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Aug. 24th, 2016 12:02 pmI went to see a preview of Captain Fantastic with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cakesy last night. ( Spoiler cut. )
I wish to buy myself a new carry-on backpack, as my first one (Cabin Max) has a broken strap and the padding is too abrasive for my shoulders, and the replacement one (Dussel) is broken in all sorts of ways. I would actually still recommend Cabin Max to people, as it is a brilliantly low price for a bag that is exactly what you need for maximum carry on - a large rectangle without internal divisions, pocket on front for ticket/book, and compression straps outside, with zips that have held very up well to me abusing them for many years with far more weight than is suggested. Dussel on the other hand showed strain at the seams the very first time I put it on, and is not worth the very low money it charges. I thought the laptop pouch and separate place for shoes would be better for my needs - they're not. ANWYAY, while a second Cabin Max is not off the cards (they have really nice colours and designs too), I thought I could be picky and splash out on one of the ones recommended by serious round the world one-bag travellers. The things I want are:
I have decided that I don't care about a laptop pocket at all, that I am happy to have a backpack that is smaller than the maximum size as long as it's not smaller than about 35L, and I couldn't give a shit about a rain cover.
The ones that are lauded by travellers are the MEI Voyageur, the Tortuga, and the Minaal. The Voyageur is probably the very best in terms of providing maximum space, though it doesn't have a water pocket, and it apparently takes a minimum of six weeks with no communication from the company before it gets shipped. The Minaal is newer, it was a kickstarter thing for "digital nomads" (ugh), and has been super well designed. I don't really like that the main zip is on the edge by the straps, rather than the outside, and is very expensive ($299 I think). The Tortuga might not fit me, as they say you have to have a longer torso, and also I hate their comparisons page where they just rubbish the competition, but otherwise ticks all the boxes. The Osprey Farpoint 40L comes up a fair amount as well, especially for women, but the top zips weirdly, the straps make it difficult to open up the bag without effort, and the waterbottle mesh is on the front.
... and having written all that I went to the Cabin Max website to see if I could find a nice example of a pattern to show you, and they've started making a new model that has EXACTLY everything I want. The Equator even has a bungee cord I could stuff a coat in. It fits all the luggage dimensions, although Easyjet might do that thing where you get it back at disembarking rather than letting you have it on board. Brill. I'm definitely going to order that.
cakesy last night. ( Spoiler cut. )I wish to buy myself a new carry-on backpack, as my first one (Cabin Max) has a broken strap and the padding is too abrasive for my shoulders, and the replacement one (Dussel) is broken in all sorts of ways. I would actually still recommend Cabin Max to people, as it is a brilliantly low price for a bag that is exactly what you need for maximum carry on - a large rectangle without internal divisions, pocket on front for ticket/book, and compression straps outside, with zips that have held very up well to me abusing them for many years with far more weight than is suggested. Dussel on the other hand showed strain at the seams the very first time I put it on, and is not worth the very low money it charges. I thought the laptop pouch and separate place for shoes would be better for my needs - they're not. ANWYAY, while a second Cabin Max is not off the cards (they have really nice colours and designs too), I thought I could be picky and splash out on one of the ones recommended by serious round the world one-bag travellers. The things I want are:
- The main space of the bag should take up almost the entirety of the volume, without fixed subdivisions. Internal/external flat pockets are acceptable, but nothing whose bulk would encroach on the main space.
- The zip for the main space should be at the EDGE of the space, not in the sodding middle so that everything spills out when you open it. It should ideally zip down a full three sides of the bag, though a 3/4 length can be acceptable.
- A mesh pocket or similar on one side of the bag that I can put a water bottle in. Not on the front of the bag. Something I can reach without taking it off.
- I think hip straps would probably be a good idea, as that might make it more comfortable to walk around in when it is full up, and ditto I need to have nice padding on the straps themselves, and the back panel too.
- No wheels or sticky up handles, even if there are also straps.
- Not to exceed the maximum carry on allowance in ANY direction. And I want these measurements to be clearly stated on a webpage or store tage, I don't want to have to go around guessing, or relying on reviews that say "well I've never had a problem with it" as if that is some sort of guarantee.
I have decided that I don't care about a laptop pocket at all, that I am happy to have a backpack that is smaller than the maximum size as long as it's not smaller than about 35L, and I couldn't give a shit about a rain cover.
The ones that are lauded by travellers are the MEI Voyageur, the Tortuga, and the Minaal. The Voyageur is probably the very best in terms of providing maximum space, though it doesn't have a water pocket, and it apparently takes a minimum of six weeks with no communication from the company before it gets shipped. The Minaal is newer, it was a kickstarter thing for "digital nomads" (ugh), and has been super well designed. I don't really like that the main zip is on the edge by the straps, rather than the outside, and is very expensive ($299 I think). The Tortuga might not fit me, as they say you have to have a longer torso, and also I hate their comparisons page where they just rubbish the competition, but otherwise ticks all the boxes. The Osprey Farpoint 40L comes up a fair amount as well, especially for women, but the top zips weirdly, the straps make it difficult to open up the bag without effort, and the waterbottle mesh is on the front.
... and having written all that I went to the Cabin Max website to see if I could find a nice example of a pattern to show you, and they've started making a new model that has EXACTLY everything I want. The Equator even has a bungee cord I could stuff a coat in. It fits all the luggage dimensions, although Easyjet might do that thing where you get it back at disembarking rather than letting you have it on board. Brill. I'm definitely going to order that.
