In the market for a new EDC pack, have it narrowed down to 4. I've been carrying a Kelty 3500 MAP for the last 5 years or so. LOVE this pack, I've even used it for overnight camping trips. My issue has been #1 it is a little large for EDC, I want to get something slightly smaller and #2, I specifically chose this pack because it doesn't have MOLLE all over it, still, I get asked every couple months by someone if I'm in the military, so it isn't as discrete as I think it is. Top 4 choices I've come up with:

1. Kelty Peregrine 1800 (basically a smaller version of my current pack, this time I'd get black instead of coyote)
https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Tactical-Peregrine-1800-Backpack/dp/B004CKAV4Y?tag=vglnk-c102-20

2. Vertx EDC ready, would probably take the grey color.
http://tacticalgear.com/vertx-edc-ready-pack-smoke-gray?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=bingads&utm_content=vertx#/24222/6386/1&dl=b

3. 5.11 covert 18
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B4517V6/ref=twister_B01FTJS7JC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&tag=vglnk-c102-20

4. Grey ghost gear stealth operator pack
http://www.greyghostgear.com/product-p/6009.htm

Basically, my requirements are that #1, it doesn't look super tactical. Molle all over or multicam draw too much attention. #2, it is comfortable and has good support if I do load it up. #3 it fits what I need it to with good organization. I typically carry 2 1L water bottles, so I prefer to have outside pouches to accomodate. Inside, I like to carry a first aid kit, trauma kit, multi-tool, flashlight, notebook and pen, laptop, spare toothbrush and travel toothpaste, maybe a few small survival items. I usually throw my lunch for the day in the bag, maybe a change of clothes if I'm not going to be heading home that night. I also keep a rain coat and a packable puffy, gloves and a hat. It also acts as my range bag when I go to the range- ammo, spare mags, mag pouches, ear pro, etc... get thrown in. So does anyone have experience with any of the above packs enough to make a suggestion?

Kelty for the win.

Great stuff

I use and recommend the Tarahumara pack from hill people gear, it is my current EDC bag/range bag. I used a grey ghost stealth operator pack as my work bag before I purchased the Tara a few years ago. Both packs are bomb proof and can carry more than enough junk to fill the role of EDC bags. The tara has no internal organization its just a giant pocket but i have a molle wrapped frame sheet in mine I have added different pouches to for organization. The compression straps are removable as well.

Tarahumara

not my pic pulled from HPG website.

I have some strong opinions.

1) Kelty is usually a solid bag. I used a Redwing, quite similar to the 3500, for a travel pack for close a decade. Too little structure in the main compartment and too much in the back frame for EDC carry for my taste, but workable for backpacking in Europe. I looked at the 1800 but passed it up because I did not want the floppiness when half full.

2) presently using a Vertx Gammut Plus. Well structured and I love the filet open zipper. Mostly used as two day carryon for plane travel and occasional road trips. Not well suited to hiking but the slightly smaller Gammut would be fine for EDC, especially since you are used to a 3500. Have you checked your preferred model out in person - it is very day pack sized?

3) 5.11... Sweatshop crap that is way over-priced. If you are serious about one of those, try Alibaba to buy the same bag direct from China. Some of the 5.11 stuff is workable, but their MSRP is way out of line and you should spend just a bit more to buy from North America. Which leads me to the GGG....

4)the GGG Stealth is small. The main compartment is smallish and the opening is partial, hindering access. The accessory pocket is even more constrained and difficult to use. Barely compatible with a iPad and not viable for a laptop. The only use I have found where it works well is as a diaper bag over the last three years. Even then, it has super long straps to go over body armor, which is not needed for wipes and Huggies.

I have the Vertx gamut and one thing to note is that the side elastic waterbottle holders are too small for a Nalgene bottle to fit into.  And the pack has great internal support so that when it is lightly loaded it doesn't get floppy or messy, but it also fills up in a slightly weird shape.  It stays tall, wide and thin.  it wont stick far off you back, but it also makes packing some larger puffy items like clothing or an extra pair of shoes a little challenging.

I generally like the Kelty stuff and always thought the MAP and the Peregrine 1800 were good looking packs. I have one of their Falcon 66 packs and have used it for backpacking.  It has some nice organizational features and accessibility things.  I could do without the 10 yards of Molle webbing on it as I don't use much of it.  But I have found occasion to use it and when I'm backpacking I don't care much what I look like.

For every day however, I'm with you, I don't need the dark earth, or Multicam pack that screams 'military' or 'airsofter' so I've tried to use packs that don't stand out at much.  My brief time with a Tad Gear EDC pack would be an exception.  

I used some bags I found at REI for a while but nothing was blowing my mind.  Then I found  Goruck.  I've been using a Goruck GR0 (what is now just a 21L GR1) for about 3 years now and it's awesome.  
I work IT now and so I carry a laptop in it daily, as well as a host of geeky crap, all organized in zippered pouches.  The internal pockets are great for organizing stuff.  It's also my carry-on when I travel, and if I'm day hiking and need to carry more than just water and a snack it's what I bring.   Slide a hydration pouch in there and run the house and I'm set.  Or sometimes I just throw a nalgene inside.  It has a small amount of molle which I generally use for stuffing pens in, or hooking my keys to depending on the circumstances. But, I could also throw a magpouch on the sides/back or put some type of water bottle caddy on there.
Mine is all black despite the grey being my favorite color, and to be honest I've never had one person ask me about it, or seemingly make assumptions about me because of it.  
It's expensive, but it's got a good company behind it and it's made in the USA.  

Goruck

Here's mine doing a day hike.  All it really held that day was a bladder, some snacks, and a puffy jacket.  Sitting next to my at the office right now it weighs about 20lbs and I never notice.  It's just as comfortable with nothing in it as it is completely full.

I use the 5.11 Covert 18 as my low profile EDC. Its still good to go today after 2 years of use and abuse and I'd recommend it to anybody. I've used it for college classes, range bag, shorter hiking trips, and as an ad hoc assault pack as well. Don't listen to those that think its junk just because its not 'muuuurican' made. There's definitely better packs out there but it will get the job done. I've seen and heard of more expensive packs, including military issue fail from much less use.

The go ruck pack looks sweet, I will look into that. Might be a bit out of my price range, I'd like to stay under $150, closer to $100 if I can. I'm really leaning towards the peregrine, but the Vertx just has a slick look to it if I could find some good reviews.

Today I went into NYC to see my Kung Fu teacher in chinatown. Wore my MAP 3500 with a change of clothes in it. Took off the waist strap. A soldier with a drop leg in penn station asked me if I was a vet. Time to change packs

I saw this pop up on my facebook feed, looks like SOTech makes a pack similar to the goruck packs called the A1 Bravo; however it looks like it only comes in crye camo colors but I hear SOTech will do other colors if you call them.

I use a 26L GR1 as my school bag, specifically because the laptop compartment is awesome. It doesn't look all that big but since it's made to carry fucking weights around it does the job of carrying tons of texts really well and comfortably.

I've been using a Vertx Gammut EDC for the past 18 months, and it's fantastic.  Hardly even looks used.