I’m pretty shocked that a bag this expensive is failing after 2 months of light use. I basically only use it 2 times a week to carry my laptop when I go into the office (I’m mostly WFH). I don’t carry heavy loads for extended amounts of time…

Kind of disappointing since this is replacing my 11yo mission workshop bag that’s still in good shape after a decade of heavy use.

I submitted a guarantee claim so guess we’ll see how they resolve this. Would be great if they shipped me a new one and a return label for the old one, but I suspect they’ll make me ship it to them and I’ll have to go back to the mission workshop bag for a month.

If I wasn’t outside of the Amazon return window I’d probably just return this and buy a new mission workshop…. Apparently the craftsmanship doesnt match the price they’re charging.

EDIT: They responded to my request with a shipping label and told me to send it to a repair center and wait 4 weeks. Not the resolution I was hoping for. Wonder what else is going to fall apart on this bag.

I just noticed that REI is selling Aer bags. Is that a new thing?

This week’s carry has been very fun. Picked this up on a trade for an EDC Max (i know, heresy , right?) Though space is tight for whats claimed to be 22L. I think TAD generally tends to overstate capacity. Capacity feels more like a 15L Bullet. TAD Context Organizer on the front MOLLE for more room

Overall happy with it. You can strip it of most of its webbing if not needed thankfully

Little smaller than I thought but can’t complain. Quality is amazing, and the V buckle is satisfying to use. Controversial look for what I have read; either you love it or hate it.

Hey all,

I'm starting to go down the bag rabbithole a bit, and while I love the T33 3.5L, I find it hard that not many others check the same boxes as this one... Which is so frustrating since I don't know of other bags that retain the same level of organization, comfort, form factor, weight, and space as this one. As for materials, the nylon they use is kinda thin, and I know they recently came out with 400d Ripstop polyester for the green and blue colorways, but I just like the black color one.

Are there any alternatives that have similar pros as this bag that I listed above??

Looks like Rework is coming out with V2 in Xpac. Apparently there’s also going to be a 25L version.

I know I am boring as hell saying this, but the Evergoods cap1, cap2, and .5cap are my go to pouches. They work perfectly for what I need from them.

I am on a work trip right now. I’m using the cap1 for my chargers and cables. I’m using the cap2 for my computer charger and my osmo pocket 3. The half cap holds my meds. This is also the first time I am using the Evergoods 10L packing cube. It’s cool, but I prefer the peak design, matador, and Fyro cubes. The cas2 sling came along for the ride as it is my most used sling.

Also pictured is the badass Matador 24L Adventure Pack I am using as my personal item and using to go to job site and meetings. I will have a full review coming soon for that.
Also have my new notebook from Make ‘em Gear. Finally brought the matador packable pack to carry extra shit around.

I never realized how much I depend on evergoods. lol

What are your go to pouches?

doing a lot of long haul this year and need something that can hold like 3 weeks of stuff without me doing laundry every 4 days, but also dont want to be wheeling around a literal wardrobe

horizn's biggest check in is around 98L, apparently the largest size most european carriers will actually accept for check in, under 5kg empty which felt reasonable for the size

looked at tumi too since a lot of business travelers swear by them, their tracer program for tracking a lost bag is genuinely a nice feature. but tumi's warranty is actually capped at 5 years now for anything bought recently, its not really lifetime anymore unless you bought it before like 2004, and their bags in this size range cost noticeably more than the horizn, ive seen tumi pieces easily double the price for a similar capacity. for the same size category horizn's giving you actual uncapped lifetime coverage for less money, tracer feature aside that seems like the better long term value

anyones traveled with either in this size class on a real multi week trip?

so im looking for a bag that will fit a pretty narrow hard to fill category. i want a bag thats slightly towards hiking but im gonna use it for all day urban walks/jogs and occasional hiking. im looking at gregory nano 24 and it nearly perfectly fits my compartmental desires and it has a minimal waist belt just for stabalization when im moving quickly. my only gripe is that it does not have load lifters, so im wondering if people have experience with packs as such with or without load lifters, im in a bit of a bind as to whether or not that shud be a major factor in my purchasing.

Last month I found a Briggs & Riley expandable cabin bag at a Goodwill. Today, I found a Tumi Alpha 3 Compact Laptop briefcase at a Value Village $9.99 USD. Tumi seems overpriced, but this bag is very well built and has a thoughtfully designed laptop compartment as well as good pocket organization. Not sure what I'm going to do with all these bags, but it's sure fun to find them. This bag might make a good EDC work/commute bag. It has a waterproof pocket for a water bottle, enough room for a lunch box, and plenty of space for any tech accessories.

All - looking for recommendations for a new bag. I’m growing out of the back back phase. I travel for work twice a month for a few days at a time. Wanting something that fits under Southwest seat, opens from the top (no flap), holds laptop, field journal, legal pad of paper, book or two, water bottle, charge cables etc. Doesn’t need to be leather but something a little more polished would be nice.

Bonus points if it can hold a couple days worth of clothes (I used the zippered packing cubes). I normally do not take enough to fill roller carry on luggage.

Any recommendations?

I am looking for a bag I saw in an instagram ad. It was basically a flat square that could be formed into a bag with a sling attachment. It could also hold water or other liquids if necessary. I tried google and even bing and I can’t seem to find it.

I’m looking for a gym bag with the following requirements:

1. Shoe compartment
   
2. Thick strap
   
3. Maximum 25L
   
4. Small width (like 25cm?). Not bulky- the typical duffel shape is really annoying to carry imo.
   
5. (Bonus) has nice colours.
   
6. (Bonus) has lots of pockets.

I didn’t think that I was being picky but I’m having a really hard time finding a bag that I like. The bag I currently like the most is Calpak gym duffel but I really can’t justify that 200€ price point.

I would be grateful for any recommendations!

TL;DR - I'm smitten with this luxe bag...but I sure wish the water bottle pockets were taller.

Why It Joined My Collection

I am always on the lookout for a bag that will check all of the boxes for my "perfect" personal item. We usually only bring only a personal item each for indefinite travel, so I'm constantly yearning to find that bag that can do it all for me. It's a tall order.

When the Elemental came onto the bag scene just a few months ago, I knew it deserved to be tested as my OneBag on trips with my two little boys and as my Everyday Carry bag for work while at the trampoline park.

This one came really close as my perfect-for-me personal item, but there are just a few things that I wish it did better. Let's find out what makes it great and what could be improved!

SIZE & WEIGHT - It's a personal-item keeper!

The Elemental is a great size for a personal item bag, especially for domestic airlines with tighter restrictions. I frequently use this on Frontier without any weird looks from gate agents. And they are known for their weird looks...so that's saying something.

• 18.11 x 11 x 6.69 inches  |  1.7 pounds
• 46 x 28 x 17 cm  |  0.8 kg

MATERIALS & APPEARANCE - Fancy Pants!

My first impressions when I opened the box? Love at first sight! It feels like an elevated bag with a beautiful proprietary 210D ripstop nylon. The diamond weave is matte in the background with a little bit of sheen on the raised design. It not only looks nice but feels nice as well. It is super strong while avoiding much crinkle. It actually reminds me of the Tom Bihn Spectron material, though at half the denier weight. The bags feels so light. I am thrilled!

The internal compartments are lined with an unknown-denier ripstop nylon in gray, which provides nice contrast for finding items.

The fabric is very malleable and can be squished just a little if not over-packed. The foam padding on the back is rigid and maintains most of the bag's structure and form, though it is mostly "floppy" when empty.

It can stand on its own but often tips forward, depending on the pack out.

FEATURES - Everything you need and nothing more

Carry Handles - The Elemental has two grab handles located on top of the bag. The one towards the front is the "main" grab handle and is lined with a woven, stretchy material that is padded and so comfy! The second grab handle is a thin, Hypalon-wrapped handle that works well for storage or when hanging on the table or in a bathroom stall. Thankfully, neither handle gets in the way when wearing. These are the only two carry handles on the bag.

Zippers, Pockets, & Main Compartment - The entire bag has YKK Racquet-Coil Zippers, and all three exterior zippers are covered in a PU coating (boo!). The dual-zip main compartment is size #8, with everything else being single-zip #5. The PU coating makes the exterior zippers a little harder to open, but hopefully those will break in with use without the potential peeling. Each zipper pull is "silicone-dipped," which is just a fancy way of saying shrink-wrapped. They feel velvety and grippy without being too sticky.

The pockets each have independent volume, which is really nice with a fully-loaded bag. The two front quick access pockets have flaps covering the PU-coated zippers, making access a little more cumbersome. The pockets stack on top of each other, with the top pocket extending down about 12 inches (38 cm) The bottom front quick access pocket is microfleece-lined for precious cargo, extending about 7 inches (18 cm). I am a big fan of both of these pockets, but I could definitely do without the flap.

The main compartment is cavernous, despite not having a clamshell opening. The design of the bag allows the flap to open wide and fold down out of the way for easy access. There is a single mesh pocket towards the back of the bag that is about 8 inches (20 cm) tall and is as wide as the bag. Inside on the lid is the second zippered pocket, which is concealed in the gray ripstop material. This pocket is huge and has it's own volume as well. It extends about 12 inches (30 cm) and can hold a lot! The main compartment also contains the...

Removable Laptop Sleeve - I think the removable tech sleeve is a huge selling point that creates a lot of versatility for this bag. Troubadour claims that this "dryline cocoon" compartment is darn-near waterproof and even has taped seams, so that can bring piece of mind when carrying precious tech in wet conditions.

It can fit up to a 17" laptop, though my LG Gram Slim 17" (15 x 10 x 1 inches, 38 x 25 x 2.5 cm) was a tiny bit too tall to allow the sleeve to be zipped up (I can still zip up the main compartment, thank goodness, but lost all of the water protection).

There are three external Ultra Stretch Mesh pockets on the front of the sleeve that can be additional backpack storage slip-in pockets, too. The tech sleeve clicks into place using two little magnet shelves on the back wall, and it's a very nice feel and form. Because it can be removed, you can gain even more main compartment space when tech isn't necessary. This feels like a huge bonus for people needing a variety of carry options, including those who rarely need to bring a laptop when traveling (me!)

There is one zipper-pull tab but no handles or attachment points, otherwise. I would have loved a flush top grab handle!

Dual External Water Bottle Pockets - Each side of the Elemental has an Ultra Stretch Mesh water bottle pocket, which I love! The downside is that they feel WAY too short to actually carry anything of value. Seriously, they are only about 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall! Attachment points and straps above have been omitted, preventing a way to secure contents. These pockets are the single womp-womp of the bag. I'm probably going to have my seamster friend add a tasteful strap or loops above each pocket. I've even been trying new shorter water bottles in these pockets, but I don't like having to buy new gear to make a bag work. I'm trying the new always-awesome Owala Sway 18-ounce, and it's working well! 😄

Back & Shoulder Harness - Another unique aspect of the Elemental is the runner-style vest that transfers weight from the neck and shoulders for an even better carry experience. I love it! The straps aren't massively padded, but the width and location means the weight carried lower feels great. I usually have about 15-18 pounds (6.8-8.2 kg) of gear when fully loaded as my OneBag, and the shoulder harness has felt comfortable in that range (though I haven't carried that weight all day without a hip belt). The shoulder straps each have a flush, concealed, zippered stretch pocket for storing small items...and maybe a smaller phone sans case. It's a nice feature that adds easy access for an ID when going through security, which is how I usually use it. Each shoulder strap has a strap keeper! Woohoo!

There is a removable sternum strap on a ladder that helps keep shoulder straps in place. It is pretty thin but still manages to be comfortable because of the extra-wide shoulder straps. My only complaint here is the metal hook used to connect to the loop on the other side...it can be a little difficult to operate, even with two hands. But it also has a strap keeper! And the sternum strap attachment points are completely hidden, creating a streamlined look and feel.

I also love the dual loops towards the bottom that allow attachment of a waist strap, which I use all the time when traveling! This feature isn't load-bearing, but I always appreciate the relief for my neck and shoulders.

The back panel has three separate ribbed foam panels that are covered in a lightweight mesh for even better breathability. There are vertical and horizontal air channels located between these panels for awesome airflow and cooling. The lower foam panel also acts as a vertical luggage pass-thru sleeve, which is excellent! It's located pretty low on the bag but is very tall (7 inches or 17.7 cm), so tipping is usually minimal.

Logos & Branding - There are a total of six external logos or tags and one large name tag sewn to the lid pocket inside the main compartment.

On the top padded grab handle is a small black Hypalon tag with a white logo and printed "Troubadour."

Towards the side of the bag underneath the lower quick access pocket is the tiny word "Troubadour" printed in white.

Above the right water bottle pocket (when wearing) is a large blacked out "Troubadour bird" logo.

Located in between the vertical air channels on the back of the bag is a large "Troubadour" printed in white, but this is covered when the bag is being worn.

Finally, there is a small "Troubadour" written in white on the left shoulder strap with a blacked-out small bird logo higher up, both visible when being worn.

I think Troubadour is pretty proud of its bag and spared no ink in letting us know. Some of these could be a little loud for those trying to avoid advertising for bag manufacturers. In my humble opinion, the branding is tastefully done. But I usually don't mind branding, if done well.

COMFORT & FEEL - A pleasant surprise

Because of those thicker, wider runner-style straps, I found the Elemental a joy to carry. I love the squishy grab handle for shorter distances. And I usually add my beloved WANDRD Waist Belt V2 for any travel days. I prefer to wear my backpacks high and tight, but the Elemental has also been comfy when wearing a little lower, too.

For reference, I am a 5'7" (170 cm) lady with a 19" (48 cm) torso.

MICAH LOVES

• Great size for a personal item, a OneBag for disciplined travel, and Everyday Carry
• Matte/shiny diamond weave 210D ripstop feels fancy
• Cushy and unique woven grab handle
• Pockets all have independent volume and can store lots of gear
• Runner-style vest distributes weight very comfortably
• Removable tech sleeve for 17" devices that leaves even more space in the main compartment when not in use
• Loops at the bottom to attach a hip belt, if desired
• Just the right amount of organization (for me)

MICAH MISSES

• Water bottle pockets are way too short to carry current water bottles worry-free
• No attachment points for external carry or to secure items in the puny water bottle pockets
• Clamshell opening would be ideal, but it does still open really wide regardless
• Flaps cover access to the two front quick access pocket, making them less than quick
• I prefer not having a PU coating on my zippers, for ease of use and no peeling potential

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS - It's staying!

The Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L is my first experience with this company. I haven't been drawn to any of their other products, mostly because they look clunky and stiff. When the Elemental was released, I knew it could be a great contender as my OneBag personal item.

I really love most of what this bag offers! Though it's missing a few normally-dealbreaker features for me, the quality and premium feel has me happy to add it to my ManyBaggers collection.

The Elemental retails for $279, and I've posted Amazon links through my YouTube video review.

Pack-out post coming next!

Come talk bags with me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@micahlovesbags

And on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/micahlovesbags

I am a 5'7" (170 cm) lady with a 19" (48 cm) torso.

I paired the strap with the clip I think the strap goes in by the matching colors. Can anyone confirm this is correct. If so, what does the blue circled straps do? The clip for it is on the bottom front side. Sorry if these are silly questions.

Is it good as an EDC-bag

Any favorites? I like that it’s roomy with big pockets that don’t force you to over organize. There’s also a phone drop in the outside for quick storage and pick up. The magnet closure is also neat, zippers scratch but I’m not against them bc they’re not in the way. I used to own a canvas evergoods tote but that’s discontinued long ago.

I like that it’s techy but not overly. And it’s not too ugly when dressed up like a suit. Material is hardy for the beach. I wouldn’t get it wet but I like how I can invert it to dump out sand. It also fits my 16 inch work laptop. Kinda works for everything.

I kinda won’t mind a backpack but I’d feel like a dork going to the mall with one, and putting it on and off from the car is a small hassle. I’m sure I can do it for a less structured backpack. Been eyeing the new packable Matador ones.

As a many bagger, I have old bags to fall back to, if I need to. I should use my reversible Cote E Ciel bag bc it’s so expensive but it’s also so clunky…

On mobile, apologies for formatting.

Lost and overwhelmed! Looking for a bag I can primarily use to go to work (30-40min walk, all weathers) that I can also use as an underseat bag when I fly.

- Dimensions no larger than 45x36x20cm for easyjet and similar airlines, ideally a little smaller

- 15-16in laptop compartment, ideally accessible by its own zip

- Fits a small lunchbox, notebooks, maybe a dinner's worth of groceries that I pick up on the way home, or a couple of changes of shirts and underwear for short trips

- Some organiser pockets for small items e.g. pens, and at least one easily accessible front pocket for an ID badge

- Bottle holders, ideally one each side

- Lightweight

- Decently water resistant for walking in the rain

- Good airflow on the back panel to hopefully stop me sweating quite as much

- Under £100, ideally under £50

- and, if the mix of imperial and metric plus the mention of £ isn't enough, available in the UK

If the budget is too ambitious, let me know and I can rethink. Also, if anyone has recommendations for lunch bags that will fit a standard 1L takeaway tub and a couple of snacks - I don't need it insulated, I just want a line of defence against leaky tubs that isn't a carrier bag.

I currently have a bog-standard Matein backpack from Amazon that is starting to wear quite badly and is losing its weatherproofing. I like how many small pockets it has but that probably does work against me for how much crap builds up in there. I could probably get a pouch or something, especially if there's a key loop I could clip one to. I don't tend to take my laptop with me when travelling so not too bothered about how it packs with one in.

I'm reaching out to my fellow addicts (again) to help me decide which to keep. On the chopping block is a MR Dragon 2.0 and the Yeti Bozeman. Very, "same same, but different, but still same" bags that I keep going back and forth on. I know this is a bit of a David and Goliath situation with the D2 being Goliath and the Bozeman being the less liked David, but I would still like to hear what the community has to say about these two bags.

Yeti Bozeman

Pros

• Very comfortable. Got it dialed in.
• Great capacity for traveling and dad uses.
• Excellent water bottle pockets. Comes in handy when using as a dad bag for two kids.
• Stands on its own. Adds to ease of use for dad bag.

Cons

• Main compartment access is very mid. It's a struggle getting to the laptop sleeve for laptops/papers/etc through the top. Side access is almost unusable.
• QAP opening is small and visibility inside is limited. A lot of feeling around for what you're looking for.
• Limited useful internal organization.

MR Dragon 2.0 - Pros

Pros

• Pocket layout and accessibility awesome.
• Stick it flap a lot more useful than anticipated.
• Great internal organization.
• Super sleek and easy to wear when navigating crowded areas.
• Easy to access internal compartment.

Cons

• Water bottle pockets near useless for actual water bottles.
• Despite having the same harness as the Bozeman, the D2 is slightly less comfortable due to the smaller lumbar hump.

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a backpack for my daily commute and travelling, like packing some clothes to stay 2 days to a week at a place, etc. On my daily commute I only carry a pair of headphones, a tupperware and a waterbottle. I might need to pack a 14'' laptop, but once a week.

I really like the look of the Zinch but I think that it may be too big and overkill for me. I'm a skinny, small guy. Can anybody with that backpack tell me if it's that big like the product shots?

Should I go for the Panel Loader? Even that one looks too big, but I love the look of them. Currently I have a Mil-Tec Assault Pack Small.

I'm open for recommendations too. Thanks.

I am looking for a ~35L/40L backpack for my everyday use. I often walk 20K steps a day with my backpack so it needs to transfer at least some weight to the hips. Budget $400. I am located in Europe but have a US address so can have it fwded from US if needed.

daily carry:

1L water bottle ( want side bottle pocket)

laptop + charger

climbing harness and shoes

pouch of electronics - battery, cables etc

pouch of toiletries - sunscreen, sanitizer etc

lunch container

umbrella

some days i have my bulky quad skates and skate gear so expandable or roll top would be nice

requirements:

around 35L-40L or even 50L

robust waist strap with pocket for phone

stands up on its own

side water bottle pocket

I tried the Fjällräven X-Lätt 45L backpack on in the store and while it was plenty big, I didnt like the wooden sticks that stood up to my ears height. I would like to not look like Im backpacking/camping/hiking I do not want strings and danglies that whip people when Im on the crowded subway. I do not want a "hat" compartment. I would like to avoid tactical, techy futuristic tech bro. I like rolltop. I liked the simple look of the Patagonia Terravia 36L but it was too skinny and ended up towering up behind my head when used to its full volume. The fabric also seemed flimsy and thin and easy to rip.