u/travelingpostgrad

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Pioneer dropped a small run of limited colors today, including some really good-looking Panda and Duration bags. Not a huge selection, but there are a few standouts for those of us with discerning taste. Damn those are pretty bags....

https://pioneercarry.com/pages/limited-edition-captains-eggplant

Then EVERGOODS decided to make things worse.

Tomorrow they're bringing back Ultra Red and Signal Blue for the CAP 0.5, CAP 1, and CAP 2. It has been a long time since we've seen these colors, and Signal Blue in particular is tempting.

https://evergoods.us/blogs/evergoods-road-to-launch/signal-blue-and-ultra-red-coming-soon

(I don't need more bags, I don't need more bags.....)

So if you were fortunate enough to get in on the release, and now the pre-order is open, can you order a second bag in the other color (white)?

This is the text on the site:

This item is available for pre-order through 08.19 at 11:59pm PT and is expected to ship February 2027. Your order will be charged at checkout. Please note that estimated ship dates are subject to change. Limit 1 per order. Orders with more than 1 will be canceled.

Does that mean you got one, you can’t order the other color, even just one on the pre-order if you got in on the primary? u/aersf?

Just came across Osprey’s new Talon VSN^ 11 and 22 and these are pretty interesting.

They’re part of Osprey’s new Vision Above (VSN^) collection https://www.osprey.com/featured/shop-by-collections/vision-above

Seems to take the DNA of the Talon and turn it into more of a premium everyday/EDC pack rather than a dedicated hiking bag.

The big change is the material. Instead of the technical nylon of the regular Talon, these use a waxed 65% recycled polyester / 35% organic cotton fabric that’s water resistant and should develop some patina with use. They also have custom hardware, water-resistant zippers, a marbled AirScape back panel, and some unusual graphics/details that give them a much less "outdoor gear" look.

Both sizes have:

• Padded sleeve for up to a 16" laptop
• Additional tablet/notebook organization
• Internal zippered pocket
• Side compression straps
• Stretch bottle pockets that fit a 32oz Hydro Flask
• AirScape back panel with airflow channels
• Padded spacermesh shoulder harness with load lifters
• Sternum strap
• PFAS-free DWR
• bluesign product certification

The 11L is the compact version with a bungee setup on the front and weighs about 2.0 lbs. The 22L adds a front shove-it pocket and a small exterior zip pocket, weighs about 2.1 lbs, and seems like the more practical everyday/work/travel size.

They're definitely priced as premium bags: $180 for the 11L and $200 for the 22L.

T22:

https://preview.redd.it/csn5vuz60uih1.png?width=711&format=png&auto=webp&s=67b417b99a6d654242b75adbb8e6824acbb4fec3

T11:

https://preview.redd.it/9k8i5pab0uih1.png?width=699&format=png&auto=webp&s=9fd859693129a17dd5a4ac7c7a7c6dd72b2567f8

I kind of like what Osprey did here. It still looks recognizably like a Talon, but without all of the hiking-specific attachments, hipbelt pockets, etc. It feels more like Osprey taking one of their classic technical designs and making an actual EDC version instead of just slapping a laptop sleeve into a hiking pack.

And whatever you think about the price, Osprey is at least a brand that has historically stood behind its stuff. Their All Mighty Guarantee and customer service have a pretty legendary reputation, which makes spending $200 on a backpack a little easier to swallow.

Curious what everyone thinks. 22L especially looks like it could be a really nice one-bag daily carry.

My one day there and back via airplane for work bag has been the 18L Modern DayFayer, but the side quick access is so tight it’s barely usable and while it looked cool, in real use it’s kind of a big dump pouch with little organization. I use pouches so I don’t need a ton of organization but I appreciate some, especially for trips that half of it is going to be working on a plane. I’ve been eyeing the Pioneer Savant2.0 as they fixed what I didn’t care for on the 1.0. I have the Panda and it’s a nice bag, but my wife has claimed it so it’s out 😂. It’s also a bit big, 18L seems to be the sweet spot. I’m taking a 13” laptop, 11” iPad, cap1 tech pouch, cap .5 emergency toiletry kit in case I get stuck and it becomes overnight (looking at you DFW and ORD), my a6 journal, a 10000 mah ridge powerbank, AirPod Pro 3’s, an Anker 5000 MagSafe powerbank couple of pens and an Apple Pencil Pro. I also throw in a Peak Design Ultralight xxsmall packing cube with a pair of underwear and socks, as I have been stranded more then once on these planned same day up and back trips.

I realize the Citta isn’t in the wild yet, comes out in a few days. Any Savant 2.0 users have thoughts on it in this scenario? There really aren’t that many 18L bags out there, guessing that’s why Fyro made their new one that size.

I got to stop by the Aer store in SF today and finally try the Day Sling 4 X-Pac.

I've been using a DS3 X-Pac for the last three years. I use it daily and for traveling, and I didn't think I'd upgrade to the DS4 because the changes seemed minimal/unnecessary. But the final straw was when the buckle on the DS3 came undone (for like the 100th time) at a bathroom and it dropped on the nasty floor lol.

So in-person, the Day Sling 4 is actually a solid upgrade.

The Fidlock buckle feels more robust; it's more reliable and seems nearly impossible to slip.

I can easily zip-and-unzip both the front pocket and main pocket with one hand. I do wonder if this behavior will hold up as the X-Pac breaks-in and loses some structure. Previously, the large Aquaguard zipper on the DS3's front pocket made this nearly impossible anyways.

There's now a dedicated pocket for an AirTag (which I was previously storing in the DS3's passport pocket). The passport pocket on the DS4 also has a top flap, so it's less likely to accumulate dust/dirt.

The little divider in the front pocket seemed silly at a glance, but it actually works very well for me. Keys in one side, chapstick + AirPods + eye drops on the other. Less weird bulges in the main pocket.

The lash points on the DS4 are a great idea. There's been a couple times where I've wanted to attach, say, a water bottle to the DS3 but couldn't (and would worry about the buckle slipping easier). You can now remove the internal key loop (never used it before).

What impresses me most, though, is how the DS4 uses space. It's half a liter less than the DS3 which is more oblong. But everything I was carrying before fits fine.

For example, I have a Fuji X100V. In the DS3, you can put it in the mesh pocket and suspend it a bit off the base. You can't do that with the DS4 BUT you get back space because you can move the X100V to the far left/right more (as the DS4's more boxy, has less curvature at the end). Previously the 4 internal mesh pockets overlapped with each other. Now the 2 mesh pockets are biased lower, and the singular mesh pocket on the other side is slightly higher to mitigate overlap. Basically, the DS4 uses its space noticeably better.

Only thing that's really missing for me is the top grab-handle from the DS3. There's a finger loop on the top and I'm sure I'll get used to it but I did like the larger top handle.

Overall, despite not thinking I'd like it much, the DS4's a winner for me on initial impression. I'm really impressed with how they nailed all the small details and addressed the flaws of the DS3, so I ended up snagging it.

This was not a review I ever expected to write.

For the past two years, my daily carry has been an Evergoods waxed canvas CPL16. It is a truly beautiful bag, and it is starting to patina nicely. I picked up the Aer CPP2 Ultra 20L when it came out mostly as a bad-weather alternate. I figured Ultra would give me a more weather-resistant option for rainy days.

What happened next surprised me: I basically just kept carrying the Aer.

The comfort difference was immediately noticeable. The CPL16 was never uncomfortable, but the CPP2 is just more comfortable for me, especially in the straps and overall balance. I also never really maxed out the 16L, but the extra 4L gives me just enough breathing room to throw in a jacket or book that I might have left behind otherwise.

A big part of that is the external water bottle pocket. I always wished Evergoods had added a discreet external bottle pocket. Carrying a bottle internally worked fine and I never had an issue, but it does eat into space. With the Aer, that space is reclaimed.

The Ultra fabric is gorgeous. It gives the bag a techy look without feeling overdone, and it feels like it will probably outlast me. I am also not worried about the coated zippers. I do not live on the equator or in a high-UV area, I have never had issues with them on other bags, and I do not expect to here.

Organization is pretty much perfect for how I carry. Just enough built-in structure, but not so much that it fights the pouches I already prefer.

Current loadout:

• Evergoods CAP1 for tech (pebble 2 mouse, 6' Anker Prime USBC, Anker 100W Nano Charging Block, Rolling Square 4-1 Keyring cable)
• Davek Mini Umbrella (I wish they made it in copper like the Elite model)
• Ridge 10,000 mAh power bank
• Roost stand
• 13" MacBook
• Logitech MX Keys Mini
• MOFT tripod phone stand
• Sony XM4s for coffee shop mode
• AirPods Pro 3 for calls
• A5 notebook
• iDream365 small pencil case from Amazon
• Occasionally an iPad, either 11" or 13", depending on the day

Overall, the CPP2 Ultra 20L started as my rainy-day alternate and accidentally became my daily carry. The CPL16 is still a beautiful bag, but the Aer has been hard to put down.

I am a dual UK/US. I’m planning a trip to UK this summer. I’m a bit confused by the airline id requirements though. With the ETA requirement in UK now, you are supposed to have a ETA, but as UK passport holder o don’t need or am eligible to get a ETA.

How do you list yourself with the airline though. I have US passport and TSA precheck/clear so I auto populate AA passenger id section with my US info - but I assume I need to put in my UK info? Yet then I need to return on US passport.

Can someone help explain how I am supposed to navigate this as I spent hours with AA yesterday to no resolution. Their site only allows one passport per customer.

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I made a personal-item carry comparison database: 92 slings, messengers, briefs, and crossbodies ranked by liters per pound

I put together a personal-item carry database for comparing wearable bags by volume, weight, and liters per pound.

The idea is simple: a lot of bags look similar on paper, but once you normalize capacity against weight, you can start to see which ones are efficient haulers, which ones are more structured or overbuilt, and which ones sit somewhere in between.

This is focused on wearable personal carry, including:

• slings
• messengers
• satchels
• briefs
• crossbodies
• shoulder bags

It does not include backpacks, tech kits, admin pouches, or packing organizers.

The current database has 92 bags from brands like Aer, Alpaka, Bellroy, Evergoods, Greenroom136, Code of Bell, Mission Workshop, WaterField, Rework, Chrome, DSPTCH, Peak Design, NutSac, Filson, Held Closely, Alpha One Niner, Wandrd, Outallday, Packolab, and others.

The Excel file includes:

• bag name
• brand
• category
• listed volume
• listed weight
• liters per pound
• labeled scatterplot
• color-coded brands

This is not meant to crown a single “best” bag. Liters per pound is only one lens. A heavier bag may still be better if it has more structure, protection, organization, durability, weather resistance, or nicer materials.

But I thought it would be useful to see how these bags stack up visually and numerically, especially for people comparing personal-item carry options for travel, EDC, onebag setups, or office carry.

I’d be interested to hear what bags people think should be added, removed, or double-checked.

Personal Item 1.5 Bag Database volume weight