Triple Aught Design Axiom 24 Review

Triple Aught Design is well known to our Carry community for making rugged technical gear. They’re a small American business making gear mostly in the United States with the purpose of inspiring people to live more adventurous lives. Their name, Triple Aught Design, is a reference to engineering jargon. It means 000, or a thousandth of an inch, which in their words: “has been the high standard of precision tolerance for over a century.”

And their Axiom series has been one great pack after another with their X25 taking home the win in Carry Awards V. The Axiom 18 winning a Highly Commended in VI and the Axiom 24 in Carry Awards VII.

So we decided to review the Axiom 24 and report back on a classic.

Who It Doesn't

Being so capable, effective, and utilitarian, I think that there are few people that this wouldn’t suit. The main factor that will likely turn people away is easily its price. Coming in at $365 at the time of writing, this is not a cheap pack. That alone is more than enough to drive away many people. The other factor is looks. If you work in a space that requires professional or formal attire, this might not fit in due to its “tactical” aesthetic.

Design

The stitching is solid with clean lines and it’s reinforced on stress points such as the top carry handle. The shell and lining are durable, but also flexible, which makes the bag easier to pack since it’s not too stiff. It also keeps its shape very well, so even if you don’t have much packed it still looks good. I’ve got some scuff marks where the bag has brushed against a surface, but they wipe off easily. To be quite honest, with the rugged, utilitarian look of this pack, I actually prefer seeing some scuffs on it.

Speaking of looks, I really do love the look of the texture of the fabric, the uniform silhouette, and the overall utilitarian aesthetic. The laptop compartment, although not suspended, is very well padded. It’s also ambidextrous. There are technically two laptop compartments, but I wouldn’t recommend using both if for whatever reason you need to carry two. I use the second one to store very flat objects, such as a folder in my case.

There are two pockets on either side of the bag that allow you to store a water bottle or umbrella. However, they do eat into the main compartment, and they aren’t large enough to hold my 32oz bottle. What’s cool about this though is that there are actually holes so that if your bottle spills, or your umbrella is wet, it will drain outside of the bag. This is an awesome detail that reminds me of the holes in the EVERGOODS Civic Half-Zip that allow for dust to fall through.

There’s really not much to complain about here, just a few nitpicks. The zippers on the back for the laptop and water bottle compartment can be easy to mix up. They do have different zipper pulls to help you differentiate between the two, but it’s worth noting.

Although the laptop compartment is well padded and ambidextrous, it’s awkward to access because the flap that the shoulder straps are connected to obstructs the motion of getting your laptop in and out. This might not be as much of an issue with 13" laptops, but it is annoying with my 16" laptop.

Features

I think one of the most eye-catching aspects of this bag would be its admin compartment. It’s easily the best I’ve used in any bag by far. The pockets are intentional and considered. The zippered mesh panel is awesome because stuff doesn’t fall out when you open the pocket, and you can see what you have inside.

You’ve also got two internal water bottle pockets on both sides with cutouts at the bottom for water to pass if there are spills. Now the cool thing about these pockets is that since they’re internal, you can use them for things other than water bottles.

This pack has an inverted pocket that can be accessed from outside or through the main compartment. This is pretty innovative and I haven’t seen any other pack do something like that. What I like about it is that it’s so well implemented that it doesn’t take any space when not in use.

Performance

There’s lots to like here. The Axiom 24 skillfully walks the line between simplicity and practicality. The organization is outstanding. The admin compartment has intentional, practical pockets that aren’t overbearing. It’s designed in such a way that allows you to carry a surprising amount of stuff. I appreciate how the admin pocket unzips in a way that allows for clear visibility of everything that you have inside. In my experience, some bags may have a large capacity, but the way it’s constructed makes it feel tight. The Axiom 24, however, excels in making its 24L capacity feel spacious and flexible.

Access is great since you have that clamshell opening, but also the admin compartment unzips to give you plenty of space to get to your gear. The main compartment is spacious, allowing you to pack a lot without feeling cramped. There isn’t any organization other than some webbing attachment points, which means if you’re packing smaller items, you’re going to want to look into some pouches. I personally love this because packing with pouches allows for lots of flexibility and extra organization, but your mileage may vary.  

With its burly straps and mesh back, it’s comfortable to wear and easy to adjust the load. An important thing to note is that sometimes I feel like the straps sit wide on my shoulders, so if you have a smaller frame, you may want to utilize the sternum strap.

There are also load adjustment straps that really allow you to dial in on the perfect fit. They’re easy to use, and they aren’t too obstructive, but you may notice them dangling around sometimes. The sternum strap can also be moved to different points on the shoulder straps and the back panel has firm mesh with air channels for ventilation also.

There are loops on the shoulder straps where you can attach accessories such as carabiners, flashlights, etc. It’s like every inch of this pack has a notable feature, and that’s what I love about it. Even the shell, lining, and zippers are all water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry when walking in the rain; a lifesaver for folks who live in rainy climates or need to walk or cycle to get to places.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking at the Axiom 24 for its durability and water resistance, maybe check out the Mission Workshop Rhake in its VX fabric. Alternatively, the Black Ember Citadel has exceptional water resistance as well, while being a 25-liter bag with a clamshell opening.

Verdict

The Triple Aught Design Axiom 24 backpack is a revered bag in the carry community, and rightfully so. Every part of this bag feels as if it was designed with intention and high standards. This is certainly a one-and-done type of pack, as it should be for the price at the time of writing. I’m happy to say that I have a new favorite EDC backpack.

This article was written by Jeffrey McDuffie. Bag geek, everyday carry enthusiast, and connoisseur of video games.