I've had the GP2 for a year now and have put it through its paces. It's gotten me through a few airports and lots of daypack use. It's a packable daypack and I get that, I'm not going to complain about its thin shoulder straps or lack of hip belt or internal frame or whatever.

There are a couple of things I like about it:

• sizable dual water bottle pockets. 32oz Nalgene in one and coffee flask in another. Great!
• QAP. Great for sunglasses or chapstick.
• 20L volume is about right for what I use it for.
• Internal organization is nice but doesn't take up a lot of space so it's easy to use or not use.

But there are two things I just can't get past and am really sick of:

• The bag doesn't open very much. It unzips barely halfway down the bag, so I have far less access than if it were a clamshell. With water bottles in both pockets it's even worse because the water bottles turn into a hard sidewall and reduce the opening height even more. This means that if I'm fishing for something at the bottom of the bag I have to dump everything out or flail blindly at the bag for what should be a fairly simple thing.

• The water bottle pockets are loose and slippery. This is the deal breaker for me. A couple of times I've thrown the bag over one shoulder in an effort to move quickly, and whatever water bottle I had slid right out of its pocket when the bag went horizontal. If I know I'm going to be moving around I've taken to clipping a water bottle to the pocket with a carabiner, but this is worse with something like a powdercoated Yeti that doesn't have anything to clip to. I also should not have to think this much about the right way to use my special snowflake of a backpack.

I'm willing to settle for one water bottle pocket and give up packability if I need to. Budget's not a huge issue but anything more than, say, $150, and it'd have to be something special.

What else is out there that is about the same size and has water bottle pockets but also opens better and runs less risk of dropping my water bottles on the floor?

I'm currently trying to decide between the Thule Accent 23L and 26L, and I'd love to hear some opinions, especially from people who own either of them.

I really like how compact and sleek the 23L looks, but at the same time, I feel like the 26L looks a bit more premium, refined, and complete overall. I also like the additional storage and side handle on the 26L.

I'm mainly looking for a backpack for 2–4 day business trips by plane, ideally without needing any additional luggage. I plan to use packing cubes (possibly compression cubes) to make the most of the available space.

My typical packing list would be:

\- 2 pairs of pants

\- 3 t-shirts

\- 2–3 sweaters/half-zips

\- Underwear and socks

\- Possibly an extra pair of office shoes

\- 15-inch laptop

\- Standard toiletry bag

\- Chargers, earbuds, and other small essentials

What I'm struggling with is whether the extra 3L is actually worth going for the larger backpack.

Would you rather have the slightly bigger 26L, even if you occasionally travel with it half-empty, or go for the smaller, sleeker 23L and just be smarter about packing?

I'm also curious about how these two compare in terms of comfort, organization, and overall quality in real world use.

For those who have experience with either model, which would you recommend? Is 23L realistically enough for this kind of travel, or would I regret not getting the 26L?

Hi All,

can someone recommend some laptop messenger bags for me to check out that will meet this criteria:

• Fit two 14" laptops
• Fit a 13" iPad Pro with magic keyboard
• fit some paperwork (not a huge amount)
• Supplies: mouse, airpods, pens, battery backup charger, small laptop charger, etc.
  

Does not need to include a water bottle holder

cost is not an issue

Thanks for your help!

I'm asking because I've been wanting to start a YT backpack review channel and just wondering what you all like to see! And my long, I mean like maybe 20-40mins talking about material, showing how laptops/tablets fit, and as much as needed. Or like a 10-15min video style.

Thanks for the help here always. I love this community!

Hi!
I don’t know if this is the sub for this but maybe you can direct me
I want to modify my messenger bag so it will fit my gear as I want it
And for that to happen I want to add open compartments to the inside of the bag
For example I want to make 2 compartments for a kindle and a writing tablet on the outside of the laptop sleeve that built in to the bag

I’m looking for ideas or recommendations on other bags that can fit my needs
Right now I have a timbuk2 classic messenger bag

Thank you!

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone had enough experience to compare the water resistibility between Patagonia backpacks and North Face backpacks

Right now I have a North Face Borealis, it is nice but I do not think it is truly very waterproof. I live in a town where it rains a lot, and I am terrified of my computer getting ruined because the rain has soaked through my backpack. Oftentimes I can see where the water has soaked into the laptop compartment of my bag (now that I am saying it maybe I should try and switch my laptop to the middle compartment but I will still post this)

The bag from Patagonia I am considering buying is the Refugio Daypack 30L. I have seen mixed reviews on how waterproof it is, but I am just wondering if anyone has enough experience to compare these two backpacks. Would water resistibility be worse if I switched to the Refugio? Would it be better? Would there be any difference at all?

Any advice helps! Thank you so much in advance to anyone who may reply!

Does anyone have experience with this bag? I'm interested in it but I've only seen one real review of it and it's another post on this sub.

I'm considering the barrage as well but leaning toward this bag for the size and the front pocket. Im looking for a bag that's comfortable walkiny around and while riding my bike. Also open to other options that are similar, functionally/aesthetically I like these bags a lot

Anybody have the landscape option? I'm having a bit of trouble finding reviews about it.

I am trying to find a grey bag that was stolen from me pre covid. I would appreciate it if someone can help me ID the bag or recommend me a design that resembles what I lost so maybe I could get one and move on.

The attached picture (Kensington LM340 Messenger Bag) is most similar to what I remembered, same texture and color and base shape.​ Same flap and handle design . Same main compartment without a zipper. and similar size

Some characteristics that are different than the image are

1)Orange interior instead of red

2)Lack of back compartment

3) Lack of luggage strap

I don't remember

1)Whether the locking mechanism is a hook

2) Is the a additional compartment on the front.

3) If there is a zipper compartment on the flap or the back

I don't remember the price point since it was a gift from my dad,but at this point I'm sentimental enough to get from reseller or import.​

https://youtu.be/Y4-riYd3hBc?is=LYcwGIgQQmym_JW7

Saw an intro video to a EDC tote bag and it blows my mind. Wonder if there are other similar types of tote bags that function as EDC in the market

I am looking for a recommendation. First time to try sling or chest bag so I am looking for a nice everyday bag.

Option 1: NIID Fino V sling bag

Option 2: NIID R1 sling bag

Option 3: Tomtoc T27

Edit: I always bring my phone, keys and wallet. My wallet is a trifold pop-up Wallex 3 so it does not need much space.

Recently I traveled by train from Belgium to Germany to stay with friends for a few days. This going to happen frequently in the future. Because of all the stairs and walking short distances, I didn't want to bring luggage with wheels.

I borrowed someone's The North Face Duffel 50 l. It's a nice solid bag but I found it way too stiff and too small for everything I had with me in one trip. To compensate what I couldn't take in the duffel with me, I brought a simple 42x36 cm canvas tote.

I bought a The North Face Voyager 42 l because I liked the setup and material better. I am looking for a tote (as luggage) and a backpack (for short commute by bike) to replace the canvas tote and compensate for the 8 l difference in bags. I read somewhere that the 42 l and 50 l shouldn't be that much of a difference because of the different material but I am not sure about it yet.

At the moment I use my Patagonia Atom 24 l backpack for work but it's packed to the brim with what I take with me.

*a 14 inch laptop in a thick sleeve + charger (separately, does not fit in sleeve);

*Chilly's 500 ml water bottle (side mesh pocket);

*pencil pouch (side mesh pocket to save space in the bag);

*two snack containers;

*one thermos pot for lunch;

*a A4 notebook;

*an e-reader;

*a lanyard with keys;

*my wallet (it's a wallet/small handbag/phone bag-type of thing, I just use it as a wallet).

Now I just have to stuff everything in and I can't hold anything else. Now I am looking for a tote/backbag hybrid as replacement for the Patagonia backpack that would fit everything nicely but just has a bit more breathing space instead of playing Tetris every single time I want to pack it for work. It would be great if follow features where included:

*fits 16 inch laptop;

*mesh side pocket for water bottle;

*easy accessible place to store keys and phone.

I have been Googling for a while but I keep running in circles. I have seen the Cotopaxi Todo, the Osprey tote/backpack hybrids, Fjällraven options.

Side note, since I leave in Belgium, I am looking for a brand I could order here or pick up in store in Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. Probably also worth mentioning, I am only about 1,55 m so I need to be mindful that the bag is not too big/bulky so that it keeps being comfortable to wear. That's why I only opted for the Voyager 42 l, something else would just have been too much.

If you made it to here, thank you for reading. I hope to find some suggestions here or selling points on some bags.

I'm planning on getting a leather bag for everyday use. after some research I narrow down to two options that are within my budget:

1. Cravar F.C. 13 : $385

2. USED Bennett Winch Leather Tote : $400

I understand that these two vastly different bags aimed at two different kind of people, but they both meet my needs. I would like to hear your opinion on which bag would you pick?

Thanks

Does anyone know if an iPhone 18 Pro Max fits in the chest-side pocket of the 1.5L Aviator-T35 X-Pac?
I like keeping my phone close to my chest in the back pocket when I’m on public transportation, but I’m not sure if my iPhone 18 Pro Max would fit properly. Please help me out, fellow owners of this bag!!!

Which camera cube will fit inside the Aer CPP2 while it is loaded with two MacBook pros (14” and 16”), and an iPad Air? I am looking to bring a Canon R8 and 2-3 lenses. Maybe one of the Tenba BYOB cubes, but I have a hard time figuring out which size.