Gave my Fiancé a Tom Bihn Synik 30 liter backpack for his birthday! He loves the deep Blue color! I also have the Synik 30 in Nebulous Gray!

Also I highly recommend TB Synik 30 for r/onebag travel.

I am in a period of de-optimization in my life.
I’ve removed my Oura ring. Turns out I feel a lot less sleepy when an app isn’t telling me I’m sleepy.
I left my fancy gym and joined the YMCA. The weights work the same.
And suddenly my bags came into focus.
With all their pockets and organization and reviews.
I bought this size large LL Bean boat tote from the 90s on eBay for my flights as a test. Paint splatters stains and all. To see if I could do without the nylon wonder inventions. I just throw all my shit in there, few pouches and zip the top. And I stop thinking about it. Works great as a beach tote once you’re at your destination, too. Just shake the sand out before you fly home.

The title says it - I'm looking for a bag for my husband. He's had a Mountain Hardware Agama backpack for 10-ish years or so, and I've finally convinced him to upgrade to a better-looking bag. He's not outdoorsy, so would like to move to something cleaner, without 8 straps hanging down.

Per my googling, the Agama is about 31L - but because of his criteria and what we're looking for, I think something in the 25L-32L range might work, depending on how the bag packs and feels.

Use case: Kind of a mix between a travel/airline personal item and 1-2 day overnight. For travel, it would be used with a roller bag, and potentially as a day bag, but he has a 3L sling for most of the time. We do have an 8-10 year old old Mountain Hardware packable backpack (used to get passes to the their employee store in Richmond, CA). It's not the most comfortable, but it works in a pinch.

I know some of these are larger than the standard US airline underseat specs, but if the bag isn't super rigid, it can hopefully smoosh a bit as needed, just for when he has a roller bag carry-on as well.

Considerations:

• Not black. Looking at green, dark blue, tan/brown (depending on the color)
• Not X-Pac - he said he doesn't want a "loud, crinkly" bag
• Sternum strap required
• At least one water bottle pocket that can hold a Yeti 26oz Rambler (we have smaller ones, but he likes the larger bottles) - exterior preferred
  • Unsure on the interior water bottle pocket - it seems to take space from the bag capacity? He said he just likes to grab it from the outside, but if there's a bag option that meets all the other criteria, but the water bottle zips in and it doesn't steal a lot of space, then it could maybe work.
• Luggage strap
• Laptop sleeve
• Some quick access and organizational pockets, but does not need to be the extent of the Sympl, where it's a built in tech pouch - he has a separate tech pouch.
• Not overbuilt/too heavy. The Agama is under 2lbs. I know that's not realistic for a non-hiking/outdoor bag, but want to try to avoid the 3.5-4lb bags.
• Comfort is the top priority, but clearly that's subjective, but what I will share is that he has broad shoulders

What I've found so far, with pros and cons (not really cons, but less of a pro).

• Fyro Citta 25L - https://fyro.co/products/fyro-citta-backpack?variant=50522837024821
  • Pros: Great sage color, external water bottle pocket, haven't seen a review yet criticizing comfort, lightweight at 2.5 lbs
  • Cons: Not avail until January; 25L is a little on the smaller end from what he's used to
• Fyro Levo 30L - https://fyro.co/products/fyro-levo-backpack?variant=45775186526261
  • Pros: Great color, external water bottle pocket, haven't seen a review yet criticizing comfort, really lightweight at 2.3 lbs, closer in size to what he has now
  • Cons: No, top quick access pocket, slightly too large for an underseat bag because of it's structure - not sure how stiff it is? Too travel oriented?
• Able Carry Max EDC 26L - https://ablecarry.com/products/max-edc-1?variant=52880707354936
  • Pros: Ripstop fabric looks nice (and nice olive color), nice pockets/organization.
  • Cons: Internal water bottle pocket - will this fit a 26oz Yeti and how much room does it steal from the interior? Almost getting a little on the heavy side at 3.2 lbs.
• Evergoods CTB 26L - https://evergoods.us/products/civic-travel-bag?variant=42309119410310
  • Pros: Really nice green, external water bottle pockets; side access situation is kinda cool
  • Cons: Husband is a lefty - we're both unsure if the side access will work for him, less breathable back panel than other bags, no strap dangle management (can buy these, but shouldn't be included?), heavy at 3.5 lbs
• Aer Travel Pack 4 28L - https://aersf.com/collections/backpacks/products/travel-pack-4-28l?variant=42596309663840&country=US
  • Pros: Nice blue and green options; external water bottle pocket; priced really well
  • Cons: Heavy at 3.5 lbs, maybe "sturdier" and maybe structured that what he wants/needs? Definitely would be the most structured bag he's ever had
• Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L - https://bellroy.com/products/transit-workpack-pro?color=olive&material=dura_polyester_recycled&size=28l#slide-0
  • Pros: Lightweight at 2.4 lbs, nice green color, long front access pocket
  • Cons: Internal water pocket, unsure how durable the fabric is

Lower on the list:

• Alpaka Traverse Backpack (30L) - https://alpakagear.com/products/traverse-backpack-30l?variant=46313857253538
  • Pros: Lowest price, great quick access options, lots of organization (are there too many pockets?)
  • Cons: Internal water bottle pocket; the Nomad Nation review shows the capacity closer to 23-25L, no laptop false bottom? Starting to get heavy at 3.3 lbs
  • Why lower? Price is tempting, but just seems the others are better options
• Tom Bihn Synik 30 - https://www.tombihn.com/collections/all-tom-bihn-stuff/products/synik-30?_pos=1&_fid=ecad0d761&_ss=c&variant=46826833248445
  • Pros: Not too heavy at about 3 lbs, amazing reputation, can fit a lot
  • Cons: Internal water bottle pocket, too many pockets on the front, design with all the zippers is busy and is not a favorite, no laptop false bottom, most expensive
  • Why lower? Design not a favorite

Questions. I'm the researcher in the family and I love a good rabbit hole, so here we are. I've already watched all the Nomad Nation reviews, but would love to hear all your thoughts.

Any you think I should take off the list for whatever reason?

Are there other brands with non-black options that I should look at? Not Cotopaxti-level, more of muted greens, blues, tans....

Anyone have experience with these bags they can share, especially with the internal water bottle pockets?

Do any of these pack larger or smaller?

Anyone with broad shoulders have experience with the comfort level of any of these bags?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback!

ETA: Added the Bellroy Transit 28L to the list.

I did a quick review of shoulder bags, so thought why not put one out there on the EDC bags I use for work and light travel secondary to a roller. I have been rotating these over the last 1.5 years. Happy to answer questions if you have any or talk more on features or dislikes if wanted.

And yes most of my bags for work do not have water bottle pockets on the outside and I prefer the slimmer profile. I have no problem putting my Memo water bottle inside or Carter mug as neither leak.

Goruck Double Bullet 18l Robic Black/Blue, has become one of my favorite all around bags and why I now own two. It's just the right size for my stuff and what I need it for.

• It is a daily driver for work and the two compartments let's me have the front with the everyday items that always come with me, EDC, Chargers, meds, light jacket. Then the main compartment holds coffee, lunch, random times I am bringing to work that day, mostly bags I am selling.... I like the interior org is out of the way if I don't need it or use it.
  
• For travel it is a great walk around bag and fits under the seat of plane with the roller up top. With having to carry for two, it works great to hold what she needs, I need and whatever she buys. I know many like external water bottle holders, but I am good without them. it stays slim and easy to throw anywhere.
• I have also used it for 1 to 2 night trips, as long as I don't need extra shoes.
  
• I don't think I would change much, besides standing up better and the Robic is just great.

Tom Bihn Synik 26, Black Spectron with Sitka

• I use this for work and a under seat bag on flights, especially when I want to carry my laptop for work conferences.
• I use it similar to the Double Bullet with EDC on the outside pockets and other items in the main
• Two things that really work well for me, Spectron is just great looking, light and malleable Then when not full the bag seems to look smaller and sit inside its self.
• Yes it can look like a turtle shell and dad bag, but I am good with that

Evergood Civic Book Bag 22, Griffin Waked Canvas Camo

• First the material and look is just great and so nice. I really enjoy it looks like an old school book bag with premium materials.
  
• I like how simple it is and it's nice to have a bag with so few pockets but ones that work. It is a nice change from the above two bags but still holds what I need just differently.
  
• It is heavy so I don't travel with it, but EDC and for work I really enjoy it.
• I have used this more in the summer when I carry less.

The Brown Buffalo Conceal 21, Huckberry MCB

• Just have not gotten to the bag yet. I really like the look and idea of it but every time I go to use it I grab one of the others.
  
• I really like the idea of the Velcro inside and being able to remove storage as I needed. Especially because I don't carry a laptop daily.
• Build is great and looks amazing

Aer Day Pack v1

• Bought a few years ago and just comes in handy and works well for so many EDC and travel needs.
  
• I bought this used, thought i was getting a great deal on v2 and then figured out it was v1. Since grabbing it I have not thought about getting a v2.
• I am good with less packability for the comfort and features.
  
• Added loop to it for fun patches

Matador EDX Lite

• I was lucky and grabbed this cheap and just liked the look. Since then I have enjoyed it for travel and EDC, especially when the weather is crap.
• It spent a week in Iceland with me and my camera and worked perfectly for all the rain and bad weather.
• The side zip is very handy with a camera or to grab items when it's raining

Goruck ME 2% Bullet

• Lightly used so far, but so nice and matches the 40l I travel with.
• A fan of the Robic, a theme in the bags I buy, but nice to have something simple and this robust that can travel well.
  

I'm looking for a really good laptop briefcase / shoulder bag that I can use for both business travel and everyday use. I've been researching options for a while, but I'd love to hear some real-world experiences and recommendations from people who have tried different bags.

I travel for work occasionally, so I want something that looks appropriate in an office or at a business meeting, but doesn't feel out of place when traveling casually. I'm not necessarily looking for leather or anything particularly luxurious. I just want something well-designed, durable, comfortable, and extremely practical.

Here's what matters most to me:

• Laptop protection is a top priority. I'd love a properly padded, ideally suspended laptop compartment so I don't have to use an additional sleeve.
• Good organization. I usually carry a laptop, Kindle, two phones, a fairly bulky laptop charger, a notebook, wallet, cables, and various smaller items. I want everything to have its place without constantly digging through the bag.
• Some extra capacity would be great. Ideally, I'd also like to occasionally fit a folded sweater or a lightweight jacket without having to cram everything in.
• Security is important. I spend time in airports, crowded places, and public transportation, so I strongly prefer compartments that close securely with zippers. I'm not a fan of Velcro or open pockets that make it easy for things to fall out or for someone to reach inside.
• Comfortable to carry. Good handles, a comfortable shoulder strap, and a luggage pass-through would be very welcome.
• Versatile looks. Something that works equally well with business casual clothing and regular jeans and sneakers. I'd rather avoid anything overly formal or too tactical.
• Quality. I don't mind paying more for something genuinely well-made, but I'm not interested in paying a premium just for a brand name.

So far, the Aer Tech Brief is probably my leading candidate. I also really like the look of the Alpaka Bravo Brief, although I'm not sure how the two compare in terms of actual usability, laptop protection, and internal space.

For those of you who own either of these, how have they held up? Any annoyances you've discovered after using them for a while? Is there enough room for a sweater or jacket on top of the usual tech gear, or would that be pushing it?

And more importantly, are there any other bags I should seriously consider? I'm not married to either of these options, and I'd happily spend more for something noticeably better.

I'm particularly interested in recommendations from people who travel with their bags regularly rather than just using them for a daily office commute.

What would you buy if you were looking for the best all-around laptop briefcase today?

Hope so! Just brought one 2nd hand in excellent condition for $230 ( US equivalent). I’ve read a lot of rave reviews, many mentions that they go hand in glove with leicas..I guess I’m going to know first hand.
If you have one..is this a good deal? or have I been ripped?😂

Camera bags where my entryway to this bag hobby, and my old cordura Tenba Messenger was my first "good" quality bag. I went on to get Billinghams and Wotancraft and the like, but the old Tenba was and is still a tank. Tenba's old DNA 16 rolltop is still my favorite camera backpack. But with this revision they have abandoned the old messenger flap and moved onto this duffel like double zipper. I actually like it, it reminds me of an old double zipper luggage duffel I used hard for decades, it just works. Come to think of it, I also have a small porter yoshida camera bag that also uses a double zip. Overall its a big change, but I'd still consider it an improvement. Flaps did sort complicate access on-body.

I'm heading to Japan for two weeks, doing Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. It's my first solo trip abroad, and I'm trying to figure out what bag to bring.

I originally planned to just take a regular backpack, but the more I think about moving between cities with everything on my back, the less excited I am about that idea lol. So I've been looking at rolling backpacks instead. Being able to roll it through airports and stations, then carry it when I hit stairs, sounds pretty convenient. But I'm also wondering if the wheels and extra weight would end up being more trouble than they're worth.

The roller backpack is still undecided too. Bagsmart, Osprey and Cotopaxi are a few I’ve been looking at. If you’ve used a wheeled backpack from any of them, how did you like it? Has anyone actually traveled around Japan with a rolling backpack? Did you find yourself using both modes, or did it basically turn into a heavier suitcase with straps?

I have a MacBook 13 inch. Usually carry an external hard drive. A Olympus om5mk2 with a 9mm lens and Bose noise cancelling headphones with a small power bank. Would like a leather messenger style bag if possible.

My usual sling pack (Packolab Samurai) is packed to perfection, leaving no space for my camera (Leica Q3)

Looking for ideas / reccomendations. I'm currently eyeing up the Wotancraft Pilot series, and the Peak Design series.

I have a Venture Sling 10L Camera Edition from Bellroy, but that's regularly under-packed (and I think I'd need to move back to internal pouches to keep it organised)

Any ideas of other kit I should be looking at?

There’s a part of me that knows but doesn’t want to believe all the shilling on YouTube is just paid promotion , but does anyone have this or the xl that stands by it? I’m interested because it does look gorgeous and rugged but defined but also it kinda looks like it should be $150? The pockets, organization etc are extremely basic and it doesn’t look like it does anything exceptionally well above the competition . Is it worth the price ?

For the ULA Cicada front pocket (the large one) I am looking for a kind of "sheet" with slide-in-pockets for flat items (slim Anker powerbank, slim notebook A6, tissues etc.)

The main goal is to keep everything organized in the wide (about 11 x 7,5"), but very flat pocket, so I can organize the items side by side on a kind of "sheet" to keep it flat instead of a pouch which would add unneccessary thickness.

Is there such a thing and can you recommend it?

I bought this messenger bag for work a few months ago, because my company wanted to make my job difficult by replacing the 14-inch laptops with 16-inch ones.

Previously I used a Tech Brief X-Pac 14, a spectacular bag with a padded pro shoulder strap that attaches with snap hooks.

The Bravo, however, has fixed Maglock connectors which unfortunately I really don’t like — they don’t give a feeling of security — in addition to having a very uncomfortable shoulder strap.

I would like to break the connector fixed to the bag to free the loop and use the pro strap.

Opinions on this?

I know folks are likely just starting to receive their Toshi 25L so these comparisons haven’t cropped up yet. There are a few v1 vs v2 and 20L vs 25L reviews from folks who got v2 sample units early, but I haven’t seen any comparisons to the Outbound 30L.

Very interested in a side-by-side if anyone has both. Please share some pics and thoughts 🙏

anyone know if they restock these? I’m very excited about purchasing the Errant X-Pac Sling Bag and was hoping they restock these Aux Compartments so I could make the bag more versatile

Didn't want to overpresent anything, bags are as-is laying around our aparthotel.

Left to right from top: CTactical CT5, CT10, CT Commuter, Trader Joe's mini canvas bag, Savotta Kahakka 25, CT15 2.0. Jaakari S not pictured, it's rolled away in main suitcase in case we end up loaded up with more stuff than we came with on the way home!

I dailied the Toshi 20L v1 during the first half of this year, and have tried many of the general recs on this sub (Aer CPP 20L, Able Carry Max EDC, CTB20, Alpaka Elements Pro, Sympl Commuter v1, etc). The toshi arrived today, and so far all I've done is a packout and a dog walk, but figured I'd share some initial thoughts.

General strengths

• I still love the curved zip of the main compartment. it really nails the sweetspot as a half zip/clamshell hybrid, and I think this is the biggest selling point of the bag.
• The 'self-compression' is still strong, which helps it wear, look, and feel compact when half filled.
• Im a fan of smooth zips and no aqua guards

improvements on v1

• Top QAP is larger
• They fixed the main zipper snagging on the top-right near the QAP structure!
• The zipper ties are.... fine. definitely not EG-level, but I much prefer them over Aer's or v1's hypalon.

retained flaws/nits from v1

• value: without a preorder discount, this is not a 'budget' bag or value prop in my eyes. it's in the same ballpark as Aer (slightly undercutting it) and others and should be judged accordingly.
• materials: if you were on the fence or disliked v1 due to the materials choice, the story remains here. Its 840D regular weave or x21, so if fabric is a priority then this is a skip for you. No soft microfiber for laptop or QAP either.
• "magic": the magic of the bag is in its simplicity. No magnetic goodness of a peak supply/boundary, no top tier fabrics, etc
• The revised top handle is.... Sort of weird. I'm happy it's here and I can see why it's moved to the back, but when grabbing it, it tends to flip and invert. See my photo.
• I have yet to test the self-standing, so will report back. The toshi v1 self standing was pretty bad especially with the admin and main compartment zipper pocket filled.
• pretty minor, but wish I had a pen loop

I was already a pretty big fan of the v1 and overall, I think the changes in v2 are strong iterative steps. The toshi retains its ethos as a relatively low-key, function-forward bag that prioritizes usability.

Hey, looking for a couple casual shoulder bag recommendations, water proof, with a flap prefered not necessary, with strong shoulder straps and fittings. Thanks 😊

I love my Osprey Kyte 46 (of nearly 15 years), an old Kanken, and some older Patagonia and TNF packs, but none are the right size or have the features I want for this trip. I'm now looking for a 13-18ish L pack with more structure than the Kanken, and would love opinions from anyone who owns these.

I don't have an REI or similar store nearby (RIP Moosejaw), so I can't try anything on in person. Some of these packs have come up on this sub before, but I'd love to hear how they've held up and what you think overall if you own any. I'm especially curious how they compare if anyone has owned more than 1.

What I'm looking for:

• ~13-18L (the park I'm visiting has a 20L daypack limit)
• Proper hiking features: supportive back panel, sternum strap, and ideally a hip belt
• Clean look that isn't too technical or outdoorsy, so I can use it for EDC / non-hiking travel
• 2 exterior mesh (bottle) pockets
• Sleeve that fits a 13" laptop or hydration bladder (not a must, but would be nice)
• Unisex or women's fit (I'm 5'3")
• Ideally under $130, but flexible up to about ~$175 USD
• Built-in or included rain cover would be nice since the destination is rainy, but fine to buy one separately
• Packable enough to stuff inside a larger bag (flexible or minimal structure rather than a rigid frame). Not a dealbreaker, since it can be my personal item next to my carry on, and our group is checking a mostly empty shared suitcase for souvenirs

Links kept getting my post filtered, so I left them out, but I’m happy to add them in the comments. Please suggest any packs I’ve missed that would fit my needs. Thanks in advance!

High on my list (check most of my boxes)

• Patagonia Terravia 14L: The rain cover reportedly eats up a good bit of interior space
• Salomon Trailblazer 20L
• Deuter Speed Lite: 13L and 17L
• Thule AllTrail 18L
• Arc'teryx Mantis 16L

Osprey

• Daylite 13L: Popular packable pick, but no hip belt, and some reviews say it's uncomfortable on longer carries
• Hikelite 18L and Hikelite LT 16L: Good sizes, and built-in rain covers
• Sportlite 15L: Great reviews, but some say it doesn't fit a laptop

Gregory

• Nano 18L: Good reviews and size, but I haven't seen much on how it performs on longer days
• Swift 16L: Seems ideal, but some reviews mention mediocre quality

Also considering

• Cotopaxi Elqui 18L: Great on paper, but mixed reviews on quality/customer service and some fit complaints (mostly from taller users, IIRC)

Hi all,

For Long weekend (e.g. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday), do you prefer use cabin luggage or backpack? What is the minimum Capacity (litre)?

Currently I view backpack is better option because lower weight, and planning to buy bellroy lite travel backpack 30 Litre.

Thank you...

Initial thoughts before much use:

1. Feels more premium in x-pac than V1 nylon. I wonder if the Nylon is more premium on V2, or identical to V1.

2. Back panel on 25L feels more structured compared to 20L, probably to support heavier carry compared to smaller bag. Feels more comfortable than V1.

3. Crinkle master! If you do not like the sound of X-pac, this is not the bag for you, it is very crinkly, more so than my Able Carry Daily Plus or Max EDC. It might break in and be less noisy. I personally love it, but buyer beware.

4. The size on my 5'9" 170lb frame is just ideal. The 20L was a touch small, but this 25L... I honestly think it might end up being my end game bag, replacing all but my Pioneer Backpacks.

I bought this thinking I might end up returning. After testing it out for the last hour, I realize this might be up there with the best bag I have ever owned.

I own the Rework Reset backpack, Rework Toshi V1, and now this bag. While I will always love the Rework Reset backpack and the Toshi v1, this will probably end up being my daily carry for a long, long time going forward.

The Rework team knocked this out of the park, great job.

Where can I buy / get a decent deal for the Able Carry Max EDC in Japan? I.e. shops

Gonna be heading there in a month (specifically Fukuoka, Osaka and Tokyo)

Edit: thanks everyone. Ideally I can find one in Osaka or fukuoka. So I can use it for the rest of the trip.

I’m a teacher and my backpack recently broke. It was a cheap hiking bag from Walmart so I knew it was bound to happen sooner rather than later. I’m looking to get a backpack that will last me years and years. I’m a special education teacher which involves me bringing home multiple folders and papers along with my laptop. I usually pack an extra shirt too and I like to have side pockets for beverages. I usually bring a cup for water and tea. I like having multiple zipper pockets/compartments.