BUILT TO LAST

If you're looking for a military-grade bag that can withstand some rough treatment, the KNKG Everyday Tactical Backpack is worth its weight in dynamic durability

- TJ Fink

First impressions KNKG is short for King Kong, and if you're going to name your gym bags after a larger-than-life gorilla, they better be a bit beastly between the seams. When my test unit arrived in the mail, it felt like I was getting prepped for a Black Ops mission; the backpack definitely lives up to its namesake in the 'tactical' department.

The MOLLE webbing on the bag's exterior is a nice touch, as is the included carabiner. I'm a little disappointed that the Everyday Tactical (EDT) Backpack is lacking a hip strap, but since this minimalist model is meant to be used primarily as a gym backpack (as opposed to a rucking or backpacking backpack), I wouldn't call that a deal-breaker.

Pockets, pockets, pockets

The EDT Backpack is pretty minimalist at first glance, and that's just fine by me. The 1000D nylon body is complemented by snazzy leather accents, a ripstop nylon lining, Duraflex buckles, and YKK zippers. The MOLLE webbing (and included carabiner) creates useful attachment points around the bag's perimeter, and the main compartment is flanked by expandable bottle pockets a necessity for any gym-goer.

If you're a fellow fitness fanatic who's also a tech nerd, you'll be happy to know that the EDT Backpack comes with a dedicated 16-inch laptop sleeve to keep your devices protected. Open up the main compartment and you'll find four more pockets (one with a zipper) to keep smaller stuff separated when you're on the move. The contoured shoulder straps and adjustable sternum strap are paired with breathable back padding to accommodate heavier loads. Regrettably, the shoulder straps would occasionally dig into my skin when the bag was loaded to full capacity - even when the sternum strap was being used.