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GORUCK launches GR2 26L, a smaller option for travel or EDC

NEWS – It began with the GR2, a large 40L ruck (AKA backpack) that GORUCK designed and built for travel (but also great for EDC).  A few years later, the GR2 34L arrived, a slightly smaller, shorter ruck for folks of lesser height and frame who really wanted to use the GR2, but found the 40L version a bit cumbersome.  Now, the trifecta is complete (?) with GORUCK’s recent launch of their GR2 26L, an even smaller and shorter ruck for the smallest-stature fans of the GR2.  The GR2 26L is the same volume capacity as GORUCK’s original flagship and most popular ruck.  As with all of GORUCK’s gear and especially their rucks, the new GR2 26L is built in the USA with military-grade materials—such as 1000D Cordura and high-strength webbing—and the GR2 series includes a load of compartments and pockets that are super useful for securely organizing your gear, clothing, and other items.  As an owner of a GR2 34L that I’ve been using for one-bag travel for a few years now, I’m excited about this 26L version, especially for folks that found the 34L a bit too large for their liking.  The GR2 26L retails for $495 and includes the GORUCK SCARS Lifetime Warranty.  Visit GORUCK.com for more info or to order.

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GORUCK launches GR2 26L, a smaller option for travel or EDC originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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MOS Pack Grande backpack review

REVIEW – A while back, I looked at the first iteration of the MOS pack. One of the things I thought needed improvement was the space allocated to each pocket. I think MOS is reading our posts, because they have just announced two new packs, the Grande and the BlackPack that each offer ways to get more room for your stuff, without compromising the other unique features they offer. I’ve been carrying both of these packs for a while (alternating, not at the same time!) Let’s look at the Grande first, comparing it with the original iteration, as well as the difference between these two.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

From the outside, the packs don’t appear to be changed, other than the Grande being larger until you start looking closely. The straps have been redesigned, and the outer pockets have been given a whole new interior. The side pockets and the top hard-shell pocket are pretty much the same, as is the haul loop/handle. The fabric of the Pack Grande is now available in several colors. I was sent a patterned cobalt blue-black, which I really like. The inside is where the huge changes have happened, though.

Hardware specs

(from the company website)

  • The laptop pocket is ~11.75” x 1.6“ x 16.25” to the top of the pocket or 17.25” to the top of pack at the corners
  • Water Bottle pocket can fit up to a 40 oz water bottle
  • Mounting for the REACH C and REACH+ power adapters
  • Large tablet pocket that will fit a 12″ MacBook
  • Water-resistant
  • Hard-shelled quick access pocket
  • Passport pocket
  • Cell phone pocket
  • Interior cable management
  • Breathable back panels
  • EVA foam straps
  • YKK Vislon zippers with Hypalon zipper pulls
  • 5-year warranty

What’s in the box?

  • Just the pack and info cards/tags

Design and features

The first thing you’ll notice inside is that all the sewn-in pockets have more space. Rather than squeezing in a naked iPad or laptop, you can carry a large gaming unit (up to 17” – Do folks still really carry these around?) and an iPad with a case, or even a second, normal-sized laptop. Both will slide easily into the padded sleeves together. My 12” Lenovo work laptop gets lost in the cavernous main laptop pocket. That’s my 10.5″ iPad Pro peeking out from the bottom in the photo above. The microfiber cloth is in the tablet pocket mounted onto that.

The power management pass-through is still incorporated in the left (as you carry it) side pocket, but the space is less tight when coiling the cable to store. (More on this later, as we discuss the new Reach-C power cable.)

The MOS Pack Grande expands from 21 liters to 40 liters with a simple expansion zipper. This space is all added to the front compartment (which is already roomier than either of the others). This added space means not only can you get in something other than the Nest organizer and a few magazines or odd and ends, but you can slip in a change of clothes, gym shoes, or any other items you wish.

The front pocket has much more room, both inside and in the “Napoleon pocket” across the front. This pocket can hold items several inches thick – like your bike’s U-lock, or an iPad mini, or a travel paint set. The larger pocket beneath can hold a raincoat or heavy gloves or your 3-1-1 goodie bag.

Performance

The Grande performs like a pro. It can hold enough for a full weekend with room for clothes, shoes, and all the extras. If your needs dictate, you can haul around a wealth of tech, plus enough room in the front pocket for your lunch, a sweater, and extras like chargers.


The straps have nicely cushioned areas where they hit the sides of your neck, which prevents them chaffing or cutting into you on long concourses. You can fit a 40 oz water bottle in the pocket, and it’s sealed from getting any liquid into the insides.
The charging features, while not included, are pretty awesome.

The new Reach-C has three USB-A charging ports and a USB-C port, as well as a removable power cord, so you don’t have to thread it through the side pocket. If you don’t (yet) need USB-C, the original Reach Plus, with only two USB and one AC 120 V port, or your third-party power bank can also fit in the straps. Actually, there’s room for several of these options! There’s room in the left side pocket for both plugs, if you need. The interior cable routing takes power cables from the elastic straps that hold these charging options in place to all corners and layers of the bag. It’s easy to have all your electronics connected to just one or two power plugs, and plug them in during a layover or your temporary workspace.

Extras

The Nest ($39.95, on sale for $29.95) is a smaller, internal sub-pack, and fits into the front pocket of the Grande. It’s relatively unchanged from the first iteration, but due to more space in the front pocket (and, with the expansion, a huge amount of extra space!), it’s much more usable. Still doesn’t fit a “normal” tablet, but your eReader or a novel from the airport bookshop will nestle in there along with your travel papers and snacks. It will then slip out and sit under your seat or in the seatback pocket in front of you, giving you more legroom while the rest of the bag stays in the rack.

Having an integrated charger really rocks on those long layovers when you’re trying to keep up with email, online documents, and all your Slack channels. There are now two versions of the Reach travel charging solution. The original Reach+ ($19.95) still has one 110V outlet and 2 USB charging outlets with a captive 3 foot cable.

The Reach C, however, gives you three USB-A charging ports as well as a USB-C charging port.  The Reach C also has a removable four-foot power cable, which means it’s easier to thread through the opening. And since there’s no AC, you don’t need the heavy-duty power cable. The Reach C is such a handy charger, it fits easily into other “charge-ready” bags, so look closely at bags you may have at hand and consider how it could fit in.

Reach C specs

  • USB-C Output: 5/9/12/15/20V, 3A
  • USB-C Power Delivery: PD 2.0
  • USB-A Output: 5V 2.4A
  • Cable Length: 4ft.

What I Like

  • Enormous inside!
  • Safety orange interior lets you see everything easily
  • Integrated power and cable management
  • An outside front pocket you can use
  • Hard-shell top pocket for fragile items
  • Expandable

What needs to be improved

  • Some of the interior straps are a bit fiddly
  • The Nest expansion still is tight, unless you have the expansion open.

Final thoughts

MOS has gone from a niche player in the tech accessory marketplace, to being a full-scale design shop. They still build innovative little items (like the Kick, a phone tripod attachment that fits in your coin pocket), but they also have several interesting options for power management, as well as their packs. All of their full-sized packs can fit both the Nest as well as either of the Reach power cords, making them fantastic for those who travel with technology – and isn’t that everyone nowadays?

Price: $139.00
Where to buy: MOS website and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by MOS.

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MOS Pack Grande backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack review

REVIEW – That’s how I would describe the new Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack. After a month of testing, it just might be my favorite bag design of the year. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a 22-liter all-around backpack with a separate compartment for a 15” laptop designed for work, school, travel and play.

Hardware specs

  • 21” tall by 15” wide by 9” deep
  • 2.2 pounds
  • 22 liter capacity
  • YKK and YKK Aquaguard zips
  • Water-resistant Venture-weave polyester with leather accents

Design and features

The Bellroy Classic Plus is a smart looking bag. It’s a contemporary design that uses subtle geometry to put a grownup spin on the traditional bullet-shaped backpack form, without losing any of the function. Check out the sleek profile:

The combination of upscale materials and leather accents make this a bag that does high-end casual style right. You’ll also be able to pair it with a sports coat or business wear instead of a briefcase. It’s that good looking.

I was a huge fan of the Bellroy Tote Pack last year, and the Classic Plus continues that tradition of amazing construction. The primary material (called Venture weave) is supple with a nice texture. It imparts the same durability and water resistance as Cordura, without that rugged industrial feel. It’s a great choice to pair with the style of this bag.

The detail work is excellent, right up there with carry icons like Tom Bihn. YKK zips are used throughout, with Aquaguard zips on the external entry points for extra water resistance. You’ll find leather accents in all the right places. The supporting materials in the liners and pockets are just as good, and the finishing work throughout the bag is among the best I’ve seen. There isn’t a single detail that isn’t overbuilt, reinforced and trimmed to perfection. Check out some of the fine details:

The form factor is that of a top-loading pack, with two main compartments. Your laptop rides in the padded rear compartment, closest to your back. I’ve got a a 13” MacBook and my iPad Air in there for reference, but I’ve carried a 15” Thinkpad with no space issues:

You’ll also find a 5” by 9” flexible fabric pocket for your chargers and cables here, positioned at the top of the space for easy access. This pocket is designed so that it bellows into the main compartment, and doesn’t cramp your laptop space.

The 6″ deep main compartment is accessed by dual zips that, rather than set parallel to the vertical profile, are set at a reverse angle. This not only creates an interesting style element, but it also makes it easier to get into the depths of the space. There’s an  elastic pocket at the base that will take an oversized water bottle (I have a Contigo bottle in there in the pic):

On the inside front panel of the main compartment is a multipurpose storage pocket that also uses a bit of design magic to optimize the space. Here’s a look at the pocket from the inside of the bag:

Now check this out. See that shelf from the external view? That internal pocket bellows outward so that you can load it up without encroaching on the main compartment. Very clever. It also adds a bit of flair to the contemporary look:

You’ve also got two concealed external pockets for your quick-grab items, hidden behind concealed zips built into the seams of the bag. A horizontal zip at the top of the bag (behind the laptop zip) reveals a 10” by 2” flexible mesh pocket, suitable for a phone or other small stuff. Note that it’s anchored to the rear panel of the main compartment under the hood, so that doesn’t get in your way when rummaging in the bag:

The second external compartment is on the front face of the bag, accessed by a vertical zip. This 4” by 12” pocket includes a ring that could be used for your keys or an attachment point for organizer pouches. This pocket is also on the left side of the front panel, so it doesn’t compete with the internal water bottle pocket if you’re packed out.

The carry rig is really comfortable. A slender back pad runs the length of the back of the bag, and includes an extra bit of lower padding for lumbar support.

Wide, thinly padded shoulder straps are contoured to hug your body. You’ll also find locking collars to manage those extra strappy bits on the adjustment straps. The addition of a sternum strap helps stabilize your load and employ a unique magnetic clip design for easy connection and removal. Once it is clipped, it stays until you unlock it.

The Bellroy Classic Plus is rated at a 22 liter capacity, which seems about right based on my normal loadout. We’ll talk more about that in the next section.

Performance

The Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack is a finely-tuned bag that’s dialed in for the daily commuter. If you regularly carry a laptop and the assortment of office essentials, you’re going to love the simplicity and usability of this bag. Everything is easy to get to if you’re running into meetings or the coffee shop, and the slim profile is great for running lean. As I mentioned before, the grownup style of the bag makes it ideal as a briefcase replacement.

As far as capacity goes… it’s just about right for a daypack with a bit of room for extras. The Classic Plus makes optimal use of every square inch of the bag with some really innovative design. The whole build, however, is tight and compact. This is not the kind of bag that can accommodate your gym sneakers or a six-pack you snagged on the way home along with rest of your work stuff. The pocket for a hydration bottle (or even a bottle of wine!) is nicely tucked inside the bag for that streamlined look, but it will eat up a lot of usable space. The layout is so well executed, however, that I am OK with foregoing the extra capacity for the streamlined style and excellent usability. If you’re carrying your world on your back every day, this probably isn’t the best choice for you.

I should note that, while the bag is extremely comfortable to carry, there’s no back channel to promote air circulation. Heat can build up back there on a warm day. The padding on the back and the straps are also smooth; while this does mean that you’re not dealing with that scratchy mesh weave found on many packs, the shoulder straps can slip if you don’t use the sternum strap. These were both minor issues in my testing, but important to note as you are considering this bag.

I also see this bag as an excellent traveling companion or day-tripper. It is sized perfectly for under-seat stowage and looks good enough that you can use it for business meetings in addition to sightseeing trips at your destination.

There’s another aspect of this bag that merits serious consideration: the value. Style-oriented bags can get expensive pretty quickly. The Bellroy Classic Plus gets you high-end style, innovative design, and superb construction for under $200. That’s really impressive.

What I like

  • Top-tier construction and materials
  • Contemporary styling
  • Excellent layout and usability
  • Extremely comfortable for all-day carry
  • Sized just about perfect for a daypack and carry on

What needs to be improved

  • The layout favors organized packing, which may not work for some users
  • Back panel can get sweaty on warm days
  • Shoulder straps can slip a bit without using the sternum strap

Final thoughts

Bellroy has become one of my favorite carry brands, and the Classic Plus Backpack is another winner. There’s a lot to love here as a work bag, a day-tripper, or a travel companion. In my opinion, it’s also a relative bargain at a $179 price point. Given the quality of the bag, you’re getting huge value for the dollar. If you’re looking for an upgrade to that bargain backpack you’ve been hauling around, this is one that should be on your short list.

Price: $179.00
Where to buy:Bellroy web site and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Bellroy.

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Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Peak Design 45 Liter Travel Backpack Review

REVIEW – Finding the correct travel bag has always been difficult for me.  I have found out over time that a one size fits all type bag will usually not work.  They are either all way too big or too small for the trip and what I need to bring along.  Too many bags would have just a single large compartment and maybe a zipper or two for small things but no real easy way to organize my packing.  I also find that the larger the bag is, the heavier it will be.  When Peak Design offered up their new 45 liter travel backpack for review I jumped on it because it seemed to be an organized packer’s mecca.  Let’s see how it worked out for me.

What’s in the box?

I received the 45 liter Travel backpack along with some additional accessories.  You will see full detail pictures of everything below.  In addition to the backpack I received the following:

  • Wash pouch – complete with hook for hanging up in the bathroom!  It comes in sage or black and I received the sage.  Dimensions are 26 cm x 11 cm x 15 cm 2.5  liters
  • Tech pouch  – used to organize and store all your tech cables, batteries and charging adapters.  It comes in sage or black and I received the black.  Dimensions are 24 cm x 10 cm x 15 cm 2 liters
  • Medium packing cube – Dimensions 32 cm x 17 cm x 32 cm 18 liters
  • Small packing cube – Dimensions 32 cm x 8 cm x 17 cm 9 liters

Design and Features

OK, be ready for a plethora of pictures.  This backpack has a ton of features allowing you to pack and organize your travel gear in many ways.  The first picture below shows the backpack that is fully compressed but does have inside all of the travel pouches and cubes.  The first thing I noticed and loved was how the backpack will stand on its own.  You can see that I received the sage color.  The backpack itself is able to compress itself to multiple sizes.  The ‘normal’ size is 35 liters which allows it to be a carry on bag for airlines.  You can compress it down to 30 liters by simply pressing down the top part of the bag where you see the zipper and it will fold into itself.   On the other end of the spectrum you can expand it to a full 45 liters with the side expansion zippers I will show later.  The bag has dimensions of 56 cm tall and 33 cm wide.  It can be expanded from 23 cm up to 29 cm in depth.  On the front of the bag there are 6 external carry strap attachment points with three on the left and 3 on the right side of the bag.  On top of the bag there are 4 external carry strap attachments and 2 more on the bottom.  You can literally have everything and the kitchen sink hanging off this bag if you wish.  The second picture shows you how deep the top pocket of the bag goes.  My hand is not very large, but it will easily fit my Samsung S9  and I believe it would also hold a phone as large as a Note or the large iPhone easily.  The pocket is heavily lined so that even if the bag where to fall on its face I do not think anything would be damaged inside.

The pack itself is made from 400 d for the shell and 900 d on the bottom both of which are made from recycled plastics.  It has a weatherproof construction and waterproof zippers.

The next three pictures show the back of the bag.  At the top, you will see a handle.  It appears to be made of the same type of material as the seat belt in your car.  It is well stitched and made of several layers to give it a nice cushion.  The handle does not cut into my hand at all even when fully loaded.  There are two fully adjustable backpack straps that are well padded and sit comfortably on the back.  The straps both have two external seatbelt-like material where you can also attach hanging things.    The bag also comes with a very nice chest strap.  Both ends of the strap have metal hooks that are in the middle picture.  You simply hook the metal hook over the middle part of the back strap and it is held in place.  There are 4 points on the strap where you can hook the chest strap depending on how you like to carry the bag.  If you don’t want the chest strap at all, you simply can unhook both sides and store it away.  I really like how no plastic buckles are used.  Those always seem to be a point of failure.  You can also notice that the strap itself is made out of the same seatbelt-like material.  It is very soft and strong feeling.  I did note that on my trip I could also use that back handle as a pass through on my husband’s rollable luggage handle.

Also on the back of the bag, you will find another carrying handle strap that will allow you to carry the backpack from the back of the bag.  I personally found this very handy when pulling the back out of the trunk of a car.  Another really great feature for a backpack that can get heavy if fully loaded are the included waist straps.  They are cleverly tucked into side panels under the padding in the back of the pack.  The second picture shows how one side comes out of its handy slot.  The third picture is showing how the waist belt is connected to the front of your waste.  It has a metal hook that you simply slide into the opposite loop from the other belt.  Once again no plastic buckles that will easily break.  You can also see that the buckle is adjustable and made of that same seat belt material.  The fourth picture is a picture of a top and bottom magnet on the flaps hiding the waist belt.  Each side of the back of the bag has 4 magnets keeping the waist belt tucked away if you do not need it.  I would also like to mention there is a very small zippered pouch that is on the left waistband.  You could stick a small wallet in that pouch if need be.

On both sides of the bag, you will find additional carry handles.  This makes for a grand total of five carry handles.  One on top, one on the bottom, one on the back and one on each side.  As mentioned earlier, the top and back carry handles are made of seatbelt-like material.  The side and bottom handles are made of the same type of material as the rest of the bag.  Both sides of the bag also have small zippered pockets.  It is an unusual shape for a pocket because the top has the angle you can see by the side carrying handle.  It will however also hold my Galaxy S9 phone.  You could easily store plane tickets or your passport in there.  The third picture shows the heavy duty waterproof zippers that give you access to the main compartment of the bag.

To access the main compartment of the bag, you unzip the two zippers from the third picture above.  This causes the back part of the pack with the chest straps to open.  The first picture shows you the main compartment.  The top flap is a laptop storage area that I will get into more detail later.  The main compartment is a huge open space.  There are 8 black seat belt material external tie downs inside this compartment.  Three on each side and two on top.  There are two storage compartments on the bottom.  One is mesh and the other is made of the same material as the bag.  I found those ideal for storing flat things like jewelry.  Keeping things like that there puts them essentially in the middle of the bag where they will not get lost.

The next two pictures show the laptop carrying area in more detail.  This space carried my Dell 15 inch XPS with no problems at all.   It is well padded all the way around.  It has a separate storage slot that closes with Velcro where you could pack cables or the Microsoft mouse that stores flat fits perfectly here.  The main laptop area closes with Velcro as you can see in the second picture.

The next two pictures show the front part of the bag opened up.  The top flap has two storage compartment areas.  The top part is a plastic mesh type area and the bottom part has a flat storage area made of the same material as the bag.  The second picture shows you the separate storage slots that are built into that top flap area.  Since this is on the front of the bag, it would be very easy to just open that front zipper and get access to this pocket where you could store things like pens, keys or your wallet.  The first picture also shows the bottom part of the front of the bag.  It has one zippered mesh area like the bottom of the bag and also has a zipper in the middle that allows you access to the main compartment.   So you can lay the bag down on the chest straps, open the top of the bag and with one zipper pull get access to the main compartment at the back of the bag.

The next six pictures are showing the medium and small storage cubes.  Both cubes are made of an ultralight 40 D nylon shell that is made from 100% recycled plastic.  These bags weigh next to nothing but really do allow for some organized packing.  Both cubes have expansion zippers that will allow you to increase or decrease your storage capacity as needed.   They both also come with a handy carry handle made of seat belt material.  The first picture is the medium storage cube.  The second picture shows it halfway open.  It actually unzips almost completely around giving you full access to the top area of the bag.  The third picture shows a zippered compartment area at the back of the bag.  The first picture on the second row shows the medium bag (expansion zipper is closed so it is at its smallest size) loaded with 6 t-shirts, and 4 pairs of shorts.  The third picture is the fully loaded medium cube and the unpacked small cube.  Like the medium cube, this back also has a main compartment zipper that almost opens up the full back and a back compartment zipper.  The last picture shows both bags fully loaded but not expanded.

The next two pictures show the wash pouch.  This pouch is made of a weatherproof nylon canvas that is made from 100% recycled plastic.  It has silicone-coated mesh pockets, a stow-able metal hook for hanging, an external razor pocket that is sealed with a waterproof zipper along with the main zipper also being waterproof.  The bag will always sit upright which is really nice.  The first picture shows the interior.  The middle section that seems ‘fluffy’ is actually a magnetically closed holder for your toothbrush.  There are 7 total individual pouches for holding things.  You can see it fully loaded up with my stuff in the second picture.  You can also see the metal hook showing where I pulled it out of its storage pouch on the side of the bag.  It should be noted that the Kickstarter page mentions that the liner can be pulled out and is easy to rinse.  The bag I received did not have any kind of pull out liner in it.  The bag also has a nice carry handle on the top to make it easy to pull out of the backpack and carry to the bathroom.

The next picture on the left shows the back part of the bag fully loaded with the medium and small packing cubes plus the wash pouch.  It all fit perfectly in the bag.  The second picture shows the side zippers unzipped and allowing the backpack to be fully expanded.

The next three pictures below show the tech pouch.  Like the wash pouch, it is made of weatherproof nylon canvas made from 100% recycled plastic.   It has dual grab handles made of the same material on either side of the bottom of the bag.  It has a beefy #8 waterproof zipper and will sit upright on its own.  It has a total of 21 individual storage pockets.  It has external loops that allow it to work with Peak Design carrying straps if you want to carry this over your shoulder separately.  This bag is an organized packer’s dream with a slot for virtually everything you can think of.  It even has a small pass-through slot for a charging cable so it can go from the external battery you have stored in the main pouch to the phone you may have stored in the outside zippered pocket on the back of the bag.  The final picture on the right shows the tech pouch along with a pair of flip-flops fitting nicely into the area on the front of the backpack that has its expansion zippers opened.

The final three pictures below show me wearing the backpack.  I am 5′ 7″ tall with a 32-inch inseam.  The pack is fully loaded but the expansion zippers are in compressed mode.  I have both the chest and waist straps on.  The pack is very comfortable and with the waist strap in place, I do not feel much weight at all in my shoulders.  My only complaint would be that this pack would get hot if I were hiking around in the heat.  It is not anything like an external frame backpack that allows air circulation between the pack and your back.

What I like

This is an extremely well-designed backpack.  There is literally a spot for everything and it provides a multiple of ways for you to carry it.  There are additional items you can buy separately that I did not get a chance to review.  They sell a separate shoe pouch along with three different sizes of camera cubes if you wanted to turn this into a camera backpack.  They also sell a rain cover for the bag that stores in its own pouch by tucking into itself.  It is lightweight for what you can carry.  The backpack, all the straps, the medium and small packing cubes, the wash pouch and the tech pouch all weighed right at 6.4 pounds according to my luggage scale.  I love how it is easy to get access to the front or back storage areas through either side of the bag.  The straps make carrying a heavy load easy to do allowing for weight distribution to your waist.

What can be improved

I honestly can’t think of anything that can be improved.  I am very happy with this bag.  Short of finding some really expensive lightweight materials to make it lighter there really is not anything you can do to this bag to improve it.  I would happily recommend this bag to anyone who does not feel they have to be able to roll a bag on wheels.  Adding wheels and handle to this bag would just add unnecessary weight in my opinion.  I would think this is the perfect bag for a person who wants to backpack through Europe.

Price: $235 for the backpack 45L, $399 for backpack 45L + small and medium packing cube, tech pouch, wash pouch, shoe pouch, and rain fly
Where to buy: Kickstarter – hurry the project ends on 9/20/18.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Peak Design.

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Peak Design 45 Liter Travel Backpack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 16, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Where’s my passport? Topo Designs is introducing their new & redesigned travel bag lineup!

NEWS – If one-bag travel is your thing, Topo Designs has some new stuff to show you!

Topo Designs has upgraded their travel bag, with new 30-liter and 40-liter designs. Both bags feature separate compartments for your laptop, quick access travel essentials, tech gear, and small stuff, and a main compartment that opens flat with a U-shaped zip for easy packing. Both bags have stowable backpack straps and a removable shoulder strap in addition to sternum straps and a waist belt to help balance bigger loads. The 30L retails for $189 and the 40L retails for $229. Both are available in three colors: an olive or blue with red/yellow accents, or an all-black version for the more conservative-minded traveler.

As with all of Topo Design’s gear, the travel bags feature everything we love about their products: simple & functional usability, bomber construction, and a design aesthetic that reflects their outdoor style. I own the Rover Pack and Commuter Briefcase, and I’d highly recommend you give them a look based on my experience.

Check out the 30L and 40L Travel Bags here!

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Where’s my passport? Topo Designs is introducing their new & redesigned travel bag lineup! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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