Bantam - First Look

[G42]

I bought the two versions of the new Bantam to see what they're like, (though on first read of the description, it doesn't seem like it fits an unmet need for me).

Black RX30 X-Pac & the Reverse Black RX-30 X-Pac were the only offerings at debut.
TB usually buys unique fabric colours (which requires a hefty volume/$ commitment) so I find it quite reasonable that they start with standard Black, which is the most poplar colour, to gauge feedback. I know many folks on the Forums want other colours and I assume that will come with time (ie, months-year+) if the fabric works out for TB and the customers; (no idea if Dimension-Polyant even does custom colours).

I've seen this new 100% recycled version of X-Pac in a bag briefly at the factory but I've never owned one.

Full disclosure, I normally avoid black bags. I've recently bought some in 400d Halcyon only because the 400d is going away (due to that factory closing). I'd rather Halcyon now to contemplate, than miss it; I can always move it along later. The X-Pac diamond pattern at least breaks up the expanse of black, somewhat similar to how it does in Halcyon.

I like the hand/softness of the regular version; it feels reasonably stiff/sturdy/rigid vs any Halcyon. I generally like the overall flexibility of Halcyon though.
I could see, if I was using this as a more formal bag, that the rigidity might be better, but I don't know that it matters to me and I'm generally not in formal situations.

I don't particularly like the feel of the reverse, but it's definitely a different look. ETA - not sure if it's that I don't like the feel (eyes closed, it's merely slippery and you can feel the X pattern) as much as it's just not as familiar, not expected.

I'd be interested to know how both versions wear over time. Curious to see if the Reverse in particular gets creases.

The new non-tagline logo doesn't bother me, but it does feel big on a bag this size (though I think it looks better in person than in the photos, on this and the other bags I have with it). Still think that the SE/SK side tags or even the diagonal 3DOC tag would look better.



Regular vs Reverse - Front





Regular vs Reverse - Back
Note that the pass thru is X-Pac





Regular vs Reverse - Inside, 1 o-ring





Regular vs Reverse - Inside pockets





Note the surround material is black Ballistic, not X-Pac





Size: Bantam vs Açai Fabric 3DOC

[G42]

Some more quick photos

Bantam - Side Effect - Side Kick














Bantam - Side Effect





Bantam - Side Kick

[G42]

Not sure if/when I'd ever use the pass thru.

I quickly threaded it on my belt, but I'd probably rather have a separate fanny pack style than one that has to be threaded onto a belt.
ETA: partly due to the time to add/remove, but also, on a separate belt, I tend to let those bags hang down a little vs where an actual pants belt sits on me.
And note that because there is a webbing loop, I could add an optional belt (I had many from all the backpacks) and use it that way, but then I get back to not needing the actual pass thru.
I routinely carry a phone in a belt holster (dorky, but practical) but that clips on, which is fast to add or remove.

I unclipped the shoulder strap on my Cambiata that I carried today and threaded it on.

First observations:

-it's obviously faster with a bag that has straps that unclip vs ones that need to be unthreaded;
-I use my sternum straps a lot so they're in the way, though the Bantam can pull over it;
-there's nothing particularly to hold the Bantam in any position on the strap, so gravity will play a part;
-for someone my size, it feels pretty large to have sitting on the shoulder strap on the side of my chest;
-the zipper/access is on the side in this orientation.







16oz Nalgene inside the Fabric 3DOC, which is smaller than the Bantam






Same 16oz Nalgene inside the Bantam...it fits better, but fills the whole bottom so makes the inside pockets pretty useless for anything other than flat paper type things, though there's room on top of the bottle







Nik's Wallet No.5 in one of the inside stretch pockets






I'm busy with a big work project, so I'll post more when I can, but let me know if you have specific questions.

[latchford]

Thanks for posting these photos! The side by side with the other bags are especially helpful. As someone with multiple Side Effects, I don’t have an unmet need for the Bantam to fulfill either. If TB adds more colours like the Ocean Blue RX30, I may consider getting one and attaching it to a backpack hip belt via the pass through for use as an easy access pouch.

[epeterson]

What are your thoughts on the material of the stretch pockets? I've seen what I think(?) is similar material used for non-TB backpack water bottle pockets, and I've always avoided it. Seems like it is prone to damage, and I worry it would lose its elasticity and become saggy.

[G42]

What are your thoughts on the material of the stretch pockets? I've seen what I think(?) is similar material used for non-TB backpack water bottle pockets, and I've always avoided it. Seems like it is prone to damage, and I worry it would lose its elasticity and become saggy.

The inside mesh pockets are pretty small and seem to have some slack built in so that should help with repetitive wear/stretch. It's a small bag and those are very small pockets, so I'm not sure what people would routinely put in there, that could really stretch things out, but you never know!
Also, it definitely does not feel/look like the exterior stretch mesh water bottle pocket on the Addax; it's softer/silkier/no real visible mesh holes.
It looks/feel vaguely familiar, but I don't know if it's used in any other TB bags.

The product page doesn't list what material it actually is, it just calls it 'stretch-mesh' so MikeV MatthewR Jose maybe y'all can chime in on that aspect and/or update the product page.

Some of the inside pockets on other bags are made of material that gapes a bit because the material itself has no real stretch and/or only has fairly loose elastic at the top, so I don't think that even with wear, these will make a huge difference vs those experiences, but everyone has different preferences.

[MatthewR]

So I'm going to blame COVID brain for calling it Stretch Mesh as I was WFH with COVID when I wrote that page, it's not really Stretch Mesh and I'll get that changed. It's a mock-woven Lycra-like material; you have undoubtedly touched this material before as it's the same material that backs our Edgeless straps. :)

[dirkhaun]

I don't particularly like the feel of the reverse, but it's definitely a different look. ETA - not sure if it's that I don't like the feel (eyes closed, it's merely slippery and you can feel the X pattern) as much as it's just not as familiar, not expected.

Thanks for the photos. On a scale from "classy" to "cheap-ish" how would you rate the look of the reverse? The reflections really make it hard to tell from the photos alone.

[G42]

Thanks for the photos. On a scale from "classy" to "cheap-ish" how would you rate the look of the reverse? The reflections really make it hard to tell from the photos alone.

It's really just a different look from traditional TB. Not bad to me, just very different and fun to think about.

I expect (and I'm sure TB knows) it will be polarizing (I simply hope people acknowledge subjective preferences vs blanket good/bad statements (which isn't a poke at you, I get what you're asking)).

So in that light, the black Ballistic surround grounds it for me, almost like a frame around a painting. It's still shiny and reflective but that aspect is more annoying in photos vs reality to me.

My first thought seeing the online photos was that it could be more dressy/formal/classy based on how those photos were done.
In person, I can see that vibe, but I'm not at all dressy/formal, so if I carried it, it would be my more funky/futuristic choice... Has vague cyberpunk vibe to me.
It's sort of like how some folks cannot stand the original white grid/black 400d halcyon... That's another fabric that I think looks more startling in photos vs in person.

I'm currently thinking I will send both back, but that has everything to do with not knowing how I'd use this size & feature set in my life (vs the SE, Bummer, SK) than the material.
I used to use my original SE with the built in waist strap as a fanny pack... But I prefer the Bummer now.
I used to use the newer SEs but usually want more space, so carry the SK or PCSB (I'm really interested in that new bag!) now. Mostly if I use a SE, it's as a bag-in-bag organizer (ETA or it works well on the Smart Alec in place of the UMP, just like the E/TC works in place of the LMP - plus you can remove them and use them at destination as separate bags).

So I'm back to contemplating the fact that this bag's main feature - the pass thru - doesn't fill an unmet need for me.

Waaaaaaay more than you asked ☺️

[G42]

So I'm going to blame COVID brain for calling it Stretch Mesh as I was WFH with COVID when I wrote that page, it's not really Stretch Mesh and I'll get that changed. It's a mock-woven Lycra-like material; you have undoubtedly touched this material before as it's the same material that backs our Edgeless straps. :)

Thanks for that and I hope you're feeling better and fully recovered!

[G42]

So here's photos of the Reverse in diffuse daylight indoors

With flash on, you can see how matte it can look, on the upper section where it's full fill-in light



And here, flash off