Did Nike Accidentally Design the Perfect Home-to-Office EDC Pack?

While I wouldn’t say it happens often, sometimes brands design a piece of gear for one purpose, failing to realize it actually suits a different one even better. For instance, Patagonia released a fishing pack last year that turned out to be a spectacular auxiliary travel bag.

For a brand like Patagonia, it was a pretty big oversight, but it turned out to be a boon for EDC fans. Now, another major outfit has made a similar … let’s call it a happy accident.

Nike’s Commuter Elite is billed as a running backpack, but it has the chops to be something much more beneficial for day-to-day, city-to-office EDC use.

Nike

Running the gamut

Nike is dead-set on this being a running bag, as evidenced by the first line of its description: “Run with confidence with the Nike Commuter Elite Backpack.” And there’s a lot of support for that position beyond the brand saying so.

It has a slender, body-hugging silhouette that helps keep it stable in motion, and a harness-style strap system that keeps it locked down tight. These are hallmarks of running wearables, like vests and packs.

Nike

The thing is, many of the elements that make it a great running backpack also work spectacularly in an EDC backpack. For instance, the harness-style shoulder straps keep the bag hugged to the user’s body, keeping everything from jostling around while in motion. Obviously, this is great for running, but it’s also ideal for hopping off the train and booking it up (or down) the stairs to catch another train or a cab. And it’ll keep you supported and stable when hoofing it, too.

And to counter what could be a very stuffy fit, it has padded, breathable straps and a back panel, so you won’t feel suffocated when you’re locked in and moving around. See, it’s the exact same feature set that suits it to running that makes this an outstanding daily carry option, too. And that’s not the half of it…

Nike

Secret stash

The bag has a svelte 16-liter capacity, which maybe isn’t enough for weekender-like travel (though it could make a great personal item or auxiliary daypack), but offers the perfect amount of room for your everyday carry and office essentials.

To speak further to its EDC usage, it also features a hydration-compatible pouch inside, which sneakily makes the perfect laptop sleeve. Similarly, on one shoulder strap, there’s a waterproof phone pocket. This positioning in the user’s field of vision makes it both safe and protected — a necessity for commuter security.

And on the other strap, there’s a small zippered pocket, which mirrors the phone pouch and makes for an excellent discreet stash for other EDC gear you might be carrying, like your keys, wallet, pocket knife or even a MetroCard.

Nike

It also features hidden safety elements, namely reflective details. That helps boost the wearer’s visibility in low-light conditions, such as dusk and after nightfall. And it’s another addition that can benefit runners and EDCers alike.

Yeah, this bag is probably well-suited to city runners, as it was intended. However, I don’t know too many who do their daily 5K in a backpack (wilderness-going trail runners are a different story entirely). Maybe Nike is simply being coy in its positioning, as I’m having a hard time seeing the Commuter Elite as anything other than the ideal EDC backpack.

Nike

Availability and pricing

The Nike Commuter Elite Backpack is now available on the brand’s site for $90. However, the Nike Running Division edition is discounted to $84, so long as you don’t mind the additional branding.

Nike

Nike Commuter Elite Backpack

• $84 at Nike
  $90 (7% off)

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