11” iPad
DBrand kill switch
And my EDC.
On the Toshi everything fits and is easy to access with the exception of the iPad, which takes a bit more effort.
On the DAY 4 max plenty of room to spare.

I was lucky enough to pick up a Dan Matsuda duffle recently. I wondered how it stacks up against another duffle I own, Black Ember Dex30. I am attaching some pics to compare.

Style: I wanted a Dex30 ever since their announcement video. The retractable handles, the Fidlock buckle, the fabric that holds its shape, it has a lot going for it style-wise.

The Matsuda appears both simple and traditionally elegant at the same time-the lack of exterior pockets and straps (on this model), the simple unpadded handles, are balanced by the cord and grommet with a giant knot at the end.

They both have unique styles that make them cool in different ways.

Ease of Use: I have used the Dex30 for 5-8 trips. I have found it satisfying, but complicated to use. To attach the shoulder strap you have to reverse the buckle first. To access the shoe and dopp kit compartments you must undo the buckles, which fasten differently from each other. If you don't use those pockets you must fold/roll them out of the way from the inside. Each of these processes is actually satisfying to do-fastening a Fidlock, sliding a g-hook, extracting the backpack straps, etc. It is a tech-forward experience that takes time to use the features.

The Matsuda has one zipper, a draw cord and two plastic buckles-no other moving parts. It's simple. No reversing buckles to attach a strap, no rolling material out of the way to make interior room. It's far easier to use without all the features of the Black Ember.

Functionality/Features: As eluded to already, the Dex is well-thought out with tons of features and multiple ways to carry. There is a pocket for everything and lots of available accessories. In my experience, this can become cumbersome and interfere with the use of the bag. I don't always take extra shoes and I don't own the Black Ember tech kit that fits perfectly in the end pocket. I typically don't use these added features. The amount of material for these pockets still eats into the interior usable space inside the bag. I am also not always using the shoulder and compression straps, so they are stored in a side pocket, taking more space and adding more weight. The backpack straps are always attached to the bag, adding more weight and taking more space. The Dex prescribes how you are to use it.

Conversely, the Matsuda duffle has loose, open pockets lining the inside of the bag and that's it. They lie flat against the side of the bag if not used and add very little weight. The interior is a blank canvas-use it how you want. The cost is that there are no useable pockets to help if you want. If you want organization you are going to have to add it yourself with packing cubes and pouches, which will come with weight.

Size and Weight: I haven't done a capacity test, but they appear similar in size, but the Matsuda seems like it carries more. The Dex is far heavier, 4lb 11.4oz vs just 1lb 15.4oz.

TL:DR In the end, I really like both of these duffles. If you like to choose your own organization, the Matsuda wins, if you want built-in pockets and the option to carry as a backpack, the Black Ember wins.

I can't believe I bought another pouch, let alone another pouch from Aer, but they got me. When the Simple Kit came out I didn't understand it. Maybe I thought it was just an empty vehicle to sell Ultra. Now I have a specific use for it and it fits better than anything else I have.

I've recently picked up a journaling habit and my Piorama TPS -- which I love and I think is one of the best pouches and desk trays of all time -- started giving me some friction. Its front pocket is great for AirPods, but not quite long enough to fit pens as I'd like. The pouch's oval shape makes it a great desk tray (Piorama TPS > Tom Bihn Travel Tray), but it makes the front pocket not like to hold long things like pens, and even though it's malleable, it's not a "flat pouch" to slide down in bags. The drawstring is great, but given what I keep in it it's not closed all the way (not ideal when I drop the pouch in bags sideways), whereas the Simple Kit's entire flat and narrow design with low-friction fabric makes it ideal for one of the first things I put in any bag (along with my EDC Side Effect). Having zippers and being highly water resistant makes sense for something that holds my paper notebook and small items.

I used to always clip my pens to the inside of the Stuff Sheath along with my notebook, but now that I've been journaling more, and using more pens, the notebook and pens spend more time out and I only put them away when I go somewhere. In practice my pens kept being left out all over rather than my TPS doing its job as a desk caddy, because when I put the pens in the main compartment they'd get swallowed. The Simple Kit's size and the size of the pockets make it ideal to leave notebook and pens exposed when used as a desk caddy (see third pic) but quick to zip up and go, and now I don't need to spend time clipping my pens anywhere or overload my Stuff Sheath, yet they are secure in their own pocket. Despite being totally flat when empty, the Simple Kit stands on its own and seems to just keep swallowing more. Great piece of kit. I appreciated Nomads Nation's helpful video review of it if you're interested.

Hope this is the right place to post this, If not, which is the best place? So ive image searched and googled but no luck. Any ideas on the ID of this backpack?

New bag day! Defy Parker Park in Olive Drab TexWax x Autumn Plaid TexWax! Just a few pictures of the bag in the light before modifications (zipper pullers), probably post updates when they're done.

So far the bag seems about as robustly built as something could be. There was only a singular thread not trimmed to where it should be but that was easily remedied, everything else seems as perfect as a canvas bag can be (discoloration and threads pulling at material) and I'm pretty sure I'm going to die before this thing does, or will die together.

Open to answer questions/etc. (Yes it's HEAVY)

I need some help finding a lunchbox to fit into my Able Carry 13 alongside my typical pack of:

- laptop

- book

- water bottle

- small charger

My current 8cm tall box is just too big to fit.

What do all my Able Carry family like to use to fit in their lunch?

In the market for some packing cubes that are compressible via zip.. not vacuum at all. Been looking at the Aer ones and they look rly good but some on amazon also look really nice. I want them for kinda cheap too 😅

I can't decide which one I want to get. They're pretty close in size specs wise but I know in reality it can be more pronounced.

If you don't pack it out does the bag not work as well? I've read the pockets aren't great unless packed out which would make me lean towards the 30L.

I am interested in this bag but the cost is kinda high, around $35 to $40 where i am from. Is it worth it? I have the drawstring nanobag but the straps dig in my shoulder if i carry it for long or heavier items. Alternative is the sea2 summit ultra sil daypack but it doesn’t pack as small. Reviews of this nanobag are hard to find.

Vene EDCing th Tokyo Totepack to work and I like it a lot for the size and weight, but the lack of organization for office type essentials gets annoying. The two lateral pockets in front just have stuff thrown in there. There isn't even a single pen slot.

Any recommendations?

I just walked into this store recently. It’s all modular. This is the biggest bag they had. Most of the fabrics are technical but this one was a denim. Pricey but seems well made.

*Topologie!

Just got my second order from Ctactical and I’m very impressed. The quality of fabric and price is amazing. Shipping is longer than expected and there is some extra cost. The CT5 Neo has a lot of features that make it really customizable. Starting with the shoulder straps and how there are 4 points on the back that allow you to carry multiple ways and on either shoulder. The interior is simple and has a Velcro panel that can be moved around. The fabric is what really stands out, especially the blue interior. The canvas is very good and the ripstop material is good too. Overall the CT5 is great and should be considered when looking at comparable slings.

The CT Strike is ok but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s too small and the straps don’t come off. So, a pouch wouldn’t work. I might try to get my dog to wear it instead of a vest.

I was looking for a decent pack for carry-on in the US, and first I found the Tomtoc Travel 40L and really liked it. Shortly after, though, I found its apparent knockoff in the Velaybor 42L. They appear to be almost identical in size, shape, and features. Either one suits my needs in terms of capacity and organization. Funny enough, stylistically I like the Velaybor's look better.

The Velaybor is also less than half the price of the Tomtoc, particularly when you consider that the former comes bundled with packing cubes. Which brings me to the problem: as much as I love that price tag, it's suspicious. Does anyone know how comfortable this is, or if it's likely to fall apart on me in under a year?

I'm a little spoiled with Goruck and Ablecarry as both brands typically pad their bases. I sometimes carry minimalist photo gear (lightly padded but not in a cube) and I prefer bags with padded bases but it's not that common in the bags I'm looking for.

For example, I'd like a Aer CPP2 24L or a Rework Toshi 24L (neither have a padded base.) I've thought of cutting up some exercise mat and double side taping it to the base so it doesn't move or flip up.

Has anyone done anything like that?

Hi all,

Been looking at bags to use as a teacher and for a little day hikes carrying family kit and have been looking at some options.

Like the look of the Fjallraven skule line. Was just wondering if there is any real drawbacks of going for the skule 30 over the 28? An extra 2L seems useful to have.

Im 6ft so having a very slightly longer bag isnt really an issue.

Hello everyone!

I've purchased a few Sling bags from tomtoc and keep going up from the 5.5L to the 12L now. It has been great but now I want to carry my headphones and lunch to and from work so it would be an EDC bag. I have some North Face backpack but it is so large and does not have any sorting but some minor spots in the front pocket.

Things that I carry in addition to lunch and headphones:

- iPad mini

- 14" laptop

- Leatherman

- Pen and small flashlight (close to pen size)

I'm between the following (but open to suggestions):

- ALPAKA Elements Backpack Pro 24L

- Toshi Pack 20L V2

- UrbanEX-T65 20L

I like the Alpaka and tomtoc because they are both on Amazon (and I have two tomtoc bags already lol).

Thanks everyone!

Just can’t find it .. my requirements are

28-30 l

padded back with hidden pocket for passport

not clamshell

luggage strap

need organizing pockets

separate laptop section - doesn’t need to be huge only for iPad

Please help ! Thank you !

Had a stranger give me a Nanobag sling, and it's been very useful to me. Unfortunately, it has just one problem, bad enough to be a dealbreaker: the handle wraps itself around my shoulder over and over and constricts it, which is painful and not easy to untangle. Since the standard and XL Nanobags have shorter handles, is this a nonissue with those types? Or should I just look for some alternative from a different brand?

Looking for a smaller day bag mainly for everyday use (commuting to work with a 14 inch laptop), but will also use it on day hikes and for travel. Both the Mantis and Abisko come in 16L sizes, which I think is the size I want, but not sure if one is better than the other.

I'd be grateful to hear your experiences with either of these bags, any pros and cons, or opinions on which might be better before I make a purchase. Thanks!