Aer City Pack Pro Review (Worth the hype?)

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00:00 - Intro
0:49 - Gist of the Pack
3:06 - Front of the Pack
7:29 - Middle of the Pack
13:51 - Back of the Pack
19:30 - Pros and Cons
20:55 - Alternatives

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Aer has released one of the most hyped bags of the year - the Aer City Pack Pro!

We did a review of the Aer City Pack original last year and were very impressed by its size, functions, and price point.

But is the Aer City Pack Pro worth the price increase? Is it ideal for all your tech gear? And what are the primary differences between this version and the original?

In this Aer City Pack Pro review, we break down everything you need to know so you can easily decide if this is the pack for you.

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Get the Aer City Pack Pro if…

✅ You are looking for large EDC for your tech gear

✅ You want a large EDC that can double as a small one bag travel bag

✅ You want a larger EDC that is well designed and made with premium materials

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DO NOT get the Aer City Pack Pro if…

❌ You love the Aer City Pack Pro, but you don't need such a large bag. Below's another alternative... 👇🏼

🎒 Aer City Pack (original)
✍🏼 Smaller capacity, sleeker look

❌ You want a tech pack that has a bit more versatility. Check below for another great option… 👇🏼

🎒 Nomatic Backpack
✍🏼 Sleek business pack that can expand from 20L to 24L

❌ You are looking for a 24L technical pack, but want to see a different take. Here's another recommended pack for you… 👇🏼

🎒 Evergoods CPL24
✍🏼 Amazing build, extremely versatile, cult-like following

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Specs/Features/Summary

• Capacity: 24 liter
• Cordura Ballistic Nylon
• New pockets
• Duraflex hardware
• PU Coated YKK zippers
• Quick access pocket
• Built in keyring holder
• Large top pocket

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Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Aer City Pack Pro review! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!)

Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

[aaronmaes]

Two years ago, I commented on this review, raving about the City Pack Pro. Two years later, I’m still using the bag every day. It still looks new, has no malfunctions, and is incredibly comfortable. The Fyro T22 might replace the CPP, but it has tough competition.

As far as I can tell, after 2 years using this bag everyday it's still a no brainer.

[machtmer]

Thank you for this review, Aaron!! I’ve loved the whole idea of this bag since your short announcement video premiered. I’m a partially Blind 43yo urbanite/PhD student and live in the northern tier US. Read: lots of tech (laptop, Braille display, Bluetooth keyboard, tablet, travel cane, and all the cabling), a need to look professional and a need to be weather tight (and also take the occasional scrape and both protect and not look atrocious…Nomatic isn’t gonna work), and a need to be comfortable when loaded (43yo back) and travel well. I love AER’s aesthetic (the organization is really helpful for non-visual use), and have loved my City Pack. But it’s just a little too efficient for my carry needs. I think the Pro is my new favorite bag, and certainly my favorite bag of 2022. Thank you for doing this review!

[aaronmaes]

It's the best backpack I have ever owned. I use it everyday to go to work and I need some more stuff to carry. If you don't need the space it's not that much bigger then the aer city original. Really it's a no brainer!

[martindatuin]

Out of the many YT channels that review backpacks, I prefer your channel because your reviews are unbiased, informative, and very entertaining as well. Also appreciate that you provide examples of what you can store in each pocket of the bag.

[nboston]

Thanks for the review. You get full set of aquaguard zippers with the X-PAC version. The zipper pulls are also reflective. I was worried about X-PAC thinking it’s be the cheap raincoat type crinkly, but it’s pretty stiff and durable. Def worth spending $26 extra for what you get.

[mannixmangan]

I've had this bag now for about 2 and a half weeks. I have used it on 2 trips. One budget flight to the UK, and 1 long-haul flight to Asia on a larger carrier.

Pros:

The build and overall quality of the bag are top-tier. No matter how much I pack (within reason), it never feels like you may bust zip.

It’s Ryanair under-seat compatible! I was able to push it into their 'bag-sizer-checker' with ease, which is a huge plus for anyone flying budget. I will confidently take this on any airline Worldwide now.

I can fit my Air Pods Max (with the cover) perfectly in the outer top zip compartment. Similarly, a travel washbag fits just right in the bottom outer zip.

The outer top pocket is perfect for accessing items on a plane. This means you don't need to take an additional sling.

The top handle is fantastic—it’s strong and feels great.

The durability is impressive. It honestly feels like you could throw it off a building, and it would still be fine!

The price is very reasonable for what you get. It’s a bag that will last you a long, long time.

The laptop area is excellent, especially if you have a pricey laptop. My 15-inch MacBook Pro fits with ease, and I imagine a 16-inch would too.

There’s even room for an 11-inch iPad Air next to the laptop.

The straps are incredibly comfortable, even when carrying heavier loads.

Cons:

A lot of space is dedicated to the laptop area. When I don’t bring my laptop, it feels like there’s a lot of empty, heavy space.

When I open the main compartment, it looks like (to my eye) only about 33% of the bag is dedicated to the main packing area for clothes, which doesn’t match the overall size and weight of the bag. I expected more packable space. I travel for 2 nights max, so it works, but the over-sized laptop area and padding seem to be taking away from the main compartment. The thickness of the bags material and related padding, maybe when added altogether removes space from the main compartment?

There’s a plastic ring above the bottle holder. If you attach something to it (like another plastic item), it makes a 'clink' noise with each step. They should’ve placed it on the other side, where there’s nothing to clash with. You could attach something small, I had a neck cushion attached.

The small side pocket is pretty much only usable for keys or very small items. I tried putting my passport in there, but it wasn’t functional. I rarely use that pocket.

The original zipper pulls were too hard on my fingers and glossy. I ended up replacing them with softer ones from online. I used a different-coloured zip for the front pocket so I can quickly spot it when I’m on a plane.

There’s no obvious, convenient place to store your passport. I still kept my passport in my jacket pocket when walking around the airport as taking off the bag to get it out was a hassle. The small side pocket just doesn’t work for that. It chafes the edges of your passport.

It sits a little high on my neck when I wear it, so when I turn my head, it feels like I’m carrying a bulky army bag rather than something sleek and unobtrusive. My friends commented 'when's the camping trip' when I first wore it :)

The straps are super comfortable, but they’re also quite chunky. Reducing their bulk might help cut down on the overall weight.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the bag. It arrived in about 3 days from the USA to Europe, that was impressive. The build quality, durability, and thoughtful design make it stand out, especially for frequent travellers. Despite a few minor tweaks I’d love to see—like a better use of space and a more convenient spot for my passport—the pros far outweigh the cons. It’s comfortable to wear, fits perfectly within airline restrictions, and feels like it’ll last me for years to come. For the price, you’re getting a bag that’s reliable, well-made, and versatile enough for everything from quick trips to daily commutes.

Thanks to the channel for leading me to this bag, and eventual purchase!

[kyleherschberger]

Awesome review! I bought this bag based almost entirely on this review. It is perfect for my EDC. I have also used it for short overnight camping trips, and it works great for that as well. For me, it is the perfect all in one bag. The material quality is amazing, and there is nothing major about it that I would change.

[Avoozl]

For an entire week, I've probably watched all of your videos back and forth, weighed and pondered, and this is the one I decided to go with! THANK YOU so much for all your reviews! (Now I just have to wait for the backpack to be delivered!)

[robinjohnson]

I just ordered this for an airplane underseat backpack. It seems a good fit for wanting the most capacity possible while fitting in the underseat measurement requirements (meets American Airlines requirements). I love lots of organizational pockets to immediately locate what you want instead of digging on the flight. Hope I love it!

[seantavakoli]

Just bought mine. I have been doing so much research. I was really trying to decide between the travel pack small and the city pack pro (both xpac) I went with the city pack pro because there were so many people who said that travel pack was on the heavier side. This is literally something I use everyday. I’m upgrading for the north face borealis. Little less in volume but excited to see how it turns out!

[magpiefirefly]

Appreciate the in-depth review. I watched a ton of other videos of reviews from you, but decided on the X-Pac version of this bag, and I'm waiting for it to come in now. It's hard to find good in-depth reviews for people like me who like to agonize over purchases, down to the smallest details. I'm sure that this one is just right for me now.

And don't worry, I made sure to use the link in the description!

[eitanlahyani]

Just got mine! Mainly based on your review(s). Quite of a journey the bag did from my sister in NYC here to Tel-Aviv.
I looked for a bag that will suite my EDC - mainly GYM-Work bag and I REALLY wanted an Aer bag, but I didn't like that much the Duffle and I was afraid the Fit pack will be too small.
The Pro Pack is damn perfect for me! I mean this bag, wow.
On a more general note, just to say that I'm following literally every EDC/Travel channel out there, happy to say NN is the best! Mainly because of your presentation/acting skills ;) and also because the pro editing, both make the videos fun rather than tiring. so massive Kudos!

[Izzy-ufrd]

I’ve been binging your channel and watched a ton of your videos. I'm buying the Aer City Pack Pro, it checks all my boxes!

- Luggage handle pass-through (I’d prefer vertical, but it works)
- Easy access pocket (nice to get passport while in the airport)
- Half-moon front pocket (love this for flights)
- Separate laptop compartment (personal preference)
- 24L size (In my opinion, the perfect for both an everyday carry and a compact travel bag for quick weekend trips)

[Chris]

Awesome job! Just purchased it. You also helped me make my decision on the peak design travel backpack earlier this year, which I love. You should consider reviewing the brown buffalo conceal. Although maybe that's too niche.

[tomsullivan]

love your channel! I bought the Aer Fit but it seems a bit of a tight fit…love that this has side pocket, key leash, front pocket & clam-style opening (none of which are on the Fit), I’ll gladly give up the shoe compartment for all of these other features & larger size

[jasecola]

Just wish this thing kept the same full length admin panel and side handle from the City Pack.

[emmaoneill]

Think I did the vast majority of my searching on this channel and finally ended with the aer city backpack pro in olive and some alpaka bits as well for travel ease, the alpaka backpack in the end not having a separate laptop compartment was the killer.

[nellybash]

My cabin bag is a Cabin Zéro 36l bag packed with 4 small packing cubes from Decathlon STACKED (like drawers) whilst the bag is standing upright. Packing cubes help the bag retain its shape. The laptop pocket is against your back. Straps and back padding are comfortable. Small tech accessories, docs, Id etc, toileries are carried in my personal bag.

[AC-gnmn]

I didn’t take your advice on the nomadic 40L travel bag about it being heavy and regretted it. After watching this review I purchased the city pack pro and loved it as soon as I put it on. Light, comfortable and hits the checks I needed for a day/travel pack. After a day walking the city I’m an Aer fan.

[DanEngineer]

I love the Aer Travel Pack 3 in small & X-Pac, best backpack I've ever owned, basically the same but 28L and with load lifters 🥰, it's just awesome.