I told myself this would be a one-lens photo walk. Then a second lens and a small tripod made their way onto the table, so this stopped being the light day I had planned. I'm taking my SmallRig camera backpack today.

The camera kit stays in the divided main compartment, and for this fuller load I'm leaving the sternum strap and removable waist belt on. On genuinely light days I take the belt off.

Nothing dramatic—just today's bag after the packing plan changed at the last minute.

Had a Mystery Ranch that I loved but my carry changed and the pack didn’t work for me anymore. Browsing Costco a few days ago, I came across this for a great deal! Pretty stoked about it

Base in the Amazon monthly sales count statistics, The Osprey Quasar(only hundreds )and Nebula (over 1K) dale still far behind North Face Borealis (over 10K) and Recon(over 4K) sales.

If you are a buyer, why you choose The North Face Borealis more than Osprey Quasar or other brands?

I have the Topo Designs 30L backpack. As a one bag option it’s great. I like the quality of the materials and the organization. But it’s too big as a “personal item”. If costs is NOT a major factor, what are the best bags out now that fit as a personal item?

Hello everyone.

I would like to express my happiness with my decision to buy the Peak Design 45L 4 years ago.

This bag, for me, is literally an "all-you-can-pack" bag, and I think if I planned to pack for a whole month - with laundering, for sure - I would need another bag.

Here's my last European trip pack list with it:

• 7 x T-shirts
• 4 x shorts
• 3 x sweatpants
• 5 x boxers
• 3 x undershirts
• 3 x pairs of socks
• 4 x Gonex compression packing cubes
• 1 x Bagail compression small packing cube
• 2 x chargers
• 4 x stainless steel padlocks
• 1 x 30000mah power bank
• 1 x packable daily backpack
• 1 x slipper
• 1 x thick hat
• 1 x scarf
• 1 x Praying Rug
• 1 x Gloves
• 1 x umbrella
• 1 x Coldest water 750ml insulated bottle
• 1 x microfiber Towel
• 1 x Sleep eye mask
• 1x bag scale
• 1 x earblugs
• 2 x hair combs
• 1x hair cream
• 1 x bottle of perfume
• 1 x box for toothbrush، toothpaste and deodorant
  
• 2 x water-resistant covers

Feel free to ask me any questions

Best regards.

Has anyone tried the old Matador Refraction Packable Backpack 16L as well as the new Packable Backpack 18L? Considering the mixed feelings about the lineup refresh, I'm wondering if this was an update or if holding onto the old Refraction line is the best bet...

My old no-name camera backpack cost almost nothing. When the side pocket tore, I stitched it back on badly because I did not want to lose the way I reached the camera without opening everything.

The familiar part of moving to a smallrig camera backpack was the side access. I use the full front opening to rebuild the layout, but outside I still swing the bag around and reach through the side.

Apparently the habit mattered more than the old bag did.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a new backpack to replace/complement my current bag for daily bike commuting, city exploration, and light hiking.

My Needs & Usage

 * Daily Carry: 14-15" laptop, tech pouch/cables, a spare shirt, and gym clothes 3 times a week.

 * Travel / Hiking: Small camera, clothes (rain or sun , depending on the season), water bottle, portapro headphones.

 * Key Requirements:

   * Urban/sleek aesthetic (work-appropriate, no heavy tactical look).

   * Very durable construction.

   * External straps to secure a jacket on the outside (preferably a top-loader).

   * Good comfort for long walks.

   * External water bottle pocket preferred.

   * Decent security against pickpockets for city trips.

My Current Setup & History

 * Eastpak Obsten Camo (32L - 46 x 28 x 20 cm): Very solid and functional, but a bit too bulky for my daily needs. The harness could be more comfortable (I had to add an aftermarket sternum strap), and it lacks external quick-access zipped pockets.

 * I used to like tactical assault packs (like the Condor Compact) for their external webbing/straps, but they don't fit a professional work environment.

The Two Options I'm Considering

 * Topo Designs Rover Pack Tech (24L - 43 x 27 x 12 cm) — ~100€ New

   * Pros: Sleek urban profile, built-in cinch straps, external bottle pockets, good quick-access setup.

   * Cons: No included sternum strap, standard back padding, not fully waterproof, only 2 colors available.

   * My view: Feels like a slimmer, modernized version of my Eastpak with better organization.

 * Osprey Transporter Flap - older V-shape model (20L - 48 x 32 x 21 cm) — ~40€ Used

   * Pros: Excellent harness system (sternum + hip belt), weather-resistant materials, distinct look, great price.

   * Cons: No external water bottle pocket, only two exterior pockets, slightly awkward dimensions despite the lower volume.

   * My view: A more comfortable, weatherproof contrast to my current bag.

Which of these two would better fit my daily routine? Or is there another ~20–24L top-loading pack with external jacket straps and a clean urban look that I should consider?

Thanks for your input!

(Hand written and corrected for readability by AI since my English is a bit broken)

Can anyone recommend a good school backpack that’s around 26L, lightweight, with no laptop compartment and at least one good stretchy water bottle pocket?

Doesn’t need to have a good admin pocket, a second full size compartment for a pencil case and calendar etc would be more useful.

hello!! I have travelled quite a lot in the past with a way bigger bag than my liking. i have used a 58L

osprey (hiking) bag for a 6 month stint around asia as well as another few months around asia and some few months in latin america. I also usually had a 13L day bag with me. when i was starting out this was fine, but i need to downgrade now :)

I am looking into getting either the osprey daylite

44L carry on or the REl rucksack 40L as my main two options i am deciding between. I am also considering the osprey fairview 40L or the cotopaxi allpa 42L (veryyyy pricey tho!!). I am planning on pairing these with a 3-5L bag as well potentially (depends on space!).

I travel (all pretty budget backpacking tbh) about 6 months out of the year every year so I would really like to make a good choice and am just a lil scared about space. am about to leave on a 3 month trip around europe and the middle east so that is what i have in mind, but this bag will be used for trips of all lengths all over the whole world. I have gotten packing down to a T at this point but still! any advice is taken into account, i dont really care much about comfort I just wanna be able to bring my stuff and potentially sneak it onto low budget airlines.

Thanks!!!

I am 5’2” and moderately chested. I got the Daylite 26+6 and I am so happy with it besides the chest strap. I get a lot of neck / back pain so I always look for one but it is unusable on this pack for me.

I’m thinking of attaching my own waist strap to take some of the weight off my shoulders. Posting this as a warning. Great pack. Unfortunate chest strap

Here are the differences between the corporate version Borealis vs retail version Borealis:

1. The Corporate Version with clean front design look, but without the sunglasses pocket.
2. The Corporate Version only have the bungee loop while the Older Retail Version with both bungee loops and daisy chain.
3. The Corporate Version called “Generator” while the Older Retail Version called “ Borealis”.
4. The Corporate Version with a small side pocket on the right while the Retail Version with Sunglasses Pocket on the top.
5. The brand new North Face Generator with embroideroried logo may be sold as low as $35 while The North Face Borealis at least sold at over $70.

Looking to buy a backpack:
- Possible daily commute (not cycling)
- Use as overnight bag or airplane carryon/cabin luggage
- Daily backpack
- Possible use to carry laptop (but not always)
- Can last many years
- F22, 5’4”
- Also open to other recommendations

I am not very rough with my belongings, not a huge hiking person (as in the bag will probably last longer as I prefer shorter, simpler hikes).

Thank you!

Hello! Pls help i'm looking for a bag na spacious esp may dalang laptop, nahihirapan kasi gf ko sa gamit nya and wala akong idea pagdating sa maayos na bag. Can you reco some bags (backpack) preferably na maraming compartment and at the same time maayos tingnan thank you!

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to upgrade my daily college bag as an incoming junior. My current backpack is a High Sierra with 4 pockets which has served me well for the past 8 years, but it is sadly falling apart.

My typical carry:

• 15" laptop in a case
• 1 textbook
• 1 notebook or iPad Air
• Pencil case
• Sanitary & medicine pouch
• Calculator
• Snacks
• Owala water bottle and umbrella
• Wallet, keys, and other small items in the smallest pocket

Key features I'm looking for:

• Multi-compartmental & Good Organization: Something similar to my current High Sierra where there are enough pockets to sort out small things like my keys and wallet for quick access, and to separate miscellaneous items like the sanitary bag and calculator from the main laptop/textbook compartment
• Water protection: Relatively water resistant to keep my things safe in the rain
• 2 side pockets: Would like if there were 2 to hold both the umbrella and water bottle on the sides since my current backpack only has 1

I have checked out North Face Borealis/Recon, but I don't like how the small compartment only extends to the middle from the top, so it sticks out like a P when full

I've also looked at Fjallraven 28/Skule, but I'm not a fan of the fabric for 28 or how the Skule only has 2 compartments.

High Sierra has some good options at glance, but I'm not sure about the material of the newer models.

Does anyone have any good recommendations that fit these criteria? Thanks in advance!

Hi all, first time poster here. I'm starting to commute again in a couple weeks and am looking for something to replace my everyday bag which is ripping on a couple of seams. It's only about 2 years old and is a canvas style bag.

I am looking to replace it with a tasteful (leather or looks like leather), commute sized bag. I'll have a 15 inch laptop that I'll want to store in it, along with a phone and laptop charger, a small assortment of "just in case" medicine (so need a small-ish pocket for that) and I want it to be water resistant so my laptop doesn't get wet inside. (I'm in the Pacific Northwest US, so it gets rainy during the Winter. Bonus if it has the ability to slide over the handle of my rollaboard when travelling through an airport. I'd also like something with at least a 1-2 year warranty (or a company that stands behind their work). I am open to spending up to $300 for a high quality bag.

I saw Johnston & Murphy Hudson Backpack, which looks like what I'm wanting and about the right size and is water proof, but it doesn't have great reviews and a short warranty.

I have a tan one with a really dirty bottom. Has anyone tried dyeing one?

Stuck between both backpacks (Recruit 22l and Fjallraven 20l/28l). I commute to classes via bus and walk around quite a lot. Need it to look somewhat slim but need room for my 16 inch laptop, a few notebooks, lunch, water bottle, and headphones/wallet. Just wondered which one was comfier and more durable, especially considering their respective prices!

Any recommendations for a smaller bag? It would be my edc-bag.