u/bradypsnyder

I've been using the Peak Design City Backpack 22L since last Thursday, and it has quickly become my go-to backpack for EDC (and a bit of travel). For context, I'm a tech journalist, so my EDC changes often but includes multiple laptops, phones, a mirrorless camera, accessories, and any other gear I'm testing. Here's everything I fit into the City Backpack 22L, to help you get a feel for how you can use yours.

Main compartment: Way roomier than you'd expect. Not only does everything below fit, it fits with plenty of room to spare. The bag doesn't look or feel overstuffed.

• 14-inch MacBook Pro (in laptop pocket)
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Aura Edition (in tablet/notebook pocket)
• Motorola Razr Fold
• iPhone Air
• Pen and Notsu notecard holder
• XS Camera Cube and Sony a6400 with 18-135mm lens
• Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones
• Powerbeats Pro 2 (in zippered pocket)

Quick-access top pocket: I thought this pocket, which expands into the main compartment when filled, would be a problem. It might be with larger laptops, but didn't cause any issues with my 14-inch MacBook Pro in the main compartment. It expands a lot to fit what you need.

• Ridge wallet knockoff (sorry Ridge)
• Orbitkey
• Smallrig dual a6400 battery charger
• Chapstick
• Extra gum
• Satechi right-angle USB-C cable
• Peak Design mobile tripod
• Caseology MagSafe wallet

Side water bottle pockets: It's true, these don't really protrude much into the main compartment. There's an elastic band that allows them to stretch outward rather than inward. These pockets are the key to "side access" on the City Backpack 22L, as you can use them for things other than water bottles.

• Oakley sunglasses case (left pocket)
• 16oz plastic water bottle (left pocket)
• Ugreen 25,000mAh power bank (right pocket)
• Anker 65W GaNPrime 733 Power Bank (right pocket)

Front pocket: I originally bought the 22L because I thought I needed this. Turns out, it's not that useful. Placement is really low on the front, so it's not easy to access without taking the bag off. It also seems easy for a pickpocket to grab something out of, so I don't keep valuables there.

• Deodorant
• Cough drops/misc essentials
• iPod Classic
• PGYTECH SD card holder/reader

Straps: Took me a bit to work the Capture Clip onto a strap, but it's on there, and it works great.

• Capture Clip

And there you have it. Surprisingly, there's still a lot of room in the main compartment for anything I might add or pick up along the way. That's exactly what you want from a "city bag." I've used this in NYC and Phoenix, and took it on a cross-country flight already, so I'm happy to answer any specific questions you might have!

I saw another Reddit user post that the 15L City Tote fits vinyl records, but I didn't expect it to fit them this well. I'd say the tote can hold between 10-15 records comfortably, depending on whether they are single jackets or gatefolds. It's wide enough that the corners and sides won't get dinged in transit. This is what ~10 LPs, a 14-inch MacBook Pro, and a pair of AirPods Max looks like inside the City Tote. Still room to spare for a charger and a few other things.

I'm not much of a tote person, but the City Tote might be changing my mind. Carrying a backpack with everything I need for remote work is my preference... until I decide to buy something along my way that doesn't fit properly inside. This tote offers more flexibility for days when you might be working from a coffee shop for a few hours, then stopping by a street market or record shop later. In other words, I'm impressed.