I just went through a bunch of messing around with my EDC pack and thought my experience could be useful. I also though I would get others opinions about unbelted backpacks.
I have started walking a lot more as part of my commute with my backpack full of stuff. Typically this means I am using my usual AIWB carry method simultaneously. For me, I find I can't really carry a gun in my belt and wear a belted pack. My 7yo Camelbak Linchpin was starting to pinch my lower back a bit on longer walks, so I decided to explore options.
I ended up buying a GoRuck Rucker 21l due to a lot of amazing reviews and the clear fan base for these packs. I also liked the clean design. Today I returned the Rucker though.
What I liked: looks and evident bombproof construction.
What I disliked: It was super stiff out of the box. This improved after 14 miles of rucking, but still, it was no improvement over the Linchpin, and it still pinched my spare tire a bit in back.
21L is just too small for me. Very tight fit if I wear layers that I want to shed for the walk home. This was something I didn't know, but I like having the 32L of the Camelbak available occasionally for light, bulky stuff.
Hydration shares space with all the other stuff in the pack and a leak is kind of catastrophic. Hydration also went into a middle pocket and the pocket for the ruck weights is too small to be used for paperwork.
Minimal design means minimal organizational pockets. I don't need a lot, but this thing was just too little.
I considered going with the over twice as expensive GR1, but it didn't seem worth paying twice the price for a laptop pocket given that it has all the same issues above.
I have been on a pack OCD kick with this, and have looked at Mystery Ranch, Arcteryx, Vertx, 5.11, Tactical Tailor, Mission Workshop, Camelbak, Peak Design and a bunch I don't remember off hand. Dang it if I can't find anything I like better than my old reliable.
I would be happy for folks to share their experience with beltless rucking. It has been a pretty new experience for me as I always wear a belted pack with Safepacker when hiking, but it seemed excessive for walking 5 miles to work with 10-15lbs on my back, and a gun AIWB. I have been surprised at the comfort of AIWB, for walking. Any packs that have worked great for you?