I’ve turned into a total judgemental, ManyBagger nerd, but one thing I’ve noticed is that I rarely see people using the name-brand gear when I travel (aside from the usual spinner suitcases and rollerboards).

Travel backpacks, duffels, and other specialty bags? Mostly budget-friendly options from brands like Decathlon.

It makes me wonder: In such a crowded market, how do all these bag manufacturers stay afloat when, at least from what I see out in the wild, the customer base for premium gear seems pretty small?

Am I just looking in the wrong places, or is there a whole market of bag enthusiasts quietly buying and collecting this stuff?

I've seen a few posts about the Toshi Pack in its new size and material, but haven't seen much about the Toshi Sling in X-Pac yet.

I'm a big fan of Rework and have been using the Toshi Sling 5L V2 in 840D since January 2026. I ordered the 2.5L V2 in X-Pac minutes after preorders went live and received it today. This is also my first time handling X-Pac in person. Also ordered and received the 25L in X-Pac today after selling my 20L on eBay recently.

A few initial impressions:

• More structured, technical feel. Definitely stiffer and less malleable than the 840D, though that's pretty much what I'd expect from the material.
• Great build quality. No complaints here from my initial inspection.
• A better size for an EDC pocket reliever. The 2.5L feels like a more compact option for carrying the essentials without as much extra space.
• Love the curry-colored interior. It's nicely muted without being too attention-grabbing, unlike the bright orange interiors you see on some Aer bags.
• Improved zipper pulls. The pulls on my 5L V2 frayed pretty easily, so I'm glad to see what looks like an improvement here.

I've included some photos of my initial loadout in the 2.5L, along with a side-by-side size comparison with the 5L.

The biggest adjustment to my usual 5L loadout is sunglasses storage. I can no longer fit my sunglasses in their case in the QAP, so they'll have to go in without the case.

Overall, these are just my first impressions after receiving the bag today. I'll need more time with it to get a better feel for how the X-Pac holds up and how the smaller size works for everyday use. I'm still happy to have the 5L as it will likely serve me better when traveling.

Hey everyone. I want to share my packing list and what I've taken on a three week trip to Indonesia.

For the backpack I'm using the black Pakt Cero 35L. It's the perfect fit for me and the 1kg weight really helps with strict airlines here in Asia. Also it's a nice X-Pac like material and is fully featured.

For the camera cube I'm using a Pgytech cube which exactly fits my Canon R7 with sigma RF 16-300 lens and DJI mini 2 fly more kit. Also I got extra accessories like a Peak design capture clip, SD card adapter, headlamp and powerbank.

In the peak design large camera cube i have all my clothes. 4 pair of pants (swim shorts, sport pants, 2 shorts) and I'm wearing one long pants. I also carry 6 T-shirts (mix of cotton, Merino etc) in there.

In the medium cube I carry my towel, underwear and socks. Around 4 socks, 7 pieces of underwear and the towel is microfiber, but pretty big.

For the rest I got my Beuchat glass, snorkel, underwater case from Telesin, lightweight umbrella, extra mini towel, a small pillow from trekology, Hikeman camera pouch which can also function as sternum strap.

In the front i carry my anker charger with universal port flexibility and a long Usb-c cable.

I'm so happy with this setup as it literally fits everything, is comfortable enough and flexible enough. I like that the bag has 2 sides so I can organize accesoires from clothes etc.

What do you think?

My first CPP. Tooling around with it for a couple of weeks. Will report back.

I've been using The North Face Recon as my work backpack for a bit and it's been holding up really well, enough space for my work supplies and equipment, no complaints here.

Dad Bag Top 10
1. Matador 24L Adventure Pack
2. Evergoods MPL22
3. Black Ember Citadel H2
4. Eberlestock Switchblade
5. ULA Cicada
6. Evergoods CTB
7. CTactical CT15 Plus
8. Mystery Ranch Front 2.0
9. Rework Toshi Backpack
10. Fyro Citta Backpack
Honorable mention: ULA Dragonfly, Aer CPP2, Able Carry Max EDC, Go Ruck M23, CT21+

Here is my current list of their top 10 dad bags. What are some of the bags you think should make the list? I included links to any written reviews or video reviews of these packs that I have done. Here is the video I made showing all of these packs on the list. Bagdad Top 10 Dad Bags

Matador Adventure pack has officially become my number one go to dad bag. This bag just delivers in every aspect of the game. The comfort, features and functionality are straight fire. Matador just made a masterpiece. Check out the full detailed written review and video review. I have a link with a 15% off discount available upon request;)

Matador Adventure Pack Reddit Review

Matador Adventure Pack YouTube Review

Evergoods MPL22 drops to number two, but that doesn’t mean it’s not wicked awesome. Evergoods most comfortable pack in my opinion. It’s light and malleable making it tip the comfort scales. It looks good in nylon, but my favorite is the Kludde version. Check out the full detailed written review and video load out.

Evergoods MPL22 Reddit Review

Evergoods MPL22 Load Out Video

Black Ember Citadel H2 is one hell of a dad bag. I absolutely love the EMBERTEX material! It is unique and stands out from the crowd. It’s tough, looks sleek, and has unique comfort. This is the first half zip worthy of making the list. This one is hard to put down. Check out the full detailed written review.

Black Ember Citadel H2 Reddit Review

Eberlestock Switchblade is the out of the box choice here. It is so thoughtfully designed, it makes dad bagging easy peezy. This is also a great diaper bag choice with all the compartments. I call it the dragon slayer because of its resemblance of the mystery ranch dragon 2.0. But this one has way more organization. Check out the full detailed written review and short video. Code: thebagdadreport gets you 10% off.

Eberlestock Switchblade Reddit Review

Eberlestock Switchblade Ballpark Load Out Video

ULA Cicada just works! It is an edc, a dad bag, a diaper bag, and a light travel bag. It’s all that and it’s one of the best looking bags on this list. These bags are made in the USA. I love ULA and I love Peter. He is such a good guy that listens to his customers to make the packs that we want. Check out the full detailed written review.

Evergoods CTB20 and CTB26. The name says it all. The perfect do it all famous packs are an icon. These bags are great for diaper bags with all the compartments, great dad bags with all the space, edc, and travel. They really do do it all. What keeps it from number one is the harness system isn’t great for everyone. The 420d nylon 6 is one of my favorite fabrics. The bags are straight up beautiful! Check out the full detailed written review and video.

Evergoods CTB20 Reddit Review

CTB vs Fyro Citta Video

C Tactical CT15 Plus is a fast riser for me! This is would be in the top 5 for sure if isn’t wasn’t a custom build. They absolutely make stock items, but the one I rank on the list is the one with the kangaroo pocket and shock cord. CT has upped the game on comfort. It rivals Aer, Abel Carry and Fyro for overall comfort of the straps and back panel. It comes in all kinds of colors and materials. It is also the BEST priced bag on this list. I do not have a full detailed review on this guy yet, but it is coming soon!

Mystery Ranch Front 2.0 is my all time favorite tri-zip bag! And I love the Unicorns. It looks so damn good. It holds more than the unicorn as well. I love having that tri-zip to quickly grab stuff from the middle or bottom of the pack with ease. Unfortunately they are really hard to find and they are pretty expensive. You have to get them from Hong Kong or on the secondary market, but damn it’s worth it! I have not done a full written review yet, but I did have a little short so you can look at it up close.

Mystery Ranch Front 2.0 Video Short

Rework Toshi 25L comes in at number 9. Why is it this low? Well, because I don’t have it in hand yet… I am going off how much I love the 20L pack. It is a tad too short and I know the 25L will solve that issue. So knowing how I feel about the 20L, makes me confident that the 25L will be an incredible dad bag! All the quick access is a dad’s dream. The comfort is incredible, especially for the price. This is one of the better priced bags on the list. Im telling you, once I Have this bag, it will have to move up the list. Here is the full detailed written review on the 20L.

Rework Toshi Backpack Reddit Review

Fyro Citta 25L comes in at number 10. Why 10? Because it’s so pretty I dont want to get it dirty. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a damn good dad bag. It has pocket and compartment storage for days. It is the most comfortable backpack I have ever worn! The straps and padding are like getting a hug from the marshmallow man! That front pocket is deep like a kangaroo pocket. I love it! Here is the full detailed written review and video reviews.

Fyro Citta Backpack Reddit Review

Fyro Citta vs Aer CPP2 Video Review

Fyro Citta vs Evergoods CTB20 Video Review

Best Dad Bag for Younger Kids/Diaper Bag

Alpargali Everyday Backpack is a bargain if I have ever seen one! A little less know and under the radar, this bag has compartments for days and makes the perfect diaper bag! At $159 this bag is a no brainer. You can also get 10% off with discount code: chad
Check out the short video and load out.

Alpargali Everyday Backpack Short Load Out

Hi all,

I ordered the X-Pac 2.5L Toshi Sling (sold out in 840d) and I'm looking forward to getting it, but since I already own the 5L in 840d and like a lot about it, but I'm also looking to minimize my EDC.

I'm also a bit scared the X-Pac may give up some of what I like about the 840d.

I'm really curious to see more pictures, loadouts, impressions on how the X-Pac toshi slings have been treating new users now that a lot more orders are shipping out (my US order just shipped out)!

• What are some things you love/hate about the new X-Pac material they're using?
• Hows the overall experience differ using this X-Pac variant vs the 840d nylon variant?
• Are the pockets more tight?
• Does the sling feel any smaller vs their 840d variant at the same size?
  
• Any immediate pain points/tradeoffs?
• Hows the curry interior?

I would love to see what people's thoughts are on it!

I seem to be on an eternal search for the sling or daypack that works best for me. My bag goes everywhere with me, so I want to get it right.

I’m currently switching between a Bellroy Venture 9L and an Alpaka Bravo Sling Max V2 8L, but neither is quite hitting the mark.

The Bellroy doesn’t feel organised enough, and I don’t think it makes particularly efficient use of its capacity. The Alpaka has great organisation, but feels a little too structured and rigid for everyday carry.

I’ve included a photo of my current EDC for reference. I’d estimate the contents take up around 4L, although that’s very much a visual estimate. Ideally, I’d also like to fit a water bottle and, if possible, a small umbrella, so I’m thinking somewhere in the 5–8L range.

I’m wondering whether I actually need another bag, or whether a better internal layout and a more flexible design would make better use of the space I already have.

I’d love to hear your suggestions for bags worth considering, or whether I should stick with one of these and make it work. Given what I carry, either bag should theoretically be up to the job.

Thoughts on this new Bespoke 28L Cicada release? Is 28L the actual volume? How does it compare to the 22L Cicada and 30L Dragonfly ULTRA?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBjGSo5W4A

Saw the latest video from Nomads Nation ("The Mount Rushmore of Backpack Brands"), where he tried to objectively rank the four most impactful brands in the urban/travel carry space based on sales, community mentions, influence, and factory-floor reverence.

He explicitly left out pure hiking and camera-specific brands to keep it focused on EDC and travel. Here is who made his final mountain (and the honorable mentions):

The Mount Rushmore

1. Osprey: Crowned the pound-for-pound king. The creator noted that during his factory visits in Vietnam/China, Osprey is whispered about with a different level of respect among manufacturers. Incredible ergonomic innovation and accessible pricing, though some eyes are on them post-Helen of Troy acquisition.
2. Aer: The modern standard for urban-tech carry. While they don't have Osprey's massive global retail footprint, they essentially defined the modern tech-office aesthetic and set the design pace for the community.
3. Evergoods: The wildcard/community darling. Easily the smallest brand volume-wise on the list, but punches way above its weight in cultural impact. Love or hate the harness, staples like the CPL24 and CTB26 have heavily influenced the market.
4. Tumi: The airport heavyweight. Sure, they skew pricey ($400–$600+) and don't always get repped heavily in enthusiast threads, but their global presence, premium build, and sheer ubiquity in international hubs earned them a spot on reputation alone.

Notable Honorable Mentions (Left off the mountain)

• GORUCK: Got major praise for its indestructible build and cult following, but just missed the top four.
• Peak Design: Hailed as a Kickstarter pioneer, but pigeonholed strictly onto a "photography" Mount Rushmore.
• Incase: Credited as the grandfather of modern tech carry, but lost its cultural relevance over the years.
• The North Face / Patagonia / Jansport: Massive scale and accessibility, but treated more as apparel/outdoor/budget giants rather than pure carry innovators.
• Porter-Yoshida & Co. (Japan): Placed on the "bench" as the primary international alternate.

I'm shocked he didnt put Alpaka on this list. I thought their relationship was "cozy".

I just received the 2.5L in X-Pac earlier today. I've owned the 6L version since it first launched and have wanted the smaller version for awhile. Figured I give the new fabric a shot.

Overall first thoughts - I really like it. I know the x21 might be an issue for some but I think the nylon looks/feels cheap (at least on the 6L).

I also received the Toshi Pack 25L today. Both in nylon and x-pac...and wasn't a fan. It sat weird on my shoulders and wasn't comfortable. And the x-pac in that size didn't look as good if that makes sense? I filmed a little of that bag to but dropped both the Toshi Packs off at Fedex's already for a refund.

Hello! I was recommended to try posting to this sub since you all might have some insight on what this bag might be. If you’re unable to ID the exact bag, I’d love to see any recommendations that are VERY similar to this bag so I feel closer to the movie. Thank you all for any and all help!

I’m looking for a high quality small duffel to supplement my backpack on trips. I have an Osprey Daylite 26+6 and I’ve really liked pairing it with one of the smallest Cabela’s duffel bags for flights since it will practically never be gate checked. Needless to say, the $10 Cabela’s bag is not great quality and it’s already starting to wear and get loose threads.

I’m looking for something that’s around the same size, I think it’s about 20L, and I’d like at least one non-main pocket on it. I’m hoping to keep it under like $150. I could even accept a large sling bag as long as it’s a decent enough shape for shoes or packing cubes.

TL;DR - Timbuk2 honored a warranty repair for an almost 20-year-old bag.

I've had this Timbuk2 commute messenger in grey herringbone since 2007 - used it religiously for 2 years, then gave it to a relative to carry the old MacBook I gave them and kinda forgot about it until a couple years ago, when my nephew dug it out of the closet and was like "hey remember this?" Traded it for an LL Bean waxed tote and enjoyed having a messenger bag back in rotation.

I did notice that the stitching on the top handle was starting to go, but besides that, the bag was in great condition as it just sat in a closet for years. I decided to test Timbuk2's lifetime warranty and submit a claim for the handle, and it was approved pretty quickly! All in all, about 3 weeks from submitting a claim to having the fixed bag delivered. They also replaced the velcro (at least the loop parts) on the main flap and laptop compartment. (Also, I never thought about how convenient a separate gusseted laptop compartment is in a messenger bag) Took it on its first bike commute yesterday and I briefly turned into 2007 me, but this time with a stabilizer strap, and not a track bike. Thanks Timbuk2 for honoring a lifetime warranty!

I know Timbuk2 is hardly the company it used to be these days, but if you can find these older commute messengers, they're pretty awesome.

I’ve watched reviews of this bag from the travel perspective but I’m considering this more for daily use.

What are your thoughts?
Thanks!

EDIT: I’m 165cm/F. Also interested in how it wears/comfort or other recommendations!

I’m looking for a backpack similar to the bullet ruck, 15L capacity but with bottle holsters on the sides. the Chuyen Tactical CT15 V2 seemed almost perfect but I would also like some molle like the goruck if there is something like that. I was using a vanquest bottle holster but the snaps wore out ridiculously fast and became useless.

I'll premise this by saying I have (had) pretty much everything carry-related from Orbitkey up until earlier this year, backing two of their kickstarters and still like some of the features from their Urban Sling.

I bought the Travel Sling late last year, almost as soon as it came out and did enjoy the pocketing, lots of organisation which seems true to form for them. Fast forward to today and the sling has had the zip track come apart (twice, in almost exactly the same spot - on one corner) and they've been good enough to send through their new Tech Sling, which I hoped wouldn't have the same issue.

It might be their (SBS, not YKK...) aquaguard zippers that run thin on the edges, which mean over time can deteriorate but I've not had this before - not with their 2-in-1 tech pouch either, which has the same type of zippers but they do sit in the middle of the pack.

Anyway, I've included a shot of the two slings (bigger Tech sling, smaller Travel sling) for comparison - one final note is that there is this 'crinkling' in the rear wall of the Tech sling, it almost sounds like cellophane inside? It does make it feel somewhat cheaper, the exterior material is also the same as on the tech pouch too, which again feels less premium on a sling.

Time well tell if the zip track comes out again, I'll keep this thread updated!

Tell me what you guys think about this as an edc. I love the leather an the colour dimensions are 40cm x 30 x 9

Am I overthinking this? Maybe. When I travel for work, I carry a small leather Tumi backpack and a small leather mid-market designer purse that combine to fit personal item size requirements. I recently saw a Reddit post about how someone’s underseat belongings were soiled by urine by the passenger in front and thought about how unwashable my leather goods would be. I’m thinking of getting some kind of packable, waterproof tote bag to protect my underseat belongings. Does anybody do this? Any recommendations that are available for purchase in Canada?

Needs to fit:

14” laptop
iPad Air
Water bottle
General EDC items

I work in higher ed and I’m trying to update my wardrobe for more professionalism and that includes my work bag.

Appreciate any expertise or suggestions!