First, sorry for the pic quality.
These are the bags I’ve bought or received over several years, some bought new, others picked up used.

As you can see, I’m more of a heritage guy -most of my bags are waxed canvas (Filson backpacks and original briefcase, Bradley Mountain) or leather (Satchel & Page backpack and Attaché briefcase). Lately, though, I’ve opened my mind to more technical brands, like Peak Design (Travel Backpack 30L, Everyday Sling 3L) and Aer (CPP2 in Ultra, Day Sling 4 in X-Pac)

The most expensive are the Carl Friedrik City Hopper in nubuck black leather (third row, third from left) and the Satchel & Page backpack in brown leather (first row, third from left). The cheapest is the Herschel Pop Quiz in Raven; love that bag by the way!

My favorite? The Filson Journeyman in tan (second row, second from left). It’s just an amazing bag: packs a ton, looks great in almost any occasion, and is really comfortable while staying completely practical.

My least favorite? The Filson Rucksack in otter green (second row, third from left). It looks incredible, gets the most compliments, and honestly, the leather straps aren't as uncomfortable as they seem. The real issue is that it has zero interior organization, no sleeves, no dividers, nothing. Putting a laptop or iPad in there with anything else makes you constantly paranoid. Another headache is access: you have to unbuckle two leather straps just to reach the main zipper. Again, it's built like a tank and looks gorgeous, but it's definitely the least practical bag in my collection.

The most practical is the Aer CPP2 in Ultra; that thing is light, comfortable as hell and has a million pockets. Too bad I don’t think it is office friendly -just too casual.

Some see more use than others. For example, I thought I would use the Timbuk2 messenger bag (the orange one) more frequently, but I try to rotate through all of them.
I’m obviously quite happy with my collection. At this point, the only bag I feel I may buy in the future is the Aer Go Pack 2 to use for city errands while traveling, but it's obviously not a necessity by any means.

almost same built quality with Goruck Gr1 21L and GR2 34L.

Our company is looking to put together a new hire kit which includes a backpack, t-shirt, water bottle, etc. and I was looking for recommendations.

We’re a remote, e-commerce company with staff around the world. There’s not much travel so a laptop compartment isn’t a requirement. We skew a bit female but want a bag that’s gender neutral. Budget for the backpack would be around $100 - $150.

Right now we’re leaning to the Topo Designs Rover Pack Classic and let the new hire pick one of like 3 or 4 colors: https://topodesigns.com/products/rover-pack-classic-black-neutral

But are there any other bags we should consider?

Thanks!

I’m looking for a 4-5L sling, mainly so that if I carry a 250-500ml water bottle, there’s still decent room left for other things.

I’ve looked at the rework toshi sling 5L, but I think it’s a little too busy with the compression straps as well as the QAP.

Aer day sling sadly is either too small at 2.5L or too big at the max version.

Bellroy and alpaka slings for me are too shiny with their PU coated zippers. I personally don’t prefer PU coated zippers but it’s a bit hard to find a sling without one.

My main options I’m looking at is the aer pro sling. It’s not talked about much, but it has no PU coated zippers however the strap is quite thin and there’s no front pocket.

I’m also looking at peak design outdoor sling which seems solid all around.

Does anyone know of slings I might like in this capacity range?

I got it at TJ Maxx around 2016-2018 and used it for all of college. I really love the texture. If it had water bottle pockets It’d be perfect. I’m pretty sure it’s a map of Seattle on the inside, but I’m not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

I think I’m ready to pull the trigger on this backpack but I just wanted to ask what color this bag actually looks like? In the product photos it looks like a grey which is what I prefer. But the name is green so I’m wondering if it looks different in person. Can current owners chime in? Thanks!

So…I’m considering the Toshi 25 over for a large edc/light travel pack. It was between that and the Aer TP4 28.

It looks like they’re now sold out of the ballistic and only have the xpac.

I love that curry colour but I’ve always just stuck with ballistic for my bags. Is it worth getting the xpac or waiting for a restock (if there is one?) don’t know why I’m nervous about xpac but it seems too technical for my needs.

You can probably tell from the title, I’d like to know if the 9L has a longer strap than the 10l. Bought the 10l ages ago but used it maybe four times as I found the strap too short for a ‘cuddly’ guy like me. I’m 18.5stones, 48”chest.
Due to the lack of length it sits on my back but I’d prefer to carry it on my side.
As I don’t have any of my’ bigger gear’ anymore anyway I may just sell it.
Anybody used both these and can offer any info?

Looking for a vertical teardrop sling, external bottle holder, slightly more space than the Crossbody but maybe not as big as the DSPTCH... I like the phone pouch integrated into the strap on the Alpaka...

Can anyone find some information about this bag? Tried reverse searching but not much luck

I’m looking for a new backpack and hope someone here can point me in the right direction.

My current bag is the Aevor Trip Pack, and I’m very happy with it. I want to stick with the same concept: a rolltop backpack that also has a zipper so I can open it completely, like a suitcase with around 25L.

I use the bag almost every day. It’s my onebag for travel, but I also take it grocery shopping and to the gym. Because it gets so much use, quality is my top priority. I’m looking for premium materials, high-end zippers and hardware, and a build that will hold up to daily use for many years.

Recently I tried on the Haize Project Rolltop 25L, and it was almost perfect. I love the look, which reminds me of a technical touring or alpine pack, and the form factor feels compact and clean. The only thing missing is a clamshell opening. If it had that, it would basically be my perfect bag.

Most classic onebag backpacks feel too bulky and boxy to me. I’d much prefer something slimmer with a more technical, outdoor-inspired design.

So my question is: Do you know a backpack that is similar to the Haize Rolltop in look and size, is extremely well made, has a rolltop and opens fully via a zipper?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

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.

Hey all. I live in Texas and currently trying to find a place to make a custom bag. I deliver as my job and make a good living doing so but these delivery bags are aweful. Like I've been doing this 2 years and i go through one every 3 months and sometimes sooner. The bag rips, the zipper fails, the seams on the velcro come undone. And I spend 100$ per bag. I'm losing enough money on it I've decided screw it and just trying to get one custom. I got a decent budget ready for it (2k) and just trying to find one. It would be an unusual bag so send me as many recommendations as possible since I know some will say no.

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 recently bought the 20L urban ghost from vertex. Nice backpack but I need more space. It is smaller than I thought it was. Also, I don't like that it only has two compartments outside of the CCW compartment. I'm looking for something with a dedicated CCW compartment, and several other compartments, with admin organization also. I plan to use it as my primary work bag, it's primary location will be in the seat next to me while driving. Or next to my desk at my office. Ideally, inconspicuous. No tactical or molle look.

Timbuk2's silencer straps are sold out on their website. Has anyone been able to find a good NON ADVESIVE female Velcro alternative to the Timbuk2 ones?

Thanks!

I feel like I'm crazy and I can't seem to find any fashionable cross body bags for men (20-30 years old) ? I'm looking for a sling that fits a puffer jacket, a bottle and my CAP 2L for my day pack when traveling. And also one that has a quick access pocket. Something similar to the Uniqlo shoulder bag, but maybe better zippers and quality. Any recommendations?

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.

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?

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)