I bought this backpack because I wanted a new EDC for work, but then I started thinking about using it for short trips too--something that would work as a personal item bag, rather than the carry-on size of my Techonaut 30 (which I've fit under my plane seat several times). So I've been waiting to take a trip before reviewing the backpack.
As a travel bag (first picture), I have no complaints. I took this backpack as my only bag on a three-day, two-night trip and it fit everything I needed to with plenty of room to spare, including the box of LEGO I impulse bought at the airport on the way home, all while fitting under my airplane seat.
As a bag for work (second picture), it's nearly perfect for my needs but not quite. I wanted a small backpack that would fit all my work necessities and also be something I could take with me into the baseball stadium or the theatre--something that meets the bag-size specifications of those places. And this bag does! I love that there's a place for everything I carry: tech bag (including a mouse), glasses, sunglasses, wallet, water bottle, laptop, over-ear headphones, notebook, snacks, and a sweater. And it's comfortable to carry.
But it isn't the perfect work bag for me because my laptop doesn't fit in the laptop compartment, which means I'm putting my laptop into the main compartment in a protective sleeve. This is not Tom Bihn's fault. I failed to measure my laptop (a work-issued 14" Lenovo ThinkPad), assuming it was 13" and it…