The Six Moon Designs A.D.C. There’s no shortage of travel backpacks out there. Walk into any gear shop or scroll through your favourite outdoor retailer’s site and you’ll be met with an overwhelming sea of options — roll-tops, clamshells, ultralight bags, tactical rigs, and minimalist commuter packs. So when Six Moon Designs released the All Day Carry (ADC), I’ll admit, I didn’t think much of it. Another backpack, I thought. But how wrong I was.
After spending several months travelling, hiking, and even fishing with the ADC — from bustling airports to the backcountry of Lapland — I can confidently say this isn’t just another backpack. It’s one of the most versatile, thoughtful pieces of kit I’ve used in years.
Not Like Anything Else
Let’s start with the obvious: the ADC isn’t really like anything else on the market. Yes, it’s a backpack. Yes, it has zips and straps and a laptop compartment. But it’s the way all those features are combined — and how incredibly well they’re executed — that sets it apart.
The Six Moon Designs ADC bridges the gap between a full-blown hiking pack and an urban travel bag. It’s just as comfortable weaving through Terminal 3 as it is shouldered along a mountain trail. You could rock up to a budget hostel in Reykjavik or a remote camp in Swedish Lapland, and this bag would be equally at home in both.
I’ve used mine to carry clothes through Keflavík Airport on a trip to Iceland, then strapped it on for day trips along the coast and into volcanic hills. I later took it on a thru hike in Lapland where it comfortably hauled my load across long days without complaint. It’s the kind of bag that adapts to your lifestyle, whether you’re trekking trails, exploring a new city, or hopping between both.
Key Features
The Six Moon Designs ADC is packed with features, and I mean packed. Here’s what you get:
- Clamshell opening main compartment for easy access.
- Front admin pocket with a half-zip, complete with an internal zippered pocket for organising smaller items.
- Large full-length compartment on the front with small mesh organisers – great for chargers, pens, first aid kits, or snacks.
- Quick-removable hip belt, ideal for streamlining when you don’t need the extra support.
- 1.5-litre bottle holder on one side – holds a Nalgene or similar-sized bottle without issue.
- Umbrella/fishing rod holder, originally intended for a travel umbrella but perfect for a rod tube.
- Trekking pole carriers that work well on either side.
- Laptop sleeve tucked securely on the back panel – fits a 15″ laptop with ease.
- Two small hip belt pockets for quick-access items like lip balm, headlamp, or trail snacks.
- Two small shoulder strap pockets – perfect for a phone, compact camera, or a snack bar.
- Luggage sleeve on the back to slide over rolling suitcase handles.
The whole bag weighs in at around 2 lb 8 oz (1.13 kg) for the 30 L version, and 2 lb 10 oz (1.19 kg) for the 45 L, depending on configuration. It’s available in both sizes — and trust me, if you like the 30 L, you’ll soon be eyeing up the 45 L version.
Build Quality and Comfort
The materials are exactly what you’d expect from Six Moon Designs — durable, weather-resistant, and built with intention. The body is made from 210D Robic nylon, reinforced in all the right places.
The back panel is padded with breathable mesh, and the shoulder straps are plush without being bulky. There’s a nice curve to the straps that hugs your body, and the adjustability is excellent.
Even fully loaded for a day on the trail, it doesn’t feel like it’s fighting you. That balance between structure and flexibility is hard to get right, but they’ve nailed it here.
Real-World Use
Fly Fishing Day Trips
I took the Six Moon Designs ADC loaded for a day’s fly fishing, attaching my rod tube onto the side using the compression straps — a snug fit, but secure and convenient. Inside, I had my lunch, a rain jacket, small fly box, and flask of tea. The admin pocket kept my tippet spools and tools nicely sorted, and the side pocket held a bottle of water. I even used the laptop compartment to stash a foam seat pad.
Hiking to a remote loch and back, I forgot I was carrying it — and that, to me, is the mark of a well-designed pack.
Weekend City Breaks
The ADC truly shines as a travel bag. For a quick weekend getaway, it fits everything you need: clothes, a spare pair of shoes, toiletries, and a laptop — all without looking bloated or needing a game of pack-Tetris.
What really impressed me was how travel-ready it is. The shoulder straps can be stowed away, and the hip belt removed completely. So if you’re checking the bag, nothing is flapping around to get caught in conveyor belts or snagged by an overzealous baggage handler.
It even has a luggage handle sleeve on the back, so you can slide it over your rolling suitcase handle — that little touch makes airport transfers an absolute dream.
Customer Reviews of the The Six Moon Designs ADC.
It’s not just me who’s impressed. Here’s what other users have said in customer reviews on the Six Moon Designs website:
“Just used this for 2 weeks in the UK and Iceland, and this pack performed exceptionally well as both a travel pack and a hiking pack. I carried it on to all my flights with no issues and it held everything I needed, plus was comfortable to carry for long days exploring.” — ★★★★★
“Really excellent design and construction. The pack’s versatility makes it ideal for short hikes or extended travel. Everything has its place.” — ★★★★★
“The hip belt pockets are genius – finally, a place for my keys and lip balm that doesn’t require stopping and digging through the main compartment.” — ★★★★☆
“Used this as a carry-on through multiple airports and then as a day pack in the Alps. You can tell it was designed by people who actually use backpacks — everything just works.” — ★★★★★
Who is the The Six Moon Designs ADC for?
The All Day Carry is ideal for:
- Travellers who want a pack that transitions from plane to pavement to trail.
- Thru-hikers looking for a compact companion for resupply runs or summit day hikes.
- Commuters who want a comfortable bag with room for their laptop and lunch.
- Weekend warriors planning overnight trips without the hassle of lugging a giant rucksack.
- Fisherfolk, photographers, digital nomads, or anyone who carries gear in varied environments.
Final Thoughts on the Six Moon Designs ADC
For a person who thought they had enough bags, I didn’t think I needed another – until I tried out the ADC. Every time I used it, I discovered something else I liked. One trip it was the way the shoulder straps stowed cleanly for flights. Another, it was the hidden organiser pockets that seemed to swallow all my gear with room to spare. It was a while before these golden finds stopped appearing – it’s that well thought-out.
The build quality is top-tier, the design genuinely clever, and the features are so dialled in that now I’m seriously eyeing up the larger 45 L version for longer trips. The ADC will change the way you travel or trek – it really is one of those rare bits of kit that quietly becomes indispensable.
