Aer City Pack 2 Review: The Best Everyday Carry Backpack I've Found

I've Had Too Many Bags. This One Might Be the Last.

If you're into bags and everyday carry, you know the feeling. You buy one, it's almost perfect, but something's off. The zippers feel cheap. The laptop compartment is too shallow. The straps dig into your shoulders after an hour.

I've been through this cycle more times than I'd like to admit. But after the Aer Gym Duffel completely impressed me with its build quality, I went all in on the Aer City Pack 2 — and I'm glad I did.

What Is the Aer City Pack 2?

The City Pack 2 is a 16-liter everyday carry backpack built for people who carry tech, work on the go, and want something that looks clean without sacrificing function.

Key specs:

16L capacity — compact but surprisingly deep
1680D Cordura ballistic nylon — the same material used in military gear
YKK zippers — industry standard for durability
Fits a 16-inch laptop
Lightweight nylon interior
Luggage pass-through on the back panel

There's also a City Pack Pro 2 with 24L capacity if you need more room. I deliberately went with the smaller version because I'm trying to stop overpacking.

The Build Quality Is Immediately Obvious

The first thing you notice picking this bag up is the material. The 1680D Cordura feels substantial — not flimsy, not overly stiff, just solid. The straps are thick and padded, the back panel is comfortable, and the side handles give you multiple carry options.

The zippers have a slightly resistant feel — almost waterproof — which means they take a beat more effort to open but give you confidence your stuff is protected.

Full Pack-Out: What Actually Fits

Here's where reviews get real. I transferred everything from my previous bag (a Nomadic) into the City Pack 2. Here's what went where:

Front Tech Pocket

This pocket runs almost the full depth of the bag — deeper than you'd expect. I loaded it with:

Charging cables and adapters (USB-C, Lightning, camera cables)
UGREEN USB-C Hub* for my MacBook
A 2TB portable SSD
A pen (Staples TRU RED — best pen for the price, no debate)

The cable organizer loops inside keep everything tidy. I tucked my less-used cables at the bottom where they're out of sight but accessible when needed.

Quick-Access Pocket

Wallet
Sunglasses and regular glasses (fits two pairs easily)
Small daily items

Main Compartment

This opens almost all the way, which makes packing and finding things significantly easier than a top-loading bag.

What I fit:

MacBook Pro 14" M4* with case — slides in perfectly
iPad Mini* in the tablet sleeve
AirPods Max* — fits but takes up space
My Velcro folio notepad
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro* and DJI Osmo Pocket — side by side in the top
Action camera accessories, ND filters, and a mic

Water Bottle Pocket

Fits a standard water bottle and the bag still stands upright on its own — a small detail that matters more than you'd think.

What Doesn't Fit

Let's be honest about the limitations:

AirPods Max in the front pocket — too thick. They fit in the main compartment, just not the quick-access pocket.
Bulky charger bricks — they fit but you'll feel them pressing against the edge of the bag. Fine for me, but keep it in mind if you're packing fragile items next to the wall.
Camera cage/rig — had to leave mine behind. This is a daily carry bag, not a camera bag.

If you're a heavy packer like me, the 24L City Pack Pro 2 might be the better call. But part of the point of going with 16L was forcing myself to carry only what I actually need.

City Pack 2 vs. My Previous Bag

Coming from a Nomadic bag, the difference was immediate. The Nomadic looked right but never felt right — hard to explain until you try both. The Aer's strap system sits better on my shoulders, the material feels more premium, and the organization makes more sense for tech-heavy carries.

Who Is This Bag For?

You'll love the City Pack 2 if you:

Carry a laptop, tablet, and accessories daily
Want a bag that looks clean in professional settings
Prefer compact bags that force you to pack intentionally
Care about build quality and materials over brand hype

You might want the Pro version if you:

Travel frequently and need the extra 8L
Carry camera gear regularly
Pack more than a laptop, tablet, and headphones

The Aer Ecosystem

What sold me on trying the City Pack 2 was the Aer Gym Duffel. Best duffel bag I've owned — lifetime warranty, perfect size for the gym, and the quality made me trust the brand completely. If you're looking for a gym bag, that's my recommendation without hesitation.

Bottom Line

The Aer City Pack 2 is the everyday carry backpack I've been looking for. 1680D Cordura, YKK zippers, smart organization, and a compact form factor that forces you to pack what matters. It's not perfect for heavy packers — but that might be the point.

Pick it up directly from Aer. They ship from the US to Canada in about two days. You do pay shipping, but the quality makes it worth it.

Gear Mentioned in This Video

Product	Link
Aer City Pack 2	aersf.com
Aer City Pack Pro 2	aersf.com
Aer Gym Duffel	aersf.com
Apple AirPods Max	Buy on Amazon*
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro	Buy on Amazon*
UGREEN USB-C Hub	Buy on Amazon*
MacBook Pro 14" M4	Buy on Amazon*
iPad Mini	Buy on Amazon*

Some links above are affiliate links — if you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and trust.