Thanks to TB for providing for a Navy 1050 ballistic/Dawn 210 ballistic Old School Carry All for review - my opinions are my own
This is a neat little retro bag that's not so little. For whatever reason, to me it looks smaller than it's capacity (typical TB Tardis)... maybe because (especially when underpacked) the two side 3D pockets are unobtrusive and so integrated. I keep a list of my TB bags in order by capacity/volume and it was enlightening to see it sit above the small Shop Bags, Pop Tote, S19, Paragon, etc. and just below the Shadow Guide 23L, Trucks, large Shop Bags...
Visually, it also makes me think of old school bowling ball or Doctor's bags, because of the shape.
For whatever reason, despite loving 400d halcyon for most of my bags, I really wanted this one in 1050 ballistic and Navy is such a classic rich colour.
I've only had it for a short time, so no chance to actually travel with it yet, but it first strikes me as a great weekend getaway bag (with more organization than the mini Yeoman) or a personal item on a flight.
Pre-pandemic, I used a Pop Tote as a gym bag and this would be as good or better for what I carry.
I like the option to carry by the handles (gym, car travel, etc) and to add a strap (probably what I would do if this was a personal item on a flight with an A/T30 on my back).
So here's a mock pack out of what I'd bring on a couple day trip by plane or car if I was traveling reasonably light but with a laptop and wasn't using a backpack. I specifically included a pair of shoes to see what that was like; I know shoe packing is a key question from many folks.
None of the internal pouches were stuffed full.
The bag overall was full, but certainly not jammed. This was basically a quick grab & pack, which the bag lends itself to.
Fully packed (not stuffed) top view.
side mesh pocket: size 9.5 Merrel mocks in a nylon bag; Island E/TC used as my traveling office
I could have rolled my merino socks and put them into the shoes to free up room in the other section
other side pocket: Solaris SSC with tech; A/T30 Small Laundry Cube with bra, socks, undies
Several of the TB cubes and Eagle Creek cubes would work in this bag
main compartment: MacBook Air 13" in padded case; folded pair of jeans; (Black 420 2x2) GB of random stuff to simulate toiletry bag; Cobalt Cerylon PCSB with 3 shirts
the laptop in it's case fits centered on long edge and tucked under the top zipper flap area; slightly fiddly but no big deal
In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have used mostly blue accessories & clothes, makes it harder to see, but I have a lot of blues!
Overall I really like the possibilities and flexibility of this bag; it reminds me of the minimal organization/flexibility of the Paragon, which I've been using a lot lately.
With an Op Tech mini strap, I'd use this cross body when carrying the A30 or T30 on my back for a flight instead of a zip shop bag... if using the T30, the laptop would go in there and free up some room.
ETA: I have one PCSB, several GB, an old Kit, the A30 laundry cubes, the SSC, a LSC, I think an A30 end pocket, a couple Eagle Creek cubes, two E/TCs, and a LGD at least with me, if anyone wants photos of different things in different places. And my Dad is size 10-10.5 shoes that I'll try to see where they fit.
This is a neat little retro bag that's not so little. For whatever reason, to me it looks smaller than it's capacity (typical TB Tardis)... maybe because (especially when underpacked) the two side 3D pockets are unobtrusive and so integrated. I keep a list of my TB bags in order by capacity/volume and it was enlightening to see it sit above the small Shop Bags, Pop Tote, S19, Paragon, etc. and just below the Shadow Guide 23L, Trucks, large Shop Bags...
Visually, it also makes me think of old school bowling ball or Doctor's bags, because of the shape.
For whatever reason, despite loving 400d halcyon for most of my bags, I really wanted this one in 1050 ballistic and Navy is such a classic rich colour.
I've only had it for a short time, so no chance to actually travel with it yet, but it first strikes me as a great weekend getaway bag (with more organization than the mini Yeoman) or a personal item on a flight.
Pre-pandemic, I used a Pop Tote as a gym bag and this would be as good or better for what I carry.
I like the option to carry by the handles (gym, car travel, etc) and to add a strap (probably what I would do if this was a personal item on a flight with an A/T30 on my back).
So here's a mock pack out of what I'd bring on a couple day trip by plane or car if I was traveling reasonably light but with a laptop and wasn't using a backpack. I specifically included a pair of shoes to see what that was like; I know shoe packing is a key question from many folks.
None of the internal pouches were stuffed full.
The bag overall was full, but certainly not jammed. This was basically a quick grab & pack, which the bag lends itself to.
Fully packed (not stuffed) top view.
side mesh pocket: size 9.5 Merrel mocks in a nylon bag; Island E/TC used as my traveling office
I could have rolled my merino socks and put them into the shoes to free up room in the other section
other side pocket: Solaris SSC with tech; A/T30 Small Laundry Cube with bra, socks, undies
Several of the TB cubes and Eagle Creek cubes would work in this bag
main compartment: MacBook Air 13" in padded case; folded pair of jeans; (Black 420 2x2) GB of random stuff to simulate toiletry bag; Cobalt Cerylon PCSB with 3 shirts
the laptop in it's case fits centered on long edge and tucked under the top zipper flap area; slightly fiddly but no big deal
In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have used mostly blue accessories & clothes, makes it harder to see, but I have a lot of blues!
Overall I really like the possibilities and flexibility of this bag; it reminds me of the minimal organization/flexibility of the Paragon, which I've been using a lot lately.
With an Op Tech mini strap, I'd use this cross body when carrying the A30 or T30 on my back for a flight instead of a zip shop bag... if using the T30, the laptop would go in there and free up some room.
ETA: I have one PCSB, several GB, an old Kit, the A30 laundry cubes, the SSC, a LSC, I think an A30 end pocket, a couple Eagle Creek cubes, two E/TCs, and a LGD at least with me, if anyone wants photos of different things in different places. And my Dad is size 10-10.5 shoes that I'll try to see where they fit.
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