Backpacks come in a variety of sizes, styles, and designs. Some are meant to serve students, some are more for photographers or commuting information workers, and some are designed more for travel. As much as I like satchel bags or messenger-style bags, there’s sometimes nothing like a backpack when traveling. On my last vacation, I didn’t take one, and my shoulders regretted it every day. I was happy, then, when SolGaard offered us their LifePack for testing, and I was given the opportunity to use it. There are a couple of superpowers in this traditional looking bag that are great for travelers.

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

First things first: The bag is a traditional one, with permanently attached shoulder straps in a cushioned yoke at the top, and adjustable webbing at the base. At the ends of the padded area, just before the webbing, there are hidden zippered pockets that will hold travel documents, cash, passports, or treasure maps.

At the top of the bag is a wide, cushioned haul loop. This is not just seatbelt webbing with some foam over it – this is a purpose-built, multi-piece handle with the same breathable fabric that covered the underside of the straps and the pack of the pack. On either side of this haul loop, there is a cavernous pocket accessed through a dual-pull metal zipper. The zipper pulls are 2” long and have a .75” hexagonal loop at the tip. You can thread any lock or cable you want through these things! And, being dual pull, you can put the opening just where you want it. The front-most section is gusseted at the bottom, so it won’t easily open and spill out all the little stuff that settles down to the bottom. In the pocket against your back, there is a padded laptop sleeve that dwarfs my iPad Pro (12.9”) or my 15” MacBookPro. Your gaming rig is gonna love this bag! On the inner side of this is a letter-paper-sized pocket that is translucent, perfect for tossing in receipts, maps, brochures, etc. There’s also a snap-closed business card pocket of the same material on the front of that pocket. Since I rarely deal with paper, I use this sheath for my iPad Pro 10.5”. It’s totally covered in there.

On the opposite side are two mesh zippered pockets roughly passport-sized, a credit-card sized gusseted pocket about .5” thick, and 3 pen silos. The space at the bottom is wide enough that I can lay my iPhone 8 Plus flat on the bottom, with an inch or two top and bottom, and it doesn’t quite hit the sides. While it’s not protected, you could fit a drone or headphones or even a DSLR in here with no problem. Sneaks or textbooks as well, but I don’t think a rigid cycling helmet would go.

The outside pocket has a notable feature showing through on the outside: a 5” x 2.25” window allows the sun to reveal a solar charger for an 11,000 mAh battery pack! It is housed in its own Velcro-and-snap secured holder, perfectly centered over this window.

Inside, you’ll find access to the two USB charging ports. There’s even a cable built into the bag, which routes the power from one of those ports down to a small pocket on the corner, down where the straps connect!

You can keep a cable in there, pull it out and top up your phone or iPad between flights, without ever opening your bag. When you remove this battery pack, you also find that the reverse side is a very powerful Bluetooth speaker!

While it’s in your bag, the sound is a bit muffled, but pull it out, and you’ve got an instant party! There’s also AUX input and a micro USB charging port for the battery pack. Five “gas-gauge” LEDs tell you the amount of charge left with a quick push of the adjacent button.

The power bank is rated to have 96 hours of non-stop listening or 6 smartphone charges. When it’s flat out of juice, 4 hours in the sun will bring in enough power to charge a smartphone completely, or play music for 8 hours. You can also charge two devices at once, while still playing music. Below this specialized holder in that front-most pocket, there’s open space to the bottom of the bag. The pocket is about an inch thick, so an iPad, pico projector, or novel for in-flight reading would be right at home. There are a few more card pockets and pen silos in that back panel as well. Sewn into this seam is a key holder with a cap lifter attached.

Coming back to the outside of the bag, remember that small pocket by the right strap that has the USB cord socket? There’s one on the opposite side that has a shock-corded holder for a water bottle. And, up above that left corner pocket, what’s that black clip peeking out? It’s a 3-digit combo locking carabiner with a 9” length of red-insulated steel aircraft cable attached!

This cable is bolted to the bag and allows you to tether the bag to a post, chair, or another object to avoid snatch & dash thieves. Or you could lock the four dual pull tabs together with the cord around a chair arm, and no one can get into the bag or remove it from where you place it, as in the photo above. Wish I’d have had this when I was doing trade shows!

There is still one last trick in the LifePack – to make up for a dark day when you can’t charge your battery, in the bottom, there is a zippered pocket that contains a full-sized waterproof cover.

All in all, this full-sized backpack can handle quite a lot of travel needs, from full-sized laptops to a variety of smaller gadgets. The safety and security features don’t really have the usual cost of added weight: I can tell no difference between this and 2-3 other full-sized packs in my collection. It was actually lighter than most. The handles and yoke where the straps attach are very comfortable, great for a full day of museums, travel, or classes.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by SolGaard. Please visit for more info and Amazon to order.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Bags

Solgaard LifePack backpack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Looking for an ultralight backpack that doesn’t sacrifice durability? Say hello to the ultra light Flowfold Denizen Limited 18L Totepack. We love Flowfold for their style, durability, and use of cutting-edge materials. The Denizen ticks all of these marks, and weighs less than a water bottle. Let’s hit the trail!

Design and Walkaround

The Flowfold Denizen Totepack is a simple, rugged bag designed for adventures. It’s an outdoor-ready backpack that can also be carried like a tote. Measuring in at 17” tall by 11” wide by 6” deep, the Denizen Totepack is also no slouch when it comes to capacity with an 18 liter payload. But here’s the kicker: the whole thing weighs a paltry 16.5 ounces.

Sixteen and a half ounces. Let’s let that sink in for a moment.

How does Flowfold do it? It’s all about the materials. The Denizen Limited model I am testing is made from X-pac fabric, a multilayered material that’s known for excellent water resistance, ultra lightweight, and superior durability. Ballistic nylon is used judiciously for the straps and reinforcement points, coupled with water-repellent YKK zippers to keep the weather out. This all adds up to a ridiculously lightweight bag that’s also tough enough to handle whatever nastiness Mother Nature chooses to throw at you.

The Flowfold Denizen’s layout is designed to take full advantage of the bag’s capacity. It’s a top-loader, accessed by a 16” wide zipper that allows complete access to the cavernous main compartment. There’s an 8.5” by 6.5” zippered pocket on the interior back panel that flips up to reveal a 12” by 15” unpadded laptop sleeve. You’ll also find a 7.25” by 9.25” zippered pocket on the front face of the bag. That’s all the organization to be had; the rest is dedicated to packing that big ol’ space however you like.

The carry options on the Flowfold Denizen are deceptively simple. While the backpack straps are lightly padded, the 2-1/2” strap width promotes even weight distribution. Those straps are also mounted close between your shoulder blades and curve outward so that the bag conforms to your body shape. The tote-style carry handles are designed and reinforced in such a way that they center the weight when carried off-the-shoulder, which is great if you’re using it as a free-standing shopping bag or carryall. With a flat bottom, it will also stand on its own if evenly packed. 

As with the other Flowfold products I have tested, the construction in the Denizen Totepack is excellent. Stitching is tight throughout, with extra reinforcement at all the key stress points. While the ballistic nylon used for the straps is thin, it’s plenty durable. All the seams are nicely finished, and that X-pac material is used both inside and out to keep water from sneaking from one compartment to another if you find yourself with a leaky water bottle.

In Use

I see the Flowfold Denizen Limited 18L Totepack as an adventure bag. The combination of durable weather resistance and flexible capacity make it a bag that’s equally capable for trail walks, days at the beach, a camping carryall, day trips, or a shopping day at the farmers market. It really wants to take you outside.

I don’t usually do “what fits in my bag?” pics for my reviews, but I thought it was worth doing on here to illustrate the capacity and flexibility of the Denizen. Check it out:

I loaded the Denizen up in this pic with all kinds of stuff: a laptop, a power brick, a notebook, an iPad, organizer pouches, sneakers for the gym (size 10), a water bottle, and a two pound bag of coffee. There’s still room to spare for my gym clothes, a packed lunch, and more. You could dump the work gear and fit multiple sweatshirts, beach towels, and snacks. You could fit several days of clothes for a camping trip, or start empty and load up on groceries and flea market bargains as you go. The wide-open design and wide mouth make it easy to pack for wherever you wandering takes you.

Given the lack of structure and padding, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Denizen is for regular backpack carry. The bag’s weight is nicely distributed and snuggles up against your back so that it’s not flopping around while you’re moving through fields or crowds. It’s very comfortable, even when fully loaded.

There’s another application that I really like for the Flowfold Denizen: as an extra travel bag. Because it’s so thin and light, it packs easily in a suitcase for day-trips when you reach your destination (with water resistance!). And because it has such great capacity, you can use it for the flight home as a carry-on for all those extra treasures you picked up along the way. I’m looking forward to testing this out on my next family trip.

Caveats and Considerations

An ultralight & minimalist bag like the Flowfold Denizen does make some compromises that may impact your intended use. Lack of padding and structure are the big ones to consider here.

The Flowfold Denizen has virtually no padding. There’s the slightest bit on the rear panel and in the backpack straps, but that’s it. If you’re looking for protection for your laptop and electronics, you’ll need to add your own. There’s also no padding in the tote handles and they’re very thin; I did find that this could get uncomfortable if I had the bag heavied-up and was using the tote handles.

This is also not a bag for managing all of your electronics without help. You’ve got two generous pockets for small stuff, but tech-heavy users will need to use additional organizer solutions for accessories and gear.

I believe that the X-pac material and design of the bag has a nice structure, but there’s still a lot of flexibility there. You could get poked in the back if you’re loaded with odd-shaped items. I’ve not had this problem yet, but I also typically have an iPad or a laptop in the sleeve which provides some additional structure.

Conclusion & Pricing

The Flowfold Denizen Limited 18L Totepack is a simple, rugged bag for simple, rugged adventuring. Great capacity, impressive durability, and excellent weather resistance make for a bag that begs to go play outside. It will happily play the role of your shopping buddy, too. And at an ultralight total weight of just over a pound, it won’t weigh you down. It’s also made in the USA by a company that’s easy to like… check out their core values and you’ll see what I mean.

The Flowfold Denizen Limited 18L Totepack retails for $129. Check it out at the Flowfold website.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Flowfold. Visit their site for more information and check Amazon for pricing.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Bags

Flowfold Denizen Limited 18L Totepack Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 26, 2017 at 11:30 am.

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Hailing from Australia, the folks at Bellroy have built a reputation for their sophisticated, minimalist wallet & accessory designs. This fall, they’re introducing their first work bags and backpacks. We’ve got our hands on the Duo Totepack, and it’s a beauty. Let’s check it out!

Walkaround

The Bellroy Duo Totepack is a bit of a chameleon. It’s a tote, but it carries with the style of a briefcase. It’s also got the organization of a vertical messenger bag and converts to a backpack. The shape of the bag is contemporary, clean, and focused. As we’ll see in the walkaround, however, there are all sorts of organization & functionality hidden in this stealthy package. 

The Duo Toteppack measures 15” by 13” by 3” and is gently contoured so that it widens as you reach the bottom of the bag. It’s a simple, elegant shape is also expandable. The tote-style main opening is wider than the bag, but those extra flaps tuck & button down under leather loops on the side of the bag when you don’t need them. There are also a pair of slide/lock buttons on the side panels that, when released, open up the body of the bag to its full 15 liter capacity. 

You have two carry options with the Duo Totepack. A pair of wide leather-wrapped handles at the top of the bag enable briefcase-style carry. You’ll also find backpack straps that disappear into the rear pocket when not in use. These straps are built for daily use with metal hardware, light padding, and finishing that matches the style & substance of the rest of the bag.

Overall the bag makes a very modern design statement that’s at home in both business and casual environments. As a stylish accessory, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better looking bag for urban adventures.

Organization & Layout

The Bellroy Duo Totepack features excellent organization, with an impressive amount of attention to functionality and practical usability. There are a total of 12 (yes, twelve!) compartments & pockets in this bag designed to satisfy all of your organization needs. Here’s how it all breaks down.

First up, there’s a 12” by 13” compartment on the front face of the bag, which includes two 5” by 5” drop-pockets (one is padded & elastic) and a pen slot for quick grab items.

Next is the main compartment. A 3” deep main area includes a padded laptop slot for up to a 15” MacBook Pro, a rear pocket that will fit an iPad Pro in a case, and a semi-rigid document divider with a magnet seal that snaps to the laptop pocket. There are also two 6-1/2” by 6” zipped pockets for accessories and 7” by 6” elastic pocket at the base of the bag for a water bottle or power brick.

Behind the main compartment, you’ll find an 8” by 6-1/2” quick access pocket accessed from the top of the bag for your phone, keys, headphone, etc. 

Finally, the rear pocket not only stores the backpack straps but is also padded and can hold an tablet or a notebook. It also has a button snap for additional security.

This sounds like a lot of pockets, but Bellroy has done an excellent job of sorting out the layout of the Duo Totepack. Every pocket is wide and deep to accommodate a variety of items; even the pen slot will hold two pens. Positioning on all the pockets is also excellent, with easy access from the top of the bag even if you’re fully loaded with gear. The whole layout is flexible and very easy to use.

Construction and Materials

In addition to innovative design, Bellroy is also known for the quality of their products. The Duo Totepack scores big here with top-shelf materials, construction, and finishing.

The primary material is fantastic. It’s got the toughness and weather-resistance of a Cordura, but the tight weave pattern is more sophisticated and has a nice hand feel. It’s described as moss green, but there’s a subtle dark heather to the pattern that reads more to me like a dark grey in close-up shots (there’s also a black variant available). Whatever you call it, it’s beautiful. Leather accents are all soft & supple. The interior fabrics are just as good with a rich texture and durability that’s a step-up from typical vinyl interiors.

There’s also no skimping on hardware, which is all metal. Every clip, ring or button feel durable without being bulky. Even those slide/lock buttons on the side include Fidlock-style clips to secure the snaps in place. YKK zippers are standard inside and out with Aquaguard zips on the externals. It’s all high-quality stuff, and in alignment with the character of the bag.

The assembly details are really impressive. I’ve seen a lot of bags that do nice finishing work on seams and corners, but Bellroy takes this a step further with reinforced edges on wear points, beveled corners on open pockets, and little “zipper garages” to finish the zips. As you go about using the bag, you find all kinds of thoughtful finishing points that speak to the quality in detail. 

In Use

The Bellroy Duo Totepack is a great bag for the professional or creative type that looking for something that stands apart from the sea of briefcases and messengers you find on the daily commute. Not only does it make a unique design statement, but it has excellent functional usability that switches easily from business to casual situations.

The Duo Totepack has become my go-to work bag. I’ll load it up with my 13” MacBook Pro, my iPad, a notebook, device chargers, a power brick, headphones, and all the trimmings. There’s just enough room for all of that plus space for a light lunch. The organization is dialed in so well that I find myself using this bag throughout the day as a sling bag to manage my stuff as I run from meeting to meeting. The minimalist profile also works well for this, as I don’t look like a Sherpa lugging a massive pack around the office. I really like the easy grip and handling of generous briefcase-style handles. And if you need to go hands-free, you can swap to backpack mode in a few seconds. The bag also slims down just as well when I am traveling light with an iPad and a notebook. It’s also really light,  so you don’t feel like your hauling a lot of extra weight along with your gear.

I should also point out that the backpacks straps are well designed for extended use. Some  convertible bags skimp on the backpack straps to save space and weight. These straps, while thin, are substantial and more than comfortable enough for a bag this size. I use the backpack straps all day long, and they’re very good. 

When you turn on your out-of-office notifications, the Bellroy Duo Totepack makes for a great urban adventurer. Because the design leverages all soft materials and no framing, it will adapt to non-rectilinear items if you’re packing for a day trips around town (snacks, sweaters, a camera, etc.). I’d also expect it to work very well as an under-the-seat carry on item. Its slim profile makes moving through crowds a breeze. It also looks great dressed down with a pair of jeans for running about.

Speaking of style… be prepared for comments & compliments. I’ve received more compliments on this bag than perhaps anyone else I have tested. The Bellroy Duo Totepack makes a unique design statement that gets noticed.

Caveats and Considerations

There’s a whole lot to like the Duo Totepack, and Bellroy has clearly attempted to perfect every detail in this bag. But there are some things that you should consider before picking one up.

First off, this bag is really designed for urban landscapes. Its tough, but it lacks the framing or beefy backpack straps that stabilize a bag on extended outdoor hikes. It’s slim form is really designed for tech and accessories, with no big open compartments to accommodate outdoor gear. I wouldn’t hesitate to take it for travel, but one-baggers or outdoor enthusiasts would do better with more mission-specific bags

Speaking of capacity: at 15 liters with a slim profile, this is not the choice for hauling your life on your back. Your laptop and accessories will take up the majority of the space in the bag, leaving some room for extras… but not a lot. I was actually surprised at how much it can hold if you ditch the tech gear, as the form has a lot of give & flexibility. If you need room for work gear, gym gear, and your groceries on the ride home, however, you’ll need something a bit bigger.

The length of the padding on the backpack straps could be a bit longer relative to the strap length. I am a bigger guy, so those pads ride a lot higher than I am used to in my packs. They are still comfortable in my opinion but may take some getting used to if you have a larger frame.

Finally, there’s the $295 retail price. Competitors like Tumi, Killspencer and Cote & Ciel play in this designer bag space; I found the Bellroy Duo Totepack’s pricing to be well in line with these sorts of bag makers. Based on the quality of construction and innovative design, I believe that it’s priced fairly for what you’re getting… but it’s still a $300 bag. If that’s too steep for you, Bellroy does offer other products in their new bag lineup that are not as feature-rich but share the design language and materials found here for under $200. 

Conclusions and Pricing

The Duo Totepack is a unique bag that makes a strong creative statement. Elegant forms, innovative design, and a very usable layout make this a bag an excellent and flexible day-to-day companion for work and play. The superb construction and meticulous finishing show extraordinary attention to detail. Well done, Bellroy. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

The Bellroy Duo Totepack retails for $289. Check out the Bellroy Duo Totepack and the rest of the new bag lineup at Bellroy’s web site.

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

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Backpack, Bags

Bellroy Duo Totepack review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 1, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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