6/29 UPDATE: Two answers to commonly asked questions... 1. Some of you asked about the strap noise while wearing the bag. I loaded the CPL24v3 with a 26lb Sandbag Kettlebell (from GORUCK) and wore it around for a bit. No noise while wearing the backpack around heavily loaded. 2. While loaded, the bag DOES still dig into your lower back. That's the pressure point at the bottom. But again, it's loaded with 26lbs. Hope this helps! -JB
Nice review, as always! Oh, so hopeful…The digging into my back of the CPL24V2 has been my biggest gripe (and I still haven’t found a fix for it). I was hoping the new back panel of the Mirror would resolve that issue but the bottom is still very sharp/hard/stiff. It seemed much softer on the CTB35 (which I wish was a 30L, as the 35 was too big for my frame). When fully loaded I don’t feel the digging as much but it’s very rare I use the bag fully loaded. I was happy to see a return to the more lived in black fabric - as I was not a fan of the PLC20 fabric, which I felt went too much into Aer territory and veered too far from EG’s more distinctive fabrics. I wonder if removing the frame sheet might make my back happier. And I wonder if some fault lies with it as it is so rigid and doesn’t contour to the body - at least mine. Something more malleable/pliable would be welcome on the next version or a back panel that doesn’t require one but offers enough support.
@@keithh6531 I don’t have any issues with the GR1. The PLC20 does have a different shape and feel and when loaded with a ton of weight I do feel more pressure but it doesn’t DIG into my back.
@@seechangenyc280 I found the same back digging problem with the CTB26. I cut a bit of high density foam to fit in the bottom between the frame sheet and the back panel, and it is a significant improvement - it seems to raise the "touch point" of the bag off your back so it doesn't dig.
I have both the Phoenix and the Mirror. One thing to consider if you spend a lot of time alone in a vehicle for work is the mirror can sit in the passenger seat faced forward and seat belted in and still have easy access to all areas of the bag. When using the Phoenix and having it facing the seat back just bothered my OCD. I also found that the new back panel material doesn’t hold up very well to hard use. Evergoods took care of me, so no complaints.
I can do both honestly, or rather, i can get used to either way If i am forced to. However, what is not being said is that when I get into my car, i swing the bag over my right shoulder(becuase why would i swing on the left when the car is on your right hand side), and put the bag in the passenger seat, and with the mirror version, the bar grab handle thing is on that same side as swinging over the right hand side to put the bag in the passenger seat and then to grab the bag FROM the seat!!! im literally never going to briefcase the bag ever, and i still could with the mirror version as well, so for me, this pulling the grab handle from the car seat and yanking it out with me is sooooooo CLUTCH. The regular way, the handle is just facing the other door and ... not as usable for me in most cases hoenstly. Mirror is useful for car in/out alone.
Great comparison. I am currently making the same decision and am on the fence. I don't mind the straps, but I am not crazy about the new back panel and how it seems to puff out more than the Phoenix which I notice when wearing it. I do agree that the new material is awesome and I love the mirror version.
@@joeaugustine2200 they seem to be getting better. I honestly have not had the opportunity to work them in fully. This is really good news that the sound goes away!! Thanks!!
after a week and a half or so, my straps don't make the noise anymore. I intentionally kind of rolled them and created friction to try and soften them up a bit, and it got rid of the scratchiness
I didn't try that. Are you talking about he side handle or the shoulder straps? The shoulder straps would be just OK in my opinion...it would work but wouldn't be that secure. The side handle is not placed in the right position to make it work.
@@JBOutside1 thank you for the opinion. Appreciate it. Yes I was thinking about the side handle as otherwise was getting too fixated about having a dedicated trolley bag strap. Using the shoulder straps should do the job as you mentioned.
The noise goes away over time. I don’t hear it when wearing it or walking. It’s only when I grab the strap with my hand do you sometimes hear it. Very minimal now and not a problem for me.
Just got the v3. I love it. It’s an amazing bag. The shoulder strap crinkling doesn’t bother me at all. I was really looking for an XPAC bag but am super impressed with this new fabric.
@@JBOutside1 Curious how it goes, I’m struggling between this and the GORUCK gr2 26L but for me I don’t really carry some super heavy load. If I just carry normal travel stuff (clothes, laptop) would it be too heavy that the evergoods back panel hits the lower back? My local store only has the v2 and is the shape the same with better materials on the v3? Maybe I’ll try it myself in a local store. Which, in general use, feels more comfortable, the GORUCK or the evergoods?
I know you said you've like the straps on the Phoenix version, mainly because they don't make that awful sound ... but I'm curious if you think the structure of the straps in terms of padding and sizing are the same on each version?
@@JBOutside1 Thanks! I had the V1 CPL 24 when it originally came out, but had to move on from it and switch to GORUCK because the damn straps were too thin and soft. Once I had over say 12-15lbs in there, over the same amount of time compared with the GR1, the straps were causing all sorts of discomfort. Maybe these ones, and the v3 are beefier ... I truly love the CPL design so I want to use it. It just blows my mind that the co-founder of GORUCK is making bags with some of the thinnest straps on the market when his company he CO-FOUNDED makes some of the thickest, most durable straps on the market. I was hoping with the V2 of the CPL that they would fix this, but I guess not.
@@joshuaanderson1385 Yeah, that's kinda crazy. I don't believe the straps are that different in terms of heft compared to previous editions. I definitely like the Phoenix ones better though.
Very helpful comparison! The new 840 seems like it can leave wrinkles based on what I've seen on pictures and read on the net. Can you confirm that? Also, the sound of the strap, is it really that noisy? Or is it just the microphone that multiplies the effect? One more thing, what packing cube is that? Thanks.
I don't think it's that much of the microphone. I didn't enhance any of the sound. It bugged me daily on the PLC20 when I was testing it. This week I'll see if it gets to me like that one. I haven't noticed any wrinkles out of the box. I've seen those photos but haven't experience that yet.
@@JBOutside1 I think the noise and the wrinkles aren't that much of a concern to me. The biggest selling point for me is, the UV resistance and easy to clean fabric.
@@errydm gotcha, then I think you’ll really like the new version. Oh and I didn’t answer your last question! The packing cube is the GORUCK 10L Full packing cube. I’ll add a link in the description.
What did you get though😂I’m between these two too. I’ve never tried any of bags from both and I would like to try bags that have simple organization and easy to clean back panels which will last longer than mesh. For me, I don’t actually carry some super heavy load but I’m more impressed with the organization of the evergoods but I’m not sure about the comfort, which one wins? Some back works with GORUCK, some back works with evergoods I guess, just afraid getting the wrong bag that doesn’t suit my back.
I got both. I really liked the way the cpl24 was organized and it was very comfortable. The material was very easy to clean. Rucked with it once and it was fine. The access is better than the gr2 in my opinion. However, I ended up returning the cpl24 because I was concerned about the longevity of the back panel, it is extremely thin and feels like it will be easy to damage. I am very happy with my gr2 26l. It fits perfect and I really like the organization. And it is BOMBPROOF.
I am right handed. I if wear bag on one sholder it is always right sholder. I wear watch on left hand. I do not have problems using left or right hand for accessing zippers. I would like to access front vertical pocket from right sholder (when wearing on right sholder). But on other hand would like to hold a bag with my right hand (side or top handle). Still not sure if mirror or classic is for me.
@@JBOutside1 I am only worried when actually wearing the bag on my back the watch on my left hand is causing me problems doing quick access. So basically when wearing it on right sholder i would prefer mirror. When carry it on my back and doing a swing i would prefer OG. And when in a car and having it on my right seat would prefer OG ... so really not so easy decision tbh :)
Hey does anyone know how this compares to Aers Travel Pack 3 Small ? I have really hard time deciding between the two, I own Aer TP3 35L, I'm very happy with it, but it is a bit too big for everyday use :) CPL 24 is uber expensive to get where I live, so I have to make a super researched and informed buy. Watched and read a lot of reviews and CPL 24 seems great, if it digss into my back I'll be able to fit some addidtional foam as other people did. Living without waterbottle pockets might be hard but i could give it a shot
In the end I did buy cpl24 mirror, and oh boy this thing is super fine! I could get like 2 or 3 feature packed osprey backpacks for the price, but I dont regret it. Being able to just swing the pack to the side and access my stuf without fully taking it off me is abslotely wonderfull. I dont have problem with botton of the pack digging into my back or squeeking sholder straps but I do have problem with the straps - they seem rather firm, or just maby not so anatomically fited to my body shape, and they dig into my sholders really bad. Do the straps get softer / worn out with time ?
Yes this was my exact question as well. If it only happens when putting the bag on and taking it off, I could live with that. If it happens constantly while wearing it and walking, that would get pretty annoying.
@@JBOutside1 Just wondering if you’ve worn the CPL V3 enough for the crunching / crinkling noise to stop? I’ve seen a couple different reviews online that it seems to go away after some time / wear.
Interestengly you're unable to make use of the side handle on the mirrored. I think they made a terrible call by "listening to their customers". The regular edition makes a lot more sense. I don't see how it makes sense from the production cost perspective creating this left-handed use edition.
