Deciding between a L12 and L15

[ClicketySnap]

Has anyone purchased a L12 and returned/traded it for an L15 (or vice versa) because of the usefulness of the padded back panel pocket? I've been flip flopping back and forth between the two sizes for months and still can't decide for certain which one would be more useful to me.

I naturally gravitate towards the L12; the photos on the website make it look quite little and cute, and the kinds of day trips I envision using it for should fit quite nicely. The only reason I would purchase a L15 over an L12 is the padded back panel pocket; I have big goals of purchasing a Macbook Pro 13" this year which apparently does not fit in a L12. That having been said... in the past I have been more likely to carry my laptop in a padded case and stick with my usual crossbody EDC to go to a cafe for internet than upgrade my stuff to a backpack. I'm not convinced I would use the back panel pocket enough to justify the larger size.

Has anyone else faced this conundrum, and have your electronics changed your mind post-purchase?

[Traveltech]

I bought a L15 because of my laptop. But ultimately sold it because it was just too long a black hole for me. I can’t fit my laptop in the side pocket of the L12 but it fits fine in the main pocket. And, like you, I think the L12 is cute and great for short day excursions. If I need more space, I’d rather my S22 that has more organization. And a water bottle, or umbrella, is much more accessible in the synik than the deep pocket of the luminary 15.

[G42]

I have both the original Luminary (12) and an L15.
I actually use the padded back pocket more for Kindle, papers, journals, etc... which size I pick usually depends on how much I want to carry in the main compartment. Usually the Luminaries are my urban/walk-around backpacks because they are smaller/slimmer than the Synapses and have fewer exposed pockets. I don't usually use it for a laptop at all.

[Jeff A]

Will a 15" MacBook Pro with cache fit in the main area of the L15? I know it won't fit in the smaller laptop side pocket. Thanks!

[x3n0n]

Will a 15" MacBook Pro with cache fit in the main area of the L15?

According to the end of the product page, no: "Slightly larger laptops in their respective Cache sleeves (or other minimalist sleeve/case) will fit loose in the main compartment of the Luminary (note that the bag itself does not have rail loops for the Cache). How about a 15” MacBookPro? Pfft – no way."

[Jeff A]

According to the end of the product page, no: "Slightly larger laptops in their respective Cache sleeves (or other minimalist sleeve/case) will fit loose in the main compartment of the Luminary (note that the bag itself does not have rail loops for the Cache). How about a 15” MacBookPro? Pfft – no way."

Thank you I didn't read all the way to the bottom, haha!