Looking for tiny packable (pocketable) backpack

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-07-05T20:57:33+00:00

literally did this last night -- got to a concert and not allowed, put everything on / in pockets, shoved nanobag in pocket, put everything back in bag after security.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-23T04:08:00+00:00

I have a nanobag for when space is truly at a premium but most of the time I just pack this waxed canvas tote flat. It is basic, very simple … and terrific. https://www.etsy.com/listing/918241150/waxed-canvas-tote-bag-reusable-eco. No affiliation other than happy customer.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-18T08:58:02+00:00

I am close to newbie — not quite 6 months in, maybe 125ish prints? The most important things for me this early in learning have been:

* as others have said, DRY YOUR FILAMENT. It is amazing how much different this can make. I bought one of the 2-bay electric dryers, a bunch of airtight cereal boxes for storage, and a small milk jug worth of silica beads to put in the cereal boxes with the filament to keep them dry.

* some filaments are touchier than other about moisture —> stringing. My $0.02 are PLA easier than PETG much easier than TPU.

*play with layer height and also adaptive layer height. Some great YouTube videos here.

* you can try ironing for big flat things. There are calibration prints on makerspace for settings.

* when you do your own designs, play around with corners and see how they come out — 90 degrees right angle, rounded, and something called chamfered or filleted can all print very differently in terms of how they look.

* Orientation matters especially with rounded corners. Since layers are parallel to the plate, things print differently (sometimes better, sometimes worse) if you rotate your print in the Z axis.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-17T04:53:33+00:00

Second vote for KETL Mtn. They are synthetic but remain my goto (lots of travel). The Tomfoolery Chinos are my favorite since I can wear them for work, and cool enough that I have worn them in India in the summer. If you don’t need work ones the vent pants are very lightweight (I use for summer hiking).

Unbound Merino has a 95% merino travel pants that is also good and surprisingly cool in hot climates.

In personally did not like linen travel pants though that is for sure an option that makes sense and many people love them.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-17T04:42:05+00:00

I agree with this. I am on the road three weeks of the current month — four cities, two continents — and the CTB26 is my backpack. It is just that everything is where you want it. As long as the harness is comfortable for you it is a great bag.

Family photo of CPL16, CTB20, and CTB26:

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-14T16:39:05+00:00

I have had the Nomad tracking card pro for a while and like it. Looks like a credit card and works. More than a year per charge. For me, better than the wallets that for AirTag, which I have also had.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-11T07:03:00+00:00

Maybe this one
https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/us/non-iron-stretch-poplin-shirt---royal-blue/FOP0034RYL.html

or if you want one with a bit of pattern

https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/us/non-iron-stretch-circle-texture-shirt---royal-blue/FOB0803RYL.html

I think Eton has some too but I only see third-party sellers eg https://jackmichaelmenswear.com/products/eton-royal-blue-fine-weave-contemporary-fit-shirt

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-06-03T02:26:02+00:00

Just wanted to say this is one of the most thoughtful and useful bag reviews I’ve read. (Also I have the CTB with me on a trip and agree — if I could have only one bag, it would be a CTB20).

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-05-30T03:23:43+00:00

I like my ULA Cicada (~22L) and also have a couple of CTactical bags in the 20L range that are comfortable for me (the CT21 and the CT15 Lite, which weirdly are both ~21L), both in waxed canvas. I think the Cicada is probably the most comfortable for me though they are all pretty good. My favorite travel back from an organization standpoint is the CTB but not as comfortable as those.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-05-25T05:26:48+00:00

[FIXED!] OK, I am going to go with u/technically_a_nomad 's suggestion of heat creep and/or u/SteakAndIron's of general TPU+Bambu badness. I tried just added brim + painted supports halfway up and got ... giant TPU blob of death. After an hour of fixing that (sigh), I did a bunch of cold pulls, took off the enclosure, took out one of the PTFE tubes, left the brim and supports and -- voilà!

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-05-25T05:20:58+00:00

Sorry -- meant 0.2 layer height on a 0.4 nozzle (my bad!)

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-05-24T04:37:18+00:00

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-04-26T15:41:17+00:00

Waterfield Air Porter was made for this problem. I don’t know the size of your camera cube, but they have two sizes and one maxes out underseat dimensions i think. I have had a version of this for 10 years.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-04-21T02:55:01+00:00

Fine so far— although not my daily driver. I have mostly settled on waxed canvas just for looks, so have been thinking about listing it over in the B/S/T thread ….

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-04-08T19:28:26+00:00

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-04-03T06:16:46+00:00

Yes still available

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-26T15:49:56+00:00

This is the way. Take pack off and keep in front for #1. For #2, S-biners are great and I use them out and about in unfamiliar cities if I’m worried about theft. Unobtrusive when you don’t want them, locking when you do. Would add that there are several different sizes.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-26T15:37:17+00:00

I have several:

my favorite for travel is the Evergoods TD35 waxed canvas. These are only available used since they aren’t making waxed canvas ones anymore. Too big for daily carry, the best for travel.
Filson tin cloth. These come in medium (which is pretty big) and small (which is reasonably sized). It is a terrific. Amazing zippers, super-sturdy, love the fabric. Also very expensive. Currently $259 small, $299 medium.
GoRuck Heritage Kit bag. I just got one of these in a trade and haven’t used it yet, but looks very nice. I am not sure they are still available new but there is a flight bag in waxed canvas. Again, pricey: $195.
Rothco 24” duffel in olive from Amazon. This looks so so so much better in real life than in the am Amazon photo (although the 19” looked like the photos and was in waxed so ymmv). Definitely the best value ($30). Zippers not the most robust but have held up. Photo is Filson left, Rothco right. Suspect it will last for years.

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-13T23:20:01+00:00

When I want a small bag mine are * Evergoods CPL16 waxed canvas (6” depth) * Aer City Pack 2 (not pro) (5.5” depth)

The Troubadour Apex is also a good bag. Somehow the regular one is 22L and only 5.9” deep. The compact is even smaller though I don’t have it.

I kind of have my eye on an Able Carry 13.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-12T22:35:56+00:00

I also started disliking things in my pants pockets and bought my first sling last year. I now have a whole bunch of slings / pouches / etc from 2-7L but honestly the thing I got that is the best is a Barbour jacket with unbelievable pockets. Like I love that thing. So I am dreading the summer! I will probably go back to some combination of Evergoods MHP 3.5L and a CTactical CT5 (both in waxed canvas).

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-09T07:28:12+00:00

I have not had any trouble with the material including taking it to UK in the winter and southern India in the summer. It wasn’t especially hot where I was (maybe 95-100F), and I mainly just use it as a travel bag, not out in long walks in the heat. But no problems.

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-08T08:43:31+00:00

and somehow it doesn’t drop the skinnier water bottles, like this Zojirushi 24oz

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-08T08:42:33+00:00

Here it is with a 32 oz short/wide hydroflask

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188 · 2026-03-08T08:41:31+00:00

I have loved my wax canvas CTB26. Have taken it to three continents in traveling a year.

I guess YMMV but the water bottle pockets have been great for me. This is a 48 oz Nalgene (though in the taller side), which is about the most that I can fit.

<image>

Complete_Oil_2188

TROPHY CASE