I got myself the Alpaka Zip Pouch Pro as a wallet/EDC in Ultradyne material which supposedly has larger opening compared to other materials.

Things I like: The material itself feels nice and Premium.
The main compartment is split into two so I can put coins in one side and cash in the other. I love that the front zipper is perfect for the 4 cards I carry. I assume you can carry up to maybe 6-7 cards max in that zipper.
I think my favourite part is the Alpaka‘s Hub system. It is so satisfying and i really recommend for people who haven’t tried it yet.

Things l don’t like: I wanted to carry my flashlight and pen with this pouch but it doesn’t really work. Once I put my flashlight and Pen, the opening becomes so small (even with just pen) that it’s not that comfortable for me to pull out my cash or coins. The PU coated zipper are not very easy to open but the water-resistant from it is nice to have.

I cannot imagine anyone stuffing everything in the outside pockets and still comfortably operate the inner main/front pouches. I don’t recommend this for people who want to carry knives, flashlights, pens EDC with lots of cards, cash and coins. However, this pouch is perfect if you want a really waterproof wallet that you can easily detach from your bag while safely secured with the Alpaka Hub.

Yup, I'm one of those straps down guys... So dirty, I know!

Bag: GORUCK Bullet Dark Oak 18L DC Waxed Canvas
Airlines: Frontier Economy seating 40F

Need to carry a travel documents and about 8-10 passports when traveling with extended family. Looking for a flat pouch which is at least A5 size. Prefer materials which are higher quality feel. Does not need to be necessarily waterproof nor does not need interior organization (as this would give it more volume)

Been researching options and I don't see many A5 size. One option is the Medium Topo Design Accessory Bag https://topodesigns.eu/products/accessory-bags-black-black?variant=55436341248376

The Evergoods Flat Pouch would be an option but I don't like the material and it's too small https://evergoods.us/products/element-flat-pouch-small

Any other options I should take a look at?

I've been carrying the Ciao Totes 33L Drop Bag folded inside my sling as a backup shopping bag for the last couple of months, and it's become one of my favorite pieces of packable gear.

The current 33L is completely sold out, so I emailed them asking about a restock. One of the co-founders (Étienne) replied with what sounds like a preview of their upcoming lineup.

Website: https://ciaototes.com

Product pages: https://ciaototes.com/en/collections/drop-bag

>"The Drop Bag 33L is currently out of stock, but it will be back. We are actually in the middle of redesigning the entire lineup to offer three formats: Small, Medium, and Large.
>
>The current 33L model will become our Medium format, the 61L will be our Large, and we are adding a brand new Small format for those looking for an even more compact carry."

I originally assumed the 33L was their largest option, so I thought this was an interesting direction.

For anyone who hasn't come across them before, the Drop Bag sits somewhere between the usual packable tote options. Most seem to fall into one of two camps:

• Smaller, feature-rich bags like the Peak Design Packable Tote.
• Simple open-top totes like Baggu that pack down tiny but don't offer much organization.

The current Drop Bag combines a few features I haven't found together very often:

• 33L (future Medium): Packs into its own integrated zip pocket, which becomes an internal hanging zip pocket when deployed. It also has front and rear exterior pockets for keys, phone, wallet, etc. I carry mine folded inside my sling as a "just in case" shopping bag.
• 61L (future Large): Already available in a few colours. Looks ideal for bulky gear like ski boots, wetsuits, winter jackets, camping gear, or anything else you'd normally throw in the trunk. Ordered 2 and waiting for delivery.
• Upcoming Small: This is the one I'm most interested in. If they keep the same pocket layout and integrated stash pocket in roughly the 15–20L range, I think it could be a really compelling everyday packable tote.

A couple of caveats

• Open top only. Great for groceries, gym gear, beach days, and quick gear dumps, but I wouldn't choose it for airports or crowded transit where a zipper is nice to have.
• No padded straps. The flat webbing straps are perfectly fine for everyday use, but you'll definitely notice them if you load the bag heavily.

I'm not affiliated with Ciao Totes in any way, just a customer who enjoys finding smaller Canadian gear brands that fly under the radar.

Just picked up these three beauties from Master Piece in Tokyo. The quality is ridiculous. So exited to use them for the rest of the trip. AMA. Potential series.

Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 is bag #9 of #15 in my travel bag “month” series

I chose to tackle Travel Bag Month (testing/reviewing 15 travel backpacks in 30 days), but in hindsight that plan was too ambitious, I’m now aiming to get this series wrapped by end of July. Thanks for the grace!

Background

Kelty is one of the Godfathers of backpacks. Dick and Nena Kelty started custom building external frame hiking packs from their home in California in the 50s and as the ‘outdoors’ became a recreational activity they became the standard for decades. Eventually other companies came up with better frame technology and Kelty was sold. The company changed hands a bunch of times since and sits with Exxel Outdoors now, who are better known for entry level outdoor gear at Walmart and Target.

I don’t think this is a “private equity siphoning the cash” situation, but more of a heritage name under ownership that wants to compete at lower prices. I was curious to see if this bag was ‘good enough’ and I wanted to see if the hiking pedigree actually shows up in a travel bag. I also was intrigued at the size. I’m a big guy and this is a big bag. I paid for this bag myself.

Bag Deets

• $179
• 42L
• 3 lbs 7 oz (1.6 kg) empty with the belt and sternum strap
• 22 x 16 x 11 inches (56 x 40 x 28 cm). *Too large for carry-ons but there’s a caveat.
• Torso range 17 to 21 inches (I'm 22”).
• Colors: Burnt olive or black with green accents.
• Limited lifetime warranty, which for Kelty means manufacturing defects only, not wear or material breakdown.

Materials

I think materials is one place the lower cost comes into play.

600D recycled ripstop polyester. This is a middle of the road denier and I think it strikes a fine balance. Polyester over nylon means cheaper and better UV and dry time, but less abrasion resistant, which matters on a bag that's going to get checked or dragged around outdoors.

Steel perimeter frame instead of aluminum, steel is cheaper and heavier.

Non aquaguard YKK zippers but not the smoothest in the series, especially on the curves (could be a new bag issue or maybe just some zipper oil).

Zipper pulls are just cord tied to the head, no metal tab, feels like a cost cut.

Found a couple loose threads, but nothing to worry about.

It does have duraflex buckles.

Layout

The wing side pockets are the main story on the outside and the namesake for the “Redwing” series of packs. There are three zones per side: a tall slip pocket, an L zip pocket with it’s own capacity, and an elasticized water bottle pocket. These pockets are nice to have, but give the bag some extra width and push it outside of standard carry on compliance. But If you don’t put things in these pockets, the bag will be around 14” wide, which could fit into the sizers of many airlines.

Front pocket is quite spacious with it’s own capacity as well and some little admin style organizer features. This pocket has one zipper head, using a half zip configuration, wish it had two so you can limit how much you open it to retrieve things.

The main compartent is a panel loader that also works as a top loader depending on how far you unzip. nice easy access to the full bag when needed. There’s a couple of decent mesh pockets on the flap.

This is also where you could access the frame sheet if desired.

There’s a Hydration bladder sleeve with a tube port at the top, but this is more likely a laptop sleeve that fits a 16 inch macbook pro with no issues.
The laptop is also accessible via a side access zippered opening.

Lighter interior lining which is nice for those that are afraid of the dark.

Capacity

Full standard loadout fit with room to spare and that’s without using the side pockets all (except for water bottle). No bulging, no stressed zippers. My walking weight was 27.7 lbs.

I feel like I could have fit a few more tshirts in the main compartment and another one or two in the front pocket. Then I still had side pockets for more stuff if needed or if not flying.

Comfort

This is where the hiking DNA pays off. Fit was great on my long torso, hip belt transfers load properly, back panel foam is genuinely good and springs back fast. Shoulder straps are surprisingly thin but I actually found them comfortable. I think the strap shape fit me well too.

Friction Points

No luggage pass through, which for a travel bag seems like a miss.

Shoulder straps don't stow or remove, so if you end up having to check it those straps become conveyor belt food.

No load lifters (and heads up, some of Kelty's own product photos show them, which appears to be a mistake).

Not a friction point, but a wish: No reinforced bottom on a bag clearly built to get set down on rough ground.

Some squeaking on the walk I couldn't fully track down.

Branding is a little noticeable, not egregious, just larger than most of the other bags in this series.

It likes to roll over onto it’s front, but mitigated a bit if you can pack something solid in the bottom front of the main compartment.

Sternum strap on a rail, which I like, but not removable and nowhere to store if you don’t want to use a sternum strap, it just dangles. Which is weird cuz it’s the only strap on the whole bag that has a dangle stopper. Every other strap is crying out for a dangle stopper. Especially on a travel bag!

Limits of this test

I walked one mile and did a few test packing tests with my standardized loadout. I can't speak to how the fabric or coating holds up over months, or what it’s like to use on a long multi day trip. This is a bit more than a first impressions, but not a long term real world usage review.

Verdict

Very comfortable and spacious bag held back a bit by a bunch of almosts. For it to be a better travel bag, I’d really want stowable straps, especially at this size. If I was hiking the El Camino, I would definitely consider the 30L version of this bag. I’d also consider higher end bags, but I liked this enough for it to be considered.

If you want a comfortable, outdoorsy pack and you're not chasing premium build or strict carry on compliance, it's a real option at this price.

If you are a business traveler, and fly a lot and need a luggage pass through and stowable straps for checking in, this probably isn't the one.

The hiking lineage is real and you feel it. The travel specific stuff is where it comes up short.

Full video review: https://youtu.be/x2QDOsbCnFs

Got to zero in on when to expect the bag for those of us lucky to get one!

Hey all! I made a post similar to this in r/backpacks to no avail. I'm currently looking for a good (but not terribly expensive) backpack for University/College. I've done my research, and by research I mean looking up 'Backpack name + reddit' and going on r/BuyItForLife and typing the word backpack. I only have two sets of criteria I want my ideal backpack to have outside of the cost.

I currently own a TNF Jester (for roughly 8 months) and my experience with it has been surprisingly subpar. The backpack is effectively always bent, which means my notebooks are bent as well, and it has resulted in two notebooks breaking.

I'm mainly looking for a backpack that has good water resistance, as it rains a lot where I live, even during summer time. I also want it to have a 17 inch laptop sleeve for convenience. The standard from what I see is 15 inches but I have a quite thick laptop (studying CS), and my TNF Jester's 15 inch sleeve doesn't do anything.

I've done a bit of research and have come across three backpacks I'm looking at purchasing, though I'd appreciate any recommendations or words of advice against or towards one of my three possible picks. I'm looking to spend AT MOST $150 USD.

1. I found the Carhartt 35L Triple-Compartment Backpack at $130 USD and it meets both of my ideal choices! It has a 17-inch sleeve for my laptop and seems to have water resistance. I did read a reddit post from someone who got a 28L backpack from them and had a less than stellar time with it, stating that much of the price came from the brand and not the materials.

2. The SwissGear 1900 Backpack at $99 USD and meets one of the two criteria. It has the 17-inch sleeve but no water resistance, with reviews pointing out how light rain quickly results with the internals of the backpack getting wet, which is NOT what I'm looking for.

3. Lastly I found the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L/30L at $135 USD and meets one of the two criteria. It doesn't have the 17-inch sleeve but DOES have water resistance. Not much else to say here other than I like the colorways.

I've checked Osprey but they seem like the same price as Patagonia (if not more expensive) and meeting the same criteria as the Refugio. Tom Binh does have some backpacks with 16-inch sleeves but the price is far too high for me. I'm also interested in an Aer backpack but reviews either alternate between saying its great or claiming the opposite, and again, the prices are a bit too high for me.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments regarding these I highly appreciate them :)

If you missed out on getting Fyro Citta and are waiting for the restock this review may be what you’re looking for to help you decide which one better suits your lifestyle needs.

https://youtu.be/fJchjI2sqYE?si=vAP5hyH_5WzNtJiZ