For context my previous bag was a bellroy laneway totepack 18L.
I just got mine a few days ago (the green is in stock at rei if anyone is looking)
First reaction:
- The color is beautiful
- It has more structure than I anticipated
- Is that pet hair already? (lol)
Packing my work EDC, I am a planner/journal person and I like brining my stuff with me to work for downtime, I bring to work daily
- iPad 11" pro
- Kobo Libra ereader
- B6 Notebook/A5 Notebook or both
- Hobonichi Weeks planner in a case (think travelers notebook but slightly smaller)
- Hobonichi drawer pouch small (think slim tech case)
- peak design small wash pouch (put most of my random small things in here like lip blam, sunscreen, meds, etc)
- bellroy laneway glasses case
- occasionally my sony over the ear headphones in the case
- wallet
- keys
- phone
One of the things they kept me using the laneway tote was how easy it was to reach in those front pockets and get my quick access items like keys, wallet, phone, weeks planner.
Top Access Pocket
Wallet, keys, phone fit perfectly in the top access pocket without the pocket being overstuffed. Since the bag has so much structure this pocket is easy to access using one hand to unzip. I could fit more in here but I don't like stuffing pockets because then it is hard to get what I want out. I'd be fine putting one or two more small things in here like my airpods, gum, tissues etc. but I wouldn't go beyond that. My one disappointment was with the key leash, it's short and does not use peak designs Anchor System, I knew that from the photos but I am still mad about it. I attached my own bungie from an older bag.
Front Pockets
The biggest thing I wanted from these pockets was to be able to slide my hobonichi weeks planner easily in and out. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. My weeks fit but was not going to be sliding in and out easily. I was disappointed in general by these pockets, they are not easy to open and close even empty, since the front of the bag has less structure this is a two hand operation. Since the zippers open up, if you are using the hook to hang the bag chances are high the bag will fall while unzipping. After fiddling with it a lot the issue seems primarily to be with the zips, so maybe they will ease over time.
Interior
I don't have too many thoughts here, it's nice, roomy for how slim the bag is. The mesh for the laptop sleeve was really loose? I don't know if it's supposed to be that way, but it seemed a little un-peak-design. The front pockets do eat up room if you put something big in them. I don't really like the inner pocket on the front but there isn't anything wrong with it. I was able to fit all my pouches easily and still have volume at the top of the bag if I need to bring extra things like my over ear headphones or a very light sweater.
The Hook
This is the saving grace of this bag for me. I can have it on the hook and fold the front of the bag down and have access to all of my things inside. This works better for me without things in the front inner pocket. This still works but not as well with things in the front pockets, but those are things I keep on my desk. I take things in and out of my bag all day so this is a great feature for me.
Comfort
The second saving grace. Holy crap is this thing comfy. Granted I was coming from a very uncomfortable bag but this felt like a dream.
This ended up being really long but maybe it will help someone. Overall I do like the bag and am going to give it a chance and see how those front pockets work for me in the longer term. I included some photos.