Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack – One of the Best Backpacks Ever

The Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack is a feature-packed backpack that is great for travel as well as EDC. The TPU coating handles weather with ease and the backpack looks great. There are a few variations of the Eskape to choose from. You can see them here.

So many features!

The Eskape is packed with useful features.  There are several pockets on the outside that are great for smaller items.  On top, there is a sizeable fleece-lined pocket that is great for sunglasses or small cameras. The bottom front pockets are ideal for small, quick-access items – portable hard drive, knife, pens, etc.

Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack

Both sides of the pack have billowing pockets that can accommodate a large water bottle.  In my case, it was a 32oz double wall bottle. When not in use, the pockets lay flat against the side.

Above those side pockets is a reinforced handle, on both sides, that makes it easy to handle when using the bag on its side.  The pack is great for travel as it has a luggage pass-through behind the back panel.

The main compartment is a very easy-to-access clamshell design.  Once inside, items are easy to see with the bright blue background. I wish more bags did this simple technique.  There is a large stretchy mesh pocket that is great for organizing paperwork.  I used it to organize various action cameras on small tripods.

My favorite pocket is the laptop pocket(s).  It might be the best laptop pocket I have ever seen.  Easily handling a 15″ laptop in the main, padded, and suspended pocket. The next pocket is great for a tablet.  The third pocket is great for paperwork or more electronics.  These pockets are very well protected.

The material is TPU coated nylon that is very burly.  It reminds me of the material on the North Face Basecamp duffle. So, I anticipate this will last for a long time. The pack is very weather-resistant thanks to the coating and the water-tight zippers.

Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack

Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack Review

Ok, features out of the way now.  Let’s get to the review!  I can say that this is my new favorite EDC backpack.  That is saying a lot!  I found that the 25L rating is a bit conservative.  I was able to get all my gear from my previous favorite backpack – the Patagonia Black Hole 32L – into the Eskape with room to spare.

The suspension system carries weight very well too.  I overload my backpacks with a lot of gear, perhaps you do too.  If so, you are going to appreciate this pack.  The sizeable shoulder straps are well padded as is the back panel.  I did not feel the laptop or other gear poking through the bag.

I appreciate that you do not need to fully stuff the backpack for it to look good either.  Some packs get droopy if they are not filled up.  The pockets were all functional and laid out very well.  The load lifters are a nice addition as well, and I wish more EDC backpacks had them.

Kuhl Eskape 25L Backpack

There is a canvas version of the Eskape 25L as well.  It has a more rugged look and feel to it.  I prefer this TPU black version though.

I have been enjoying the Eskape 25L for everyday use and even some winter camping while shooing gear reviews.  It has handled snow and being tossed around in my 4Runner. The looks are nice as well.  Not too technical, not too streamlined, no extra things that you don’t need.  It is just a well-designed and useful backpack. I am a big fan of Kuhl, as you can see from all of our reviews.  But I am an extremely big fan of this backpack!

Eskape™ 25 Backpack in Eskape Series