I've had the Cambiata for about a month now. I use it for work. I specifically bought it because I needed something that would fit a freezable lunch bag that I have but also my work gear and a laptop.

The Cambiata works perfectly. I had one of those backpacks with a cooler on the bottom. But with my gear in the top, it was hard to get stuff in and out of the cooler part. With the Cambiata, I can fit my gear in the bottom and the freezable lunch bag fits perfectly on top.

The laptop compartment is also an improvement. The backpack cooler had the straps over the laptop sleeve so they were in the way when moving the laptop in or out. Plus it did not have a zipper on it like the Cambiata.

I love that I can switch to using it as a crossbody carry as well. The strap that came with it is not bad, but I think I will definitely will be ordering an Absolute strap the next time I order from Tom Bihn.

The pockets are great too. I can fit my work badge and keys in the top pocket. My 18oz water bottle fits in the water bottle pocket easily. It does push into the bag but I can still fit everything in there anyway.

So, when I purchased the Cambria, I was hoping for something to replace my Co-Pilot. My Co-Pilot had been my work bag since 2019 (2nd pic are all the items I typically carried in my Co-Pilot).

But fall 2021, in addition to being an office manager, I took up part-time teaching High School Science which meant I was having to haul around my Co-Pilot & another bag. I felt like a pack mule. I wanted to condense the two bags for the 2022 school year, specifically into one bag that I could wear evenly on my back.

I was hoping the Cambria would be that bag.

It was not.

My laptop and ALL my file folders for my work as an office manager are carried in "landscape" orientation and turning my file folders to be carried "portrait" orientation quickly turned into a disaster. It was disappointing to say the least.

The Cambria however does EASILY fit ALL the books I carry for teaching every single day, which is nice.

Pros:

1. I'm able to easily see my books & grab what I need for that period & then slide them back in without fighting the bag;

2. There is PLENTY of room at the top to place my lunch, my Side Effect, my computer's power cord (I just hand carry my computer for now, although I did squeeze my laptop in that main compartment with my books when it was raining outside);

3. Mesh inner flap pocket - Incredibly useful & doesn't not interfere with the items I pile on top of my books.

4. I have been using the Cambria daily since Sep 22 -- it's holding up well to the daily…

Our Cambiata has been setup. I like the lower center of gravity compared to the shoulder straps over the handles method of mounting the Synapse 19 it's replacing. It should make transfers easier. It seems easy enough to mount and un mount and I don’t think I’ll kick it too much, but time will tell!

Inside there’s a half size eagle creek cube with a fleece and a change of cloths across the bottom, a quarter size first aid kit, a pack of wipes, a smock, contractor bag (leg poncho), and my fully loaded medium cafe bag. Without that, there’s plenty of room for a bit of errands, or her dry bag / stick blender/ bottle kit for blending on the road.