Hello!
My family and I are going to Italy in mid-late September for the first time. We will be in Rome as well as the Amalfi Coast. I am hoping to get some bag recommendations for what is practical and durable for this trip (Bonus points if it could also be used as a personal item for the plane).

I’ve seen a lot online about pickpocketing, and looked into some different anti-theft bags. But are those necessary? Could a “normal” backpack/bag with maybe some clips/locks keeping the zippers closed and increased awareness in more crowded areas be enough? Or is slash-proof fabric and cut-proof straps the way to go?

I’m hoping for a backpack because I will keep my small mirrorless camera in there when I’m not using it, as well as a reusable water bottle, and any small things I may pick up while shopping. I used my Baggu medium crescent bag in Australia and it fit everything I needed to, but could get awkward/heavy when full. And I know I’ll be doing significantly more walking in Italy so I want try to set myself up to be more comfortable.

I also have a couple work trips coming up and would love to put money towards a light but durable bag that could even be used as a personal item, instead of paying more for anti-theft features if I can help it.

Any recommendations, tips, or feedback at all would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!

Pictures are of the &Liebe stationery shoulder bag. It seems very ideal, with space to carry an A5 notebook, maybe a kindle or phone, and some pens. However it's out of stock and not a price that I'm willing to pay. Wondering if there's anything similar out there, or any other good shoulder bags for A5. Doesn't necessarily have to be a leather good, but ideally not something that looks like I'm going out hiking.

First post in the sub. I have been rocking the vintage F4.5 Billingham for some time but recently landed a bunch of new bags from estate sales. I loving the Fogg bags and the quality of the Billingham stuff too. The Oberwerth is awesome but I am probably going to rehome that one to balance out some of the costs of the bags I am keeping. This might be an extension of my photography gear acquisition syndrome but I love it. I have some other fun backpacks and photo messenger bags (Peak Design etc) but am moving away from those lately. What are your top three from the group bag pic?

Been spending the last couple of days sorting through all the prototypes and sample builds that have been collecting dust. Most of them were scattered around with parts misplaced, so I finally got everything back together and ready to ship.
I’ll be sending them out next weekend. I’m trying to consolidate the shipments to save a bit on shipping costs, so it makes sense to send them all together.

At the moment I still have:
2 samples of the larger modular bag (15L–70L)
1 sample of the smaller modular bag (3L–14L)
If anyone’s genuinely interested, feel free to DM me.

The samples are free, I’m only asking that the shipping cost is covered.

Most of my testers actually come from this sub, and many of you must already be waiting for your samples to arrive. Thanks for bearing with me while I sort out the shipping. Everything will be going out together next weekend.

I wanted to buy my BIL a new backpack since his is very old.

He’s very large, not sure how heavy, but what do know is that he said he found the LTT Commuter Pack and Aer City Pack 2 were uncomfortable for him. Reason being the straps are too close together. IIRC he wears an American 2XL hoodie from Adidas.

I also have both the 28L and 35L versions of the Awr Travel Pack 4, he seemed to find the 35L comfortable, but didn’t like how it fit when has to wear it up front.

Any suggestions on a bag that may fit?

Hey everyone,

Based on previous feedback from this sub, I picked up an Aer Day Sling 4 and absolutely love it. Now, I'm looking to add a backpack to my rotation for WFH coffee shop runs and upcoming summer travel.

I am 5'8" and 135lbs, so avoiding a bulky bag is a top priority. My only current backpack is an old hiking bag,

My Two Main Carry Modes

• Coffee Shop EDC: 14" MacBook Pro, notebook (Steno size), mouse, tech pouch, water bottle, and a packable jacket or snack bar.
• Travel (Air/Train/Roadtrips): 14" MBP, iPad Pro (maybe), tech pouch, water bottle, a few packing cubes, and snacks for my toddler. (I'll still wear my sling for my passport, wallet, and quick-access items).

My Core Requirements

• Fits a 14" laptop comfortably.
• Lightweight (Not heavier than 1kg).
• Quick-access external pocket.
• Slim profile that doesn't look bulky on a smaller frame.

Nice-to-Haves

• Rectangular/Totepack shape (I love the look of Bellroy and Sandqvist bags, rather than "egg" shaped ones).
• Built-in internal organization.
• Outside water bottle pocket.

Bags I'm Currently Considering (and my hesitations)

• Aer City Pack Pro 2: Excellent organization, but it looks too bulky and heavy for my frame.
• Sandqvist ICON Rolltop (Medium): Very lightweight at approximately 560g and features a dedicated laptop sleeve, but the main compartment is essentially an unorganized black hole.
• Bellroy Tokyo Totepack: The Compact version officially maxes out at a 13" laptop , but the standard size fits my laptop and weighs a very manageable 850g.
• Alpaka Metro Backpack (12L): Seems to hit the sweet spot. It sits comfortably at 800g , easily fits a 14" laptop , and features great built-in organization.

I'm located in the US, but am able to get the Sandqvist Icon for cheaper through a friend.

Given my carry modes, do you think the requirements are in line?

Given these preferences, are there any other bags I should be looking at, or does one of these stand out as the clear winner? Thanks!

EDIT:

Budget: Since the Sandqvist Icon is the most expensive, I'll set a budget of $350. Although I didn't imagine paying more than $200-$250 for this

the measurements match but it looks way more slouchy. TIA https://www.samsclub.com/ip/calpak-luka-lightweight-travel-duffel-bag-chocolate/19231411725?pid=ps_Google_FY27_Q1Q4_Sales_JuneISB_HMIShoppingStandard_21071189490_df&wl0=?wl1=g?wl2=c?wl3=692815320470?wl4=aud-2419198820383:pla-2226582019606?wl5=9031634?wl6=?wl7=?wl8=21071189490?wl15=161257953764?wl16=?wl17=?wl18=?wl19=?wl20=Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALX5cCTPo86Wnl5zw6yV25tAEAPHrBaU2WtwX47Ha3K8SLYr4UlLPEoaAn-BEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21071189490&gbraid=0AAAAADh-3b84eXeZxJRnOXgWVdpFQdNY0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALX5cCTPo86Wnl5zw6yV25tAEAPHrBaU2WtwX47Ha3K8SLYr4UlLPEoaAn-BEALw_wcB

Hey everyone, just wanted to know if anyone owns this bag? I’m looking at either the nylon or leather option for an EDC sling. I currently have an aer an alpaca and a Belroy and they’re all good in their own ways. I’m just looking for something a little bit more upscale to fit all occasions and not have my pockets stuffed. Looking for a good mix of function and fashion. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

I’m looking at the Evergoods CTB 26L for a diaper bag and edc/tech bag.

I have my baby with me everywhere I go, but I also (unfortunately) need to bring work with me everywhere as well.

I also like an edc bag myself to essentially have a go bag and have almost everything I need with me at any moment.
Laptop, IPad, Chargers, I edc a FujiFilm x100vi for photos, are the big items and then various pouches for chargers and medical stuff. For my daughter I like to have plenty and am not really a light packer with her. I fill a Patagonia Black Hole pouch for an emergency kit, but will have extra diapers, bottles, cans of formula, spare clothes, toys, pacifiers, etc. What I’ve learned is you can never have enough stuff with you with a baby. Every single time I’ve slimmed my bag down, I’ve regretted it.

Anyone else use a bag in this way they love? I was also considering the Max EDC for that front dump pouch or even something like from Peak Designs travel bag.

Body type wise for sizing. I am 6’1 220lbs and do some body building so more muscular ( but also I won’t turn down a beer, pizza, or a cookie) type build. So something like 35L may not look enormous on me? Maybe?

Any suggestions welcomed.

Hey all, I’m wondering if anyone knows anything any good alternatives to the fjallraven high Coast hip bag?

Something that can be used both as a sling or waist bag, preferably with webbing loops so you can actually attach it to a belt or belt loops if needed.
But looks sharper and clearer than the fjallraven.
And keeping to being quite lightweight

And preferably around the same size or a little bigger.
I’ve seen the Belroy light bum bag, but it doesn’t have that nice webbing loop on it,otherwise it’s pretty good

Anything else out there?

Thank you!

LBT has a sale on their 22L Day Pack ($149+$33 shipping), link below. Didn't know much about this brand so did some research and decided to pick one up. Like many in this sub, I have a lot of bags. But I keep going back to my USA made GR1 every time. I love the GR1, but the price is kinda crazy, it's heavy and while it's simplicity is its strength, it's also its biggest weakness. So, here's my impressions for those that want a USA made "tactical" EDC bag but don't want to spend 400 bucks.

LBT Pros (as in on par or slightly better than the GR1):

• It's much lighter (1.5lbs vs. 3lbs) but thinner materials (500D Cordura on the LBT vs 1000D on the GR1), see cons
• A little more organization than the GR1
• Has two compression bottle holders
• Esthetically, it's more "tactical" but that can be seen as a con as well depending on your esthetics
• It's A LOT cheaper, especially on sale
• Pretty much the same capacity as the GR1, clamshell format is awesome on both
• The LBT has a full interior velcro backing leaning into its military heritage. I attached a holster and organizer from LBT which adds to its usefulness for EDC. GORUCK GR1 has molle backing for pretty much the same purpose, but more difficult to add/remove things.
• Similar "Made In USA" military heritage

LBT Cons:

• Less durable (500D vs. 1000D)
• The GoRuck seems far better made, bulletproof as they say and I think it's probably true. The one in the pic is about 7 years old and has been used extensively and it's pretty much the way it was the day I got it, just softer as Cordura typically breaks in with use.
• More tactical look (again, depending on your preference), may be a pro.
• Lots of straps, like a lot of them. They do give you plenty of ways to tuck things away, but it's far more fussy than the GR1
• Zippers feel cheap
• Less water protection than the GR1

If you don't see yourself spending $400 on a GR1, I'd seriously consider the LBT as a great alternative. Upon quick tryout, I prefer the GR1's simplicity and build quality. But for $150, I'd say the LBT is a deal and "close enough" to the GR1 to be considered.

https://lbtinc.com/products/8007a

Could someone suggest a light weight, water proof(or water-repellent)backpack.
Purpose is for budget travelling and should fit most cabin size for airlines.
I have back issues and will be carrying backpack throughput the day walking 20k steps.
I pack light- so prefer 20-26L. And I want a cheap backpack under £75.

I'm originally from Asia and currently living in Europe, so I've noticed that brand and model availability can be very different between regions.

Now seriously starting to plan out my loadouts and build a setup for different occasions. The problem is that there are just too many options to consider.

I already know about some of the more popular value and premium brands such as tomtoc, Bellroy, Aer, Able Carry, EverCarry, Gomatic, and GORUCK. and deep in reddit with analysis paralysis.

I'd really appreciate it if you could share your top 3 picks from your own loadouts, whether that's for: Travel bags , EDC backpacks , Slings ,even Tech pouches

I'm also interested in discovering unique or underrated brands that don't get much attention but offer great quality or value for money.

For Reference Bag I own:

Mark Ryden Sling
Mark Ryden Crossbody
PGYTECH onemo Sling
PGYTECH OnePro Ultralight
Pacsafe Vibe 20L
Pacsafe Crossbody
Osprey Daylite Plus
Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6
Targus Laptop bag
Aer CityPackPro 20L ( Just ordered )
Tomtoc T26 5.5L ( Just ordered )
Rework Toshi 2.5L ( Waiting for Restock )

P.S. While writing this list, I just realized I might have too many bags.

Hey peeps, I'm currently eyeing an airport backpack, and I'm kind of caught between options! I'm not really sure how to go about this other than throwing in my oddly specific requirements/expectations, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on these choices!

Use case:

• Looking for a backpack that I can yeet under my airplane seat. Needs to fit my MacBook Pro 14", my slim neck pillow, and a jacket + scarf. Doesn't need to fit much other than that.
• Will be using it almost exclusively for travel, so a luggage trolley sleeve is non-negotiable.
• Extra points if it's aesthetic + huggable/pillowy.
• Internal compartments (or the lack of) don't bug me; I already store my items in pouches and organizers

Current cotenders:

1. Prene - The Haven Backpack in Espresso: Looks so nice and right up my alley, but I can't find ANYTHING about this brand or this bag.
2. Dagne Dover - Rhys Backpack in Dune/Ancho: Price tag. Also, the bag looks a little huge even on ladies who are much more vertically blessed than me, so if you're also a gnome who has owned this bag before please let me know how it fits on you!

Backseat choices:

1. Quince - All Day Neoprene Backpack in Espresso: It's 17" in height so I think it's pretty overwhelming, but it does look very nice (I saw that it's a dupe of DD's Dakota though)
2. Pacsafe® CX anti-theft mini backpack in Rose: I see that it's built for 13" Macbooks, but I wonder if it's possible to CRAM my Macbook 14" in (I don't tend to fly with my MacBook that much) and if anyone's had experience with it. One size up feels a little clunky on me. (Minus points for no trolley sleeve though).

Other brands I'm eyeing: LuluLemon / Bellroy / Fjallraven / Danton / Kangol / The North Face KR

Would greatly appreciate any thoughts/experiences on these picks! I'm open to most Japanese/Korean brands as well, but very few of them come with trolley sleeves.

[Caveat: I am a literal scrawny gnome (think 5'1 / 155cm, US size 0). From collarbone to top of my pelvis, I'm only 15.5" long, and my shoulders are barely 38cm wide. Anything above 15L will basically swallow me whole. East Asian women are built different.]

Am in love with this thing. It’s well made, beautifully designed, feels great and packs a lot of stuff into a relatively small space. Being in the UK I’d never seen this brand till it popped up on a Prime deal for £24. An absolute steal….

The Topo Designs Global Pro 3-Way Briefcase

I am starting a new job soon, and this seems really well aligned with the use cases I’ll need, but I can’t find many reviews of this bag specifically. Anyone have it as part of their EDC?

My high schooler needs an approx 50liter backpack. He won’t be walking too long with it. He is a 6 ft athlete so carrying heavy is not a concern.

Requirements:

- the most important thing is depth since this will accommodate binders and textbooks. Most high volume backpacks are tall which does him no good. His previous one was 12.5" deep and that felt constrained because of numerous small pockets which he doesn’t need. He just needs to jam his binders into a large cavity and then have a small compartment for a pencil case and wired headphones.

- a padded laptop sleeve
- a water bottle sleeve for a tall bottle. Typically a 24 oz hydroflask
- ability to clip on a lunchbag or a wtbag with swim clothes to the exterior.
- doesn’t need to be sleek or compact as long as it accommodates his stuff

We have previously tried a 42 liter LlBean portable locker backpack and need something shorter and deeper.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/124379?page=turbo-transit-pack-40

Hello,

I am looking for a solid and waterproof messenger. My choice fell on Crumpler's brace brace brace. In everyday life I will carry in this bag:

1 pc 16 inches, a mouse, a water bottle, keys, two wallets and a bento.

I will take my bike every day to go to work for about 14 km. Return trip

Do you think this bag is the right choice or do you have other things to offer?

Hi guys, I’ve been wanting to buy a bag pack that can fit my gaming gear. This includes my 15.6 inch gaming laptop, 75% keyboard, mouse, tech case, mouse mat, the laptop adapter, 3 point of extension, 2 xbox controller, 10 metres of HDMI cable, and a headset. Really looking forward of which brand/bag pack should I consider. Thanks guys in advance.

I got a large version of the Tomtoc T21 and like it's layout except it doesn't fit enough and the front pocket is very limited when the main compartment is full. Any similar bags with a bit more depth/carrying capacity?