SG33v2 : Quick Overview & Comparison

[Azurin]

Shadow Guide 33 v2 arrived last night, I'm tired but was eager to go over the bag and try out a few things, why also comparing it to bags from Tom Bihn and other bag makers.

First impressions build quality and materials are of usual Tom Bihn quality so expect years of use out of this. I choose Ursa over black and .... it is growing on me. Ursa is a dark brown with grey tones that show up more on overcast days or morning light, disappears under yellow light. this is one fabric color that must be seen in person.


Here I find that cable locks work great on the main bag compartment. Put it through the two holes were the bag cable bunches up and the button comes out of effectively keeps main compartment closed.


This hack from a Tom Bihn video done by Zeke and is useful on any bag I HIGHLY recommend this hack (Carabiner is a 'S-Biner MicroLock' from Nite-Ize). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCeu...PS5wr2&index=6

On a side note, the zippers on this bag are smaller so most small/mini locks and cable locks will not go with the zippers.

At 50% full the bag stands on its own, so long as its heavy at the bottom and the top portion of the bag is not too heavy.


Now for the Comparison: the SG33 in every shoot is 95% full. This is A45 next to the SG33. The A45 is only at 50% to 60% capacity, making it look smaller than the SG33.


The SG33 next to the Mystery Ranch UA 21, my current work bag.

A30 at 100% next to SG33.

Synik 30 next to the SG33. Note, the pockets on the Synik 30 are empty and only the clamshell part is full.

Between the two, the Synik 30 pokes into your back has it gets full why SG33 remains flat against your back no matter how full it gets.

The Daylight back pack and Minaal Daily v1, and Chrome Kadet Sling (my other work bag).

Side-by-Side comparison of the bags.


A few more hacks that I found here on the forums. This is one that is used for the Synik/Synapse bags to hold items to the bottom of the bag. You will need to get the waist strap that comes with those bags for this work, as the one that comes with the SG33 is bigger.

A tight fit, but it works.

Up to 3 hoodies or items can strapped to the outside of the SG33. With it on, ran with it and shook it violently, only dropping what was strapped to the bottom of the bag.

Well I hope this was helpful. Thanks Tom Bihn crew for creating another awesome bag.

[Cristina]

Shadow Guide 33 v2 arrived last night, I'm tired but was eager to go over the bag and try out a few things, why also comparing it to bags from Tom Bihn and other bag makers.

First impressions build quality and materials are of usual Tom Bihn quality so expect years of use out of this. I choose Ursa over black and .... it is growing on me. Ursa is a dark brown with grey tones that show up more on overcast days or morning light, disappears under yellow light. this is one fabric color that must be seen in person.


Here I find that cable locks work great on the main bag compartment. Put it through the two holes were the bag cable bunches up and the button comes out of effectively keeps main compartment closed.


This hack from a Tom Bihn video done by Zeke and is useful on any bag I HIGHLY recommend this hack (Carabiner is a 'S-Biner MicroLock' from Nite-Ize). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCeu...PS5wr2&index=6

On a side note, the zippers on this bag are smaller so most small/mini locks and cable locks will not go with the zippers.

At 50% full the bag stands on its own, so long as its heavy at the bottom and the top portion of the bag is not too heavy.


Now for the Comparison: the SG33 in every shoot is 95% full. This is A45 next to the SG33. The A45 is only at 50% to 60% capacity, making it look smaller than the SG33.


The SG33 next to the Mystery Ranch UA 21, my current work bag.

A30 at 100% next to SG33.

Synik 30 next to the SG33. Note, the pockets on the Synik 30 are empty and only the clamshell part is full.

Between the two, the Synik 30 pokes into your back has it gets full why SG33 remains flat against your back no matter how full it gets.

The Daylight back pack and Minaal Daily v1, and Chrome Kadet Sling (my other work bag).

Side-by-Side comparison of the bags.


A few more hacks that I found here on the forums. This is one that is used for the Synik/Synapse bags to hold items to the bottom of the bag. You will need to get the waist strap that comes with those bags for this work, as the one that comes with the SG33 is bigger.

A tight fit, but it works.

Up to 3 hoodies or items can strapped to the outside of the SG33. With it on, ran with it and shook it violently, only dropping what was strapped to the bottom of the bag.

Well I hope this was helpful. Thanks Tom Bihn crew for creating another awesome bag.

Love the review, great comparison pics! Really helpful to see it alongside so many other bags. I really wouldn’t be surprised if the SG33 turned out to hold 40 liters. It’s just so big, especially the top pocket!

[brickcacher]

Are you going to use your SG33 for EDC/work or travel? I was hoping to use mine for Work EDC (which I personally keep separate from my personal EDC bag that houses my iPad, meds (like epi pen), and etc) but it is one big cavernous hole and am trying to figure out how to make it work. I am new to this style of bag so I want to make it work just need ideas. I do love how large the side zipper is for the laptop as my MBP16 was an annoyingly tight fit on my Synik30. Sort of wish that one day they make a Brain Bag with a laptop compartment exactly the same as on the SG33.

[Darcy]

Are you going to use your SG33 for EDC/work or travel? I was hoping to use mine for Work EDC (which I personally keep separate from my personal EDC bag that houses my iPad, meds (like epi pen), and etc) but it is one big cavernous hole and am trying to figure out how to make it work. I am new to this style of bag so I want to make it work just need ideas. I do love how large the side zipper is for the laptop as my MBP16 was an annoyingly tight fit on my Synik30. Sort of wish that one day they make a Brain Bag with a laptop compartment exactly the same as on the SG33.

You reminded me of an answer/question I wrote up for the Shadow Guide pages but didn't actually add to their FAQs! So, here's how we'd answer your question. Hope this helps a bit and I hope others including the OP will share their thoughts as well.

Where/how would I pack my stuff in the Shadow Guide?

Laptop in the laptop compartment (of course.)

Small stuff — keys, wallet, power supplies, phone, flashlight, first-aid kit, snacks, hat, gloves, or anything else you’d want to be able to access quickly — is stowed in the top pocket or one of its two smaller zippered organizational pockets. Tip: put your phone in one of the two zippered organizational pockets under the top pocket and you’ll be able to zip that pocket open/retrieve your phone without opening the bag.

The main compartment of the Shadow Guide is big and open — it’s ready for the largest of the large water bottles, a big lunch, groceries, a growler, mail/packages from the P.O. Box, or whatever else needs to be stowed. Put your jacket or sweater on top of that stuff and you’re good to go.

The big objects we mentioned above — water bottle, packages, etc. — can be more difficult to stuff in the main compartment of a pack if there’s edges of built-in pockets for them to catch on. For many folks, the quick-access top pockets of the Shadow Guide will offer plenty of space for smaller items that wouldn’t be stowed in the big main compartment. That big open main compartment will work for some folks but not all; for those who have more smaller quick-access items than can fit in the top pockets and would prefer more organization, we'd recommend taking a look at the Synapse and Synik backpacks which have more built-in organization.

[Azurin]

I'll be using it for EDC/Work. I'll use it for Travel but for me, the Synik Backpack works much better has a travel bag. The organization on it fits my travel style, plus the height of the SG33 has be wondering if European carriers will force me to check the bag.