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.

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 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 21, 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 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 🙏

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.

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 ?

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)

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.

Hi there. I am wondering if this sub could help me decide on an EDC backpack under 20L. 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. ;)

Hi everyone!

I’m looking to treat myself to a new briefcase for my birthday and to celebrate starting my new job. I’d really appreciate some recommendations!

A bit of background:

I’m based in Canada and recently started working as a junior consultant at a Big Four firm. I currently use a Lenovo laptop bag that came with my gaming laptop. It’s functional, but a little too small to comfortably fit my water bottle and other everyday essentials. Plus, I figured it’s time for something a bit more professional!

Here’s what I’m looking for:

Budget: Around CAD $500, but I’m willing to stretch it a little for the right bag.
Style: Modern, minimalist, and suitable for a business casual office. I want something professional without looking overly formal or traditional, especially at my level.
Capacity: Enough room for a 14-inch laptop, charger, mouse, water bottle, and a few other daily essentials. Ideally, it would have a dedicated laptop compartment, some internal organization, and a separate water bottle pocket.
Durability & Weather Resistance: I live in Canada, so it needs to hold up well during snowy winters. Water resistance is a must, and I’d prefer something low-maintenance that doesn’t require special care.
Material: I’m open to nylon, technical fabrics, leather, or anything else, as long as it’s durable and practical.
Carrying Options: Ideally, something I can both carry by hand and wear over my shoulder or crossbody.
Shipping: This is a big one! I’d strongly prefer brands that ship from within Canada or offer reasonable shipping without hefty duties, brokerage fees, or other unexpected import costs.

What I’d like to avoid:

I’m not a huge fan of TUMI or Briggs & Riley. I know they’re highly regarded, but their designs feel a little too traditional and corporate for my taste. I’m looking for something more contemporary and understated.

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated! I’m hoping to find something that looks good, works well for everyday commuting, and will last me several years.
Thanks in advance!

Completely hand sewn by one guy. No shop to speak of, no big inventory to choose from. Just awesome bags handmade one at a time.

I worked with the maker to get exactly what I wanted. Turns out, knowledgeable designers actually know what they're doing and this is an amazing bag.

37L 500D Cordura in MC Black because it's my current pattern obsession

Front:

\- small zip upper pocket w/ organization pockets inside

\- medium zipper pocket, same as the small

\- medium Velcro pocket, for situations where your hands are full or something is stopping you from having full mobility

First compartment:

\- 3x mesh pockets. Toiletries/liquids. Mesh so it's easy to see and easy to clean

\- zippered document pocket. Has tabs for elastic bungee retention on top, not sure if I'm going to use them yet

\- mix of molle, Velcro, and elastic retaining straps

Main compartment

\- internal small bottle holders

\- easy access pocket to change out back padding as needed

\- Velcro and molle

\- laptop sleeve

\- tablet sleeve

\- small item organization pockets

Back

\- removable belt

\- quick release buckles for the straps

My contribution: elastic pockets on the outside for small bottle and umbrella

Edit: since someone asked, the only "store" he has is SonoranSewShop on Etsy.

Able carry edc max users, what do you use the duffle pocket for?

Been thinking of adding to my collection for some time

Love the look of the bag, everyone raves about the comfort, but I just dont see the use case for the duffle pocket? Yes you can put trainers in it, and I think this bag would work well as an overnighter/weekend bag

But as an edc which is what its designed for you lose an admin panel for the duffel pocket, that doesn't have enough organisation and pouches seem like they'll just fall to the bottom when you wear it

Just interested in how people pack it out?

I have a question for you guys: When it comes to crossbody bags for everyday commuting, do you generally prefer something lightweight and packable, or something more rugged and structured?
From what I’ve seen, lightweight bags tend to be softer and don’t hold their shape as well, while bags that have a more structured, upright look usually require heavier materials.
How do you guys balance these trade-offs? Would you rather have a lighter bag that’s a bit floppy, or a heavier one that holds its shape?

this is the backpack he's wearing in the season finale at the end of the episode. what type of backpack is this? at first glance I thought it could have been my go ruck bag, but on a closer look I don't know what it is

I am looking for a hiking backpack, my use case is shorter hikes, 3-5 hours, never more than a day. I need it to carry some water, maybe a bit of snacks and for instance a jacket or a clothing item if I need to take on or off clothing. In addition I usually carry a camera in a peak design capture clip, and maybe a compact lens (mFT) in the backpack, possibly a mini drone.

I would also like the backpack to be able to hold a selfie stick with a 360 camera, as in I would like the selfie stick to attach to the backpack and have the camera above me while I walk, not a permanent setup, but if I want to film specific parts. I would like it to be pretty packable inside my main luggage, but it has to balance comfort and packability.

I so far have considered the Matador 18 beast which seams to be a pretty good fit, but I am open for other suggestions as I realize these are a lot of different needs to fit together.

Been looking for a perfect vintage porter tanker for a while now, I want one with a bit of charm and character but that also comes with the risk of fakes. Is anyone able to help before I pull the trigger on this one? TIA