pocket that’s occupying volume. That’s my rant on “not enough pockets” on this particular bag

Thanks for the review! I missed them

Happily surprised to see a new video from you this morning. I was wondering if this 22L could fit your previous daily work load out. In your BC videos ( before corona) you had bulky work shoes and a change of clothes + keyboard, laptop & misc. Wondering if that still fits in this bag. Why’d you chose this over the 26L? Great to see you back.

Thanks for the review!

On paper I love my CHZ22 - but it just sits up way too high on my back, I mean the grab handle is basically touching my neck, and I don't even run it super tight. I wish it sat a little bit lower, like an Osprey Daylite Plus. I use my older Black Hole 25L and it's my absolute favorite.

The design tapers at the top so you wouldn't be able to remove the laptop through the stash pocket. Laptops aren't typically moved a lot, and that implementation keeps the laptop from shifting. Just IMO.

Glad to see you back :) What is your top 3 bags? Which brand is the keyboard pouch?

"I don't know what I'm talking about here. I don't design bags. Good lord." lol

Nice long term review. Regarding the laptop access, if only they could have done something like what Bellroy did with their Transit Workpack.

This looks great! Would it fit a change of gym clothes and sneakers, plus a 13” MacBook and a lunchbox? Planning to use this for edc on the train going to the office and gym.

Probably not the best choice of bag if you need frequent access to your laptop. The CPL would probably be a better choice in that case. The civic half zip is better suited for recreational use where you might bring your laptop along for occasional use. Great overview of the bag though.

son starting college, wanting comfort above all, large enough cavity to carry a lot of heavy large books, exterior water bottle, 15" laptop storage; quality is a given in all these upper brands so that box is checked automatically; on radar is Thule, Aer Tech pack 2, Evergoods CHZ 22 or 26, Northface Borealis, Alpha One Niner Evade/Pathfinder. Some are easy in that I can order, try, and return for free which I am doing but Evergoods, Alpha not, so I need if possible someone who is familiar to weigh in. Know you are busy so if this is too time consuming to answer, I understand

awesome review sir, greetings from indonesia

Another great review. After using this bag with less built in organization, have yours thoughts changed regarding the Synapse/Synik?

Really nice long-term review as always! Watch Bo Ismono's video on the 26 liter version of this. I think it addresses the laptop access issue better

Can we get an update on what you carry in the tool roll?

So I've found myself in a rabbit hole of sorts with the evergoods bags and I just wanted to point out that the "RC" designation on the zippers refers to the "for luggage zippers" section of the YKK catalogue. They don't advertise any particular specification but gussing from the application, I could assume they should be heavy duty. If anyone has more info, I'd love to learn more.

Here’s a question for you: from all the bags you’ve ever used, which one is the easiest to grab an item from the MAIN compartment without setting the bag down (and without items falling out)? (camera bag style side compartments don’t count)

Can you give us the link of that nail clipper?

What size laptop did you have in there?

25L of water bottle? What?

You’re very well spoken.

Hey Maximus, I don't have much interest in CHZ22 (I did a review for CHZ26 myself theperfectpack.com/2021/04/01/evergoods-chz26-review/) but it is so nice to have you back with another video! I hope all is well with you and I am very much looking forward to your future content. Stay safe and thank you for your awesome work. Cheers from Ukraine, WanderingDots