On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap with high-visibility backing (which is good for hard-to-differentiate personal items). The drawback is that the shoulder straps are … That said, if you’re carrying your bag only from a taxi to the airport security line but you want to avoid checked-item fees, the Mother Lode might be the bag for you. Hydration Pack - The hydration pack is mostly for those who ride long and ride hard. But the Farpoint is in danger of becoming outpaced by bags with newer designs. Pretty amazing for such a light pack. You can choose from a variety of them. The Best Laptop Backpacks for 2020. Panel-loading or clamshell opening for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with these bags, you want to be able to open them and see everything you’ve packed. Capacity: 45 litersWeight: 5.1 poundsMain compartment access: clamshell openingStyle: minimal, with a rigid constructionColor: Black. There are plenty of people who love this bag, and with good reason. 4.4 out of 5. However, the GR2 is too expensive and too large (a true 40L) for many people, especially since it doesn’t come with a hip belt. We also love the fact that it’s available in 13 colors. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. The shoulder straps are surprisingly comfortable even when the pack is fully loaded. Additionally, we lurked on Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, and emailed and had phone interviews with the moderators of those subreddits, Addison Ryan and Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, respectively. Get this if: You travel often for work and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks. Timbuk2 offers a wide range of backpacks in materials, fit, and styles that seamlessly transition from boardroom to bar. Compared with … Open it up and enjoy the signature Herschel striped lining while you’re tucking in your laptop, camera, tablet, phone, USB flash drives and more. Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L: The lack of any kind of clamshell or other full openings on this bag made it something of a large school backpack and knocked it out of the running fairly quickly. You may also want to make sure there’s a pocket large enough to accommodate your lunch or snacks. If there’s one thing our staff has learned working remotely all over the world, it’s “Don’t check a bag unless you have to.” Here’s how to avoid it. The Locallion Cycling Backpack is designed to hug your back when you’re flying down a dirt track on your bike. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. It’s lightweight, plus rip and water-proof. The best part of the Mother Lode is the interior layout: It is easy to pack, and it’s smartly organized but still adaptable enough to mold to your preferred style of packing (meaning you can find what you need when you need it). If you like the concept of the large Tortuga Outbreaker but not its price, the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender is a great option for infrequent travelers who are willing to give up some features, such as a decent hip belt. The Mother Lode offers the organizational features most travelers want, at an affordable price. TL;DRThe Jet tries to be both a backpack and your go-to carry-on, but some design choices make it come up short in both departments.Build Quality9.5Layout7.7Compartments8Style4.7Comfort6Extra Features5The GoodThree grab handles and backpack straps give you a variety of ways to carryClamshell design makes packing easyInterior … I know people who love to do this. A: More expensive backpacks will use top-of-the-line materials, employ robust double and triple stitching throughout, be 100% waterproof and last for years. On the outside of the bag, there’s a ton of loops you can attach carabiners to to hold whatever you might need. Goruck GR3: The GR3 is almost worth the cost for certain people. 54 global ratings. For more great products like this, check out our guide to the best laptop bags. MEI Voyageur: There’s a lot to like about this bag, especially for the price. Unlike the straps on our other picks, the Allpa’s straps are contoured to comfortably fit people who have large or small chests. No sir. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa is more flexible and lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back. That’s the tradeoff you make for its low price, which is less than half that of other models. Based on how easy the bag was to carry over moderate distances, I recently suggested the Travel Bag to my sexagenarian parents when they traveled to Europe during their retirement. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. The Allpa has a clamshell design, which means it opens like a hard-sided suitcase: A large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, letting it fall open into two halves when unzipped. The design slots your computer on the inside of the secondary pocket, instead of directly against your back (as most backpack designs do). He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. Product comparison table # Product Name Popularity Score Quality Score Sentiment Score Sales Volume; 1: Timbuk2 Moto Laptop Backpack 9.9 9.4 10.0 2: Timbuk2 Parkside Laptop Backpack… (All of our picks have similarly designed laptop compartments, except for the Osprey Farpoint 40.) And a dedicated pocket for your phone. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. The Osprey Escapist 18 is a sleek, handsome bag that’s in the running for the best commuter and work backpack. And it still feels larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty, which should alleviate most people’s concerns. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint applies to the Fairview as well.) Beautiful. There are side pockets for quick access, mini U-lock storage, a flashing safety light, reflective striping, a cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap and a fully welded, removable waterproof liner. If you feel like you would struggle carrying a full-size travel backpack like this model, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L: This isn’t a bad bag. $54.99 $ 54. Photo: Caleigh Waldman, The Allpa has handles on all four sides. The front panel and assorted pockets are like a small traveling office space. Timbuk2 has partnered with Apple to produce a-one-of-a-kind cycling backpack that will cradle all your most precious Apple tech in the lap of comfort, safety, and luxury. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes, but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. When it comes to packing, the Outbreaker’s interior is soothingly minimal, as any good suitcase should be. But the Setout Divide doesn’t quite live up to that legacy. Plenty of space. Whether you’re head to the office on a bike, bus, or public transport, you’re going to want a backpack that will safely and securely hold your laptop and other essentials through the hustle and bustle. Get this if: You want an affordable bag with a traditional look, to carry as much as you can—potentially more than you’re allowed by airlines. A: Capacity is driven by need. I want to travel with it.”. Proviz provides maximum space with minimum weight. Be sure to check out our reviews of the best bike seats for more great bike gear. The Timbuk2’s interior has a waterproof lining to help protect your laptop and notebook from a sudden downpour, and the upper corners of … And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight. Kelty Redwing 44: When we got our hands on the Redwing, we realized that it was closer to a top-loading light camping backpack than to the panel-loading packs we tested. Breathability - Riding a bike is a sweaty business so the best cycling backpack will have plenty of channels in the back through which air can circulate so moisture can be whisked away. Waterproof fabrics, laptop protection, smart pocketing. The Timbuk2 Wander is an excellent travel backpack for short trips. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. If you’re a younger working professional, Timbuk2 might just be right up your alley. Inside, the lid of the bag also has two mesh dividers, for a small amount of organization. Less than 10 liters just to carry work tech. At the very least your pack should be able to stand up to a vigorous spring shower. If you don’t believe us, check out the thousands of positive reviews from Amazon customers. In terms of storage, it has 18 liters of space split into seven different pockets. Timbuk2 has produced a very inexpensive but sleek and modern looking backpack for a variety of EDC needs. The Allpa also has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. Free Shipping and Lifetime Warranty. I have a Timbuk2 backpack that I use for travel but needed a new backpack to use for work that was a little smaller. They’re good cubes, and they compare well to the ultralight Eagle Creek Specter Tech set, our upgrade pick for packing cubes. Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. Be sure to check out our top picks of the best running backpacks for more great products like this. It might be useful as a weekend traveler, but we don’t think it would hold up for longer trips. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that and another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Almost all of the bags on this competition list—and certainly our top picks—would be better choices. It’s a good bag. In those cases choose something like the Velomacchi Giro that is designed to accommodate just such a bladder. But if you’re buying a new travel backpack this year, there are lots of better options. So, in comparing the top three Timbuk2 messenger bags, lets find out which is the best fit for you. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. Osprey makes some of the best backpacks in the world. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. 99 $99.00 $99.00 "timbuk2" Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag. There are plenty of flaws with this bag, if you choose to see them as flaws instead of the necessary consequences of the Mother Lode’s ridiculously inexpensive price. After testing the cubes (and this is not a mark against the Eagle Creek or the Peak Design ultralight cubes, both of which are excellent), I personally still prefer the more-rigid Eagle Creek Pack-It set, our top pick. Even if you aren’t convinced by our picks, we do think we can help you figure out what parameters are best for travel bags of any size. There’s no single backpack that is perfect for everyone. Don’t ever wash your backpack without reading these care instructions carefully first. Any laptop pockets should be padded and secure the computer firmly. "timbuk2 backpack" Timbuk2 Q Laptop Backpack. 1. But it’s there if you do need it. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. This feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. With my cameras. I use to carry a Timbuk2 backpack that would hold my 15" Macbook Pro. Also, the lack of a hip belt (once a mere inconvenience when compared with the competition) is now glaring. The problem with that much capacity? The cubes come in three sizes, and if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Fully packed, it can carry two large packing cubes, two medium accessory bags, and a dopp kit. The feeling you get is not unlike packing a bit of sturdy luggage, which is something we love about bags like this—especially when you pack with packing cubes. But after years of testing and further comparison against dedicated travel backpacks and improved hybrids (such as the Tom Bihn), the MLC is simply outclassed. Get this if: You’re starting out with one-bag travel and aren’t sure which style of bag is best for you, but you want one that’s easy to carry over long distances. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for this size, we prefer the space-saving profile of the Allpa. Minaal Carry-on 2.0: This bag was designed to be the absolute best travel backpack for business people. During testing, we packed as much into the Mother Lode as we did in the Tortuga (more, if we expanded the Mother Lode past strict carry-on dimensions). However, wheels, retractable handles, and frames subtract from precious packing space and add weight, and can make a bag difficult to manage on busy city streets. It’s designed for both cycling and hiking, which is why it has thick shoulder straps, a mesh back, and a sternum strap for stability. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Thule makes some of the best backpacks on the market so it’s no surprise their Paramount 24L cycling backpack would make this list. With thick shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a waist strap, you can adjust this backpack to feel like it’s a part of you. Not so with the Peak Design: It looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack. Business people and students alike will find functionality in this pack, and for $70, the price is hard to beat. This backpack has understated urban vibe. I started using Aviator as a backpack and the computer compartment (which is in the back, i.e. Spending more, however, can get you such exotic, light, and strong materials as. The straps of the Farpoint stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. It is more specialized for short trips where you don't want to check any baggage, as it features a separate shoe compartment and clothing compression straps. Capacity: 30 litersWeight: 2 pounds, 10 ouncesMain compartment access: front-panel loaderStyle: retroColors: Olive, Navy, Ballistic Black. The Timbuk2 Spire, is a bag that offers versatility. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. It didn’t quite fit the scope of this review because of its design. The Allpa’s front panel is made of a waterproof, TPU-coated 1000-denier polyester (a strong fabric covered in a flexible plastic coating), which means you can lay it on its back in a wet field or in gravel without worrying about moisture soaking through or jagged edges ripping the fabric. This all adds up on a bag that already costs $300. Both sizes of the Outbreaker are adjustable for torso length, which means you can manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes. The best bags are built to survive a lifetime of use and, if cared for properly, should be something you develop a bond with over time. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention. Main Results. However, we’re impressed by the build quality and will continue to test this bag throughout the year. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga Outbreaker strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage. Final Verdict on the Best Commuter Backpacks for Cycling We as a whole need to ride somewhat more, and probably the most ideal approach to do that is to utilize your bicycle for transportation. I personally do not. People who like a deeper main compartment might prefer the Cotopaxi or Tortuga bags. This is a moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey. There’s a first aid pocket on one shoulder strap and the whole thing is wrapped in light grey Acquaforte 300D high tenacity nylon fabric. CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. Hydration System - If you are intent on riding long distances you’ll want to consider bringing along a hydration bladder. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move. It’s probably decent at keeping rain off the zippers, but it felt finicky to us. The biggest flaw is that the main compartment is too shallow to be very useful. Capacity: 35 litersWeight: 3 pounds, 7 ouncesMain compartment access: clamshell openingStyle: adventurousColors: Evergreen, Spruce, Black. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, without your having to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. It is a run-of-the-mill backpack that includes everything you would want and has features that work as they are designed. Waterproofing - Waterproofing is essential for any cycling backpack. Although the straps are thin, they’re comfortable. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect. In addition to the cavernous main pocket, along the sides there are four inner pockets, which are a little too small for anything other than socks and small personal items like toiletries. The Wingman is an innovative rollup garment bike bag ideal for business suits, softball uniforms, wetsuits, work gear and more. If you want a Tortuga and you don’t mind making some compromises, the Setout does carry just as much as the Outbreaker. One of the main reasons for splashing out on the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack is its undeniable quality. Whether it’ll be used for school, work, or travel – or perhaps a mix of all 3 – these backpacks make it easy to keep things organized and to carry them around. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful.co. The Allpa’s materials and construction are better. 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