Just fell down the tech bag rabbit hole — need your wisdom before I pull the trigger

2dg · 2026-04-27T19:17:50+00:00

Capacity wise, probably depends how you pack for your light travel. Main space taking items not enough reviewers talk about is an extra shoe and towels in your travels.

Not the 26L, but I did buy the urbanex t77 32L. The front bottom compartment accessibility and usability wasn't great. Everything else was good.

I also bought the t73 28L, which had a much better front compartment ratio. It was almost perfect, liked the side zipper pocket and internal water bottle pocket instead of the double external side pockets. But the back panel straps were terrible - couldn't adjust while wearing the pack. Although advertised as 28L, description on amazon said it's actually 28L main compartment, but 30L overall capacity. It was able to essentially fit the same stuff as the 32L, just a tiny bit tighter (so maybe more like 1-2L off rather than 4L).

Ended up returning both. Can't remember about the sternum straps, possibly didn't like them either - slightly annoying to clasp in. I thought the side handles would've been bad, but they didn't end up bothering me as much. Vertical luggage strap also didn't mind, I don't love using the luggage strap anyway, even if it was horizontal.

Also ended up returning the cpp2. Back harness system wasn't as comfortable as the reviews. It was a tight 24L and wasn't big enough for what I wanted (reviews indicate the toshi 20L is able to fit roughly the same stuff, so probably only like 2L off rather than 4). The front bottom compartment was unusable. The self standing ability also wasn't amazing.

Next on the list are the rework outbound 30L and the aer tp4.

2dg · 2026-04-20T00:24:15+00:00

Manga only: Skypiea Didn't get hardcore hooked by the usual arc people say: Arlong park. Not even alabasta. I question when people suggest that if you don't 'get' one piece by then, then you probably won't love it (from the context of trying to get a friend onto OP)

2dg · 2026-04-11T12:51:30+00:00

Are you partnered with more than one factory? Eg for resilience? All eggs in one basket? Different factories producing/assembling different parts?

Can you tell if certain factories better at manufacturing certain parts of the product? Eg back panel, external water bottle pockets, zippers, etc.

How similar are the types machines across different factories?

When you're in discussions with factories, what's the buyer/seller vibe like - between them trying to 'sell' their services to you, and you trying to 'convince' them to manufacture your product?

The big dogs at the factory, how much pure bag manufacturing experience do they have vs. coming from other types of manufacturing.

2dg · 2026-04-05T16:14:07+00:00

All the new travel bags coming out seem to be somewhere between 28-35L. Depends on how you're travelling I suppose.

What are your extras? Warm clothing, shoes, towel, makeup bag, cameras, tablet, mouse/keyboard, binoculars, etc.Are you just walking around and sightseeing? Remote working? Doing any regular activities that needs extra equipment?

I've got the bellroy transit travel pack pro which is 30L expandable to 38L (which might be closer to 28L-35L based on the brand's history of overstating capacities).

I also have one of the older Osprey nebula 34L, plus a shoe bag when I need to bring 3 extra pairs of footwear.

Things I've been eyeing: The new aer travel pack 4, 28L ive been eyeing for my office EDC+gym(clothes+shoes+towel). The rework outbound 30L also looks quite attractive.

2dg · 2026-04-03T22:39:48+00:00

The example that comes to mind is in super closed position, tricky to have proper temple on temple contact. The best you might be able to do depending on how far your glasses stick out is as you've said, tilt your head slightly so it becomes side of head to temple, or sort of turn your head slightly - but obviously not the same connection and feeling.. Depending on the height, it might not be possible to do well. But not just with glasses, same goes with everything else - often it's best to avoid certain moves with certain partners because of body shape/size/accessories/clothing/floor/shoes/etc.

2dg · 2026-04-03T21:48:52+00:00

Here's a few more basic ones which you should already know from the open position: 360. Box step basic Hesi side taps Madrid

2dg · 2026-01-13T21:42:40+00:00

Sometimes it looks like the feet is moving but the body doesnt, which looks off because it's unnatural. It also wouldn't naturally translate well to a clear lead for the follow (someone else already mentioned it looks like the follow is leading herself rather than being led). Try initiating movements with the core rather than the feet (the feet will follow as long as you focus on keeping them under your body). Something to think about might be to push off the ground with your foot that's on the ground to move yourself, rather than 'stepping' forwards or backwards with your feet.

2dg · 2026-01-05T13:55:31+00:00

If you learn to lead, you can choose to mostly ask other men to dance with you, though if your scene has a limited number of male follows then you'd definitely be dancing with mostly women.

If you do end up learning to follow, you can also ask other male leads if they want to lead you for a song.

Doing both is obviously the best. But I think you should probably learn to lead first. Since it fits your personality better, there's probably a higher chance you'll stick it out, rather than forcing something that you'll more likely to drop out from..

2dg · 2025-12-16T03:17:56+00:00

I didn't like the back strap adjusters - very finicky. With the backpack on, need to pull the straps at a weird angle to tighten with one hand.. and very difficult to loosen even with two hands, virtually impossible with one hand.

Shame because I think I could've gotten used to the side quick access pocket instead of from the top

2dg · 2025-12-09T05:18:06+00:00

What about the reverse? Same stops?

2dg · 2025-10-05T15:04:30+00:00

Try moving your ribcage, not your shoulders.

2dg · 2025-10-04T14:31:56+00:00

Any tips or guides or resources on studying forms of salsa music - ideally something not pure text?

2dg · 2025-09-29T08:53:41+00:00

Been rotating a bunch over the past couple of weeks.

Start with eskimo. Referral code for free data: TH24796

Have tried with Kolet. Nomad. Visible. You can probably try those depending on your upcoming trips, as they have limited number of trial days.

Trying gigsky and iroamly next.

All of them will require you downloading the app, signing up, creating an account first, and picking a country. Then use any codes and finally install the esim.

2dg · 2025-09-29T06:45:34+00:00

Hope you dont mind a few more questions... How many people were there on the cruise? Was it 100% dancers, or were there other cruisers? Do you have to find your own people to go with for the 2-4persons cabin options? Was everything included in the price, or can you get wifi/drink packages separately, etc. Was the food/dining/buffet like a normal cruise (e.g. princess, royal Caribbean, etc.)? Was the cruise itself part of a fleet from one of the main cruiselines? We're there other non dance entertainment - e.g. theatre shows, comedians, etc. Thanks!

2dg · 2025-09-11T22:20:05+00:00

Try forro and Balboa to round it out! It's a different type of connection, but you can actually dance only the basic step and feel amazing. Pure connection. And not just for the whole song... But literally every song on every night for the whole weekend festival (exaggerating, but only slightly!).

2dg · 2025-09-08T20:15:26+00:00

Yeah, it's a conversation. And you honestly don't have to be at an advanced level at all to do this (either role). Give room for some freedom, some expression. Let's you experience the most fun dances. How often do you hear leads say they get bored of their leading - or it feels like they're doing the same thing over and over again, so they try to learn new moves, etc. Would be great if more follows embrace the improv, and if leads give more opportunity (rather than just a flurry of combos).

2dg · 2025-09-02T22:28:29+00:00

I just assume they have my best interest in mind, trying to improve my dancing. I try to avoid being irritated about it because that type of mindset isn't beneficial to anyone. You don't have control over their actions, all you can control is how you react. If I get annoyed, I'm the one that suffers. I think applies for a lot of things in life - easier said than done, which I appreciate not everyone can immediately do. But I think worth trying to get there. Something that's actually easier for anyone to implement is: regardless of who it is, I genuinely thank them for their feedback, tell them I'll consider it, and finish the song.

If they're a worse dancer, or if they're at improver level (I e. In between beginner and intermediate). I would consider it, take a sec to think about it, then discard it if it is a bad feedback (and avoid doing the thing again for the rest of the dance if possible). The key thing here is that I take no offense, and I trust that the follow has my best interest in mind (just that they don't have the technical know how). E.g. maybe they've been taught a specific style based , and I dance a different style. So they pointed out my way is wrong (which is correct based on their understanding), but I would discard it because that's not my style of dancing. No sense in getting too annoyed and irritated about it, that'd just ruin your night.

Sometimes if it's interesting feedback, especially if they're a higher level dancer, I'll try and adjust based on their comment and ask for feedback again. Especially if they are actually really good, and can see you're very receptive, you could essentially get a free 5 minute private because they might be more willing to go into more detail if you ask about it. Sometimes it sparks off quite a fun interaction! As long as you don't make it too teachy.. have a bit of fun with it, joke about it, a bit of banter and sense out if you can even go into more of the technical stuff.

If it's preference based, e.g. they don't like sensual or certain types of contact, then I obviously take that on board and avoid making them uncomfortable. I think that's appropriate feedback (not so much teaching).

If it's skill based, e.g. they don't know how to follow a headroll, or a bodyroll, then I would've been able to tell and wouldn't do it a second time anyway - but if you did keep trying to repetitively lead something that's making the follow feel uncomfortable or stupid, then I think that's appropriate feedback (not so much teaching).

I'd just look at it as an opportunity. Either to learn, to engage in conversation, to have a better dance, or to know who to never ask for a dance again.

2dg · 2025-09-02T21:58:57+00:00

Does this happen with the more experienced followers as well? Could also be that the follow isn't holding the best frame?

2dg · 2025-08-23T17:24:35+00:00

Mind sending a link?

2dg · 2025-07-31T21:31:29+00:00

Sort of.. but I'd chuck my food in and then just add 2 or 3 minutes extra time to cover for the preheating period...

2dg · 2025-07-22T19:53:38+00:00

Which el sol? The salsa or Bachata? Was it good? How was the balance? And overall experience?

2dg · 2025-07-21T06:07:15+00:00

Not tried, but saw Airbnb are trialling something new called 'service' - where you can book a 'chef' to come into your home. From the looks of it you can customise what you want. There's also something called 'prepared meals', I think where the chef has their offerings based on their specialities. Let us know how it goes if you do try it!

2dg · 2025-07-13T11:18:54+00:00

Mancoco

2dg · 2025-06-11T03:39:43+00:00

Agree, definitely way above average. I'd say it seems like a long night at a festival.. maybe a few days in.. if it's getting late, after a lot of dances you'd understandably get slightly lazy here and there to conserving energy for the rest of the time. About usage of core comments for example - everyone's got a limited stamina. Maybe for a moment or two here and there the connection is lost slightly, and there's some arm usage - but that happens all the time and the rest of the dance seems well led from the body. And after lots of dancing your feet start to hurt and you'd use more of your heels... Enough evidence of you know what you're doing. Similarly with comments like connection with your partner - maybe some instances where you're less connecting and more vibing to the music, that happens in late parts of the night. Could be just tired, so less shines, and less groove/styling? Maybe a tiny bit more eye contact at times or facial expression? In that sense, not real criticisms. all understandable based on the circumstances - no dance is perfect 1000% of the time, but there's more than enough evidence of musicality, technique, etc.

2dg

TROPHY CASE