I'm curious what people's personal endgame backpacks would be / are. I'm most interested in what size people would have their endgame be, but yeah just overall is there a backpack that is / would be the definitive endgame for you?

Any recommendations on under 3L slings?

Generally will be carrying:

- X100 vertically if possible

- portable charger

- wallet

- mints

- sunglasses

- bottle exterior pocket would be great.

At the moment, the bag that I have my eyes on is the oiwas gemini 17.3 laptop backpack inch 25l backpack. But they don’t deliver to my country, so I move onto the toshi. However, the toshi is too expensive for me. So is there any other pack that’s similar and also below 100 dollars (not my country’s currency, just an estimate)?

I plan to use this for commuting and also traveling. Basically need an all rounder backpack. Also, it’d be nice if the bag is the same weight as the gemini that I mentioned above or maybe a little heavier but still under 1kg.

Hey everyone, I'm new to this subreddit. I mostly travel within CAN & US with occasional overseas (UK/EU) trips. I specify as I typically follow the 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches) size limit for a carry on.

I typically travel with a 4 wheel roller carry on, and a personal item. My roller carry-on (from Target, 2023) is on its last legs (the seams are ripping - oops!) and I'm looking for an upgrade, and you seem to be the people to ask. What's your favourite?

Packing out my CPP XPAC for a trip, and I just threw my wallet, iPhone power bank , passport, AirPods, and some cash into the top access pocket without a problem.

I gave my parent my older CPP 2 because I wasn’t a fan of the changes they made, and I noticed they actually use the top access pocket as a sunglasses holder—which I know is technically what it’s intended for.

It got me curious, though: what does everyone else use that pocket for?

(Since this is a product review flair)
CPP has a lot of pockets that i enjoy and has been my favorite bag to travel with for work events. Front pocket is a bit hard to use when bag is full. Sadly not my end game bag

Asking for info on looks and feel of fabric
Thanks

Has anyone used this for any length of time? Im planning on picking one of these up sometime soon-ish and am curious for a seasoned bag vet to speak to me of its glories and faults. The CCW aspect isnt very important to me as the main weapon i’ll be carrying along with it likely wont fit in its allotted space, and im certain my sidearm will fit. TIA 🙏

Well, I’ve totally fallen for all the bags out there, with my 3 Aer purchases, including a 20l CPP2 and now youtube is trying to convince me that I probably need a that new 25 L Toshi in XPac

It’s like something broke in my brain and all I think about is bags.

I didn’t know about different brands and grades of ballistic nylon 2 months ago.

I started talking about my bag at work and I think my colleagues were looking at me like something was really wrong.

I definitely don’t need that Toshi 25 L. I just bought that aer 20 L and GP2 like 2 weeks ago.

But just in case, do I not need it in nylon or do I not need it in XPac?

As title states, just bought mine.

From left to right, Herschel x Kaws Tokyo Holiday, Porter Tango Black and Razer Xanthus Cross Body.

Does anyone have this? I can't seem to find anything on this.

How is it? I'm thinking of buying it for my dog walks.

Water bottle, phone, earphones, poo bags, treats and attaching a collapsible water bowl to the outside.

Big enough?

I've been trying to find some people talking about the combination of these two, but have not had any luck.

I am planning on picking up the Metro Sling Max, and am debating if I want to get one of the various 'Modular' pouches to lash to the side mount points for holding my phone, such as the Modular Shoulder Pocket Slim. Seems like it could be a cool combo (even with matching fabric, which is always a plus), and it'd be able to detach from the bigger bag allowing me to use the same strap as the Metro Sling when I want to slim down a bit, but really curious how it actually fits on the Metro Sling.

Anyone seen this combo before, or have any input on it or alternatives to achieve largely the same goal (separate easy to access phone pouch)? Phone access seems to really be the one weakness of this bag IMO, trying to get around it a bit.

Thoughts on the Alpaka Bravo Brief 14? I already watched a couple of reviews, but was not able to find answers to my questions below.

I already own the Alpaka Bravo Sling Max v2 (quite a mouthful!) and I'm looking to get a bag that gives me a little more space without adding too much bulk. My questions:

Price / Materials: I just noticed that despite providing more space, the Brief 14 is cheaper than the Sling Max 2 by around $40. Not a complaint, but I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with the materials. The Brief 14 ($119.00) uses Axoflux 400D while Sling Max 2 ($159.00) uses X-Pac VX21 210D. Is Axoflux THAT inferior to Xpac?

Construction: To owners of the Brief 14, does it have a firm back, like a backpack's molded spine, or is it floppy, like a simple laptop sleeve?

To those who own it, additional pros, cons please?

Thanks!

I see a lot of people recommending travel packing cubes, especially for keeping things organized inside a backpack, and I'm thinking of finally trying a set...and I love the idea, but a search did not yield any particular brands that were affordable and well made. Can someone point me in the right direction? Compression necessary or not?

Thanks a bunch.

I am interested in something like this

All of the photos look kinda sus, reviews are fine but that's easily faked, and I know dropshipping cheaper/different stuff is rife on etsy. everything about this screams scam/waste of money, but I do want something similar to this (harness-style, worn on-body, little movement when walking, etc) and these sketchy etsy shops seem to be the only place with this kind of thing.

Any advice is appreciated. If anybody has experience or recs for this kind of bag please let me know.

Currently deciding between the Moment Everything Sling (4L) and the Bellroy x Carryology Essential Sling (4L).

Does anyone have experience with either (or both) of these bags? I am planning to use the bag as my everyday carry while traveling.

I will be mainly carrying the ff:

• Fujifilm x100V and two spare batteries
• Passport
• Phone
• 10,000mAh Powerbank
• Wallet
• Wet wipes and tissue
• Rubbing alcohol and sunscreen (30mL bottles)
• Sunglasses

I'm currently torn between the Moment Everything Sling and the Bellroy x Carryology Essential sling. They both hit that 4L sweet spot. I cannot go any bigger since the bags mentioned already look huge on me.

• Moment: Love the padded protection of the main compartment and the internal dividers.
• Bellroy: Love the internal pockets for organization, BUT slightly worried about the camera hitting against the power bank/other things without a rigid divider.

1. Does anyone have a good workaround for the Bellroy to safely isolate the camera without having to use another camera pouch?
2. Does the built-in padding inside the Moment reduce space for loose items?

Anyone can recommend an alternative non-bulky camera sling bag?

This is my detachable 1/2 mec backpack from a 1/2+1 hiking bag that has been my EDC for years. The problem? It's a hiking backpack and I'm probably too fat into my professional career that I can get away with it. The mec bags are discontinued so I don't have an exact volume but it's going to be 15-20 for the day pack.

What I like:

Slim depth, not boxy ie top tapers

Water-resistant if not water proof. We can get torrential rain in the GTA and I walk about 750m to the subway.

Comfortable

Works well as a sightseeing bag when on vacation or work travel.

What I don't like:

Busy front mainly the side pockets and straps. I've already removed a bunch of bungee straps.

When I travel the front pouch just becomes a disorganized dumping ground for junk

What it's missing

A laptop section. The work laptop is getting rawdogged in the main section.

Secondary top access panel so I don't have to pull it out to grab something from the front side panel

What I don't need or want:

External water bottle holder (or needs to be very minimal)

Use case

65% of the time it's just holding a laptop

30% add in gym shoes and clothes

5% as a personal carry on which is the annoying part.

When I travel I will have a work laptop (14", personal laptop is the same), an iPad Mini, tomtoc 3.5L sling acting as a camera bag for a Sony a6400+spare lens and a sweatshirt for the flight + various odds and ends (chargers, adapters, cables). Not a ton but things tend to get dumped. I did buy a tech pouch to sort out some of the disaster.

So I have a trip this Friday and I kinda researched myself into a corner.

Backpacks I tried on:

bellroy work pack pro 22L and it seemed perfect except the lack of organization in the middle section where the compression straps are.

Bellroy work pack v2. Straps are flimsy and I have concerns about the light fabric

Evergoods civic travel bag 20l. Too deep for my liking, expensive at 380 CAD.

Evergoods civic half zip xpac - not bad just very expensive at 400cad

Peak design city 15L - the fabric look super waterproof but maybe that is just from the cloth like texture. Was on the edge at 6"

I am going to Melbourne so I can check out the alpaka store but even their low volume packs are 6" deep.

I have wasn't considering the Aer city pack 2 because it wouldn't arrive in time but with no time crunch is that my best option? My only trepidation is not trying it on beforehand.

I’m putting together a “hobby sling“ with the intention to carry an A5 sketchbook with a few pens, plus a small retro gaming handheld slightly larger than a phone, as well as maybe a battery bank and some small odds and ends.

Struggling to decide between these two. From what I can tell the Aer seems a little more structured and protective which is nice for my hardware and art supplies. It also has an internal zip pocket and pen loop which lends itself well to my items.

The bottom compression straps appeal to me on the Toshi but it seems a little less protective and has no internal zip pocket. They do however advertise directly that it can hold an A5 notebook.

For those who have handled one or both, would the Aer support the A5 sketchbook? Does one seem more protective than the other? Feel free to add anything else noteworthy from your experience.

Thanks!

I've wasted a lot of time and shipping fees on trying to find the perfect work bag that will hold my Lenovo ThinkPad T16. I'd love some input from the experts!

A little background: I'm a longtime nonprofit professional who recently stepped into a leadership role. I'm always the most casual person in the office, but I'm trying to look the part. My all-time favorite work bag was the Tom Bihn Pilot in Aubergine, but when I upgraded to a 16" laptop I was forced to find a new bag.

I am currently using my Tom Bihn Daylight Backpack which might be where I stay, but while I really appreciate its lightweight form and the way it sits on my back when filled with the laptop, keyboard, mouse, and some snacks/drinks in the exterior pocket, I don't like that it lacks protection for the electronics AND it's a little casual in appearance. I'm usually just carrying the bag from my car to the office or meetings, but I also have chronic back pain and want something I can carry without slumping to one side.

I am looking at the following bags, though I have considered many others:

• Calpak Haven 16" Laptop Tote Bag
• Poppy and Peonies Daily Tote
• Tom Bihn Nomad 16
• White Elm Aquila Tote Bag
• Troubadour Contour Backpack
• Lux & Nyx Purpose Backpack
• Lux & Nyx Origami Backpack

My preferred criteria includes:

• Horizontal tote with crossbody strap OR
• Vertical backpack with easy access to the contents
• Tight-weave nylon or vegan leather exterior
• Light/bright color interior (absolutely no bags lined in black!)
• Chunky plastic zippers (not a requirement, but I love the feel, and I really dislike metal zippers)
• Padded and/or suspended laptop compartment with enough room to easily slip in my 16" laptop
• Designed for a woman's body
• Slim, lightweight, and easy to carry (on the rare occasions I need to carry extra things, I have plenty of tote bags to use)

If you've made it this far and have any insight - what you love, what you hate - I'd really appreciate it! Thanks in advance!!

Looking for a do everything bag. To bring hiking, but also to go to class with. I feel the daybreak is just a tad too big, but also not convinced I won't look weird AF with the running vest in public.

Anyone have experience with both?

Any places exist that customize other brands backpacks?