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North St. Bags Flanders Backpack review

After what seemed like an endless winter, including a late-season snowstorm that dumped a foot and a half of snow, we’re finally starting to see some decent weather. And all that sun and warmth has put one thing on my mind… long hikes on one of the many trails in the area. One of the necessities for a day on the trail is a sturdy, comfortable backpack.

Enter the Flanders backpack. This handmade rucksack from Portland-based North St. Bags is a fitting companion for your both your most rugged hike or a daily work commute.

The Flanders backpack is roll-top, weatherproof and ready for action.

The backpack’s construction and quality is top-notch. All of the hardware felt like it could withstand a small explosion. The zippers are easy to open, the buckles snap together easily and stay closed, and the straps stayed in place. And due to the fact that it’s handmade, the shoulder straps and side compression straps are extremely tough. I used to own a Chrome messenger bag and would say that it matches that epic build quality and waterproofing while remaining very much lighter.

You can see the roll-top length from this angle. Closing it is like rolling a large lunch bag.

According to North St.’s website, the Flanders Backpack is made from “1000 denier CORDURA® nylon” with a waterproof liner made from “lightweight and durable VX-21 X-Pac™ sailcloth.” It also features:

  • Handmade, built to last a lifetime
  • Easy access external pockets and internal Velcro rows enable adding or swapping out pockets as needed
  • Bright lining makes finding items fast and easy
  • Side-sleeve for u-lock or bottle
  • Internal laptop sleeve
  • 1000 denier CORDURA® nylon
  • Waterproof X-Pac™ sailcloth liner
  • 2” buckle and strap

This inner X-Pac material is indeed very thin and durable. The tradeoff is that it’s also very noisy. Digging around for something inside the large compartment or the front pockets creates a crisp rustling that wouldn’t matter so much while hiking but might be really loud fetching something from a pocket in the middle of the night.

The chest strap keeps the backpack from moving around too much and further balances the weight distribution.

As far as features go, the Flanders is fairly minimal. There are two zippered front pockets, two side pockets that could easily fit a large water bottle, and an internal laptop sleeve. The main compartment opening is a roll-top and held shut with a large buckle. I noticed that when the buckle is undone, it hangs down over the first zippered pocket and gets in the way, but that’s a minor quibble. One could probably fit a 15″ laptop inside the laptop sleeve.

The large main compartment is cavernous.

The main compartment is quite large and could hold plenty of stuff. There isn’t much division for this area, and even though it’s large, there isn’t a lot of room for maneuverability, so I’d pack the things that you need to access frequently near the top. Four expansion straps along the side of the bag allow it to hold its shape very well no matter how full it is.

All of these features would be useless if the backpack itself was a pain to wear. Fortunately, the Flanders is super comfortable. Thick padding on the shoulder straps coupled with the chest strap allows the bag to hug close to your back and distributes the weight very well across both shoulders. I almost forgot I was wearing it during the review time.

I didn’t get a chance to test the weatherproofing in a downpour, but it did stand up well to some splashes from my water bottle. I imagine it would be just fine sitting on a wet ground or during a steady rain.

There wasn’t a lot I’d change about the Flanders backpack. That crew up on Portland sure knows how to put together a quality product. If you’re looking for a virtually indestructible, medium-sized backpack for hiking, commuting or travel, this bag could be the last one you’ll ever have to buy.

The Flanders Backpack is available now for $199 from North St. Bags.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by North St. Bags. Please visit their site for more information and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $199.00
Manufacturer: North St. Bags
Pros:
  • Comfortable padding on shoulder straps
  • Good weight distribution and compression
  • Holds its shape well when full
  • Weatherproof and very durable
Cons:
  • Average number of default dividers/pockets
  • Buckle/strap obscures front pockets when undone
  • Liner material is very noisy

Filed in categories: Bags, Outdoor Gear, Reviews

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North St. Bags Flanders Backpack review originally appeared on on April 13, 2017 at 6:48 am.

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Solo Altitude backpack review

Why another backpack review from me you ask? I may ask myself the same question. I do have several excellent backpacks that I have reviewed in the past such as the Razer Tactical Gaming backpack and the Altego 17″ Polygon Sunfire backpack to name a few. While these two backpacks are great for carrying a lot of items including a laptop and iPad, I have found myself in need of something a little less extreme, with a smaller footprint, something like a day pack. The Solo Altitude backpack looks like it could be just the right pack for my new needs.

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

The Solo Altitude is part of Solos Black OPS collection, designed to be lightweight and ultra durable. The Solo is made of lightweight parachute nylon, with aviator-inspired hardware and military grade velcro. The Solo dimensions are 18.50″ x 12.6″ x 4.92″ and the weight is 2.2 pounds. The Solo features a 17.3″ padded laptop compartment, an internal iPad/tablet compartment, a front zippered organizer section and side pockets.

The front of the Altitude has a lower zippered compartment with a large velcro strip gong across it and a vertical strap with a buckle designed to attach to a top flap that covers a cargo area. The flap also has a zippered compartment good for holding keys and phones. The front has a set of buckles on the right and left sides to compress the Altitude making as compact as possible. The interior of the lower zippered compartment has a yellow lining and is designed to hold pen, pencils and other supplies. At the top of the front section is yet another zippered compartment good for carrying file folders or magazines.

The compartment under the upper flap runs the width and depth of the front section making it a great place to store a light jacket or sweatshirt. The top of the opening has elastic in it to help keep items inside.

The inside of the Altitude backpack’s main compartment is designed to hold up to a 17″ laptop and a tablet device. It also has a cargo net section that can be used to hold cables and other accessories. Like the other interior sections of the Altitude, it is lined with a yellow colored material. The laptop pocket also has a strap with Velcro on the end to keep your laptop and tablet from sliding out of the pocket.

The back of the Altitude backpack has adequate padded straps with a plastic D-ring on each strap. The straps also have a chest strap to keep the shoulder straps on your chest area. The back section is nicely padded and has an opening to allow the Altitude to slip over the handle of a rolling suitcase or similar item. All of the buckles and D-rings are made from sturdy plastic and should hold up to normal use and then some. At the bottom, sewn to the back of the backpack, is a manufacturers tag.

 

The right side of the Altitude has a mesh water bottle holder that has some stretch to it allowing for the use of different size water bottles.

On the left side, the Altitude backpack has what I would describe as pen and pencil pockets with Solo printed on one of them. On both, the left and right side of the backpack are cinching straps designed to compress the sides of the backpack making it a tight package so it is not flopping around on your back.

The top of the Altitude has a nylon handle for easy carrying while the bottom has a nonporous type material to allow you to set the pack down and not get the contents wet if the ground is wet.
So, what’s my bottom line here? First, let me say that you should not think of the Solo Altitude as a traditional backpack, it is more like a briefcase backpack. The design is great for a person on the go who is not interested in lugging a traditional computer back or messenger bag to work. The metal zippers are a great feature and are sturdy. With a mix of metal aviation inspired hardware and the lightweight plastic buckles, the backpack is both stylish and practical. There are enough pockets, nooks, and crannies to hold almost any kind of doodads you could think of. For a pack this small there is a lot of storage space for your computer and other larger objects. The included Velcro “New York” patch is a nice styling touch along with all the printed nomenclature info placed around the backpack. At a price of $79.99 on the Solo website, the Solo Altitude is on the moderate to high side of pricing in my opinion, but I do think it is worth the price. If you’re looking for a laptop bag for work, travel or just recreation you should check out the Solo Altitude.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Solo. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $79.99
Manufacturer: Solo
Requirements:
  • None
Pros:
  • Plenty of pockets and storage
  • Great size for a laptop backpack
Cons:
  • None

Filed in categories: Bags, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

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Solo Altitude backpack review originally appeared on on April 10, 2017 at 11:31 am.

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Knomo Kobe 15″ Soft Leather Messenger Bag review

I prefer leather messenger bags to carry my gear around with me. Many of the bags I review are large enough to lug around all of my EDC gear and my 15″ MacBook as well. But when a bag is that big and made from extra thick cowhide they are heavy, many four to five pounds or more. Add in the weight of my gear and five pound laptop and the total burden is nearly twelve pounds. Julie calls me crazy, but we both agree it is a first world issue. That said, the Kobe from Knomo London is big, spacious, made from high quality leather, nicely constructed, and best of all…surprisingly light. 

Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

The Kobe is a soft leather messenger bag designed to carry up to a 15″ laptop in addition to a good amount of gear. To achieve its lightweight status, the Kobe is a nice mix of relatively thin full grain leather, rugged nylon weave canvas, and soft microfiber lining.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Materials:

  • Inbuilt RFID signal blocker lining
  • Crafted from full grain leather
  • Adjustable, durable PET weave shoulder strap
  • Leather ‘dust flaps’ to protect inside from dirt
  • Back slip band for sliding over a larger trolley

Size:

  • Dimensions: H11.8″ x W16″ x D3.5″
  • Fits laptops up to 15″
  • Weight: 2.6 lb

The messenger bag flap and a majority of the front is made from a high quality leather that is nicely stitched, stained, and finished. But compared to a Saddleback or Colonel Littleton bag the Knomo leather is a fraction of their thickness/ruggedness. But that thinness is how the softness of the leather and the bags overall lightweight is achieved. The dark brown leather and nylon stitching are highlighted by polished metal hardware. The main flap is held securely closed by an integrated magnetic closure system stitched into the lining.

The back is a man-made (I’m pretty sure it is a nylon-based) material that is soft yet durable. There is an easy access slipper pocket built into the back.

Knomo also engineered a slip band into the back for sliding the Kobe over your luggage handle for more convenient, secure transport while rushing thru the airport. When not in use, there is a zipper at the bottom of the slipper pocket enabling the access point to be closed.

The quality of the bag is excellent — the leather, fabric, and metal hardware are all very nicely done and work well together. In this closeup you can see the attention to detail of the materials, stitching, and finish.

Knomo lines the interior of the Kobe with a microfiber material. The lining is a bright blue that is pretty vibrant but grows on you. The lining is very soft and will not mar your gear. The Kobe is a spacious bag with ample room for all your EDC stuff.

The Kobe easily holds all of my gear. The interior of the bag is divided into two primary sections: the main compartment is padded and meant for laptops with the front compartment for tablets and your bits and pieces. Here you see the bag containing my 15″ MacBook Pro, 9.7″ iPad Air, identification, James Chapter knife, bag of cables and adapters, Surefire Pen 3, permanent marker, a couple of thumb drives, sunglasses, etc…you get the point. Even with all my stuff there us still room for more.

Knomo does a great job “combining ‘unstructured’ design with premium organization”. The Kobe’s compartmentalized design (molded shape and flexible structure) gives everything its own place which is very in line with my AR tech-loving lifestyle. A design I find far superior to a messenger bag that is simply a big massive cavern where everything is dumped into to be bumped around and/or buried, never to be seen again.

On the face of the main compartment are 2 front pockets. The right one zips closed and has RFID lining – “perfect for cards, passport, and phones” with the one on the left open for easy access.

Knomo stitches a unique identifier into the inside of the Kobe’s main closure flap, enabling you to register your bag and if it’s lost, some good samaritan can return it to you through the Knomo website.

I have never been a fan of nylon shoulder straps for many reasons. But the Kobe’s adjustable PET weave strap is durable, (surprisingly) comfortable, and rides very well on my shoulder. It is attached to the bag via metal hard points. You can wear the bag over a shoulder or cross body. The strap is fully adjustable but not removable.

The Kobe is also available in black leather/weave with yellow interior.

Overall the Kobe 15″ soft leather messenger is a great bag. Knomo has created a very well made carryall with a professional, polished look. For its size, the Kobe is lightweight but large enough to carry all your gear and then some. Its full grain leather and soft, padded microfiber interior do an excellent job of gingerly transporting your gear while the flap and magnetic closer keep items securely within.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Knomo Bags. Please visit their site for more info.  Check prices and order on Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $299.95
Manufacturer: Knomo
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Well made from quality materials
  • Nicely finished
  • Lightweight
  • Spacious (holds up to 15" laptop)
  • Secure magnetic closure system
  • Padded microfiber lining
Cons:
  • Not as rugged as other equivalent bags
  • Leather is pretty thin

Filed in categories: Bags, Reviews

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Knomo Kobe 15″ Soft Leather Messenger Bag review originally appeared on on April 4, 2017 at 7:07 am.

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Burn that old fanny pack and get a HipS-sister waist band gear holder

Remember fanny packs (Sorry Aussie visitors)? I had one… I think it’s still up in the closet that houses my gear bag collection. Fanny packs were very convenient because they let you carry your everyday essentials without burdening your hands, pockets or shoulders with bag straps. Sadly, they went out of style about the same time as the mullet and parachute pants. But as products tend to do, what was old becomes new again. This time it’s the HipS-sister.

What is it? The HipS-sister is a modern and more stylish version of the fanny pack. It’s a 5-inch wide waist band gear “bag” designed to hold small items when you’re out and about.

The HipS-sister has a top loading secret pocket sized perfectly for your phone. It also has both a front and a back zippered 5-inch pocket for all your other small personal items.

Available in a huge variety of colors and patterns, and are priced starting at around $17. You can find more info at hipssister.com and Amazon.

Filed in categories: Bags, News

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Burn that old fanny pack and get a HipS-sister waist band gear holder originally appeared on on April 3, 2017 at 7:00 am.

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Add new color choices to your NutSac with the Black Collection

Yes, the name induces giggles. But behind their (intentionally) humorous brand name, NutSac produces a solid collection of well-designed, high-quality satchels to relieve your pockets of all of their assorted junk… that doesn’t look like a purse. This week, NutSac announced the addition of a black color scheme to their existing lineup. 

I’ve been impressed with what I have seen from NutSac so far. Every bag in the lineup is made in the USA with high-quality, American-made materials (10 oz. waxed canvas, top-grain leather, and rugged hardware). Reviews are consistently excellent, praising the quality of design and rugged build of their products. They also don’t take themselves too seriously, as you’ll find out within moments of visiting their web site.

The NutSac lineup ranges in size from a bag for the essentials (amusingly called the “Man-Bag, Dammit!”) up to the “Satchel Pro” designed for all that plus your iPad Pro and accessories (this is the one my shopping list). Up until this week, the series was only available in a rugged green color which some found to be appropriate for more casual use. The black collection definitely brings a more dressed-up look for both work and casual situations.

Join the Man-Bag Revolution by hopping over to NutSacbags.com for more information and check out their offerings on Amazon too.

Filed in categories: Bags, News

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Add new color choices to your NutSac with the Black Collection originally appeared on on March 21, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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