CIVIC Half Zip

This is my favorite backpack ever. I've been using it for travel for the most part. My 3.5L Mountain Hip Pack fits (if folded down very intentionally) and this system worked really well for me for air travel. Love the dedicated laptop compartment, it's large enough for my laptop, portable monitor and a tablet. The water bottle pockets are great too. I'm always looking for reasons to use this bag.

Britt G. 5/5 August 22, 2026

Bought this for college son snd he loves it has plenty pockets. Fits macbook 15 inch along with his nintendo switch. Overall great product

Ernest A. 5/5 Verified August 21, 2026

my son saw my civic access sling 1L and loved it unfortunately it’s out of stock but fortunately he’s in need of new backpack and this one hits all the marks for a college student ! Top Notch quality as in the sling and attention to details amazing !, those loops to be able to clip things on both sides of backpack is a nice touch definitely worth every penny!

Ernest A. 5/5 August 7, 2026

The CHZ is incredible overall, with the best nylon material out there. The fold down top works flawlessly, making it so easy to access your stuff. In a lot of ways it’s a masterpiece of a bag, and I could easily see myself using the CHZ style for everything (especially in Fossil Brown!! The Fossil Brown color is so nice). The organization did take a bit of a step down in this new iteration of CHZ, though. While a laptop compartment is nice in theory, its implementation has a couple problems: the opening itself is too narrow, and wider zipper access would help; the pocket itself is too thin, and can’t easily accommodate thicker laptops or thin laptops in a sleeve. (The CTB has a much better laptop compartment.) It’s also not great to lose the excellent top access yoke pocket from V1. Also really miss the attachment points from V1 so I could attach a CAP1. Currently, no pockets can hold the CAP1, which feels like an oversight. Even a CAP 0.5 doesn’t easily fit anywhere. The new external front pocket isn’t my favorite, and losing the internal second pocket on the flap is also a letdown. I think I actually prefer everything about the organization on the V1. If they do a V4 that fixes some of these issues and opens space somewhere for a CAP1 while reintroducing some of the better pocketing of the V1, I’d try again, because I absolutely love the overall CHZ approach. But this particular implementation felt like a step back to me, so I had to return.

Zachary C. 4/5 July 27, 2026

Amazing! Trusting this is what I have been looking for! Maybe for the future (accepting old packs for trade-in credit and environamental care?): * A mesh-lined pocket down in the main internal compartment to really hide wallet and such would be great * A secret external pocket for passport or such. * Any security features inspired by the PackSafe versions. All this without increasing weight would be great!

Viviana 5/5 July 27, 2026

I’ve been using this half zip bag for a little while now, and it’s quickly become my go-to everyday carry. The layout is incredibly well thought out. Everything has a place without feeling over-engineered, and it’s easy to grab what I need without digging around. The build quality is outstanding. The materials feel premium, the zippers are smooth, and the bag has just the right amount of structure to stand on its own while still being comfortable to carry. It’s compact enough to stay out of the way but surprisingly spacious, easily fitting my daily essentials. What really stands out is how comfortable it is to wear and how balanced it feels, even when fully packed. You can tell it was designed by people who actually use their gear every day.

Adam H. 5/5 July 13, 2026

I got the 22l in Xpac. The size is perfect for my EDC. Love the bottle pockets on this bag. The only down side is the accessory pockets. They are kinda small and lack organization. Not a huge deal. Recommendation for the next version, there is a lot of room on the front, maybe a pocket like on the CPL? Just a thought.

Joseph C. 4/5 July 12, 2026

I absolutely love this bag! Ive had it for 1-2months now. From the clean aesthetic to the super high quality materials and build quality, this bag handles anything I throw at it, and even though its got 22L of space, it still feels relatively slim on mh 5’7 frame. This bag fits multiple sets of clothes, and electronics/gear easily. I’ve fit a pair of shoes, toiletry bag, light raincoat, full outfit change including socks and underwear, charger, 15” iPad, and random small items! AND this bag can STILL COMFORTABLY hold my 32oz Owala water bottle….and mikely could hold a second as well without breaking much more of a sweat. Its got great waterproofing and just FEELS like a quality item. I went with this bag after narrowing down from 20+ bags of similar size.

Andrew B. 5/5 Verified June 6, 2026

High quality pack!

Sonia V. 5/5 Verified June 5, 2026

This is the sturdiest bag I’ve ever owned. You can tell from the materials that this bag is meant to last. The pockets are roomy and I find it easy to organize my things. My only complaints are that the front pocket has its zipper so low that I often feel like my things inside might fall off the pocket as soon as I open it. So it makes me feel a bit insecure. The backpack arms are made from the same strong materials but this material can be harsh when rubbed against your direct skin on your shoulder - when you use it with a sleeveless tank, etc.

Supriya S. 4/5 May 24, 2026

Like all my Evergoods products, I love the build quality, design language, and comfort. The CHZ is a perfect EDC bag if you’re someone like me who carries a bit more than the bare essentials, just in case. The laptop pocket is great, but I am sad the yoke pocket had to go to accommodate it. My only complaint would be that the zipper line on the front pocket could come up higher to make the pocket deeper below the line. The pocket is very useable, but would be moreso, if there were more pocket depth when the pack is vertically oriented. Overall, the CHZ is a great pack, and if you’re not beholden to the CTB style pocket layout, you will love it.

David M. 4/5 May 20, 2026

If you're looking for the perfect bag for Disneyland / Disney World - stop looking! This is it. Fits nicely on the rides? ✅ Side pockets for water bottles? ✅ Easy to access front pocket for sunscreen? ✅ External laptop pocket that I used for activity books? ✅ Internal zip pocket for USB power bank? ✅ Works nicely with packing cubes for snacks and extra clothes? ✅ Comfortable all day long? ✅ Not like all the other bags you'll see? ✅ All in all, the CHZ was the perfect bag for long days in the park.

Bruce B. 5/5 May 19, 2026

Love this backpack. It’s super sturdy and well made. I ordered the patches to go with it and love how they look on the logo. My favorite part of it is how big the side pockets are. They fit my 40 oz water bottle easily.

Rhys C. 5/5 May 13, 2026

Can tell the materials are really high quality, but doesn't stand out too much. Also super comfortable. Would highly recommend!

Ted 5/5 May 6, 2026

I have had this bag for around 3 month and I have really enjoyed. I have taken it on a couple of work trips and one family vacation. The bag works great as a daily carry. It worked well on trips with another bag for clothes. It handles my 15 inch MacBook Air and small external display, plus accessories easily. There is plenty of room for my lunch on work days or a jacket and quick change of clothes when traveling. The external water bottle pockets work very well. If I were to make any suggestion, I would ask Evergoods to add just a little more material to the bottom of the bag between the water bottles. With both water bottle pockets filled, the bottom of the bag can look a little weird as the material is tight between the pockets.

Brad T. 5/5 May 1, 2026

The fit and form of this backpack is a dream. This is the most well put together and designed backpack I have ever owned. It is my perfect edc bag.

Eric O. 5/5 April 8, 2026

Addresses my pain points exactly. Fantastic bag!

Matthew S. 5/5 Verified April 4, 2026

I was worried about the size of the CHZ compared to my trusty CPL, but that was unnecessary! This bag holds all of my everyday and/or travel needs with room to spare. And, I now have bottle pockets that the CPL doesn’t incorporate (understandably so!). Best traditional pack I’ve ever seen!

A. P. 5/5 March 22, 2026

I have used this bag for 3 weeks daily carry to work and one week long family vacation. It has worked really well so far. I wouldn’t mind a little more internal organization, maybe a small admin pocket. The front top pocket with key lanyard would be more useful with a loop or tow for pens and maybe a small pocket for knife and flashlight. The pocket has good volume but I want to use it for quick access this limits the items I put in it so I don’t have to rummage through it. I used to take an extra backpack on vacations, but this one works well both while I travel and then as a day bag. The build quality is excellent.

Brad T. 5/5 March 19, 2026

I was worried about downsizing from a 32L pack to 22L, but the organisation is so much better that it still fits everything I want with room to spare. It fits so comfortably on my petite back that I almost forget I'm wearing it. We've also just been through our first snowstorm together and it held up beautifully.

C 5/5 January 16, 2026

Mixed feelings. Great features, but some design quirks. I really wanted to love the CHZ, but it ended up being a bit of a struggle for my workflow. While the build quality is top-tier, the half-zip design makes it surprisingly difficult to get items out of the bottom of the bag without pulling everything else out first. My biggest issue, however, was the top "quick access" pocket. It has great depth, but if you put anything with weight in there (like a power bank or heavy keys), the bag becomes top-heavy. When you open the main zip, the top flap just flops forward, often tipping the whole bag over. The water bottle pockets are also the best in the game. It’s a good bag, but you have to be very mindful of how you load it.

Matthew A. 3/5 January 15, 2026

CHZ 26L may be the best bag I’ve owned. Perfect amount of organization for me, and the construction is among the best I’ve seen. Harness is super comfy too. 10/10.

William A. 5/5 January 13, 2026

I purchased the V3 around the time it was released and it has been my daily work bag since then. I like the side pockets and use them more than I thought I would. I don't bring my work computer home with me often but when I do, it's nice to have a dedicated spot for it. Evergoods quality is top notch.

Austin H. 5/5 January 12, 2026

Love love love this bag!

Matthew D. 5/5 January 12, 2026

After a few years of daily use (v2), this bag just works. I got mine from Mukama (european stockist) and the simple but intentional layout makes daily carry effortless. It handles work items, errands, and the gym without feeling like a compromise. Clean, reliable, and very easy to live with. The "rhino" horn does nit bother me that much since its not there for me when packing the top inner pocket just lightly.

Berk A. 5/5 January 7, 2026

I bought this primarily for commuting to my office job. Some days I love it, some I find there's some tweaks to be done to make it perfect. Pros: * Comfort: I moved on from a competitor's equally expensive bag because the comfort matters a lot. These straps and back panel are great in the Houston, TX heat and humidity. I have to wear office clothes and appreciate not having a giant sweat spot on my back. * Bottle pockets: office job = coffee and water. * Laptop pocket: the laptop pocket is in the most logical spot. Not sideways, not hidden. It's accessible. Cons: * Geometry: the main compartment seems to narrow towards to bottom. I wish it maintained the same width as the top portion above the water bottles. I have to squeeze my lunchbox at an angle. * Outside pocket: this pocket is kind of frustrating because of how it flops out. I understood it was going to happen before I bought it, but in practice it just gets annoying when I want to reach in the main compartment for something quickly, and then struggle to zip it closed with only one hand. * Floppy: the bag is floppy when not loaded at the bottom, especially when the top pockets are loaded. So when I take my lunchbox out, the bag is entirely top-heavy. Suggestions for Evergoods: I'd love to see a more traditional exterior admin pocket under the exterior "pac-man" pocket. Anything toward the bottom to help out distribute the weight and improve organization. I'd love a wider bottom to the main compartment. I know there are other backpacks in the line that are better for organization (which I also own), but this one is my main commuter because of the commonsensical placement of the laptop pocket.

Gabriel C. 3/5 December 26, 2025

I love the new CIVIC Half Zip, I am also user of CIVIC Half Zip 2022, 2025 version upgraded the material. The laptop separation is very user friendly, it makes me more easy to pick up the laptop. Also, their customer service is very supportive when I am facing problems on the product.

Ray T. 5/5 November 21, 2025

Perfect size! Also very comfortable with plenty of pockets.

Pablo L. 5/5 Verified November 19, 2025

Love the material upgrades. But I found that I don't even use the new laptop compartment. Would've been perfect if the top access pouch wasn't replaced with a laptop compartment and the straps inside weren't removed.

Mathew F. 3/5 November 10, 2025

PROs: The breathable back panel (other top-quality brands should learn something from Evergoods!) The undeniable high-quality materials: so far, it feels sturdy, resistant, with amazing zippers. The comfort of shoulder straps. The laptop suspension. Versatility: I use it for travelling and commuting to the workplace. CONs: The laptop zipper could be wider: it fits my 15'' laptop just right. There's no quick-access pocket: I have to completely take the backpack off to reach something in the front pocket. The plastic layer determining the back structure feels a bit excessive and large. I would have liked a better internal organisation (no pen loop). I really miss some strap holders to stop the dangle. The dimensions are weird and uncommon: too high, and not wide enough (especially at the bottom). It would be PERFECT for travelling, but the dimensions are just too much for airlines' standards.

Luca 4/5 November 10, 2025

My favorite bag from Evergoods in terms of a great edc. The lower back digging is much less of an issue on this compared to the ctb20. It’s not overly complicated nor does it feel super heavy on it’s own. The half opening feels like it offers plenty of visibility and access to my gear despite not being full clamshell. Wish it had a luggage passthrough, foam framesheet, and strap keepers. Overall though this is my favorite bag in general and I feel like it’ll last a very long time.

Jason M. 5/5 Verified October 29, 2025

I really like this bag, I just wish it had one extra pocket on the front like the MPL. I love the laptop sleeve though! It’s the perfect mix of being protective but also being out of the way when I’m not using it. I’m not someone that takes my laptop everyday, so I love that I’m not losing a bunch of space.

Lain M. 4/5 October 25, 2025

I really like the ballistic nylon material and overall I like how this bag is mostly one main open compartment which is what I needed for a road trip. The new version of this bag moved the yoke pocket and converted the spot to a dedicated laptop sleeve. For me this is a downgrade since the laptop sleeve doesn’t feel protected enough from the main compartment (it’s feels like only thin fabric separating them). If the bag is packed full like on my trip that laptop sleeve is almost unusable and I’d be afraid to have a light/thin laptop in there. I actually decided not to put my laptop in the sleeve at all and carried it separately. The yoke pocket was moved to the front of the bag which is still ok, but half of the volume is above the zipper so if you open it while the bag is upright things will just fall out. It’s better used laying flat which sort of defeats the purpose based on how I use the quick access pocket.

Josh S. 3/5 October 25, 2025

Great quality material, but the design is defective. All of the storage sections are on the top of the bag and not deep, which means the weight is on top so the bag always falls down, especially when it’s empty but also when it’s not (e.g. even when I have a 17” laptop in it).

J Z. 3/5 October 11, 2025

The CIVIC Half Zip 22L feels like a masterclass in restraint and execution. The 500d nylon has the right balance of structure and suppleness — firm enough to hold its form, yet soft enough to contour when worn. The coating gives a subtle hand feel that hints at long-term durability without excess weight. The half-zip design strikes a balance between accessibility and containment. It offers controlled entry that prevents the bag from spilling its contents, while still letting me reach what matters quickly. Zipper placement and seam alignment are precise, giving a clean geometry that never feels sloppy, even when half-packed. Inside, the volume feels dialed to an intentional threshold. I run it with a 15” MacBook Air, a B4 notebook, and modular organizers: CAP0.5 for stationery and screen cleaner, CAP2 as a desk caddy for chargers and small personal items, and CAP1 as a tech kit for cables, dongles, and drives. Add in AirPods Pro Max and a few extras, and it’s complete without excess. Everything slots in, nothing feels forced. That’s what sets this bag apart: the design rewards clarity. If you try to carry beyond its limit, it’s a signal — either your needs are truly unique, or you’re simply overpacking. The CHZ 22L isn’t about capacity inflation; it’s about the discipline of proportion, access, and materials working together in harmony.

Joe V. 5/5 September 22, 2025

I have the slate grey version of this bag, which is a perfect daily backpack for all purposes. I take this with my working laptop during weekday, and there are spaces for few more items say a book, an iPad, a CAP2L or CAP0.5L for small items, along with a few grocery items grabbed from supermarket before I go home. I love the outer pockets at both sides where our city is always raining so I can always keep an umbrella by side without items inside my bag getting wet.

Tin Lam K. 5/5 September 19, 2025

Love this bag. I really wish and hopefully they put back the quick access pocket in the top or could be inside the laptop sleeve area so its more hidden and secure rather than in front of the bag. Also maybe can add a luggage pass through for this bag and a new size 30L option. Different color internal option? Simple minimalist bag for travel ... looking forward for the V3 model..

Rozaleah B. 5/5 September 16, 2025

Have waited a few months to post this as I wanted to give the back a good trial to get a feel for it. The bag construction is of outstanding quality, and I can make no criticism of it at all. Based upon my usage so far, I fully expect to have it in regular use 10 or 15 years from now. All materials are rugged and robust and of the highest quality. The all black design is stylish and sits well and high on the back for excellent comfort. The laptop pocket is protective from all directions and easy to access. The 22l capacity legitimately achieved. In fact, in every aspect the bag is the best daily use backpack I've ever owned. If we want to get real picky now, I would say the greatest criticism I can make of the bag is that if it is zipped open while almost empty, it tips forward. If the zip was just 3'' or 4'' longer, the front flap would probably touch the ground and prevent that. And that, is the worst thing I can say about it. Can recommend without reservation, worth every penny.

Jagdev G. 5/5 August 27, 2025

So pleased with this backpack! The materials are excellent quality and it is the perfect size. Comfortable to wear and easy to access things I’ve stored.

Drew R. 5/5 August 24, 2025

Got the backpack as a birthday gift and have been thoroughly enjoying it! I love the look and aesthetic of the bag along with the water bottle pockets. It's perfect as a work and dad bag. I gave it 4 stars because I think the bag could use another deep pocket.

Ian K. 4/5 August 21, 2025