Yeti keeps expanding their lineup, it appears, and appears to be challenging GoRuck in the EDC pack space. The new 26-liter, all-purpose Tocayo backpack features a sleek, minimal design similar to the GoRuck GR1, and features a rugged, waterproof outer body for the demands of even the toughest gigs.
Like many of their rugged coolers, Yeti built the Tocayo to be an over-engineered, overbuilt piece of gear. The body stands up, with a firm EVA padding built into both the base and the back to keep it sturdy on its own. The outer shell features a polyurethane-backed, 1000D nylon, 210 ripstop backing, and a water-repellent coating for keeping rain and splashes off your gear. A strip of MOLLE modular webbing runs all the way around the bag, for easily attaching gear and modifying the bag to fit your own custom, mission-specific needs. And in the back, there’s a 360-degree padded laptop “vault” large enough for 15” devices, with a handy side-zipper that makes access super easy.
Super-soft, stretchy webbing inside makes organizing and stashing gear easy, and there’s even a quick-stash pocket on top for your keys, wallets and phone.
At $249, it’s not the cheapest bag on the market, but it is almost $50 cheaper than the GR1, it’s most direct competitor. Judging by Yeti’s reputation and the Tocayo’s construction, this bag is likely just as durable and bombproof as the GR1 and has just as much room for storage. And while it lacks the supremely-padded shoulder straps and any kind of mesh ventilation, we’ve come to know and love on the GR1, it’s likely just as comfortable to wear all day long.
One thing the GR1 offers that the Tocayo does not, however, is the ability to open and lay flat, instead opting to stand upright. This isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, it just means you have to opt for top-down packing as opposed to the supremely customizable, arrange-able lay flat configuration.
If you’re looking for a versatile EDC pack that will go anywhere you go, stand up to virtually anything you throw at it, and likely last a lifetime, Yeti has got a great offering. It comes in both Black and Coyote Tan.
