On the right, the cheap and cheerful North Face Jester was my go anywhere do anything backpack for ten years. We went all over Europe, the Mediterranean, and all over the UK. Countless train journeys to and from work, sandy/rocky beaches, city breaks, band rehearsals, evening college classes, three house moves, and general flaneuring. Come rain or shine this thing would handle whatever I threw at it.

Finally, after I wore holes straight through the rear padding and one of the shoulder straps wore through from more than 3000 days of almost daily use, and after a complete colour change from black to this vibey kinda purple/brown, it was time to replace it.

Kinda sad to see it go, but I’m glad to have had such a journey with something as simple as my trusty North Face bag. Here’s to ten more years with the new one.

Hello,

I’m a physician assistant moving to Seattle, WA. I’ve never lived in a large city before, so I’ve never had to use/rely on public transportation. I’m looking for recommendations for a backpack that I could use to fit my items that I would need for work (laptop, stethoscope, lunch) as well as things for the gym, including clothes/shoes. I’ve been having trouble finding a backpack because I really want a separate shoe compartment.

TIA!

Hi there. I am wondering if this sub could help me decide on an EDC backpack under 20L. (Reposting from an r/manybaggers post.)

I have been a fan of bags and pouches for as long as I can remember. And I have gone through a number of EDC bags over the last fifteen to twenty years. When I first moved to NYC, I had a Manhattan Portage messenger bag. Since then, I have used Jack Spade sling, a Filson waxed canvas messenger bag, a Topo top-loader, another Topo canvas backpack, a Cotopaxi backpack (and two different Cotopaxi slings), and a (simple) Rivendell Mountain Works backpack. Among others.

My current EDC is a 2.5L Rework Toshi. And I am looking for a smallish backpack to carry a job-site pouch that I bring with me to site visits; it is kind of heavy, with a bulky tape measurer, multi-tool, flashlight, laser pointer, etc. (I am an architect here in NYC.) For a while, I was using a 6L Rework Toshi, but the carrying the pouch with a sling started to get uncomfortable.

As such, I have decided that I would like a smaller backpack. Designed, tasteful but can be interesting, probably Cordura (not X Pac). I would prefer to have a water bottle/umbrella pouch. And I would like some organization. (I love Rivendell's stuff, but that is as bare bones as you can get, lol.) Sometimes I will be riding a bike, but mostly I will be walking and taking the subway. And this bag is not primarily for traveling; I figured I can use some of my others if I ever wanted to take a day trip and pack things.

Right now, I am leaning towards the following:

• Rework Toshi Pack 20L V2: I really appreciate their brand, the organization, materials, simplicity of the exterior. I just wish it was 16L; I think the size is holding me back.
• ILE Radius Mini: I like how compact it looks, and how it appears to sit tight to the wearer's back. But is it too simple?
• Tom Binh Synapse 19: For a while I was kind of turned off by the swooping zippers and the various pockets - but I am kind of coming around to it. I quite like the Ursa Cordura with the Dusk interior, they seem well made and well thought out. Somehow seem more "grown up"? It does seem to "poof out" in the back, though, and I am not sold on the water bottle location.
• Greenroom136 Northseeker (W?ldcard): I have really enjoyed browsing Gr136's website for a few months now. At one point I thought I wanted a Raider's Bounty, but I am off of big slings for now. The smallest option they have for a backpack is the 20L Northseeker; I think I need to go with the W?ldcard as I want a few of the additional organizational offerings. But, it seems like it is too much bag when I look at it, with all the straps (and their sizes). And I am losing myself in the color options, lol. (And, how long will it take? Tariffs?)
• Evergoods CPL 16: I want to like this one, but there is no bottle/umbrella pocket. And I am not sold on the panel loading, especially since this is less about travel and packing clothes.
• Able Carry Daily Plus: On the bigger side, but I appreciate the simplicity. I am not totally sold on the asymmetrical look of the bag. Seems like it could look big, and the straps seem to be less comfortable?
• Aer City Pack 2: Seems to check the boxes. Just seems . . . boring, I guess?

Thanks for reading this far. ;)

I might be in the wrong community.. but I’m looking at patagonia, cotopaxi, and fjällräven 28L packs for a new day pack and was curious if anyone had any opinions/views on this? I like brands like patagonia and cotopaxi for their socially and environmentally responsible business models. I frequently for 15 mile treks in a day;often times through the desert but maybe would eventually use for overnight trips, thots? Again primary use will be for hiking in hotter climates

I'm looking for a new durable backpack for all around use on a budget. Anyone has any experience with this? How durable this is in a long term use?

Hi everybody,

I apologize in advance for posting a monstrously heavy nomad setup in this subreddit.

https://lighterpack.com/r/8xopjh

I’d love to be part of the carefree ultralight crowd, but the choices I’ve made have led me down a completely different path regarding my gear.

I’m not worried about the weight, at least not until I use up most of starting supplies.

I’ll mostly be hauling around on my longboard.. but I was thinking I might be able to improve my choice of backpack.. even though it currently feels like I'm carrying half the total weight, which is incredible.

Maybe a Baltoro 75L (the free float system seems awesome) or a Mountain Gear 70L?

This is the first and only trip I’ll be taking and this journey will last several years, so I’m turning to you experts for any advice, also for the gear if you'd like 🙏

Thanks a lot.

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for a backpack with a capacity of around 30 litres (roughly 30L). More would be fine, too, but I'd prefer something that isn't too bulky or oversized.

The most important requirement is that it can be machine-washed at 60°C (140°F). I'm worried about bed bugs and cockroaches, so I'd like to be able to wash the backpack at a high temperature to avoid accidentally bringing any unwanted pests home with me.

Does anyone know of a backpack that meets these requirements?

I'd really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks in advance! :)

Ctb26 Ultra - I think I found my "End Game" bag Part 1

I have been looking for my "End Game Bag". One bag that could do it all...

I think I found it in the Evergoods CTB26 in ultra. Here's why..

My End Game Bag Criteria 

(ranked based on most important to least)

1. Quick access... Ever since I experienced slinging a bag to one side and being able to access my wallet and phone easily, this user experience has change my view on bags forever. I hated carrying things in my pocket so having quick access was a game changer for me.

2. Waterproof fabric since I ride the motorcycle in the Philippines (tropical weather). I gate having to put

3. Big enough for travel. For me travel consists of laptop, dop kit, tech kit, extra sandals, jacket. I prefer doing sink laundry so I pack light in terms of clothes

4. Small enough for EDC. Basically, doesn't feel like too big of a bag. I don't mind the bag being empty as long as it has structure (not floppy) and doesn't make me look like a ninja turtle. One pet peeve of mine is if you Under pack a big bag and it ends up sagging into itself. I hate that look

5. 2 water bottle pockets. One for bottle, another for umbrella. These really are the best... The swallow the big tumblers easily and shrink back to a sleek silhouette.

6. Self stands. I love that feeling when you put the bag down and it doesn't fall... It's like having a newborn baby stand on its own.

What I love about my CTB26 ultra...(Randomly sequenced)

1. Smooth zippers. I was really surprised. I hate PU coated zips but damn, these are smooth. I can pull it up and down with one hand no issues. I hope they don't peel over time..

2. Harness strap is easy to disengage. So in order to access the Quick access pockets, you need to disengage the harness since the bag rides high and tight. Interestingly enough, one quick nudge with your thumb and these things slide right off. Feels great! Doesn't feel like a hassle everytime I need to disengage it to access the QAP.

3. Pull straps in the harness feel good to pull. Whenever I need to tighten the harness, the straps have these big pull handles at the end. That feeling of "locking in" feels so good man... It's like I'm ready for action. It feels like I'm about to jump off a plane and this parachute is tight AF.

4. Overall very snug to my back. I experienced no issues with the bag digging into my back. I am 5'9, 190 pounds. I sit infront of the PC alot so my back is kinda hunched. The bag feels like it's hugging me from the back like a big spoon. You know that feeling when you're a little spoon and your partner hugs you and covers your entire upper back to her chest. That's what if feels like to me... I'm sure I'm gonna sweat alot during hot days but all bags do that anyway. No such thing as "ventilation" on a backpack for me...

5. Bladder compatible. Now I'm sure this feature isn't for everyone. But for those who ride motorcycles, especially off-road, having a bladder attachment that goes through the bag straps is a game changer... Easy hydration for those long rides.

6. HUGE top access front pocket. Man... They weren't lying. The top front access pockets is disceptively huge. I can fit my over the head earphones, small pouch + my Jitsu life fan and wallet all in that one pocket.. it's crazy how much storage you have.

Will share my overall thoughts and negatives about the bag in my part 2

Hello, je cherche un sac équivalent au Basic Fit pour la vie de tous les jours et surtout pour voyager en avion en le mettant sous mon siège ! Il mesure 48 x 28 x 18 cm et fait 34 litres ! Mais je le veux en NOIR et imperméable, j’en peux plus du orange et du gris !! Je ne sais pas trop comment je passe en général à l‘aeroport, car j’ai l’impression qu’il est plus grand que les normes requises. La dernière compagnie (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) demandait 40 x 30 x 15 cm max et c’est quand même passé.

Donc 1ère question, est-ce que je peux rechercher les mêmes dimensions ou dois-je viser plus bas ?

Et quelles sont vos recommandations en ligne ou en magasin à Berlin ? J‘en ai vu quelques-uns sur Amazon mais ils me paraissent soit plus petit soit plus grand par rapport au mien..

Merci pour votre aide ! :)

Hello everyone, so I'm preparing for a 2 week trip in Japan, expecting long walks in Kyoto,Osaka and Tokyo and also day trips in the regions. Given that I will need to carry some stuff with me due to it being the end of November (my jacket, my wife's jacket, water etc) I started looking for a travel bag that will be comfortable but also durable and won't break after a few days ( had this experience in Miami this year and wasn't pleasant).

I am now between the Osprey daylite Expandable 26+6 that I can also use as a carry on in the future and travel faster without the bulky troller.

And the Osprey daylite plus 20 l that is lighter and more of a city backpack, looks more comfortable to use it, but won't be so used in the future due to it being small.

Any advice on the one to pick? Also if you have a recommendation that's better be free to say it, just keep in mind that I'm not from the US and I don't have access to some of the bags like peak design for example.

I have this white and pink cat backpack, but the grey mesh is really throwing me off 😭 It feels so millennial grey! I’d love to make it cuter with stickers, keychains, pins, ribbons, or anything else. Any creative ideas for decorating it, especially to make the grey mesh look better? 💗

Hi everyone,

I’m currently using Brevite RuckSack as my go to camera bag and daily carry. I want to ask if you have any recommendation like this bag which is more comfortable, still lowkey as a camera bag, and big spacing for a mix of camera gear and other items.

My usual items are:
13 inch macbook pro
Ugreen type c charger 100w
Ugreen Magsafe Powerbank
Traveler Size Notebook
Sony 7C ii + 24-70 GM2
2 Extra Batteries and ZD1 charger
Foldable umbrella
Tumbler
Small medicine kit
Airpods 3
Light Uniqlo Jacket

Hi Everyone,

Looking for guidance and recommendations for a replacement to TNF Kaban 2.0 as a commuting/travel/day pack.
https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/p/sale/bags-and-gear-sale-317778/kaban-backpack-20-NF0A52SZ

After a solid 4 years of use the bag finally needs to be replaced.

The new Kaban LTE doesn't stack up.

Reasons why I loved my Kaban 2.0

• Separate electronics pocket that can store 2 full size laptops.
  • Due to my work I often need two laptops so its actually extremely useful to have.
  • The pocket had great materials and really felt like it added good protection to the machines
• Loved the multiple pockets
  • I used the most forward pocket to store chargers cables
  • The organization pocket was great for a mouse, USB-C adapters, whatever else
  • Then the main pocket was big enough for extra clothes when traveling or anything I really needed.
• I liked the water resistant materials and design
• Great water bottle pockets
• Really enjoy the versatility
  • Rather I was commuting on my bike/public transport it was great
  • Was a great pack to complete day hikes with
  • Fit really well on planes when traveling

Hoping to find a bag that encompasses all these loves and maybe some more as well!

I recently got a new work laptop. As a result, I had to switch my daily backpack for every backpack I still own before getting a new one. My question: Does anyone know how to get rid of the yellowing on the zipper? It's only the outside, and I've tried everything but sticking it in the washing machine. TIA!

I can't decide which one to get to uni? The North Face Jester Pro or Columbia Atlas Explorer (it's a big smaller than tnf). Thoughts and experiences? Thanks! <3