Luggage Bags and Packs
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Check out the Bagjack backpacks as well. They look pretty good, are waterproof and expandable. I'll be able to speak to the quality in a few days when my NXL messenger arrives.
@Snowy Definitely take a look at the Bagjack Backpacks. The messenger I just received is impressive. I will put together a first impression on the bag with pictures, etc. in the next few days.
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Bagjack, I'm only seeing 2 different backpacks?? 1's Cordura 500D, aka not very good. The other (NXL Skidcat) seems to have PU on the underside. The shoulder straps and the back padding look.
@Graeme ideally I want a bag that holds a 13" laptop off the ground, or has padding on the bottom. I don't want to have to add anything myself if possible. My current timbuk2 has a pocket that goes about 1/2 way down which is why it got the ticket. The last model of theirs I had was padded down the bottom. timbuk2's newer models are less cross cycle/tech, I still keep looking back there too….. Mission workshop is still closest IMO...
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@Snowy, I'm just as picky when it comes to bags. Which is why I haven't bought one yet.
The Defy VerBockel has a padded laptop sleeve, and is about the right size for you. I don't know how waterproof it is, but they've got an M35 tarp version coming.
I don't think that the Mission Workshop one is padded. You could always drop them an email and ask.
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@Snowy, I'm just as picky when it comes to bags. Which is why I haven't bought one yet.
Here here
I don't think that the Mission Workshop one is padded. You could always drop them an email and ask.
@tmg's going to check it out over all this week I hope. I know it's not padded which is my biggest annoyance about the bag and why I've not already purchased it ::)
(The defy looks hideous to me so non-starter)
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@tmg please let me know your thoughts on rambler in person please. That Damn Laptop sleeve and the bottom protecting are blocking me. @Graeme yes, I could do things like sleeves etc, but I know I would be annoyed having to use a sleeve to work around what I see as a flaw in the bag.
So @tmg is she flawed, or just right????? (PS Try ask if you can test how waterproof it really is…Is it cordura 1000D? Is it lined plastic etc....)
@Snowy, sorry for the late reply, didn't get a chance to check the bags out until today, so here's my thoughts,
- Very solid and well made
- Profile is very squared off, which is very distinctive, and in line with the design ethos of carrying 'stuff'
- There is no dedicated laptop compartment, and whilst you could put your laptop in a case and then put it in the bag, it would still be resting on the ground, and since the rear pocket is reasonably large, the laptop could still move around
- Interior is black, and with the huge pocket depth you'd be reliant on feel to locate anything in the lower part of the bag
- Outer pockets are pretty small, and wouldn't be big enough for my regular journey quick access stuff, i.e. kindle, headphones, phone
So, on the whole I was impressed by the build quality, but for me the bag doesn't fit my needs - if I was living in the city and bike commuting, then some of the above comments wouldn't be an issue, the laptop storage and quick access pockets mainly, and I could see that it would be a very useful piece of kit, particularly if I was regularly grocery shopping on my way home from work.
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@tmg I think that it comes down to whether you want a simple, single compartment bag, or a more complicated, technical design. The Defy is the former, the Mission Workshop is the latter.
Kinoko in London carry the Bedouin Foundry range. The Delireis is similar to the Defy VerBockel, albeit a bit smaller. They've also got Mission Workshop and Chrome. Ah, just seen that they're now just web only.
Another option would be the Modern Industry Drive. Carryology really liked it. They're out of stock at present, but will no doubt be available in a couple of weeks. Only downside is that they're shallower than the VerBockel.
@Snowy I'd prefer to go with a simpler bag, and not have padding in it. That way I can adapt if my laptop gets bigger or smaller in future without having to replace the whole thing.
@Graeme thanks for all the useful suggestions, and I quite like the look of the Modern Industry Drive, but having now had the opportunity to see the MW bags up close, I'm not sure that the courier/roll-top style of bag is going to meet my needs. Oddly enough, after a lot of reading (Carryology is a great site), I'm back to considering a Goruck GR1 since it pretty much ticks all the boxes for me, and barring a small quality hiccup last year (or year before?) , they seem to get great reviews. The downside is ordering from the US and paying through the nose for import duty, but that's unfortunately unavoidable, and if the bag is as good as they say then it's a cost I won't have to repeat for quite a while.
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Thanks for your thoughts on the Mission Workshop bag @tmg. It's on my shopping list too.
Carryology seem to be big fans of the Triple Aught Design FAST Pack EDC and FAST Pack Litespeed. Just throwing them in as another alternative to the GoRuck.
The trouble that I have with these packs is that they're all so heavy. Plus I could quite happily live without all the internal organisation.
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The Action Pack by Mosher on KS looks interesting:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1121692509/the-action-pack-by-mosher-originals
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The TAd packs are excellent but the EDC version (the bigger one) is very heavy.
The trizip assault packs by mystery ranch are also excellent and afe fat lighter than the TADs.
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@tmg:
regularly
grocery shopping on my way home from work.taking packages home that were delivered to work.Thank you very much @tmg, the hunt goes on I think :/. A dedicated laptop area, waterproof (or close to it) in a backpack is what I'm after. Shouldn't be too hard I'd of thought, but man, oh man 1st world it is!
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I think that there's been a move to unpadded laptop pockets in rucksacks, and then using a protective sleeve. So you might struggle to find what you're looking for @Snowy.
I'm having the same problem. My basic requirements are:
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Approximate size: 48 x 34 x 20 cm, or 19" x 13" x 8". This fits into the smaller carry-on box on the Australian airlines.
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Lighter is better. Some airlines limit carry-ons to 7 kg, and if you're burning through 2 kg with a bag…
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Motorcycle friendly, so straps that join at the top of the bag, so it's kept at shoulder level, otherwise it'll bump on your lid. And a sternum strap.
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Simple layout. I don't want hundreds of pockets and compartments.
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An attractive design.
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Not made in a sweatshop.
I think that the closest thing is the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, but Snowy's experience with the Brain Bag has put me off. The Defy Verbockel, Mission Workshop Rambler, and a few of the Topo Designs bags get close.
Perhaps the trick is going to be to get a couple of bags. Say something smaller like a Modern Industry Drive or Bedouin Delireis for day-to-day, and a larger travel pack for when I head off somewhere. Given my OCD nature it's easy for me to over-optimise, and a compromise might be in order.
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Hahahah, I think I'm going to shut up for a while (months) about it again. Pretty much so given up for now, so no more whinging about something not quite perfect.
If I could avoid the rain, I would. However, I don't have the ability to accurately predict the weather with enough certainty, and a 4k laptop is a lot to blow due to being mistakenly caught in the rain. I cycle to work when it's likely I won't get wet. I probably still get rained on around 7% of the year.
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Not stylish, but Arc'Teryx makes bags and bag sleeves. The latter will work with other bags and compress down small. On the order of $30.
Arc'Teryx Veilance otoh makes bags that look cool and are cool.
http://shop.havenshop.ca/collections/bags/products/nomin-pack-2Also this http://shop.havenshop.ca/collections/bags/products/mont-blanc-pack
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For what it's worth, I would go with this, and then put it underneath whatever I'm using to keep the rest of me dry if I get caught in a sudden downpour
http://www.cocooninnovations.com/product_info.php?cat_id=68&product_id=244
That being said, I'm not sure if it's the aesthetic you're looking for
Oh, I forgot to mention: I used to carry this every day for three years. Very waterproof
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For what it's worth, I would go with this, and then put it underneath whatever I'm using to keep the rest of me dry if I get caught in a sudden downpour
http://www.cocooninnovations.com/product_info.php?cat_id=68&product_id=244That being said, I'm not sure if it's the aesthetic you're looking for
Oh, I forgot to mention: I used to carry this every day for three years. Very waterproof
Thanks Doug, going to keep quiet, per above. (When it rains and I'm cycling, I don't keep dry, I get soaked).
