Hoping for advice on a carry-on / EDC bag or two for a couple of use cases...
Hello, new friends! Before we jump in, just wanted to thank you all for contributing to the wealth of information that is contained in this forum. I'm overwhelmed and indecisive, and had it not been for the review threads, the photo threads, the organization threads, and so on, I wouldn't have known where to begin. Still not sure I do! And quick warning - I'm unfortunately going to be boring and detailed but I want to give the most context possible so I can be sure to get the right bags for these contexts.
So, in the most general sense, I am looking for a backpack to replace a 2011 North Face Recon, 29L, 19in x 15 x 4 that I used throughout college that held everything and nothing. For reference, I am a ~6 ft. mid-20's male, fairly lean but usually wearing a L or XL shirt size due to broad shoulders / upper chest.
On a typical full-backpack day, I carry:
15 inch Macbook Pro (important note: this will soon be upgraded / downsized to a new 13 inch Macbook Air),
Three-ring binder or manila envelope with letter sized work documents
Small sketchbook & Moleskin planner
Kindle Paperwhite
Pentax K1000 35mm camera with a small lens, approx. 4in x 3 x 2 all assembled.
32 oz. glow in the dark Nalgene (happy to find a new bottle if this won't fit with any bags)
I am also now an assistant group leader (assistant to the group leader, rather) with a 'travel club' at my work that takes a group of 20-30 older customers around the world on ~10 day long tours 2 or 3 times a year, beginning with 10 days in Iceland at the end of the month and ending the year with a 14 day Christmas river cruise in Europe.
Now with these trips we check a bag - my big roller will hold the wardrobe - and I will not need the Macbook Pro in the backpack but most likely my iPad Mini for movies on the plane / a digital itinerary instead. For Iceland, this day to day backpack will need to hold the typical items listed above as well as a thicker folder of our traveler's information, a first-aid kit, snacks, and most likely a rain jacket.
At this point, the answer is obvious, right? Synapse 25. That's what I'm thinking as well. As much as I like smaller, sleeker bags, and would prefer the S19, I know that I'm going to need the room, and hopefully with my height, it will ride correctly and look proportional.
Since we'll be checking our big bags (I'll be back when it's time for an A45 / A30 discussion for my personal vacations), I'm thinking of putting the S25 (if that's what I decide for the main backpack) in the overhead, and grabbing a Daylight Backpack, Ristretto, Copilot, or even the legendary Packing Cube Shoulder Bag, as a personal item that can also be used for our downtime strolls in the city or for walks with the Pentax and maybe room for souvenirs. This personal item bag would also be a perfect EDC when back home as long as it could hold the Pentax, maybe a pen and notepad / work paper, and either the 13 in. MBP or iPad Mini. I am really, really loving the look of the Ristretto, but I think as far as a light daypack goes, the Daylight might be best. The Pentax is my main concern, as it's just such a weird shape.
Shoot, I still really want a Ristretto. And the PCSB.
BUT - if I were to get a few bags (most likely the S25 and something to pair it with, and any accessories you might deem useful) for these tour trips / my own personal use, what would you all recommend? I believe I will choose the ballistic 525 material, if that helps.
Note - it's taken about an hour to get this condensed as much as possible. If you can't tell, I'm anxious and scatterbrained. But I hope to soon be an actual owner of a Tom Bihn bag and will follow up with plenty of pictures of whatever ends up going on my travels!
Thank you all for your help and time.
So, in the most general sense, I am looking for a backpack to replace a 2011 North Face Recon, 29L, 19in x 15 x 4 that I used throughout college that held everything and nothing. For reference, I am a ~6 ft. mid-20's male, fairly lean but usually wearing a L or XL shirt size due to broad shoulders / upper chest.
On a typical full-backpack day, I carry:
15 inch Macbook Pro (important note: this will soon be upgraded / downsized to a new 13 inch Macbook Air),
Three-ring binder or manila envelope with letter sized work documents
Small sketchbook & Moleskin planner
Kindle Paperwhite
Pentax K1000 35mm camera with a small lens, approx. 4in x 3 x 2 all assembled.
32 oz. glow in the dark Nalgene (happy to find a new bottle if this won't fit with any bags)
I am also now an assistant group leader (assistant to the group leader, rather) with a 'travel club' at my work that takes a group of 20-30 older customers around the world on ~10 day long tours 2 or 3 times a year, beginning with 10 days in Iceland at the end of the month and ending the year with a 14 day Christmas river cruise in Europe.
Now with these trips we check a bag - my big roller will hold the wardrobe - and I will not need the Macbook Pro in the backpack but most likely my iPad Mini for movies on the plane / a digital itinerary instead. For Iceland, this day to day backpack will need to hold the typical items listed above as well as a thicker folder of our traveler's information, a first-aid kit, snacks, and most likely a rain jacket.
At this point, the answer is obvious, right? Synapse 25. That's what I'm thinking as well. As much as I like smaller, sleeker bags, and would prefer the S19, I know that I'm going to need the room, and hopefully with my height, it will ride correctly and look proportional.
Since we'll be checking our big bags (I'll be back when it's time for an A45 / A30 discussion for my personal vacations), I'm thinking of putting the S25 (if that's what I decide for the main backpack) in the overhead, and grabbing a Daylight Backpack, Ristretto, Copilot, or even the legendary Packing Cube Shoulder Bag, as a personal item that can also be used for our downtime strolls in the city or for walks with the Pentax and maybe room for souvenirs. This personal item bag would also be a perfect EDC when back home as long as it could hold the Pentax, maybe a pen and notepad / work paper, and either the 13 in. MBP or iPad Mini. I am really, really loving the look of the Ristretto, but I think as far as a light daypack goes, the Daylight might be best. The Pentax is my main concern, as it's just such a weird shape.
Shoot, I still really want a Ristretto. And the PCSB.
BUT - if I were to get a few bags (most likely the S25 and something to pair it with, and any accessories you might deem useful) for these tour trips / my own personal use, what would you all recommend? I believe I will choose the ballistic 525 material, if that helps.
Note - it's taken about an hour to get this condensed as much as possible. If you can't tell, I'm anxious and scatterbrained. But I hope to soon be an actual owner of a Tom Bihn bag and will follow up with plenty of pictures of whatever ends up going on my travels!
Thank you all for your help and time.
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