I’ve at all times had an obsession with baggage, partly as a result of I wanted one thing to move all my stuff, clearly, but additionally as a result of carrying a bag is a chance to specific your self—and to nerd out over aesthetics, type, and performance. Sooner or later throughout faculty, I stated goodbye to my backpack and opted for a tote bag as my each day driver. It was a bid to appear extra mature, and look extra like a Actual Grownup heading to vital, big-city locations than a university child trudging to class.
For years, that each day driver has been the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote. (Measurement giant, lengthy handles, zip prime, Pure colorway—however who’s asking?) It served me properly, accumulating what we’ll name a “tasteful” patina and a few mild fraying as I schlepped it via the streets of New York Metropolis, on worldwide flights, and to the seaside. It’s the quintessential tote bag, and for certain a cherished possession, however its single open compartment, propensity to get soiled, and lack of a shoulder strap typically left me wanting extra. Then, I found the Topo Designs Mountain Gear Bag: an absolute workhorse of a tote that has every part I would like and extra.
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Though it additionally is available in quite a lot of enjoyable, multicolor choices, I opted for the all-black colorway, which feels streamlined, gorped up (rage, rage in opposition to the dying of the gorp) and even perhaps tactical. I introduced it with me on a visit to Florida for Thanksgiving, and it didn’t disappoint.
Initially, the bag is a good measurement, considerably bigger than your common tote bag, however not so massive to be unwieldy or too heavy. At 48L in capability, it falls between the big and extra-large Boat and Tote—this implies it’s sufficiently big to comfortably carry my gymnasium gear, water bottle, and laptop computer across the metropolis, however nonetheless sufficiently small to deliver on the subway throughout rush hour with out getting any soiled seems to be. It’s additionally created from sturdy but light-weight recycled nylon, which makes the bag very sturdy. Lastly, the daisy chain webbing on the entrance may in all probability be used to connect all method of extraordinarily obligatory equipment, however most of all, it simply seems to be cool.
The primary take a look at I put the Mountain Gear Bag via was utilizing it as my carry-on whereas shifting via the airport. I appreciated that the handles are brief sufficient to forestall it from touching the bottom, and lengthy sufficient to suit over my shoulder—even whereas sporting a jacket. There’s additionally a detachable shoulder strap if you would like a bit extra mobility or to put on the bag cross-body. Subsequent, I introduced the bag to jiu-jitsu and it had greater than sufficient area for all my gear; I additionally made use of the 2 expandable exterior pockets to carry a few water bottles. (You actually can’t be too hydrated, and the oldsters at Topo Designs understand it.)
On the seaside, this bag fared equally properly. Once more, the big principal compartment served as an amazing catch-all for a towel, ebook, and a bottle of sunscreen. The outside zip pocket was nice for stashing my pockets and keys, and the zip-top closure stored the sand on the seaside and off my stuff. To prime it off, the within of the bag has a 10-ounce waterproof liner—good for tossing in my wetsuit after a day catching waves, stashing a sweaty gi after BJJ, or filling with ice and a 12-pack.
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