Patagonia Proves Its EDC Mettle with an Affordable Do-It-All Daypack

The beloved outdoor brand fully embraces urban everyday carry with this adaptable, commuter-focused bag.

Black Patagonia backpack with a white water bottle in the side mesh pocket, a key attached to the zipper, and some papers partially visible in the top compartment.

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By Sean Tirman

Published August 15, 2025

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Updated November 10, 2025

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Patagonia’s Fall 2025 gear drop has been exceptional. It has included noteworthy revamped reissues, like the R1 Air Fleece and Nano Puff Jacket, and some noteworthy new additions, like the Black Hole Micro MLC and Black Hole MLC Wheelie.

While those are well inside the brand’s outdoor and travel wheelhouse, another new launch sees the brand creeping into a more unusual space: the world of everyday carry.

The Patagonia Atom Daypack 24L sees the brand’s adventure-ready expertise pared into an affordable bag more at home commuting through the city streets.

Black Patagonia backpack with a side mesh pocket holding a white water bottle, a key attached to the top zipper, and a notebook and pen partially visible in the main compartment. — This backpack is made explicitly for everyday carry but also works as a hiking daypack.

Road-to-trail (in reverse)

Don’t get it twisted, the Atom Daypack has Patagonia DNA inside and out. Although it’s designed as a “work and play” pack, it’s still capable enough to serve you well on the trails.

For instance, the exterior is made from 100-percent recycled polyester (one of the brand’s most frequently used materials) with a DWR finish. That means it’s puncture- and abrasion-resistant, as well as weatherproof.

For all its outdoor friendliness, the bag also has a suite of features that give it an urban commuting and everyday carry edge.

It also has a side water bottle pocket, a breathable back panel and a sternum strap for extra stability and security when you need it. There are even lash points on the outside for additional gear attachment, including a bike light clip at the base of the bag.

Yet, for all its outdoor friendliness, the bag also has a suite of features that give it an urban commuting and everyday carry edge.

Two backpacks are shown against a green background. The left backpack is primarily coral with a blue abstract pattern, featuring padded shoulder straps and a chest strap. The right backpack is mainly blue with dark green sides, yellow accents, and the word "patagonia" printed vertically in pink on the front. It has padded shoulder straps and a sleek, rounded design. — The bag, which has a handy sternum stability strap, comes in four unique colorways.

Built for work and play

Per the brand, this bag was specifically designed for “work and play.” As such, it has numerous features to help you haul the kinds of gear you need daily — not just what you need for the trails.

One of the biggest boons to that end is in its removable 13-inch padded laptop sleeve, which has a zippered mesh pouch for additional storage. This handy addition allows you to haul your tech (and accompanying accessories) when you need it, but can be left behind when you don’t.

Rust-colored Patagonia pouch with a mesh front pocket and a zippered compartment above it, featuring a flap closure at the top. — One of the bag’s highlights is a removable padded laptop sleeve with an additional mesh zippered storage pouch.

One of the other highlight features for EDC is the top accessory pocket. With its zippered closure, this small pouch allows you to stash anything on the smaller side that you might need to fish out regularly, like your keys, a pocket knife, an EDC pen and even your wallet (if you don’t want to keep it on your person).

Finally, it must be noted that the 24-liter capacity is more ideal for a daily hauler. It’s large enough to suit a good amount of gear — laptop, cables, jacket, EDC loadout, and so on — without being too bulky and big to use when it isn’t fully loaded.