Hey fellow manybaggers! I saw this particular bag on someone out in the wild (NYC area) but didn't get a good view of the brand. It was about a 16-18L golden orange commuter/work backpack with a fairly flat looking form. It had a top zip enclosure and at least 2 front, probably velcro accessory pockets. There was a solid black badge on the bottom right, either on the right pocket or possibly just under it- unfortunately I couldn't make out the brand.

Anyway I thought it looked pretty dope and was wondering if anyone here was familiar. If so, kindly please send me over your suggestions of what this bag might have been- I'd love to get some more details. It'd be much appreciated! 🙏

Whenever I shop, even if I really love the style and color, I still catch myself wondering if I should wait a little longer for a better price.

I recently fell in love with the Fabrique Soft Boston in dark brown. I've been looking for a roomy shoulder bag like this for a while, and I really love the simple design and color!

I'm curious how you guys decide when it's worth buying something and when it's better to wait. Do you go by the size of the discount, or do you set a budget you won't go over?

I just got a Tomtoc T33 1.5L sling, and want to carry a small first aid kit or boo boo kit in it occasionally. Really, I'm just looking for a modular way to carry some ibuprofen, acetaminophen, some bandaids, and maybe some other pills. I'm picturing something like a thin ~3"x4" zip pouch with some smaller zip locks or containers for the pills inside of it, but curious about what others do. What would you do for a micro boo boo kit?

Hello people of ManyBaggers,

I'm at that crossroads where I'm looking to replace my old satchel/messenger bag that I've had for ~15 years. It was my first purchase, pretty positive it was dropshipping from Amazon, but it's lasted all this time and has aged gracefully. I bought it when I lived in another country, so it isn't very weatherproof, so while the damage is relatively minor I am looking to replace it regardless.

I've been looking into various different satchels/messenger bags over the last couple of months but I've reached an impasse.

As of today, I'm thinking either the Trakke Bairn Pro or Nutsac Satchel 15 and would appreciate your feedback if you own these bags and how they've stood the test of time and elements—though I am open to suggestions.

I live in northern England in a town that is mostly rainy and hardly ever snows. I use my satchel/messenger every day during the working week, which includes a 15 minute walk to and back from work during which time I'm exposed to the elements, as well as casually whenever I go out and about. I have a separate backpack for hiking.

What's stopped me from making a purchase so far is ensuring the satchel/messenger will be adequately durable and weatherproof and meets my idea of an aesthetically pleasing design, which is, for the most part, heritage and waxed canvas. I like leather accents but it isn't critical to the design.

EDIT: Size wise I'm not so precious but I would prefer something that isn't 'huge' on me. I'm unsure what size my current bag is. I'm ~195 cm and regular build.

Regarding the Bairn Pro, I've heard that it doesn't patina but suffers from 'ugly' fading and that the strap material does too.

https://trakke.co.uk/collections/waxed-canvas-messenger-bags/products/bairn-pro-messenger-bag-waxed-canvas?variant=55518019420545

And regarding the Nutsac I'm being pedantic but I'm not fond of the black buckles and strap adjuster.

https://nutsac.com/products/satchel-15?variant=51433743909186

I'd appreciate any feedback, and thanks for reading

I usually see the Osprey Proxima 30 L on sale for $80, and I've never seen Nebula 32 drop below $130. They both seem rather similar, apart from the TSA friendly laptop case and hip straps on the Nebula.

I want a backpack that I can use long term (the all mighty garuntee seems perfect), use a laptop, and carry it around urban spaces. The Proxima seems perfect considering that it's half the price of the Nebula.

I have seen a lot of talk about the Nebula in online spaces and, sparingly, about Proxima. That begs the question: is the Nebula twice the bag that Proxima is? Should I dish out the extra $80 to get the Nebula?

Hello,

I posted this over in r/iPad and have gotten a couple of good responses already, and am hoping to get some additional recommendations by cross-posting here.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

I am really jnterested in the 10l Vertx Ghost sling. Unfortunately I can’t evaluate it in my hands and I am trying to work out the nature of the primary external fabric.

I have a number of their other bags such as Satchel, Transit sling and Gamut 1.0 as reference.

It has a semi shiny appearance and I need to be sure that this is simply “normal” nylon sheen and not a rubberised coating that may degrade and become sticky or peel.

Can anyone share their experience?

I’m debating between two Travelpro soft-sided carry-on’s; the Versapak+ and the Crew Classic, $325 vs $255. Sizes are the same but it looks like the major difference is material (ballistic nylon vs unnamed polyester) and the handle (Powerscope vs Powerscope Light).

Are there any other major differences I’m missing or anything else I should consider? Are those two upgrades worth the $70 difference, for the added durability?

This will be the most expensive luggage I’ve bought. I currently only travel 1-3 times a year via plane, domestically. But I’d like to future proof this purchase if possible. Thanks!

https://youtu.be/dnOuiK8ry10

Preferably something around 20L and has lots of little pockets for things like phones, AirPods, power bank, keys, etc.

Only ones I see are the super-tactical looking bags but I don’t really want that aesthetic.

Would prefer the pockets to be on the interior.

This bag is THE ONE for me. Has plenty of organization for bag of its size. Removable strap. Perfect size front exterior and interior large areas. Stable on the body. Thought I would hate having the key leash in the larger interior pocket, but I actually love it. Easy to access everything from the chest. Storage feels like it’s a much larger bag but carries like a smaller bag. My only complaint is I wish the small exterior pocket was felt lined to store glasses without a case but I can live with that by just throwing them in a micro fiber bag. Overall it’s a 96 out of 100 for me.

I’m searching for a bag in the style of a messenger but with a top zipper closure. I like the Timbuk2 design but I’m looking for something with a zipper closure to ensure that all my things remain inside and don’t fall out. The bag would be used for school.

I don’t always carry my laptop but the bag needs to have a large capacity (maybe around 15L or more) and be able to fit a 16” laptop. [I know it’s a tough ask and search but maybe there is one that exists!]

My only concern with having just a buckle and Velcro closure is that things might fall out (for instance: pencil case, small looser items…).

TLDR: I’m in search of a bag that looks like the photos but with a zipper closing. Thanks!

EDIT: If such a bag does exist, it should be available for shipping in Canada 🍁 :D

EDIT 2: Removed “flap” requirement. A simple zipper closure is enough.

Hey! Made this quick short to compare the standard nylon to the new XPac. Hope this helps somehow

Hey guys,

i need your help pls. Help me find a bag like this cheap Decathlon Arpenaz 500. Its basically a big hole, a possible hydration compartment (or you use it for something different), a front compartment with little organisation and a mesh pocket in the big compartment for quick access.
I love this bag but i miss a hip belt and a much better carry system. I‘d like a carry system like the hiking backpacks, but i don‘t wanna have a hiking backpack. I look after a travel backpack i can use in my daily life and when i‘m travelling.
True 35l not hidden in small compartments is my sweet spot. I like it sleek and black.
Thanks in advance.

What are your thoughts on the Swissbrand? Im planning to get a fanny pack

Having gone down the Tom Bihn rabbit hole, I've learnt of their Freudian Slip add-on to fit inside the Synapse 25.

I was wondering are there any other similar alternatives to this specific product that I can slip into my various 20-25L backpacks.

Thanks for any suggestions

Just got my 2.5l in xpac.

First impressions - good and bad

Good:

- Great materials (xpac version)

- I love the tan interior

- Feels spacious

- great internal organization

- the front and back access pockets are spacious enough to hold a large phone, which is great

- straps seem comfortable and the buckles are less annoying than I thought they'd be

- the strap hardware is amazing.. the removable buckets to take the strap off are the best implementation I've ever used

Bad (or maybe I'm not getting it):

- The fabric flap over the front quick access pocket impedes the zipper, I don't care if it gives some water resistance if it significantly impairs my ability to easy reach and pull the zipper

- the straps on the bottom.. why is the bottom magnetic pocket so cavernous? What am I supposed to use it for? The bottom straps are too small to hold a water bottles securely, which is what I thought they were there for. Can someone explain this to me?

Comparing to my Alpaka Flight Sling Pro 2 (also 2.5L)

- I REALLY love the water bottle implementation on the alpaka, I already miss it and I haven't even worn the toshi outside yet

- the compartments and organization on the toshi are better for me and while the alpaka has a flatter profile, it feels like a 1.5L with my pack out

- as I'm writing this, I used the bottom cavern to hold the strap after I removed it, and this is actually pretty clutch - the magnetic closure kept the straps in a lot better than I thought it would and I had to shake it very hard to get the strap to fall out. When I put the strap in the bottom cavern, it didn't compete as much with internal space as I thought it would.. this is always a challenge with the alpaka

I am very curious how others pack it out... please share your thoughts...

It's official. CTactical announced today (Oct 16) that the V4 launches Saturday, Oct 17 at 9:00 PM Vietnam time (GMT+7). For everyone elsewhere, that's:

• 10:00 AM Eastern
• 7:00 AM Pacific
• 3:00 PM London
• 4:00 PM Central Europe

Confirmed in the announcement:

• The V4 has a dedicated laptop compartment. The photo shows side access, separate from the main compartment.
• Everything launches at the same time: CT15, CT21, and the Tanker, Slick, Silencer, and Patchaholic editions.
• Where to order: the brand's store at ctactical.com. As of this post there are no V4 product pages, pre-orders, or prices live anywhere. I checked. The pages should go up at launch. Resellers like Oribags and Urban Traveller & Co. usually carry CTactical too, but there is no word on their timing yet.

Still unknown: prices and full specs (capacity, dimensions, weight, fabrics, colours). We should get all of that at launch.

More info for those that want it

Short description of the v3 models being updated so you know what will be available.

CT15 V3.0 — The smaller base bag. 15 L, 48 × 29 × 16.5 cm, about 1.18 kg, fits a 15-inch laptop. Clamshell main compartment, both an external and an internal laptop compartment, quick-access pocket, removable PE frame sheet, YKK zippers, Duraflex hardware, bright high-vision interior.

CT21 V3.0 — The bigger base bag, same design scaled up. 21 L, 48 × 34 × 18 cm, roughly 1.23 to 1.32 kg depending on fabric, fits a 16-inch laptop. Standard face has MOLLE webbing (3 rows × 8 slots) plus a 28 × 10 cm loop panel for patches. Everything else mirrors the CT15.

The Tanker — The heavy-duty CT21, and the original design the line grew from. 1000D Cordura shell, full bartacked MOLLE front, slightly slimmer profile (47 × 32.5 × 14 cm, 1.3 kg). Built for high-intensity use and rucking — reviewers call it the most GORUCK GR1-like bag CTactical makes.

Slick — The minimalist CT21. Clean front with no MOLLE, sold mostly in premium technical fabrics (X-Pac VX42/X50, ECOPAK, Ultra200TX, UltraGrid) and usually with external water bottle pockets. Aimed at urban/office carry where a tactical face would look out of place.

The Silencer — A CT15 (Oribags-exclusive in X-Pac VX42) that shipped with a fabric cover, the "silencer", that goes over the front loop panel and webbing to mute the tactical look. Cover on for the office, off when you want the patch panel. Otherwise a standard CT15 V3.

Patchaholic — The opposite of the Silencer. A CT21 in 500D Cordura whose entire front is one big VELCRO loop panel, made for patch collectors to cover the whole face. Lightest of the CT21 variants at 1.23 kg.

Recently received the CTB20 and am moved it into the rotation with the Daypack as my usual work EDC, so I thought I’d take a picture of them together.

I have a few other bags I rotate in depending on situation (Porter Tanker briefcase if I’m dressing up, MW Rhake LS if it’s raining a lot or if it’s the summer).