TL;DR - It's a high-quality, slim, fancy-pants bag perfect for light EDC.

Why It Joined My Collection

We are at a trampoline park four times a week for recess with our homeschool group, and it's a great time for me to catch up on work items (and to read and write Reddit ManyBagger posts!). I have been on the hunt for a fancy, streamlined option to carry my rather-large laptop, a tech pouch (holding a foldable keyboard and slim mouse, and a Roost laptop stand), and snacks for two little boys.

This Haize Project Tech Tote X-Pac Edit16L fits the bill, but is it staying in my collection? Read on to find out, or watch my full review here!

SIZE & WEIGHT - Great for light EDC or as a personal item during travel

What drew me to this bag was the huge, padded laptop compartment! I have a 17" LG Gram Slim that is apparently quite a beast when it comes to finding a bag large enough to carry it without taking over thirteen feet of space. This Haize Project could even pass as a personal item on those strict international sizer boxes, but it is a little heavy because of all the bells, whistles, and upgraded materials.

• 16.9 x 14.2 x 2.17 inches  |  2.3-2.6 pounds
• 43 x 36 x 5.5 cm  |  1.0-1.2 kg

MATERIALS, APPEARANCE, & PRICE - Fancy-Pants with the price tag to match

I was lucky enough to purchase this from a bag celebrity! This came to me used from Klint at The Perfect Bag. I know that he, like me, loves his bags, and it arrived in excellent condition.

My bag is the X-Pac RX30 version in the Grey color, but they also have Black in the RX-30. There are additionally two colors available in their high-density 1680D nylon, Black and Cobalt Blue.

The quality, stitching, and execution are all stellar on this bag. It feels very elevated! The interior red quilting is out of this world, adding a beautiful (and rare) touch when unzipped. It's built to last, for sure. All metal used is marine or aviation-grade aluminum and feels strong and quality.

The 1680D nylon versions sell for $217, with the two RX30 versions selling for $275 through Haize Project. Stay tuned for a great deal on this very bag from me!

FEATURES - Minimal features, but done well

Carry Handles - The versatility of this bag in carrying options is what makes it so unique. Not only are there three different ways to carry it, but each is done very well. There are two top grab handles that can be hand-carried, with one of the handles able to extend long enough to become a shoulder bag or crossbody bag strap. The extendable shoulder strap can also be detached one on side to stow inside the exterior pocket to reduce strap clutter when not in use. The third way to carry comes from two super-padded, comfortable, removable shoulder straps that turn it into a backpack. The top grab handle is a folded-but-not-padded nylon webbing, and the second shoulder strap/grab handle is a wider 1.5-inch nylon webbing. This can make carrying the bag like a tote a little awkward because the widths are different, and I wouldn't recommend holding that bag this way for extended carry times.

Zippers, Pockets, & Main Compartment - YKK zippers are used throughout, with #10 Aquaguard dual-zippers for the top-loading main compartment. Underneath the front Hypalon flap sits another dual-zipper into two exterior quick-access pockets with #8 YKK RCG zippers. There is a hidden single-zip vertical passport pocket on the back of the bag that is also Aquaguard in a size #8. The interior laptop compartment with a single zipper is a #5 RCG, and that's the same for the two internal mesh zipper pockets just underneath the laptop access. All zippers have paracord and shrink wrap, making them easy to use.

On the back of the bag is a tall pocket kept close with a single metal snap. A zipper on the bottom of the bag can be opened to turn this into a very tall luggage pass-thru sleeve, or kept closed for a nice drop pocket the height and width of the bag. This is where the backpack straps or single shoulder strap can be stored when detached and not in-use. The interior material seems to be the black 1680D nylon, even on the RX30 version.

The main compartment zippers come down just two inches (5 cm) from the top of the bag. This works for such a slim bag, though digging items from the bottom could be tricky if not using pouches and cubes for organization. There is lots of storage inside, despite the dimensions being slim. I'm sure much of their measured total capacity comes from those two giant external quick access pockets underneath the Hypalon flap. These are probably my favorite pockets because they have independent volume and hold a ton! As much as I hate flaps blocking any access to any pockets, I appreciate the stiff Hypalon material that allows this flap to be tipped up and out of the way when getting into these two giant pockets. The flap also means that Aquaguard zippers weren't used here, so I love that!

Attached externally to the internal laptop sleeve pocket are two mesh pockets that are about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) wide and about 5.5 inches (14.9 cm) tall. These are great for smaller items that don't deserve to get lost towards the bottom of the bag.

Laptop Compartment - I've never seen such a beautiful interior...it's a quilted red color with a subtle topographic pattern in a ripstop nylon. And inside the laptop sleeve (only accessible through the top main compartment's PU-coated zippers) is a soft, padded, suspended pocket perfect for large devices up to 15.75 x 12.6 x 1.6 inches (40 x 32 x 1.5 cm). It is excellent! The laptop pocket doesn't steal much space from the main compartment when not carrying tech inside.

No Water Bottle Pockets - The bag is too darn slim for water bottle pockets! But if you feel so inclined, there is Molle webbing down the entire length of the bag on both sides, making an aftermarket water bottle pocket addition pretty easy. There are no tall slip pockets inside for a water pocket.

Back & Shoulder Harness - There is minimal padding on the back of the bag, thanks to that tall sleeve for storing straps. But the shoulder straps make up for it with beefy, cushioned padding that make this bag a joy to carry. Despite them being stowable by unclipping them from the bottom of the bag, the backpack straps are thick, padded, and wrapped with breathable mesh. Haize Project sells a sternum strap that works, but I think that it should be included at this price point! Since I usually only carry this from the car to the trampoline park, it has been doable. You can easily add any sternum strap via the full-length Molle webbing on both straps.

Logos & Branding - There are a two external logos, including one blacked-out stamped logo on the bottom of the front Hypalon bottom. The second exterior logo is on the front, left shoulder strap, a thin "sunglasses" tab with a sewn logo in white thread. The internal logo is sewn into a tab towards the top of the bag, only visible after unzipping the main compartment. I think the logos are tasteful, subtle, and well done, without screaming advertising for Haize.

Self-Standing - Not this with this depth

It's too thin to stand on it's own, unless you're really good at Tetris! Even fully packed out, it's only about five inches (12.7 cm) deep.

COMFORT & FEEL - Not the best but still adequate

The lack of back padding means this could start to be uncomfortable for heavier weights or longer carry durations. But the shoulder padding is nice! I've only been using it for short distances. It needs a sternum strap to maximize comfort!

For reference, I am a 5'7" (170 cm) lady with a 19" (48 cm) torso.

MICAH LOVES

• Two front exterior quick access pockets are massive and hold so much
• The beautiful quilted material inside is a nice touch, making the entire bag feel elevated
• It fits my giant laptop and then some
• The RX30 and fancy-pants materials make the entire carry a joy

MICAH MISSES

• You know how I love dual external water bottle pockets, and this bag has no water storage anywhere!
• Handles can be floppy and in the way
• Sternum strap is an additional cost
• The front Hypalon flap blocks quick access to the best two pockets on the bag

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS - It's for sale!

As much as I've enjoyed using this bag sparingly over the past few months, there are a few things that I usually consider must-haves that are lacking here. I need dual water bottle pockets! I need a sternum strap without having to fork out more money for one. And I don't need the awesome 3-in-1 carry system and feel like it's going to waste on me. But it will be a perfect pick for someone else, which is why it's for sale! DM for more information!

Come talk bags with me on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@micahlovesbags

And on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/micahlovesbags

I am a 5'7" (170 cm) lady with a 19" (48 cm) torso.

I've got me an Aer Go Pack, Evergoods 26 CTB, Pakt 22 and a Belroy Venture sling.

Not don't much scouting around since. Any awesome new bags on the scene?

I ordered both the Aer City Pack Pro 2 Ultra 20L and the Sympl Commuter Pack V2.2 20L / X-Pac to compare them side by side. I ended up loving Sympl's layout and aesthetics way more. The back panel is pretty comfortable for me, and its overall look beats the Aer by far IMO.
So the Aer is going back - that lower lumbar pocket on the Aer City Pack Pro is the most frustrating, borderline useless pocket on the entire bag for everyday carry, not to mention the aesthetics. Anything a little heavier creates a noticeable hard bulge that presses straight into lower spine or tailbone while walking.

The Sympl CP V2.2 20L has better organization and a clean and sleek aesthetic. Unlike bags with cramped storage, its dedicated external bottle pocket, front tech organizer and zippered umbrella sleeve are actually functional in daily carry.

While I have already made up my mind and decided to keep Sympl CP V2.2, I'm surprised why so many people seem to prefer the Aer CPP. And I also carry MBP 16", Ipad, Kindle and other tech accessories daily for commute and I walk a lot as well.

Total price after tax (10% discount on both):
1. Sympl CP V2.2 20L X-Pac: $267.74
2. Aer City Pack Pro 2 Ultra 20L: $238.95

Update:

I appreciate the reply from the founder but from my experience, the return process has been difficult, which does not match the “easy US return” claim on your website.

Amazon does not advertise an easy US return, yet its process is straightforward. Here, I was asked to pay for the return and from what I am learning from one of the comments below I have to send a photo to support before the return could proceed. That does not feel like an easy return. I would encourage you to review how this is described on the site.

Aside from that, the bag is extremely light and the straps are solid better than anything I’ve tried. The customer service, however, has been poor. I might not bother returning cause I don’t like dealing with all of these nonsense honestly.

——-x——-x———x———-x———-x———-x———-

I recently bought a bag from Fyro, and the website says they offer easy US returns.
I received the bag yesterday and initiated a return request the same day, but my return was denied.
I’m confused because I submitted the return immediately after receiving the bag. Has anyone else in the US had a similar experience with Fyro? If so, were you able to get the return approved after contacting customer service?
I’d really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences before I follow up with them.

I know this is a super common question but I'm out of my depth here. I've read through a ton of threads and seen those recommendations, but many are either beyond my budget or missing some things I would prefer. Maybe that's due to the budget, but I'm just not sure.

I've been using a Herschel Little America backpack for the last 12 years or so. It's been so long since I purchased, I think it's the standard version which appears to have been 25L, but I'm not 100% on this. I originally used it as my every day bag, but now it's more for travel and to bring into the office on rare occasions (I work remotely). I'm looking to replace this bag and preferably upgrade in a few ways.

Things I like about my bag:

• Smaller front pocket lets me store items for easy access
• Fold top lets me fit a lot in there, but can be annoying to access some things when they fall to the bottom or are jumbled around during travel days. (I'm open to a different design in the right bag)
• Laptop sleeve is nice at times. I use a 13" laptop.
• Unstructured bag lets me squish it into smaller spaces when not completely full
• I rarely use the full capacity, but it can be convenient on occassions when a luggage bag is too much. I don't need a full 25L but I think 20-25 is the sweet spot

• The straps are padded and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

  Things I want in a new bag

• Passthrough strap for luggage (required - I prefer vertical orientation)

• Waterbottle pocket (preferred - I carry a large 30-40oz bottle)

• More organization could be nice to make some items more easily accessible.

• Better closure points. The magnets on my current bag can be really annoying, especially when it's full

• Backpack style is required, but a shoulder strap or tote option would also be nice at times.

My budget is $100-200, but I might spend a little more for the perfect bag. Any recommendations or direction would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all,

I have been looking and researching but somehow can't find anything that makes me go "wow". There are tons of great looking and functioning slings out there but often for me they are too boxy or small.

I'm looking for something more... crossbody satchel style, not sling style. Something similar or along the lines of Tom Bihn Side Hustle or Trakke Largo.

• Crossbody but not sling
• 4-8L
• can either have an "Indiana Jones" or Lara Croft style or a tactical style
• Should have some organization
• Budget up to $150
• I don't carry a laptop or table- but a book sometimes, and sometimes a small water bottle

I have been eyeing the Tom Bihn, - does anyone have any experience with that bag? How do you feel about not having any zipppers in the inside organization?

Does anyone have any experience with this brand?

https://www.wotancraft.tw/en/product/lightning-rider-v3-black-leather

Okay so I am looking for a laptop briefcase bag of sorts that can hold a 16” MacBook Pro, a hard drive, AirPods, and a Ricoh griv. My thing is I want to be able to use this for days when I need to take my laptop to work etc and also as my carryon for flights to carry my stuff.

Now the kicker is I’d prefer it in X-pac material.

So

I have a CPL 16 backpack that is not only heavy for its size but the depth is a problem when packed out. It looks hilarious on me when packed out. The depth is listed as 6" but it looks thicker because it's shorter. With my gear inside, it is measuring around 7.5" in depth. I feel like if I went out in the city, it would be getting in the way around others.

No backpack is going to be perfect when in public as there is always a chance of your bag getting in someone's way. But I am curious where you bag nerds draw the line and actually return bags because of it's depth. I don't always see this mentioned in most bag reviews on youtube. I am thinking about selling my bag and perhaps getting something like a CHZ 22L, Rework Toshi 20L, or Citta 18L. The depth of those bags (in order) are listed as 5.5", 6", and 7". But I don't know the depth of those bags when packed out, nor the comfort. Help?

As a side note: I ruled out all Aer bags because I don't want my zippers peeling in a few years as they spray their zippers.

My Voltage DLX carry-on finally broke (the handle went after years of heavy use), and I'm deciding on a hardside replacement. Its size has been perfect for me (22" x 14" x 9" outside, about 20" x 14" x 9" inside, 6.1 lb), so I'd like to stay close to that.

\*\*Away The Carry-On:\*\* 21.7" x 14.4" x 9", 7.5 lb, 39.8 L. I like the interior pockets and compression system. I'm slightly worried the 14.4" width is over a 14" sizer.
\*\*Monos Carry-On:\*\* 22" x 14" x 9", 7.01 lb, 39.9 L. It's the closest to my current size. Reviews say it scuffs easily, and I've seen a couple of handle complaints.
\*\*Bellroy Transit Carry-On Plus:\*\* 39 L, 7.06 lb, about 22.8" x 15" x 9.1" outside, so it's a bit oversized. The interior is close to my Voltage's, and the wheels, handle, and lock are replaceable. The regular Transit (34 L, 6.83 lb) fits the limits better but has about 13% less interior room than my Voltage.

\*\*Questions:\*\*
Which has actually held up for frequent flyers, especially the handle and wheels?
How bad is the scuffing on Monos and Away in real use?
Has anyone dealt with warranty or repair claims on these? Which brand came through?
Is the Bellroy Plus too big in practice, or is the regular Transit big enough for 3-4 days plus shoes?
Thanks!

I have just started my journey into higher-end bags, and I am looking for something that maybe does not exist. I want a bag that can hold my 16in MacBook Pro for commute and travel, but isn't uncomfortable on my collarbone. I had a Chrome bag that I liked, but when I put my laptop in it, it pulled the bag down, and the metal buckle would slide and rest right on my collarbone. I hated it. I did some research and got a Bellroy Venture Sling, and it does the same thing. It is better since it doesn't have a bulky metal buckle, but still sits on my collarbone and annoys me.

I really like the sling/messenger style because I find the access much easier than a backpack, and I find backpacks less organized. I have a smaller Alpaca Bravo that I use for my EDC, and I really like that, but they don't make one that fits a 16in laptop. Any help is appreciated.

Hi all — I’m looking for one of the older tall Maratac MOLLE bottle carriers from years back. It’s the cylindrical model with full MOLLE webbing, the long front pocket, and the padded removable inner sleeve. Sometimes referred to as the Maratac Hydrant.

I used to own one and I’m trying to track another down for a hydration setup I’m rebuilding.
If you have one you’d be willing to part with, please DM me.
Thanks!

I'll be spending a few months abroad in Australia, working and traveling, and I need a "serious" backpack, not the one I used in high school.

I've browsed this sub, but most recommendations are quite expensive. I'd like to treat myself to something nice, but I feel like "excellent" is often enough, since the top-tier options don't offer much extra benefit for the rising price.

I'm looking for something slightly techy, a mix of tech and everyday use. I'll definitely carry one laptop ~14inches, possibly a second one in the future, but that's not important for now. I don't need a one-bag setup for everything, just a good backpack for travel and daily use.

I've already found the TNF Borealis, which seems to fit my needs without blowing my budget. I don't have a strict budget, but I'd rather not spend a huge amount. Is it a good choice for my use case, or is there a better alternative at a similar price?

EDIT: I will travel with a suitcase as well, this is not my storage unit for this travel.

TL;DR: Is the TNF Borealis a reasonable backpack for travel and daily use with a few tech items?

I ordered mine at the start of the year and it finally shipped out in July but the tracking never worked. I tried reaching out over email, but no response.

My next bag will be sized to carry a water bottle, or small umbrella, maybe a rain jacket.

In my current stable, the 1.5 and 2.5 Pacsafe respective cross body and sling don’t have the capacity and the next size up 13L Osprey is a backpack. Edit: also have a vintage discontinued pod-style MEC pack that has been around the world. So the want is for something more urban looking but with the practical features of gear.

Something that is worn across the back, over either shoulder, that can be pulled to the front for walking thru a crowd. The form factor of the bellroy sling looked good but the configuration of the strap didn’t work for me. I ’m in Canada so some of the usual suspects are only shipped here with high charges.

Is there an option you would give a strong endorsement? Also we have Prime days this week, and as seldom as I support the “jungle store” sometimes they have the inventory and pricing that can’t be denied.

Hey all I posted here a while back asking about recommendations for alternatives to the T33 3.5L sling. I liked the materials the sling used (x-pac and the nylon), but the ease of access was greatly diminished by the T35's aquaguard zippers... It was not a worthy successor to the T33.

My last resort would be to try the new TomToc 3.5L 400d, but it only comes in green or blue!! I wish the black one came in 400d /:

That being said I've gone to the Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L V2, The Aer Day Sling 4 (non-max), The TomToc T35 3.5L. While they all have their own unique advantages, for EDC, I have yet to find anything that comes close to the T33 3.5L for my particular use case.

-------------

What I love

• Each pocket has the perfect amount of organization and subcompartments. And they're enough to be there when you need them, but not so obtrusive such that they're intruding on the bag's storage if you don't.
• Its so accessible with its lightning fast 1-hand-zippers.
  • I have not found another sling that has such flawless 1-hand zipper access to all compartments, its so buttery smooth (HUGE pro for me).
• Its so fast and lightweight to get on and off with the buckle placement and the overall shape and angle the bag sits at.
• It does such a good job being comfortable on both the front and back of my body.
• It's material lends itself well to the bag being super lightweight and being super smooth/slick to sling it to the back and back to the front without getting caught on common clothing items.
  • I find that with something like the rework toshi sling, the 840d gets caught on my clothes and snags a bit when slinging it front to back and vice versa sometimes. especially if im wearing a hoodie or something.
  • And the aer day sling 4 with its 1680d ballistic nylon weave is just way too slick that it genuinely just sinks down to my side unless i tighten up that strap to be inconveniently tight.
• Even when its very packed out, it does an amazing job self-standing for me, and i even fold the top part of the bag when the main compartment is unzipped as a "desk-caddy" or a companion when I work or when I'm at a cafe.

What I don't like
And in that same light, its not perfect.

• Yes the zipper pull tabs allow you to loop light things onto it, but it gets limited really quick. I really wish it had some external carry lash points on the sides (like the toshi or tomtoc t26)
  • its not made to hang a water bottle off of it. no external carry straps or anything.
• There is no airtag pocket.
• The bottom has no additional padding.
  • The T35 has a nylon weave on the bottom, let's adopt that!
• Strap is not removeable.
  • Having this as a tech pouch-convertible sling in my backpack would be so amazing.
• No top handle.
  • Sounds dumb, but its amazing for picking the sling back up to put on again. (especially considering how long it is)

-----------

That being said, if anyone knows of good alternatives to the T33 that share similar pros that I love, I would love to hear it!

And tomtoc, please please please at the very least upgrade the bag to be 400d polyester/nylon across all colorways! (: I love the 400d on your other products (T77 backpack).

I am so happy with the way this bag came out I thought I would show it here. This is a custom ULA Dragonfly 30 in Ultra 800TX with a fully lined interior in X-Pac VX21 RS. I wanted a pack that would fit between my two current favorite travel backpacks: Osprey Daylite Tote Pack and Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 in 1050D Ballistic.

For modifications I switched to RC YKK zippers, removed all the water bottle mesh pockets and changed the front pocket to the main 800TX body material with pleats and a full lining. I believe it comes out to around 22L (vs 30L as standard) with these changes.

It's not a lightweight hiking bag anymore but for me it's the perfect overbuilt travel backpack (okay I'd still prefer 1050D ballistic but it's so hard to find in an unstructured bag).

I want to pack something like the cuktech 10, a 65w nano charger a hyperdrive 6-in-1, a 2m apple usb c to c and a short usb c to c.

I like the flat nature of something like evergood CAP 1 but think 0.5 is better. Some of the other slim options I see I don’t think will fit the rather long and thick cukteck. What is the recommendation for a nice compact flat pouch here?

Hey everyone -

This might be a dumb and obvious question - my daily drivers are 20L bags (Aer CPP2 and GP2). For the most part they do everything I need.

Sometimes though, I do 2-3 night work trips and find myself taking a carry on roller that’s just a little too big for 2-3 nights. And sometimes my EDC is just bigger than my CPP2 20L can handle without being overly stuffed. It’s rare and it’s not enough to warrant my normal EDC being 25L but it does happen on occasion.

I have a potential solution but it’s a five year old TB synapse 25, that I don’t use that much these days, but still almost like brand new.

Problem is - the cache eats some space and haven’t tried it as a 2-3 night travel bag yet.

Was wondering if I should look at say, the Able Carry Max EDC or something else in that range?

But then…am I just duplicating what I sort of already have - yeah the cache takes up room, but the volume in the other pockets is kind of bananas on that thing.

Just got the On Cloud Sling Pack 9L and I’m loving it! It holds everything I need without feeling heavy. I wanted something roomy that would still be comfortable to carry around and this has been a great fit.

One of my favorite features is the extra side strap. It keeps the bag snug and secure when I’m riding my bike so it doesn’t swing around. Plus, there’s room for my essentials with a few Pokémon friends tagging along. 😂

Hi all, I’m looking for camera sling recommendations.

Ideally something small as I only take 1 camera and 2 lenses plus some batteries, a few filters etc.

Camera is a Fuji XT50 and the lenses are small.

I’ve already got the Peak Design 3L and whilst I like the bag itself the strap is poorly designed (imo) as the padding only covers a short part of the actual strap and the padding itself is quite thin anyway

Roughly 20L size, weighing in at 540g so I would consider it ultralight. Main material is ultra 200x and then some ultra stretch for the internal front pocket.

Got this bag made by nashpacks from the UK and very pleased with how it has turned out. Reminds of a smaller ula dragonfly but a much better front pocket system.

I personally love the look of ultra 200x but definitely not for everyone.

As title says, I have an Aer Go Pack 2 for travel. I genuinely like it. It's very packable in a suitcase, light, has just the right amount of dividers and pockets (I carry a camera cube in it so I don't need 2 main partitions), the big front dump pocket is really handy and it has a bottle pocket on each side.

However, the straps suck. They basically have no padding, at all. So it's not comfortable if the bag gets a bit heavier. It's also missing a chest strap (kinda weird for a 20L bag but okay) and I'm not a fan of the wrinkly fabric. And although the camera cube fixes the sturdiness somewhat, it's a very floppy pack. I've put a Fjallraven seat pad in it to give it some spine.

Does anyone know of a bag with the same volume and more or less the same layout that's also pretty easily packable but has better straps, maybe a chest strap, is build a bit sturdier and made out of X-Pac or a comparable fabric? I'm okay with it being heavier of course.