Thanks a lot for your honest review. I really like what you are doing here - no fuzz, straight to the point with good knowledge and a bag collection coming close to an addiction. This new size was specially made for one bag travelers with shorter backs since we found that many of the existing ones (including our 34L version) had a back length that just didn't fit right on many smaller people. That said the EDC use of that size was more like a side effect to this but never a priority while designing. Btw. the new Dyecoshell outer fabric is made from 100% nylon and the lining from dope dyed polyester. Keep up the good work!
Hi Moritz - thank you for this comment. I always love hearing from the creators of bags! Firstly, thank you for sharing about your objectives when designing the smaller size of the Transit pack - I hadn't even considered that this bag would be much better suited to folks with shorter backs or smaller frames though it seems so obvious once you mentioned it! I'll pin your comment so other viewers can see this :) Secondly, thanks for clarifying the nature of the Dycoshell material - one of the things I like about Heimplanet is the use of slightly unusual materials like this - high tech but still soft-feeling to the touch. Thirdly, a question - what were some of the design considerations that lead your team to go with the reverse clamshell (if that's the right term?) loading style for the transit travel pack series (as opposed to a more traditional clamshell like on the Monolith series)? As I was using this bag (and the previous generation) I theorized as to a few potential advantages (could potentially be easier to pack in a sense that both "halves" of the bag could be simultaneously packed, theoretically possible to independently compress just the main capacity front of the bag whilst still leaving unhindered access to the laptop half, potentially able to pass through airline security without removing laptop from holder) but would love to hear your thoughts on how the team approached this. And please keep up the good work on your side as well - I think Heimplanet is making some of the more interesting (especially in terms of aesthetics/details) bags in the mainstream carry world these days! (Tents too, but that's a different topic :) )
@@TheMountainborn Hey Mountainborn, thanks for the warm welcome. The 28 version is not made solely for shorter people though. The shape and orientation of the shoulder strap padding is almost identical - we just took about 10mm from the padding length and cut 3mm(!) around the edge of the whole padding to make it a tat narrower as well. Those tiny adjustments + the shorter overall back length already helps a lot to improve the fit for the smaller ones among us while it also fits my back (6'3"). You pretty much nailed it with the main reason for us to go for a reverse clam shell (I think you just established a new term). We wanted to have the main volume separated from all your tech gear and other items you normally need on the go so you never need to mess up your well packed main compartment. And for the few moments where you need to you can access it through the outer zipper as well which also doubles as the main access when you have the divider stored away for max. capacity. But your conclusion in the video is correct, we had to sacrifice a bit of the max. capacity for these properties but we think it's worth it. FYI - I guarantee that we'll do a classic clam shell opening pack again ;-) Cheers, Moritz
@redline102 Hey Redline, some time ago, we launched the Transit Line Daypack. It has a traditional full clamshell opening but is quite a bit smaller in size than the Monolith Daypack. The next production of the Travelpack 28 will be very similar to the current version, but we are working on some fine fabric updates. Cheers
@@moritzgrebe7894 Hey Moritz, thanks for the response. The 34L I find is the perfect size for my use case. Just wondering if there’s any planned design updates on that size? If it’s more changes to the materials then Any timeline for a V3? You guys are underrated in the bag game, loving every iteration you guys come out with! Thanks again for your replies!
This is a very good review. Far more detail than most and really nails the downsides of reverse clamshell. I was keen to buy this bag despite having been burned by the reverse clamshell of Minaal (which I sold). Thanks for steering me more to the transit.
My pleasure - I'm glad it was helpful! Out of curiosity, did you end up getting the Transit pack? Surprisingly, I haven't a full review of the Bellroy Transit travel pack yet but I just released a review of the Bellroy Transit Workpack and in it I did a brief comparison with a loaded-out Transit travel pack 28L which you may find useful if you're still deciding!
I'm torn between the two packs. Heimplanet straps looks really comfortable and load lifts ❤️ and I like the fact that there's attachment loops for a hip belt if there's a need to use them. But again Bellroy's organization & capacity is much more usable. Bellroy is also lighter than Heimplanet. But no attachment points for a hip belt ☹️ I'm 5'3 so having the option of waist strap is important especially when I'm walking around all day with a heavy pack.
I feel your pain my friend! Just to confirm, are you comparing the Heimplanet Transit Travel Pack 28L against the Bellroy Transit Pack 28L? I'm a fan of both of these bags, but for the OBT (One Bag Travel) use case, I generally prefer the Bellroy Transit pack over the Heimplanet - I think your assessments of the relative strengths/weaknesses of the the two bags is spot on but for me the traditional clamshell opening + superior organization (and superior space usage IMO) of the Bellroy is what tips it towards the winning slot for me. WRT lack of waist belt on the Bellroy - how much weight are you carrying? Is there a possibility you can reduce some of the weight (happy to give suggestions if you'd like) to enable you to more comfortably carry without needing a waist belt? Assuming you haven't done too much optimization to date, you likely can shave a couple of kilograms without too much effort (carrying less clothes and just doing laundry more, carrying more all-in-one charging devices, smaller Dopp kits, etc.) and that can make a huge difference between needing a waist belt and not, especially at the sub-30L bag size. Just in case, there is also a somewhat larger Bellroy Transit Plus 38L (though larger than the 28L version it also doesn't feel/visually print nearly as large as many other 40L ish max capacity type bags) that has a built in waist belt. I think thought it might be too tall for you depending your torso length, but just thought I'd mention.
@@TheMountainborn I haven't done much traveling lately but last time I've done OBT had my Arcido Akra with me and that's a 35L pack and it weighs around 1.2kg when empty . A nice travel back but a little tall for my torso. My weight load is around 5-6kg depending on the season. I typically bring my camera equipment when I travel (Fujifilm E-3 + 2 lenses & Ricoh GR3) and I'd say the bulk of that weight comes from my camera gear. I tend travel with 1 medium Engle Creek packing cube and that's pretty much everything I need for 7-10 days. For summertime it would mean 3-4 shirts, 1 pair of trousers and other knick knacks. If I measured correctly torso is around 16.5' so definitely on the smaller side. I'm petite and have narrow shoulders. So they tire easily so that's why l like to have the option of adding a waist strap to take the load of my back at some point. Dimensions wise Heimplanet's dimensions are spot on but I've heard it feels much smaller than Bellroy's packing capacity 🤔 and I do love Bellroy's organization...
I'm really torn between this and the Bellroy 28l transit - you said the Bellroy is superior and I find that extremely helpful. I have the 40l monolith for my actual travel use, this bag will be my daily cycling commute bag, 45min ride each way. A full change of clothes, towel, shoes (I use cycling shoes with cleats for riding) Dopp kit, tech kit (Modern Dayfarer tech kit) plus another TomToc pouch for charger, 15" laptop, external keyboard and water bottle (crucial) - probably my kindle or 10" tablet too. I had the Aer Duffle pack 2 which although great organization got too tight for practical use once loaded with all that. My concerns once capacity is covered are a) which do you think is more weather resistant? I feel Bellroy for this and b) will hug my back and be more stable when riding? This is surely Heimplanet with their harness and waist belt... PS I already own the Evergoods CPL24 vers.1 (wish I had the vers.2 as it directly addresses the gripes I have) This is perfect in summer when my clothing consists of shorts, t-shirts, and some thin summer shoes but winter means hoody, jeans, and boots... Which the CPL24 simply won't accommodate (yes I have thought about the CPL28 but I want to mix it up and I love both of these bags)
Hi Dean! Those are great questions. First, one brief thought about capacity - so as I was reading your carry list in my head I was ticking off if it would fit in the Bellroy Transit "yup, yup, yup - hmmm, shoes.. .." So I think a lot depends on how big / chunky your shoes are because as I'm sure you know shoes can take up a ton of space in any bag. I think for normal low-rise shoes (as opposed to boots or high-tops I mean) I think it should probably be fine but if you need to carry some big chunky shoes you might find capacity in either of these bags a bit tight. (For reference, if you watch my Heimplanet Monolith Daypack video (not the travel pack video) you can see what I usually carry in my one bag travel load out which includes a pair of Nike running shoes + workout clothes in a small shoe pouch and those fit along with everything else in the Bellroy Transit if that helps?) Then again you did mention you fit everything in the Aer Duffle pack (albeit it was tight) and it's been my experience I can fit a fair more (depending on shape) in the Transit 28L than the Duffle pack so maybe it's fine :) If you let me know what kind of shoes (you mentioned boots in winter) you're thinking of carrying I can try to find if I have something similar and do a test pack with all the things you mentioned above and let you know if it fits? So on to your questions! Q1. For weather resistance I think I'm going to give the edge to the Bellroy Transit with the important caveat that I haven't fully tested either of these in pouring rain. With the Bellroy Transit it did survive a week in a Swiss mountain town in the winter (i.e. a ton of snow which melted when I ducked indoors, then more snow, back indoors melt to water, back outdoors etc.) as well as some light rain in the city. For the Heimplanet Transit same thing - some light rain, but nothing like the typhoon that is actually hitting my city as I type this right now :) However, based on the material and zipper choice and my instinct based on years of carry experience etc. I'm going to give the slight edge to the Bellroy as long as you keep the fact that I haven't really put either through the full on wringer of a 45 minute rain soaked commute :) Q2. Stability - yes, I'm going to agree with you on going with the Heimplanet as the winner in this respect. Yes the waistbelt (really suited more for stabilization as opposed to load carriage in my opinion but stability is exactly what you're looking for here) but also I found the shoulder straps to be superior on the Heimplanet - I still favour the Bellroy Transit 28L overall but the shoulder straps (and load stability thanks to the firmer frame sheet and load lifters) are better on the Heimplanet in my opinion especially in the case where you want to "lock things in" (i.e. during a bike commute) The Bellroy transit does have a little curve in the back that hugs into the lumbar portion of your back as opposed to the somewhat flatter profile of the Heimplanet - despite this I'd still go with the Heimplanet overall for load stability especially looking at the load you're thinking about carrying. > Which the CPL24 simply won't accommodate (yes I have thought about the CPL28 but I want to mix it up and I love both of these bags) I totally understand! I just got my CPL28 in the mail the other day and bought it exactly for the reasons you mentioned - love love love the CPL24 v1 but was finding it juuuust a bit too tight for some loadouts where I'm carrying the kitchen sink and shoes 😂
Amazing Review and very in depth like your other reviews, its amazing that you go into so much detail and I love this!!!! 7:00 - is this something that you believe could affect the quality of the bag say in like 2years? the fuzzy/piling stuff etc? Usually with a hoodie etc when it rubs and creates the fuzzies the fabric starts getting thinner so was just wondering if this is the same. I really do love having everything in all black( clothes, tech, shoes, literally everything) but does the castlerock colour do a better job of hiding the dirt/scratches etc. I know this video was a while ago so any update on how its held up regarding these factors? Think i might be going with this bag as i originally wanted the Able Carry Max but dont want to risk it due to airline size requirements and this bag comes very close with the laptop protection and tech organization, The Belroy kinda gets out of my budget after calculating shipping costs to the UK etc
Hello again PortuguesePirate99!! (Your comments always stand out when I'm replying to people because of your awesome username 😂 ) Great question. So two caveats: 1. There hasn't been any noticeable damage or wear to the extent you described (I understand what you mean about fabric that wears/rubs over time eventually getting thinner) to date 2. I also don't use this bag as much as I used to (nothing against it, just my loadouts have grown a lot lighter and changed a bit due to the whole COVID situation and its impact on how people travel) and I wouldn't say I'm really torturing the bag so much when I do wear it (i.e. fairly straightforward point to point travel with some light urban EDC as opposed to hiking around Iceland for 3 weeks with this as my only bag) That having been said, I do still sometimes use it and it has held up fine. The fuzziness I notice from time to time but there is nothing that I would say constitutes structural damage. But my personal perspective, based on use and experience is that the fabric is absolutely not as hard wearing as some other options out on the market, so if you're really looking to beat the heck out of your bag, I do see this fabric giving out before some other options. However, for most normal use, I see this bag will hold up very very well for many years and as you noted, there are some positives to this fabric choice (i.e. it's interesting, has a nice "hand feel" as opposed to more technical, artificial feeling fabrics, it hides dirt/scratches better, etc.) You mentioned the Able Carry Max which is another solid pack - I agree with your reservations on size, the Able Carry is a bit of a larger bag especially for many EU carriers which tend to be stricter than their US counterparts on sizing/weight. I would say that the Able Carry Max is probably a more robust bag overall and will likely hold up better than the Heimplanet structurally in more rugged scenarios although the X-Pac may show some scratches and superficial wear in a more readily-apparent manner. But again, I think you'd need to be really putting some heavy wear on the bag to notice any difference - for any kind of relatively civilised travel + EDC I am sure the Heimplanet will hold up well, as it has for me. Given what you mentioned about the cost of getting the Bellroy to the UK, then I think you will be pleased with the Heimplanet as it seems to tick all your boxes and I don't believe concerns about long term durability should be a blocker (again unless you're planning to beat the heck out of this bag). I hope this helps, my Pirate-y friend!
@@TheMountainborn Bro thank you so much!!!! The fact that you actually reply and give detail like this when almost all other creators pretty much never see the comments few weeks after its posted is amazing so THANK YOU! Just another quick question- what colour do you think works best to hide fuzziness/dirt/scratches.. the black or the castlerock(grey)? And thank you for your kind words bout my username😂 alot of people do seem to like it haha. My real last name which i love and ive got tattooed on my forearm is also a real crowd pleaser and everyone asks questions about it haha (cant share that in the comments section obvs)😂😂
For sure! I love the positivity of comments on bag and EDC review videos - it's like one of the few positive happy places left on the internet so I definitely want to keep that thriving by replying back to fellow carry enthusiasts! 😂 So regarding your question - I think it depends on which conditions you see your bag being exposed to more. First, thinking about non-fuzzy things that stand out differently by the colour scheme: Grey will do better at hiding things like pet hair (save maybe jet black hair - maybe one has a pet puma?), dust and white marks from dragging on carpets/brushing up against concrete walls etc. commonly encountered in urban environments better than black. Black, on the other hand I think will handle straight up spills and stains better - i.e. coffee, black oil marks if you accidentally lean your bag up against a car tire while tying your shoe (hey, it happens), set the bag down on a dirty puddle etc. I generally consider these kinds of stains more permanent and harder to remove than dust/pet hair (which can be brushed away) so I usually go with all black for travel/EDC (as you can see by all the black bags I review 😂 - I also just like the colour) However, in terms of fuzziness, I feel the Castlerock grey does a better job of hiding the "fuzziness" since the pattern is slightly lighter and has a mix of black/grey that helps camouflage any fuzziness (it tends to blend in, in my opinion). So if fuzziness is a key concern, go with grey. Otherwise, I would (personally) go with black, but as mentioned, I'm kind of biased haha I hope this helps!!
@@TheMountainborn I'd love to see some reviews for bags available in Oceania - so many bag channels just review things you can only really get or try out in America. Belroy, Osprey, Katmandu - travel bags?
Sure thing Eliot! You're right - a lot of bag channels tend to focus pretty heavily on North American-centric products (one of the things I enjoy about Heimplanet is their slightly different asthetic and design - I'm not sure if that's related to their European roots or not, but I personally love it and find it different than what a lot of the US-based manufacturers are doing) That having been said, Bellroy bags are some of my favourite and I have a few videos of their products coming up (I do have a review of the Bellroy Weekender on the channel a few weeks back). I've never used a Kathmandu travel bag before but will check them out, as well as see about reviewing the one Osprey I do own (a Transporter 40).
thanks for yet another fantastic review! would love to know your recommendation for a EDC backpack 24-28l clamshell with side water bottle pocket and side handle?
Thank you my friend! I don't remember the exact model name (I think they don't make this particular model anymore) but generally I keep my lenses in generic "soft lens cases" - there are tons of generic manufacturers of this on Amazon etc. The ones I generally use are made by a company called Hakuba (not sure the availability in the US - search something like "Hakuba Soft Lens Pouch") and are available in many different sizes depending on the lenses you want to carry. I like carry my lenses in these kind of solutions because it allows me to minimise uneccessary bulk/weight whilst still protecting my lens well. Here is a link to a similar model on Amazon: amzn.to/3Hpu0hq I hope this helps!
Hi Derek - me too! I have pretty high hopes for the CPL28 in this same goldilocks travel bag use case. Just anxiously waiting alongside everyone else for the first batch of pre-orders to ship! :)
Hey! I was actually sure to get this backpack as and edc/work backpack, but after seeing your video im not that sure anymore. I work as a teacher and need some organisation for my tablet, pens and some other stuff like books. Im also a Sportsteacher, so I need some space for my shoes and clothes to change. I don't want a bag with looks too tactical, that's why I like this one so much. Its also easy for me to get because I live in Germany and don't have to pay any taxes like for the most good backpacks which are very often sold from the USA or HongKong. Would you say this backpack won't work for my needs? What other backpacks could I look for?
Hi E. Pog! Great question. So while I do feel like this bag works as an EDC bag, as I mentioned in the video, I feel like it's a "travel bag first that will work as an occasional EDC bag at your travel destination" as opposed to "an EDC bag first that will occasional travel bag". Based on what you described, I suspect that you may be better served with bags that fall into the latter category than the former category (or maybe even - you might not even need a travel bag at all, just a really good solid EDC work/commuter pack). First, let me set aside the geographic consideration for a moment and recommend a few packs that you might want to look into for your needs. * *Aer Duffle Pack v3* - This bag is made exactly for a combination of work/commute + gym and has some pretty solid organization for both. This seems to fit exactly what your described use case is as a sports teacher. I did a full video review of this recently on my channel in case you're interested → th-cam.com/video/PhsMzCG7Eg8/w-d-xo.html * *Bellroy Transit Workpack* - This bag is one of my favourite overall EDC work/commuter packs - it has a really nice amount of organisation and should work quite well for all the things you need as a teacher - but on top of that it has a really nice big open main compartment that will easily swallow a bunch of clothes/shoes/gym stuff. Note - the Transit *Workpack* is different than the Transit *Travel* pack I showed at the end of this (Heimplanet) video - they are similar but also different. I did a full video review of the *workpack* on my channel as well → th-cam.com/video/zsJe8q3IP8U/w-d-xo.html * *Evergoods CPL24/28 v2* - This is also one of my favourite overall EDC/commuter packs. I haven't done a review of this bag yet but I have used different versions of this pack for years at this point and it remains one my favourites. One thing to note is that while it has amazing materials/build quality, super comfortable straps and great organisation, the main compartment, while a decent size, may or may not be able to contain everything you need as a sports teacher - I don't know your exact loadout so it's hard to say for sure. I think a pair of regular training shoes and a change of clothes should fit even in the 24L but if you are carrying bulkier stuff than that it might not. Now, the three bags above I think are all really solid choices, and I'm fairly confident the first two in particular should warrant consideration for your exact use case. If we now re-introduce the geographic consideration (being based in Germany and having easy access to Heimplanet gear) then maybe one other bag might want to consider is: * *Heimplanet Monolith Daypack* - This bag is simpler and cheaper than the Heimplanet Transit Travel pack, but it might be better suited to your state use cases. It has a very large single main capacity that should easily carry your sportswear/shoes etc. while having decent - although not amazing - organisation that makes it usable for EDC/commuter use (there are pouches you can optionally mount to it to increase the organisation though I find those a little fussy). It also has an included removable shoulder strap for briefcase style carry (could be attractive for the gym use case i.e. like a small duffle). The main upsides over the Heimplanet transit pack are, in my opinion - a simpler design that gets rid of a lot of the more travel-oriented features you really don't need for your use case (and which will be fussy - i.e. load lifters, etc.), a much friendlier standard clamshell loading (versus the fussy reverse-clamshell of the Transit travel pack), a lighter weight and cheaper price. The main downsides are going to be - slightly cheaper construction (though quite robust in my opinion - mine has gone all over the world as my one bag travel pack in the past and is still going strong) and less organisation - i.e. laptop compartment is mounted internally, though there is a side pass through zipper for easy access. I did a full review of this bag a couple of years ago on my channel → th-cam.com/video/5rmDA66zGLY/w-d-xo.html Whew! Okay I hope that some of this was helpful. Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions!
@@TheMountainborn thx for the great answer! At the moment Im actually considering to get the Bellroy transit backpack (28l). Sadly its nowhere available in black color. What do you think of the black ember forge for the use that I described?
Have you tried out the Heimplanet Monolith Rucksack (45L). It's labeled as 45L, but actually with a fairly okey size with separate shoe department (designed for sleep bag etc, but works well for workout stuffs in your case). It will be interesting to see your comments on that.
Hi Spike! Thanks for the recommendation! To be honest, I haven't tried that particular bag - I have seen it in the past but remember thinking that it probably wouldn't be a good match for me and my general preference in bags / type of travel I usually do (in general it seems much more of an outdoor / adventure travel type of bag, but I have proper hiking/camping packs that I would usually take in such a scenario - also I usually don't like top drawstring type bags for anything other than a hiking scenario). What about you - do you own this bag? If so, how has it been working for you?
The Mountainborn totally makes sense! I got it when it’s on sale on their website, such a good value in that sense... didn’t get many chances to use it yet due to this crazy pandemic, but it’s definitely interesting comparing to monolith daypack (BTW, I am also a big fan of it, finding that it’s very balanced in an unique way). The first impression is that its volume seems like smaller than usual 45L, but may fit as a travel bag when removing the big hip belt... It’s still fairly tight but may expand up to provide more volumes when needed... I remembered that last time we went to Tokyo, extra volume is never enough :) Also, its hiking type of back panel also make me wondering if that will make back sweating problem better... that almost becomes my biggest complain for most of those popular tactical tough bags (I used GR2 for like 3 years) it just feels like a burden eventually
That makes sense - thank you so much for sharing your impressions! And I understand what you mean about the back sweat issue - I kind of fall into the camp that just accepts that back sweat as the inevitable, inescapable unpleasant gremlin of one bag travel 😅 but definitely some bags do better at handling it than others (the GR series definitely being one of the sweatier ones!)
Looking my edc bag in range 22-24l. Any recommendations? 😉 If i understood correctly in the begging of video you do not recommend this as edc bag. Ps. Interested in Bellroy Dopp kit. Where i can find video about this?
Hi KraKra! Yes that's right, this is intended primarily as a travel bag that can do some limited EDC use at the destination, but it's not intended as a full-time EDC use bag. As for my recommendations for a 22-24L EDC bag, there are several I recommend, but it partially depends on your requirements and what you're looking to carry in it. Can you share with me what you're thinking to carry in the bag and any requirements you might have? (must have water bottle, or should be clamshell, etc.) Off the top of my head, some backpacks that have seen rotation as my EDC carry include: - Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24 (if I had to pick only one EDC bag, this would probably be it) - Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22 - Aer Daypack - Able Carry Daily Backpack - Bellroy Backpack Plus - Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 - GoRuck GR1 21L (slick version) - Rofmia Shift Daypack v2 (note: quite expensive) - The Northface Access 02 - Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L Regarding the Bellroy Dopp kit - actually I haven't done a video about it yet (I'm planning a pouch special soon!) but here's a couple videos on other carry channels: Rushfaster: th-cam.com/video/91KNCEpxA30/w-d-xo.html PackHacker: th-cam.com/video/LX2UvCN_JAU/w-d-xo.html Between the two I find the Rushfaster video more useful since they actually show you how things fit in there.
@@TheMountainborn : thank you for update. I must say you are really doing great job by presenting us a backpacks. Really something refreshing on a scene compare to others. Keep going! Regarding EDC recomendation. If you have to pick between Bellroy Classic Plus, Able Carry Daily Backpack (maybe a little to small for my needy, i had Classic V2 and it was to small), Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22, Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 which one would you pick?
Thank you! In my personal experience I found that I could fit a few more/slightly larger items into the Bellroy Transit pack (28L) than the Heimplanet Transit due to the fact that most of the volume in the former lies in a single large capacity as opposed to being split into a reverse clamshell design, and I found there seemed to be more capacity to "expand" in how the Bellroy is structured. I just recently reviewed the Bellroy Workpack, and if you watch that video early on I do a quick comparison against the Bellroy Travel pack and in that you can see how much I have loaded out in there for a sense.
@@TheMountainborngreat review man! Really impressed by pretty much all your bag reviews. You may have not used the Heimplanet in some time, but how would you rank the main compartment capacity in these 3 bags: - Heimplanet 34L - Evergoods CTB26 - Bellroy Transit 28 Thanks!
Hi Tsukuyomi! It's a generic neoprene camera case. I believe the one I showed in the video is made by Hakuba but is likely only available in Japan. If you search for "neoprene camera case" or "neoprene camera case Sony a6600" you should be able to find a variety of similar cases in your local retailers/amazon etc. Good luck!
Hi ognsqksi! Well, I haven't been a college student for a while, but that having been said... assuming what college students today carry isn't too different from a few years ago, I honestly don't know if this bag is the best choice. My main concern centers around the reverse clamshell style opening. While I think it offers some benefits in the travel use case and can be tolerable in the EDC use case, I think it would be a significant usability impediment in a case where you need to constantly be getting in and out of the bag with things like textbooks/notebooks, maybe a jacket/sweater when walking around campus etc. Additionally, assuming you will be using your laptop/tablet fairly regularly throughout the day, the lack of an externally accessible laptop compartment would likely also be annoying. Finally, as I point out in the video, this bag has a fairly stiff frame sheet and a curved bottom that means it doesn't stand up on its own and additionally also tends to "slide down" even when propped up against a chair/wall/desk. I think this would be pretty annoying if say, you're sitting in class in those tiny desks and try to prop the bag up next to you while taking notes/listening to a lecture - it would slide down and fall on the floor due to the construction. Don't get me wrong, I think the Heimplanet Transit pack is a good small one bag travel/destination use EDC bag, but I personally think there are better options for college students and their needs, primarily due to the need to constantly get in and out of the bag. (Again with the disclosure that I haven't been a college student for a while).
@@TheMountainborn Big thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. On top of great reviews, you responses are very insightful. I wish you all the best with your channel. We are looking at the bags you are recommending, and we added the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip. This later one seems more like a camera bag, but I like it that it has top and side access and that it can be subdivided a few different ways so probably a good candidate for college. I hope the quality is good. Once again many thanks, all the best with your channel and keep up the great reviews; you produce really good quality work.
My Evergoods CPL28L V2 just arrived the other day (hooray!) so I've been anxiously watching for the MPL30 v2 delivery! They shipped at the same time so fingers crossed :) I will definitely do reviews of both of these - the 28L V2 I'm actually using right now and am planning on the MPL30 V2 next!
Great suggestion! You know, I love how this one looks but was pretty sure it wouldn't fit with my normal EDC style (I don't generally favour rolltops as much) buuuuuuut I might just pick one up out of curiosity. I'll comment back on this if I do end up doing a review of it!
Good review. Only nitpick is you complained about dangling of the load lifter straps even through there is literally a hypalon loop right at the end of the strap you just didn't use which I've seen other reviewers do.
Thanks Eric! And good call out. I didn't mention it in this video, but the main issue I found with those hypalon loops is that they don't actually "manage" the dangle, they just redirect it a little closer towards your face :) (assuming you pass the strap excess through once). Conversely, if you pass the strap excess through once, then double it back and tuck it under, it does "sort of" manage the dangle, but in a very precarious way in my experience - I found with movement it would slip back out quickly and it looked kind of hacky (in my opinion). Based on that I began to wonder if that loop was seriously intended as strap management or more for aesthetics - in either case, at least for me, I didn't find it very effective. As I mentioned in my video though, I don't think the load lifter dangle is a huge deal at all, I thought overall they were fairly well designed and additionally given how much (I personally) adjust the load lifters throughout the day as I transition the bag from worn to stowed, I found the easy access to the full length of the straps useful enough that the small aesthetic detraction was worth it. However, it's good to know that other people are using that loop for strap stowage! Do you know which reviewer it was so I can see how they did it? Maybe my technique was just off and I need to give it another go :)
Hi Etienne! My thought would be that it probably depends on three things: 1. How are you defining "Backpacking"? i.e. "backpacking through europe" (i.e. one-bag type urban travel on trains, planes and buses) or "hiking through the mountains" type of backpacking? 2. Your back length (and your overall size to a certain extent) - there is a comment by one of the designers of this bag who mentioned that accommodating different back lengths was one of the motivating factors behind creating a second size of this bag. 3. How tightly dialed your kit is - i.e. if you have a lot of stuff or bulkier stuff. Looking at it from this perspective 1. If outdoor hiking type of backpacking, honestly I don't think either size is the best choice for that - I don't think this bag is ideally set up for that type of thing. But if you had to pick, I guess that in most cases the 34L would be a better choice assuming you're carry a couple of liters of water, food, a jacket, camera, etc. - the back laptop/office compartment wouldn't be of much use so that will all go in the small-ish front compartment. If "urban backpacking through Europe" type of backpacking, then also probably the 34L assuming it's a longish trip, unless you have a *very* tightly dialed kit. 2. Fairly straightforward - if you are taller/have a larger frame or longer back length, then the 34L, else the 28L. 3. If your kit is tightly dialed/fairly minimal (you can reference what I show for the loadout in the video) then the 28L assuming you like things to "just fit" without a ton of extra space (as I do), otherwise the 34L if you have more stuff/like a little more "breathing room" even after everything is packed in.
Not yet but I may at some point. There are plenty of GR1/GR2 videos out there though (just make sure for the GR1 they specify if they're reviewing the 21L or 26L)
I would advise to "interact" a lot more with the bag, open pockets,etc, in the early minutes of the video : did you realize you didn't open any pocket before the 10th minute?
Thanks a lot for your honest review. I really like what you are doing here - no fuzz, straight to the point with good knowledge and a bag collection coming close to an addiction.
This new size was specially made for one bag travelers with shorter backs since we found that many of the existing ones (including our 34L version) had a back length that just didn't fit right on many smaller people. That said the EDC use of that size was more like a side effect to this but never a priority while designing. Btw. the new Dyecoshell outer fabric is made from 100% nylon and the lining from dope dyed polyester. Keep up the good work!
Hi Moritz - thank you for this comment. I always love hearing from the creators of bags!
Firstly, thank you for sharing about your objectives when designing the smaller size of the Transit pack - I hadn't even considered that this bag would be much better suited to folks with shorter backs or smaller frames though it seems so obvious once you mentioned it! I'll pin your comment so other viewers can see this :)
Secondly, thanks for clarifying the nature of the Dycoshell material - one of the things I like about Heimplanet is the use of slightly unusual materials like this - high tech but still soft-feeling to the touch.
Thirdly, a question - what were some of the design considerations that lead your team to go with the reverse clamshell (if that's the right term?) loading style for the transit travel pack series (as opposed to a more traditional clamshell like on the Monolith series)?
As I was using this bag (and the previous generation) I theorized as to a few potential advantages (could potentially be easier to pack in a sense that both "halves" of the bag could be simultaneously packed, theoretically possible to independently compress just the main capacity front of the bag whilst still leaving unhindered access to the laptop half, potentially able to pass through airline security without removing laptop from holder) but would love to hear your thoughts on how the team approached this.
And please keep up the good work on your side as well - I think Heimplanet is making some of the more interesting (especially in terms of aesthetics/details) bags in the mainstream carry world these days! (Tents too, but that's a different topic :) )
@@TheMountainborn Hey Mountainborn, thanks for the warm welcome.
The 28 version is not made solely for shorter people though. The shape and orientation of the shoulder strap padding is almost identical - we just took about 10mm from the padding length and cut 3mm(!) around the edge of the whole padding to make it a tat narrower as well. Those tiny adjustments + the shorter overall back length already helps a lot to improve the fit for the smaller ones among us while it also fits my back (6'3").
You pretty much nailed it with the main reason for us to go for a reverse clam shell (I think you just established a new term). We wanted to have the main volume separated from all your tech gear and other items you normally need on the go so you never need to mess up your well packed main compartment. And for the few moments where you need to you can access it through the outer zipper as well which also doubles as the main access when you have the divider stored away for max. capacity. But your conclusion in the video is correct, we had to sacrifice a bit of the max. capacity for these properties but we think it's worth it.
FYI - I guarantee that we'll do a classic clam shell opening pack again ;-)
Cheers, Moritz
@@moritzgrebe7894
Would love to see a V3 soon 👀
Any planned updates?
@redline102 Hey Redline, some time ago, we launched the Transit Line Daypack. It has a traditional full clamshell opening but is quite a bit smaller in size than the Monolith Daypack. The next production of the Travelpack 28 will be very similar to the current version, but we are working on some fine fabric updates. Cheers
@@moritzgrebe7894 Hey Moritz, thanks for the response. The 34L I find is the perfect size for my use case. Just wondering if there’s any planned design updates on that size?
If it’s more changes to the materials then Any timeline for a V3?
You guys are underrated in the bag game, loving every iteration you guys come out with! Thanks again for your replies!
This is a very good review. Far more detail than most and really nails the downsides of reverse clamshell. I was keen to buy this bag despite having been burned by the reverse clamshell of Minaal (which I sold). Thanks for steering me more to the transit.
My pleasure - I'm glad it was helpful! Out of curiosity, did you end up getting the Transit pack?
Surprisingly, I haven't a full review of the Bellroy Transit travel pack yet but I just released a review of the Bellroy Transit Workpack and in it I did a brief comparison with a loaded-out Transit travel pack 28L which you may find useful if you're still deciding!
I'm torn between the two packs. Heimplanet straps looks really comfortable and load lifts ❤️ and I like the fact that there's attachment loops for a hip belt if there's a need to use them. But again Bellroy's organization & capacity is much more usable. Bellroy is also lighter than Heimplanet. But no attachment points for a hip belt ☹️
I'm 5'3 so having the option of waist strap is important especially when I'm walking around all day with a heavy pack.
I feel your pain my friend! Just to confirm, are you comparing the Heimplanet Transit Travel Pack 28L against the Bellroy Transit Pack 28L?
I'm a fan of both of these bags, but for the OBT (One Bag Travel) use case, I generally prefer the Bellroy Transit pack over the Heimplanet - I think your assessments of the relative strengths/weaknesses of the the two bags is spot on but for me the traditional clamshell opening + superior organization (and superior space usage IMO) of the Bellroy is what tips it towards the winning slot for me.
WRT lack of waist belt on the Bellroy - how much weight are you carrying? Is there a possibility you can reduce some of the weight (happy to give suggestions if you'd like) to enable you to more comfortably carry without needing a waist belt? Assuming you haven't done too much optimization to date, you likely can shave a couple of kilograms without too much effort (carrying less clothes and just doing laundry more, carrying more all-in-one charging devices, smaller Dopp kits, etc.) and that can make a huge difference between needing a waist belt and not, especially at the sub-30L bag size.
Just in case, there is also a somewhat larger Bellroy Transit Plus 38L (though larger than the 28L version it also doesn't feel/visually print nearly as large as many other 40L ish max capacity type bags) that has a built in waist belt. I think thought it might be too tall for you depending your torso length, but just thought I'd mention.
@@TheMountainborn I haven't done much traveling lately but last time I've done OBT had my Arcido Akra with me and that's a 35L pack and it weighs around 1.2kg when empty . A nice travel back but a little tall for my torso. My weight load is around 5-6kg depending on the season. I typically bring my camera equipment when I travel (Fujifilm E-3 + 2 lenses & Ricoh GR3) and I'd say the bulk of that weight comes from my camera gear. I tend travel with 1 medium Engle Creek packing cube and that's pretty much everything I need for 7-10 days. For summertime it would mean 3-4 shirts, 1 pair of trousers and other knick knacks.
If I measured correctly torso is around 16.5' so definitely on the smaller side. I'm petite and have narrow shoulders. So they tire easily so that's why l like to have the option of adding a waist strap to take the load of my back at some point.
Dimensions wise Heimplanet's dimensions are spot on but I've heard it feels much smaller than Bellroy's packing capacity 🤔 and I do love Bellroy's organization...
I'm really torn between this and the Bellroy 28l transit - you said the Bellroy is superior and I find that extremely helpful. I have the 40l monolith for my actual travel use, this bag will be my daily cycling commute bag, 45min ride each way. A full change of clothes, towel, shoes (I use cycling shoes with cleats for riding) Dopp kit, tech kit (Modern Dayfarer tech kit) plus another TomToc pouch for charger, 15" laptop, external keyboard and water bottle (crucial) - probably my kindle or 10" tablet too. I had the Aer Duffle pack 2 which although great organization got too tight for practical use once loaded with all that. My concerns once capacity is covered are a) which do you think is more weather resistant? I feel Bellroy for this and b) will hug my back and be more stable when riding? This is surely Heimplanet with their harness and waist belt... PS I already own the Evergoods CPL24 vers.1 (wish I had the vers.2 as it directly addresses the gripes I have) This is perfect in summer when my clothing consists of shorts, t-shirts, and some thin summer shoes but winter means hoody, jeans, and boots... Which the CPL24 simply won't accommodate (yes I have thought about the CPL28 but I want to mix it up and I love both of these bags)
Hi Dean! Those are great questions.
First, one brief thought about capacity - so as I was reading your carry list in my head I was ticking off if it would fit in the Bellroy Transit "yup, yup, yup - hmmm, shoes.. .." So I think a lot depends on how big / chunky your shoes are because as I'm sure you know shoes can take up a ton of space in any bag.
I think for normal low-rise shoes (as opposed to boots or high-tops I mean) I think it should probably be fine but if you need to carry some big chunky shoes you might find capacity in either of these bags a bit tight. (For reference, if you watch my Heimplanet Monolith Daypack video (not the travel pack video) you can see what I usually carry in my one bag travel load out which includes a pair of Nike running shoes + workout clothes in a small shoe pouch and those fit along with everything else in the Bellroy Transit if that helps?) Then again you did mention you fit everything in the Aer Duffle pack (albeit it was tight) and it's been my experience I can fit a fair more (depending on shape) in the Transit 28L than the Duffle pack so maybe it's fine :)
If you let me know what kind of shoes (you mentioned boots in winter) you're thinking of carrying I can try to find if I have something similar and do a test pack with all the things you mentioned above and let you know if it fits?
So on to your questions!
Q1. For weather resistance I think I'm going to give the edge to the Bellroy Transit with the important caveat that I haven't fully tested either of these in pouring rain. With the Bellroy Transit it did survive a week in a Swiss mountain town in the winter (i.e. a ton of snow which melted when I ducked indoors, then more snow, back indoors melt to water, back outdoors etc.) as well as some light rain in the city. For the Heimplanet Transit same thing - some light rain, but nothing like the typhoon that is actually hitting my city as I type this right now :)
However, based on the material and zipper choice and my instinct based on years of carry experience etc. I'm going to give the slight edge to the Bellroy as long as you keep the fact that I haven't really put either through the full on wringer of a 45 minute rain soaked commute :)
Q2. Stability - yes, I'm going to agree with you on going with the Heimplanet as the winner in this respect. Yes the waistbelt (really suited more for stabilization as opposed to load carriage in my opinion but stability is exactly what you're looking for here) but also I found the shoulder straps to be superior on the Heimplanet - I still favour the Bellroy Transit 28L overall but the shoulder straps (and load stability thanks to the firmer frame sheet and load lifters) are better on the Heimplanet in my opinion especially in the case where you want to "lock things in" (i.e. during a bike commute)
The Bellroy transit does have a little curve in the back that hugs into the lumbar portion of your back as opposed to the somewhat flatter profile of the Heimplanet - despite this I'd still go with the Heimplanet overall for load stability especially looking at the load you're thinking about carrying.
> Which the CPL24 simply won't accommodate (yes I have thought about the CPL28 but I want to mix it up and I love both of these bags)
I totally understand! I just got my CPL28 in the mail the other day and bought it exactly for the reasons you mentioned - love love love the CPL24 v1 but was finding it juuuust a bit too tight for some loadouts where I'm carrying the kitchen sink and shoes 😂
Maybe the new Bellroy Transit Work bag suits your needs best.
Amazing Review and very in depth like your other reviews, its amazing that you go into so much detail and I love this!!!!
7:00 - is this something that you believe could affect the quality of the bag say in like 2years? the fuzzy/piling stuff etc? Usually with a hoodie etc when it rubs and creates the fuzzies the fabric starts getting thinner so was just wondering if this is the same. I really do love having everything in all black( clothes, tech, shoes, literally everything) but does the castlerock colour do a better job of hiding the dirt/scratches etc. I know this video was a while ago so any update on how its held up regarding these factors?
Think i might be going with this bag as i originally wanted the Able Carry Max but dont want to risk it due to airline size requirements and this bag comes very close with the laptop protection and tech organization, The Belroy kinda gets out of my budget after calculating shipping costs to the UK etc
Hello again PortuguesePirate99!! (Your comments always stand out when I'm replying to people because of your awesome username 😂 )
Great question. So two caveats:
1. There hasn't been any noticeable damage or wear to the extent you described (I understand what you mean about fabric that wears/rubs over time eventually getting thinner) to date
2. I also don't use this bag as much as I used to (nothing against it, just my loadouts have grown a lot lighter and changed a bit due to the whole COVID situation and its impact on how people travel) and I wouldn't say I'm really torturing the bag so much when I do wear it (i.e. fairly straightforward point to point travel with some light urban EDC as opposed to hiking around Iceland for 3 weeks with this as my only bag)
That having been said, I do still sometimes use it and it has held up fine. The fuzziness I notice from time to time but there is nothing that I would say constitutes structural damage. But my personal perspective, based on use and experience is that the fabric is absolutely not as hard wearing as some other options out on the market, so if you're really looking to beat the heck out of your bag, I do see this fabric giving out before some other options. However, for most normal use, I see this bag will hold up very very well for many years and as you noted, there are some positives to this fabric choice (i.e. it's interesting, has a nice "hand feel" as opposed to more technical, artificial feeling fabrics, it hides dirt/scratches better, etc.)
You mentioned the Able Carry Max which is another solid pack - I agree with your reservations on size, the Able Carry is a bit of a larger bag especially for many EU carriers which tend to be stricter than their US counterparts on sizing/weight. I would say that the Able Carry Max is probably a more robust bag overall and will likely hold up better than the Heimplanet structurally in more rugged scenarios although the X-Pac may show some scratches and superficial wear in a more readily-apparent manner. But again, I think you'd need to be really putting some heavy wear on the bag to notice any difference - for any kind of relatively civilised travel + EDC I am sure the Heimplanet will hold up well, as it has for me.
Given what you mentioned about the cost of getting the Bellroy to the UK, then I think you will be pleased with the Heimplanet as it seems to tick all your boxes and I don't believe concerns about long term durability should be a blocker (again unless you're planning to beat the heck out of this bag).
I hope this helps, my Pirate-y friend!
@@TheMountainborn Bro thank you so much!!!! The fact that you actually reply and give detail like this when almost all other creators pretty much never see the comments few weeks after its posted is amazing so THANK YOU!
Just another quick question- what colour do you think works best to hide fuzziness/dirt/scratches.. the black or the castlerock(grey)?
And thank you for your kind words bout my username😂 alot of people do seem to like it haha. My real last name which i love and ive got tattooed on my forearm is also a real crowd pleaser and everyone asks questions about it haha (cant share that in the comments section obvs)😂😂
For sure! I love the positivity of comments on bag and EDC review videos - it's like one of the few positive happy places left on the internet so I definitely want to keep that thriving by replying back to fellow carry enthusiasts! 😂
So regarding your question - I think it depends on which conditions you see your bag being exposed to more.
First, thinking about non-fuzzy things that stand out differently by the colour scheme: Grey will do better at hiding things like pet hair (save maybe jet black hair - maybe one has a pet puma?), dust and white marks from dragging on carpets/brushing up against concrete walls etc. commonly encountered in urban environments better than black. Black, on the other hand I think will handle straight up spills and stains better - i.e. coffee, black oil marks if you accidentally lean your bag up against a car tire while tying your shoe (hey, it happens), set the bag down on a dirty puddle etc. I generally consider these kinds of stains more permanent and harder to remove than dust/pet hair (which can be brushed away) so I usually go with all black for travel/EDC (as you can see by all the black bags I review 😂 - I also just like the colour)
However, in terms of fuzziness, I feel the Castlerock grey does a better job of hiding the "fuzziness" since the pattern is slightly lighter and has a mix of black/grey that helps camouflage any fuzziness (it tends to blend in, in my opinion).
So if fuzziness is a key concern, go with grey. Otherwise, I would (personally) go with black, but as mentioned, I'm kind of biased haha
I hope this helps!!
@@TheMountainborn Thank you so much for all your help, you have gained a viewer for life😂
excellent review man....just keep going reviewing more and more bags!!!!💪🏽
Thank you so much Andrea! Definitely will! Any bag in particular you would you like to see next?
@@TheMountainborn I'd love to see some reviews for bags available in Oceania - so many bag channels just review things you can only really get or try out in America. Belroy, Osprey, Katmandu - travel bags?
Sure thing Eliot! You're right - a lot of bag channels tend to focus pretty heavily on North American-centric products (one of the things I enjoy about Heimplanet is their slightly different asthetic and design - I'm not sure if that's related to their European roots or not, but I personally love it and find it different than what a lot of the US-based manufacturers are doing)
That having been said, Bellroy bags are some of my favourite and I have a few videos of their products coming up (I do have a review of the Bellroy Weekender on the channel a few weeks back). I've never used a Kathmandu travel bag before but will check them out, as well as see about reviewing the one Osprey I do own (a Transporter 40).
thanks for yet another fantastic review! would love to know your recommendation for a EDC backpack 24-28l clamshell with side water bottle pocket and side handle?
Great review… seriously great review… random question… the camera lens… what’s case/pouch is it in..?
Thank you my friend!
I don't remember the exact model name (I think they don't make this particular model anymore) but generally I keep my lenses in generic "soft lens cases" - there are tons of generic manufacturers of this on Amazon etc.
The ones I generally use are made by a company called Hakuba (not sure the availability in the US - search something like "Hakuba Soft Lens Pouch") and are available in many different sizes depending on the lenses you want to carry. I like carry my lenses in these kind of solutions because it allows me to minimise uneccessary bulk/weight whilst still protecting my lens well.
Here is a link to a similar model on Amazon:
amzn.to/3Hpu0hq
I hope this helps!
That is amazing, thank you for that, I shall take a look 👍🏻👊🏻
Excellent review! Thank you very much. Hopefully you could review the cpl28 v2. Which would be a good comparison to the heimplanet
Hi Derek - me too! I have pretty high hopes for the CPL28 in this same goldilocks travel bag use case.
Just anxiously waiting alongside everyone else for the first batch of pre-orders to ship! :)
Hey! I was actually sure to get this backpack as and edc/work backpack, but after seeing your video im not that sure anymore. I work as a teacher and need some organisation for my tablet, pens and some other stuff like books. Im also a Sportsteacher, so I need some space for my shoes and clothes to change. I don't want a bag with looks too tactical, that's why I like this one so much. Its also easy for me to get because I live in Germany and don't have to pay any taxes like for the most good backpacks which are very often sold from the USA or HongKong. Would you say this backpack won't work for my needs? What other backpacks could I look for?
Hi E. Pog!
Great question. So while I do feel like this bag works as an EDC bag, as I mentioned in the video, I feel like it's a "travel bag first that will work as an occasional EDC bag at your travel destination" as opposed to "an EDC bag first that will occasional travel bag". Based on what you described, I suspect that you may be better served with bags that fall into the latter category than the former category (or maybe even - you might not even need a travel bag at all, just a really good solid EDC work/commuter pack).
First, let me set aside the geographic consideration for a moment and recommend a few packs that you might want to look into for your needs.
* *Aer Duffle Pack v3* - This bag is made exactly for a combination of work/commute + gym and has some pretty solid organization for both. This seems to fit exactly what your described use case is as a sports teacher. I did a full video review of this recently on my channel in case you're interested → th-cam.com/video/PhsMzCG7Eg8/w-d-xo.html
* *Bellroy Transit Workpack* - This bag is one of my favourite overall EDC work/commuter packs - it has a really nice amount of organisation and should work quite well for all the things you need as a teacher - but on top of that it has a really nice big open main compartment that will easily swallow a bunch of clothes/shoes/gym stuff. Note - the Transit *Workpack* is different than the Transit *Travel* pack I showed at the end of this (Heimplanet) video - they are similar but also different. I did a full video review of the *workpack* on my channel as well → th-cam.com/video/zsJe8q3IP8U/w-d-xo.html
* *Evergoods CPL24/28 v2* - This is also one of my favourite overall EDC/commuter packs. I haven't done a review of this bag yet but I have used different versions of this pack for years at this point and it remains one my favourites. One thing to note is that while it has amazing materials/build quality, super comfortable straps and great organisation, the main compartment, while a decent size, may or may not be able to contain everything you need as a sports teacher - I don't know your exact loadout so it's hard to say for sure. I think a pair of regular training shoes and a change of clothes should fit even in the 24L but if you are carrying bulkier stuff than that it might not.
Now, the three bags above I think are all really solid choices, and I'm fairly confident the first two in particular should warrant consideration for your exact use case. If we now re-introduce the geographic consideration (being based in Germany and having easy access to Heimplanet gear) then maybe one other bag might want to consider is:
* *Heimplanet Monolith Daypack* - This bag is simpler and cheaper than the Heimplanet Transit Travel pack, but it might be better suited to your state use cases. It has a very large single main capacity that should easily carry your sportswear/shoes etc. while having decent - although not amazing - organisation that makes it usable for EDC/commuter use (there are pouches you can optionally mount to it to increase the organisation though I find those a little fussy). It also has an included removable shoulder strap for briefcase style carry (could be attractive for the gym use case i.e. like a small duffle). The main upsides over the Heimplanet transit pack are, in my opinion - a simpler design that gets rid of a lot of the more travel-oriented features you really don't need for your use case (and which will be fussy - i.e. load lifters, etc.), a much friendlier standard clamshell loading (versus the fussy reverse-clamshell of the Transit travel pack), a lighter weight and cheaper price. The main downsides are going to be - slightly cheaper construction (though quite robust in my opinion - mine has gone all over the world as my one bag travel pack in the past and is still going strong) and less organisation - i.e. laptop compartment is mounted internally, though there is a side pass through zipper for easy access. I did a full review of this bag a couple of years ago on my channel → th-cam.com/video/5rmDA66zGLY/w-d-xo.html
Whew! Okay I hope that some of this was helpful. Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions!
@@TheMountainborn thx for the great answer! At the moment Im actually considering to get the Bellroy transit backpack (28l). Sadly its nowhere available in black color. What do you think of the black ember forge for the use that I described?
Great detailed review, very helpful!
Awww thank you so much @StampMyArt!!!
Have you tried out the Heimplanet Monolith Rucksack (45L). It's labeled as 45L, but actually with a fairly okey size with separate shoe department (designed for sleep bag etc, but works well for workout stuffs in your case). It will be interesting to see your comments on that.
Hi Spike! Thanks for the recommendation! To be honest, I haven't tried that particular bag - I have seen it in the past but remember thinking that it probably wouldn't be a good match for me and my general preference in bags / type of travel I usually do (in general it seems much more of an outdoor / adventure travel type of bag, but I have proper hiking/camping packs that I would usually take in such a scenario - also I usually don't like top drawstring type bags for anything other than a hiking scenario).
What about you - do you own this bag? If so, how has it been working for you?
The Mountainborn totally makes sense! I got it when it’s on sale on their website, such a good value in that sense... didn’t get many chances to use it yet due to this crazy pandemic, but it’s definitely interesting comparing to monolith daypack (BTW, I am also a big fan of it, finding that it’s very balanced in an unique way). The first impression is that its volume seems like smaller than usual 45L, but may fit as a travel bag when removing the big hip belt... It’s still fairly tight but may expand up to provide more volumes when needed... I remembered that last time we went to Tokyo, extra volume is never enough :) Also, its hiking type of back panel also make me wondering if that will make back sweating problem better... that almost becomes my biggest complain for most of those popular tactical tough bags (I used GR2 for like 3 years) it just feels like a burden eventually
That makes sense - thank you so much for sharing your impressions! And I understand what you mean about the back sweat issue - I kind of fall into the camp that just accepts that back sweat as the inevitable, inescapable unpleasant gremlin of one bag travel 😅 but definitely some bags do better at handling it than others (the GR series definitely being one of the sweatier ones!)
Looking my edc bag in range 22-24l. Any recommendations? 😉
If i understood correctly in the begging of video you do not recommend this as edc bag.
Ps. Interested in Bellroy Dopp kit. Where i can find video about this?
Hi KraKra! Yes that's right, this is intended primarily as a travel bag that can do some limited EDC use at the destination, but it's not intended as a full-time EDC use bag.
As for my recommendations for a 22-24L EDC bag, there are several I recommend, but it partially depends on your requirements and what you're looking to carry in it. Can you share with me what you're thinking to carry in the bag and any requirements you might have? (must have water bottle, or should be clamshell, etc.)
Off the top of my head, some backpacks that have seen rotation as my EDC carry include:
- Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24 (if I had to pick only one EDC bag, this would probably be it)
- Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22
- Aer Daypack
- Able Carry Daily Backpack
- Bellroy Backpack Plus
- Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24
- GoRuck GR1 21L (slick version)
- Rofmia Shift Daypack v2 (note: quite expensive)
- The Northface Access 02
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L
Regarding the Bellroy Dopp kit - actually I haven't done a video about it yet (I'm planning a pouch special soon!) but here's a couple videos on other carry channels:
Rushfaster: th-cam.com/video/91KNCEpxA30/w-d-xo.html
PackHacker: th-cam.com/video/LX2UvCN_JAU/w-d-xo.html
Between the two I find the Rushfaster video more useful since they actually show you how things fit in there.
@@TheMountainborn : thank you for update. I must say you are really doing great job by presenting us a backpacks. Really something refreshing on a scene compare to others. Keep going!
Regarding EDC recomendation. If you have to pick between Bellroy Classic Plus, Able Carry Daily Backpack (maybe a little to small for my needy, i had Classic V2 and it was to small), Evergoods Civic Half Zip 22, Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 24 which one would you pick?
Can you share any comparisons to the 34l version?
Great review mate! So did I understand correctly that the Heimplanet offers a lot less volume than the Bellroy?
Thank you! In my personal experience I found that I could fit a few more/slightly larger items into the Bellroy Transit pack (28L) than the Heimplanet Transit due to the fact that most of the volume in the former lies in a single large capacity as opposed to being split into a reverse clamshell design, and I found there seemed to be more capacity to "expand" in how the Bellroy is structured.
I just recently reviewed the Bellroy Workpack, and if you watch that video early on I do a quick comparison against the Bellroy Travel pack and in that you can see how much I have loaded out in there for a sense.
@@TheMountainborngreat review man! Really impressed by pretty much all your bag reviews.
You may have not used the Heimplanet in some time, but how would you rank the main compartment capacity in these 3 bags:
- Heimplanet 34L
- Evergoods CTB26
- Bellroy Transit 28
Thanks!
26:27 Where did you get that pouch thingy for your A6600? Any links or product name?
Hi Tsukuyomi!
It's a generic neoprene camera case. I believe the one I showed in the video is made by Hakuba but is likely only available in Japan. If you search for "neoprene camera case" or "neoprene camera case Sony a6600" you should be able to find a variety of similar cases in your local retailers/amazon etc.
Good luck!
Great reviews. Could you see this working as a college backpack?
Hi ognsqksi! Well, I haven't been a college student for a while, but that having been said... assuming what college students today carry isn't too different from a few years ago, I honestly don't know if this bag is the best choice. My main concern centers around the reverse clamshell style opening. While I think it offers some benefits in the travel use case and can be tolerable in the EDC use case, I think it would be a significant usability impediment in a case where you need to constantly be getting in and out of the bag with things like textbooks/notebooks, maybe a jacket/sweater when walking around campus etc. Additionally, assuming you will be using your laptop/tablet fairly regularly throughout the day, the lack of an externally accessible laptop compartment would likely also be annoying.
Finally, as I point out in the video, this bag has a fairly stiff frame sheet and a curved bottom that means it doesn't stand up on its own and additionally also tends to "slide down" even when propped up against a chair/wall/desk. I think this would be pretty annoying if say, you're sitting in class in those tiny desks and try to prop the bag up next to you while taking notes/listening to a lecture - it would slide down and fall on the floor due to the construction.
Don't get me wrong, I think the Heimplanet Transit pack is a good small one bag travel/destination use EDC bag, but I personally think there are better options for college students and their needs, primarily due to the need to constantly get in and out of the bag. (Again with the disclosure that I haven't been a college student for a while).
@@TheMountainborn Big thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. On top of great reviews, you responses are very insightful. I wish you all the best with your channel. We are looking at the bags you are recommending, and we added the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip. This later one seems more like a camera bag, but I like it that it has top and side access and that it can be subdivided a few different ways so probably a good candidate for college. I hope the quality is good. Once again many thanks, all the best with your channel and keep up the great reviews; you produce really good quality work.
As always excellent review 👍, perhaps the evergoods mpl30 v2 next ? 🙏
Or the heimplanet commuter pack 😁🙏?
My Evergoods CPL28L V2 just arrived the other day (hooray!) so I've been anxiously watching for the MPL30 v2 delivery! They shipped at the same time so fingers crossed :) I will definitely do reviews of both of these - the 28L V2 I'm actually using right now and am planning on the MPL30 V2 next!
Great suggestion! You know, I love how this one looks but was pretty sure it wouldn't fit with my normal EDC style (I don't generally favour rolltops as much) buuuuuuut I might just pick one up out of curiosity. I'll comment back on this if I do end up doing a review of it!
@@TheMountainborn great! Can't wait for the reviews 🙏
Good review. Only nitpick is you complained about dangling of the load lifter straps even through there is literally a hypalon loop right at the end of the strap you just didn't use which I've seen other reviewers do.
Thanks Eric! And good call out. I didn't mention it in this video, but the main issue I found with those hypalon loops is that they don't actually "manage" the dangle, they just redirect it a little closer towards your face :) (assuming you pass the strap excess through once).
Conversely, if you pass the strap excess through once, then double it back and tuck it under, it does "sort of" manage the dangle, but in a very precarious way in my experience - I found with movement it would slip back out quickly and it looked kind of hacky (in my opinion).
Based on that I began to wonder if that loop was seriously intended as strap management or more for aesthetics - in either case, at least for me, I didn't find it very effective. As I mentioned in my video though, I don't think the load lifter dangle is a huge deal at all, I thought overall they were fairly well designed and additionally given how much (I personally) adjust the load lifters throughout the day as I transition the bag from worn to stowed, I found the easy access to the full length of the straps useful enough that the small aesthetic detraction was worth it.
However, it's good to know that other people are using that loop for strap stowage! Do you know which reviewer it was so I can see how they did it? Maybe my technique was just off and I need to give it another go :)
Would you recommend the 34l over the 28l for backpacking ?
Hi Etienne! My thought would be that it probably depends on three things:
1. How are you defining "Backpacking"? i.e. "backpacking through europe" (i.e. one-bag type urban travel on trains, planes and buses) or "hiking through the mountains" type of backpacking?
2. Your back length (and your overall size to a certain extent) - there is a comment by one of the designers of this bag who mentioned that accommodating different back lengths was one of the motivating factors behind creating a second size of this bag.
3. How tightly dialed your kit is - i.e. if you have a lot of stuff or bulkier stuff.
Looking at it from this perspective
1. If outdoor hiking type of backpacking, honestly I don't think either size is the best choice for that - I don't think this bag is ideally set up for that type of thing. But if you had to pick, I guess that in most cases the 34L would be a better choice assuming you're carry a couple of liters of water, food, a jacket, camera, etc. - the back laptop/office compartment wouldn't be of much use so that will all go in the small-ish front compartment. If "urban backpacking through Europe" type of backpacking, then also probably the 34L assuming it's a longish trip, unless you have a *very* tightly dialed kit.
2. Fairly straightforward - if you are taller/have a larger frame or longer back length, then the 34L, else the 28L.
3. If your kit is tightly dialed/fairly minimal (you can reference what I show for the loadout in the video) then the 28L assuming you like things to "just fit" without a ton of extra space (as I do), otherwise the 34L if you have more stuff/like a little more "breathing room" even after everything is packed in.
@@TheMountainborn thanks for the detailed answer !
My pleasure! Hope it is helpful!
Do you have a video on the GR1?
Not yet but I may at some point. There are plenty of GR1/GR2 videos out there though (just make sure for the GR1 they specify if they're reviewing the 21L or 26L)
I would advise to "interact" a lot more with the bag, open pockets,etc, in the early minutes of the video : did you realize you didn't open any pocket before the 10th minute?
Hi SN! Thanks for the feedback - definitely. This is something I try to do much earlier on in my more recent videos. Cheers!
So nice bag 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Thank you so much Miraj!! ☺️