I was looking for a bag to take with me everyday, for work trips, and for domestic and international travel, to start travelling with carry on capacity only. I am so very impressed with this bag! Things I love: The material feels sturdy, it is well constructed and is not at all flimsy. The square feel of the bag helps to fit everything in very nicely. The 21L capacity is less than 1/2 the size of my regular travel backpack (50L) but it fits so much in there. I've done a pack for a multi-week holiday and managed to fit everything I need. I'll also leave a review of the new compression cubes (AMAZING). The chest strap helps to redistribute some of the weight off your back. (A waist strap on v3 would be absolutely perfect but we are going down to serious travel business there). It's also a really innovative design; nothing that I have seen before, but very easy to use and so far strong enough. The USB-C retractable cable (and iPhone port converter) is perfect to charge my phone on the go/ while I'm taking hundreds of photos. I can also squeeze my phone into that pocket to charge handsfree. The packing cubes lay flat in the bottom of the bag, so you can stand them or lay them, depending on your packing needs. The front pockets with their quirky side facing pockets. I wasn't sure to start with, but when it's on my back, they make for really easy access to my things. The magnetic zip lock. Absolute genius! I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this funny bit helps to keep the zip in place, and will deter theft. I can also put my combination code padlock in there for extra security, which is great for overhead plane bins, when sleeping in a dorm, and for walking in some dodgy towns. The front pocket is actually two pockets. A little confusing, but both have space to store even more things! The hidden back pocket is a great size. Much larger than the previous version of this bag, I can store my passport, travel documents, photocopies, and anything else I need to keep safe. I don't generally carry a wallet, so the addition of the RFID card holders in the charging pocket is great for me. That zip also faces toward the back of the bag, so I don't feel too unsafe with them in that pocket. Some card slots in the back pocket would also be a nice addition though. Multiple pockets inside the main compartment. When the compression cubes are in there, these are less accessible, but for everyday use, these give me the organisation I need, without being overwhelming. There is a nice balance of open and zippered pockets to keep everything safe. Delivery to my house in rural NSW, Australia was only 6 days after purchase. I cannot be happier with that! Things I could learn to love: The zips are a little sticky. But with more use they could loosen up. There is only one zip for the main compartment. This is due to the new locking feature but I will need to get used to that. I have a fantastic Anker powerbank. This will definitely not fit in the charging pocket. I could get a smaller powerbank for the bag, but when taking it on my off-grid adventures, I would need to take the Anker as well. I personally would prefer the padded part of the shoulder straps to extend a little longer. That said, if I wore it properly on my shoulders and not let it hang they do provide adequate comfort. It does look a little bulky. I'm 5'6" and it definitely covers all of my back. If you're smaller than me, you would likely get lost under all that baggage. All in all, I am super impressed with my purchase!
