Relatively new to the Carry Community, started with an AER TP3S, added an Able Carry Daily Plus but then I discovered the Evergoods X-PAC Summer Capsule and had to get a CAP 2 and a CTB26 and though not X-PAC a CAP .5. The organizational layout and the way they interact with each other is fantastic. It’s my Goldilocks bag sitting between the AER for travel and the Able Carry as a daypack. My only qualm is the feel of the top and side handles. They absolutely do not need the rigid plastic insert, it’s just too uncomfortable and the only flaw on another wise awesome bag. The CAP 2 fits perfectly in the main compartment and gives it a perfect base. The CAP .5 holds my smaller gear and slips easily into the yoke pocket. Highly recommend!

What are your thoughts on the Citta and CTB? How do you think they compare? Do you prefer one over the other?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If you want to get a close up look at the Fyro Citta and the Evergoods CTB20 for comparisons, I made a video to see some side by sides.

https://youtu.be/vjUwMbWyoco?is=I3IhNQTcBiBf0Wmz

I have detailed reviews on the Fyro Citta and the CTB if you want an in depth look at each one.

Fyro Citta
https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/s/TvUl4Ljp1v

CTB
https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/s/yN3jZ0CJU2

Fyro website
http://fyro.co/CHAD

Follow me on Instagram: @bagdadreport

Subscribe on YouTube: thebagdadreport

Just got the Sympl Commuter 20L and wanted to share some initial impressions before I start putting it through heavier use this week.

Overall, the quality is really nice. I chose the ballistic fabric, and while it feels premium, I don’t think it feels quite as high quality as the material on my EVERGOODS CPL16. That’s not to say it feels cheap by any means. It still feels like a very well-made bag.

The small front pocket is accessible from the side, and there’s a magnetic key attachment inside, which is a really nice touch.

The accordion-style internal organization is probably one of the most interesting parts of the bag. It’s pretty unique, and I can already see myself using it extensively. Very happy about that.

It also has a clamshell opening, which for me is pretty much a must-have on a backpack.
There’s an external water bottle compartment that can be unzipped to accommodate larger bottles. I know this exists on other bags, but it’s the first time I’ve personally had one like this. It looks like it will eat into some of the interior space depending on what you put in there, but I’m fine with that tradeoff.

The exterior handles are very substantial and feel high quality. The backpack straps also seem extremely comfortable so far.

I’d seen some people mention that the back padding was quite hard, but it doesn’t feel nearly as stiff as I expected. I’m personally not concerned about it at this point, but I’ll report back after actually carrying it for longer periods.

All of the zippers feel incredibly high quality. Not much else to say here… No complaints here.
I love the materials used for the interior and find the color to be very pleasing to the eye.

One thing I’ve noticed is that the exterior fabric has some wrinkles when the bag isn’t fully packed out. We’ll see whether that gets better or worse as the bag breaks in.

For context, I absolutely loved my EVERGOODS CPL16 and probably would have kept using it indefinitely, but my dumb ass allowed a banana to rot inside it. I could never completely get the smell out, so I took that as an opportunity to try something different.

My very early impression is that this bag actually has the potential to beat out the CPL16 as my end-game everyday bag, but I’m definitely not ready to say that yet.

I’ll start putting it through heavy use this week and report back.

My new to me thrift shop find 2017 ( I think ) Recon. Loving this bag. Wish the new ones had the large admin like this one.

Hello there,

I'm trying to find a small 40x30x20 under-seat bag and came across Wow Travel trolley bag

https://wow-travel.co.uk/products/navy-ryanair-cabin-bag-40x30x20cm-wow-travel

Has anyone tried it?

I like it because it's 40cm tall without the wheels, so I think it takes up the whole storage space right, isn't it?

Do you recommend it over backpack?

Because I already have a 45l backpack from Beak Design, but I need this WOW travel trolley bag for short two-week trips.

What are your options?

Disclosure: ALPAKA sent me the Elements Backpack Pro and the HUB accessories for review purposes. I was not paid, there are no affiliate links or commissions involved, and ALPAKA did not approve or edit this review.

Product link:

https://alpakagear.com/products/elements-backpack-pro?variant=45203687375010

What I carried

• ALPAKA Elements Backpack Pro, Olive Green X-Pac X42
• ALPAKA HUB Keychain
• ALPAKA HUB Sunglasses Pouch
• ALPAKA HUB Carabiner
• ALPAKA HUB ModPanel Mini
• Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro
• Apple iPad Pro
• NuPhy Air75 V3 mechanical keyboard
• Keychron M7 8K Wireless Mouse
• Amazon Kindle
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
• Godox V480 flash
• 1-liter water bottle
• Apple AirTag
• Sunglasses, keys, chargers and cables

Design and materials

The first thing I noticed was how light the backpack felt.

I currently use a Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 20L. This is not meant to be a direct comparison, since the two bags are designed differently, but the ALPAKA feels noticeably lighter both empty and fully packed.

That lower starting weight makes a real difference once the laptop, tablet, camera gear and everything else are inside.

I really like the Olive Green X-Pac material. The color works well with the black details, while the diamond pattern gives it a technical look without being too loud. Together with the bright orange interior, the whole backpack has a tactical, techwear style that I personally love.

The materials, stitching and zippers all still look perfect. I have not noticed loose threads, scratches or early wear.

One detail looks slightly strange to me. The stitched ends of the lower shoulder strap adjustment sections face outward instead of toward the back. It does not affect comfort or function, but visually it feels like the seam should be facing the other way.

Shape and size

The Elements Backpack Pro is rated at 24 liters, so I expected it to look larger and deeper than my 20-liter Peak Design based on the product photos.

In person, the difference is much smaller than I expected.

When it is not fully packed, the profile stays surprisingly slim. Even when filled, it does not turn into a bulky box on my back.

Internal reinforcement gives the backpack enough structure to keep its shape, but it still feels less rigid than my Peak Design. I prefer that for normal city use, university, cafés and shorter trips.

One of the biggest practical surprises is that it stands on its own.

I constantly struggle with backpacks falling over at university unless I lean them against a table or wall. The ALPAKA stays upright when normally packed and does not immediately tip to either side.

It can also stand while empty, although it is less stable that way.

Comfort and weight distribution

The weight distribution is excellent.

The shoulder straps feel more comfortable to me than those on my Peak Design, and the padded back panel sits nicely against my spine. I also feel like my posture is slightly better while wearing it.

I carried it for several hours with a fairly heavy load. Eventually I could feel the weight, which is unavoidable with a laptop, tablet, camera gear and other accessories, but it remained wearable and balanced.

The lower empty weight helps a lot here. I am carrying my equipment rather than wasting part of the load on a heavy backpack structure.

The magnetic sternum strap is one of my favorite details.

It is incredibly easy to connect with one hand. You just bring the two sides together and the magnet guides them into place. Opening it is equally quick.

The strap can also be removed completely if you do not use it.

Laptop and tech organization

My 14-inch MacBook Pro fits easily in the padded laptop compartment, with enough room for a 16-inch model as well.

The compartment in front of the laptop sleeve is also useful. Depending on the day, it can hold:

• An iPad
• A Kindle
• A compact travel keyboard
• Documents or a notebook

There is also a narrow internal organizer that happens to fit an Apple Pencil perfectly.

The bright orange lining is not only visually interesting. It also makes small black accessories, cables and adapters much easier to find than they would be inside a dark interior.

There are plenty of pockets, and you can organize the same load in several different ways.

The downside is that the internal pockets share the same overall volume. When everything is full, items stored in one section push into the space of another. The backpack can become tighter sooner than the number of compartments might suggest.

External pockets

The small top pocket is ideal for things that need to be reached quickly, such as:

• Sunglasses
• Passport
• Earbuds
• Small everyday items

The lower front pocket works well for a power bank, compact mouse or other flat accessories.

Both external bottle pockets hold their contents tightly. My 1-liter bottle stayed secure, even when the backpack was tilted sideways.

That is a meaningful improvement over my Peak Design, where the bottle can slide out much more easily when the bag is laid on its side.

I do miss having a side handle. It would make it easier to lift the backpack from a car seat, overhead compartment or luggage rack.

Camera use

The Elements Backpack Pro can carry camera equipment, but I would not use it as a dedicated camera bag without an insert.

I tested it with my Canon R6 Mark II, EF 40mm f/2.8 and Godox V480 flash. They all fit, but smaller pieces can get lost inside the large main compartment.

For one camera with a compact lens, it works well enough. There is still plenty of room for clothes, a laptop and other essentials, which makes it a good option for a weekend trip where photography is only part of the plan.

For carrying several lenses or frequently changing equipment, I would still prefer a proper padded camera organization system.

Travel features

The main zipper pulls can be brought together and locked, which is useful when travelling with a laptop, camera or other valuable items.

The luggage pass-through works, but the backpack has to be placed horizontally on the suitcase handle.

I understand the likely reason. The backpack might sit too high if mounted vertically. Still, I would prefer having both options.

When the backpack is horizontal, there is more chance of something falling from an open side pocket. The bottle pockets are tight enough to reduce that risk, but vertical mounting would feel safer.

HUB accessories

The HUB system is a genuinely clever idea.

The magnetic clips are satisfying to use, but the mechanical locking part keeps the accessories secure. They do not feel like they will detach accidentally.

I used the HUB system with:

• Sunglasses
• Keys
• Small accessories
• The HUB Carabiner

The HUB Sunglasses Pouch works well on the shoulder strap and keeps the glasses easy to reach without taking up pocket space.

The HUB Carabiner is sturdy and useful for keys or anything else I want to attach temporarily. The quick-release mechanism is much easier than repeatedly opening a normal carabiner.

I would like to see more HUB attachment points on the outside of the backpack.

At the moment, the main options are on the shoulder straps. Adding several obvious loops could make the exterior too busy, but I think one or two could be hidden without damaging the clean design.

For example, the lower front zipper is covered by an extra fabric flap. A discreet attachment point could probably fit underneath it.

HUB ModPanel Mini

The separate HUB ModPanel Mini may be my favorite part of the accessory system.

I attached it to my refrigerator and now use it as a fixed place for my keys, sunglasses and whatever is currently connected to the carabiner.

I am very absent-minded and usually drop these things wherever I happen to be. Then I have to search for them in the morning when I am already in a hurry.

I am trying to build a habit of putting them on the ModPanel every time I get home. It is a simple idea, but it solves a real everyday problem for me.

Weather resistance

I was not able to test the backpack in rain.

As the photos probably make obvious, Central Europe is currently going through a very dry period, so there was hardly any chance of getting caught in proper rain.

Hopefully autumn will provide a better opportunity to see how the X-Pac material and covered zippers handle wet conditions.

What I liked

• Very good weight distribution
• Lower empty weight than my Peak Design backpack
• Comfortable shoulder straps and padded back panel
• Magnetic sternum strap is extremely easy to use
• Slim profile when lightly packed
• Does not look excessively bulky when full
• Stands upright on its own
• Excellent X-Pac material and Olive Green color
• Bright orange interior makes items easy to find
• Plenty of organization options
• Spacious laptop compartment
• Tight bottle pockets that securely hold a 1-liter bottle
• Lockable main zipper pulls
• HUB accessories are practical and well designed
• HUB ModPanel Mini gives the system a useful life outside the backpack

What could be improved

• No side handle
• Luggage pass-through only works horizontally
• Internal pockets take space from each other when fully packed
• Not ideal as a camera bag without a padded insert
• More discreet external HUB attachment points would be useful
• The outward-facing shoulder strap adjustment seams look slightly odd
• I would also like a slimmer version with the same external bottle pockets

The slimmer version I would like to see

For full-day use, travel and mixed tech carry, the 24-liter size works well.

For quick trips to a library, university or café, it can be more backpack than I need. I would love a slimmer version designed around:

• Laptop
• Water bottle
• Charger
• Mouse
• Kindle or iPad
• A few daily essentials

ALPAKA already makes slimmer bags, but the external bottle pocket is essential for me. A narrower Elements-style backpack that kept the same bottle pockets, materials, orange lining and HUB compatibility would be very appealing.

Overall

The Elements Backpack Pro feels much lighter and less bulky than I expected from a structured 24-liter backpack.

Its strongest points are the comfort, weight distribution, organization and slim profile. It carries a large amount of equipment without looking oversized, and the lower empty weight is especially noticeable compared with my Peak Design Everyday Backpack.

It works best for my everyday tech carry, university, cafés, city use and weekend trips. It can handle a small camera setup too, although dedicated camera users will probably want an insert.

The magnetic sternum strap and HUB system are more than small gimmicks. Both became useful parts of how I use the backpack, and the ModPanel Mini has even improved how I organize my keys and sunglasses at home.

There are a few things I would change, especially the missing side handle, horizontal-only luggage pass-through and limited external HUB mounting points. None of them have stopped me from enjoying the backpack.

It feels technical and distinctive without being flashy, carries weight comfortably, and stays much slimmer than the 24-liter capacity suggests.