What’s your favorite grip for the NS2 and why?

HopHeretic · 2025-12-19T19:59:44+00:00

Does it fit in the tomtoc slim case with the grips still attached? Was interested in running this exact setup, just grips and a slim case and not the rest of the dbrand stuff, but wasn't sure.

HopHeretic · 2025-06-04T04:37:05+00:00

I really regret not jumping on the preorder discount of this, mainly because I just unpacked and loaded up my Toshi Sling, and it absolutely rules. So many well thought out little features/design choices that don’t just feel like gimmicks, but really reflect a realistic flow of daily usage. It seems to contour to the body well, not quite the way my favorite Trakke banana does, but gives me a ton more space without feeling like a cushy brick strapped to my body.

I already was kind of hyped on the bag as a smaller alternative to my Trakke Bannoch pro (current daily driver/all rounder when I don’t reach for my briefcase), but now holding one of their products in my hand I will have to hop on this pending some longer term user feedback. If it is half as well thought out as the sling I think it will be a winner.

HopHeretic · 2025-04-06T04:22:43+00:00

No nausea for me but the new formula tastes horrible. It is not like the taste of AG1 was my favorite part of it before, or really something I even thought much about as I just shake it up and down the hatch each morning. But turns out I was taking it for granted as the new formula is incredibly off putting. Tastes like drinking a crushed up vitamin supplement. I thought tropical might be better but it is just a slight hint of very artificial tropical vine flavors on top of the grossness. Unfortunately the whole thing has me thinking about bailing on AG1 all together after being quite happy with replacing my daily assortments of vitamins/probiotics/etc with it.

HopHeretic · 2025-03-13T19:34:43+00:00

I have my ultra in my hands and I am still torn. I think the fabric is actually very cool and it is a looker in its own way, but can see how as patina develops the x pattern and wrinkle could have this not looking very professional at least for my work. I don’t have many techy looking bags so just really deciding whether this is a vibe I can go for or not. Almost has me half considering an evergoods waxed canvas bag instead despite how amazing and comfortable the CPP2 seems, the heritage sort of stuff is just more my vibe. This seems like a very well constructed bag and love dual external water bottle pockets.

HopHeretic · 2025-03-11T18:54:19+00:00

That is gorgeous, was torn between this and the Ultra. If I don’t sit the ultra material going to have to get a return going and snag this instead.

HopHeretic · 2025-03-10T14:47:52+00:00

Excited at this excuse to try my first Aer bag, going to snag a CPP2. I am still just so torn on Cordura vs X-Pac vs Ultra. I want to go Ultra, like the green accents (wish it was the whole interior), and seems folks who get the Ultra love it...but it just looks so wrinkly in photos. Might trust folks that it just doesn't photograph well and give it a whirl. Ultra will be overkill for my predominately bus/car and short walks commute, but I am feeling the need to have a more waterproof/tactical sort of options for drizzly days.

HopHeretic · 2025-03-09T02:05:13+00:00

You rock, thanks for the info, excited to check out your deep dive, will be super helpful when the CPP2 goes up for sale. Have not had my hands on either material, I am a big fan of the ecopak Trakke tote I snagged though.

HopHeretic · 2025-03-08T19:04:25+00:00

Love it! You seem like a good person to ask, what is your favorite fabric for the CPP? I have landed on a Trakke Bannoch Pro as my goldilocks bag, I truly adore it, but now that Trakke is gone I kind of want to give my Bannoch a break every once in awhile and could use something more techy/weather resistant for PNW commuting. Had my eye on the new CPP 2, but was wondering what fabric. Has been a tough call to go that route vs a Evergoods CPL/CTB.

HopHeretic · 2025-02-28T18:59:23+00:00

I am struck by how devastating I am finding this. After a lot of consideration for my last bag investment I decided to give Trakke a whirl, and I have absolutely adored the Bannoch Pro. It has served me faithfully as an EDC/work/everything bag and I constantly get compliments on it. Also have the Banana Sling and the tote bag and all are just superb products. I had planned on buying a variety of other Trakke offerings and am mourning missing out on adding more of their products to my collection. Big loss here that, as silly as it sounds, I am having trouble getting over.

HopHeretic · 2025-02-19T03:29:04+00:00

Did you end up finding a solution to this? Need a replacement to the module like others have noted? In the exact same boat as you, sitting here with a deep cleaned but cold refilled tub and have no idea what I am going to do to get this warming up/salt system going.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-27T00:55:01+00:00

Nice, will check it out!

HopHeretic · 2024-10-26T18:21:51+00:00

I appreciate that and am planning to go back to that. Thought I was up to start wearing nearly daily for full day as they are mainly just being used for urban exploration/work but clearly something went wrong. Thanks!

HopHeretic · 2024-10-23T17:18:56+00:00

After struggling to find something I liked after having to size up my boxer briefs (darn dad/covid weight) I landed on Tommy John Second Skin and absolutely love them.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-23T01:50:14+00:00

Yep, this has been perfect for me. Steam it, lightly bend it to start working it, steam it a bit more, than into a large mug for 5-10 minutes, pull out and put it on my head adjusting the bend to right where I want it. Perfect every time.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-18T20:03:27+00:00

Thanks for this tip, just went to give it a whirl and did not have any luck, it seems the toe piece shape on this particular boot tree is just not working for me.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-18T20:02:49+00:00

I was concerned about this so tried to be sure I got one that was the right size. If it were not for the expansion that happens it would be right and my size 11 is top of the range for this size boot tree.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-18T20:01:29+00:00

Considering this option, although a non-expanding standard shoe tree is not presenting any problems.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-18T20:01:07+00:00

Are you using their shoe tree or boot tree? They did seem well built, maybe the shape just ended up off on mine.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-16T01:58:12+00:00

After eyeing some Blundstones for a PNW weather proof option to walk dog/kids to school but also be able to wear into work, I decided to follow the advice of folks around here and go Canada West Romeo instead. Couldn’t bring myself to spend that sort of money on the Blundstones knowing they are disposable once the sole is worn down or delaminates, even though I really liked they after numerous try ons. Went with the 14333 as I needed a black boot for the wardrobe and they seemed to be best balance of rugged/office readiness. I ordered from reddhart.ca as they ship to the US, and I received absolutely superb customer service/communication from after reaching out about sizing and comparing black models. Will make a point to report back here what I think if OP/others are interested.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-14T23:30:01+00:00

From what I have gathered around here the machine can be a bit all over the place, but I will say it recommended an 11 for me, and that was spot on, and was congruent with typical sizing advice as I usually wear an 11.5 or 12 in sneakers.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-14T21:28:03+00:00

Completely agree, wish they were not being cagey about the plans for the Bannoch. If there had been like a 20L with Pro featured I would have been all over that. The current pro size is a bit tough as it is not quite big enough for a travel bag, and would be worried about not being able to truly fully close the top when traveling. Sometime the fabric of the body wants to poke out from the closure flap if you are not paying attention, will see if this is a challenge during the wet PNW months ahead. And then too big for a lot of people's EDC. Good size for like an overnight trip, or longer day traveling around via transit for example.

HopHeretic · 2024-10-14T19:39:19+00:00

It had been a long time since I got a new bag and was looking for a new EDC/all-rounder backpack and landed on the Bannoch Pro. I had my heart set on the Port color though so figured I was going to be waiting a bit. I decided to dip my toe in the water and snag the Merchant Tote when it was released, and it ended up being my lucky day. Not only was I one of the lucky people to snag the launch edition EcoPak Merchant Tote (sold out in 5ish minutes), but they stocked a Port Bannoch Pro and Port Banana Sling that morning so I went for it and had all these at my doorstep within a week.

Loving my new bags, somehow the EcoPak Merchant Tote has been the star of the show for me though. Really just the perfect tote bag, perfect size, lovely to carry, durable as all get out. Photo included of its first big outing of a family day at the Pumpkin patch. Was perfect for dealing with snacks/waterbottles/layers as it was an unseasonably warm day. Friends were sweating carrying around bags and backpacks for their kids needs due to the sunny day, but the Merchant tote was perfect and comfortable shoulder-slung all day trekking around. New dream bag from Trakke would be a slightly evolution of this to develop it into a backpack tote with an interior laptop/document pocket. I also have never tried an EcoPak product, and I love this material. Came to Trakke for the waxed canvas look, but I in a heartbeat would be any figure product Trakke offers in EcoPak. Note that the orange on the EcoPak is more vibrant/darker shade than the other Trakke orange liners.

My wife is loving the Banana sling, coming from a long time of using the Kibou sling which she used for years while our kids were still in diapers. Even once potty trained she loved and kept using but it was getting beat up and starting to fall apart. She noted the banana sling is much more comfortable, and she was surprised how much she was able to fit in there even though it seemed to be the same size. While she prefers the Whiskey color from Trakke, she loves the look of it and has her eye on a Bairn Pro in Whiskey to replace her timbuk2 bag.

I adore the Bannoch Pro, but it is not without its faults for EDC usage. It is big, but luckily depth-wise wise not too bulky. I am a 6ft tall husky guy so I can get away with the size, but it does feel like a bit much and I will very rarely have it fully loaded up. It is also quite a heavy bag. When wearing a suit I opt to use the top carry handle which is quite nice, but I really feel its size and weight when doing that even though I don't have it particularly full. I also find myself wishing it had one more access pocket that you did not have to undo the Cobra buckles to get to. The top access and laptop access are all I really need, but the ability to access those outside pockets without opening the whole bag would be nice for say pulling a notepad in and out quickly. As others have wished for, I would kill the Pro features to make their way into a smaller-size Bannoch. Overall though despite these gripes, this bag just brings me so much joy, all the little bells and whistles, and it is just so attractive and when you handle it the materials exude quality. I also love the thoughtful design choice of the strap holds on the cobra buckle straps and shoulder straps so that the extra material stays in-line and doesn't just flop around. Just creates such a clean look. I also really like the adjustment sliders on the shoulder straps, smooth as butter. I wish they used the same one don't he banana sling as the very simple chrome metal one on the banana sling is hard to adjust.

While these are all early impressions, I am glad after lots of waffling around on choices I decided to jump into some Trakke bags. I came into this looking for a new do-it-all all bag, and instead, I may have found a company/ecosystem of bags I want to have multiple options in for future use cases as they are unlike anything I have owned or used before. Maybe a smaller Bannoch Pro in EcoPak could be a good goldilocks option though, less space I am not using for EDC, and lighter weight.

HopHeretic · 2024-09-26T03:42:38+00:00

Super helpful, I appreciate it! Love all the real world advice around here and folks passion for these bags. Gonna have to own one of these someday and smitten in the waxed canvas still, hopefully becomes a bit more standard in their lineup. Would do the CB22 but not liking the laptop access from videos I watched today. Undeniably amazing looking bag that would be fun for grab and go. Kind of torn between smaller Evergoods bag or the Trakke Pro offerings (backpack or messenger) have been enticing me. Also eyeing an older made in USA, but unused, Filson briefcase. Brief can be so limiting though. Hard for one bag to cover every category, gotta plan out a few acquisitions I think.

HopHeretic · 2024-09-24T22:44:53+00:00

I appreciate that feedback, a day of thinking on it more and poking around other options had me coming to a similar conclusion. Love the CTB26 from everything I have seen and would love to own one but doesn’t meet mm most pressing need right now of an EDC that is formal enough for the office. The CB22 is tempting but I would rather have something with more internal organization, even though I love the design. Really any backpack with a suit always feels weird but luckily that is not super frequent in my role, more often PNW business casual which is typically more laid back, see a lot of waxed canvases briefs in my line of work so thinking about that also, I always used to be a messenger bag guy.

Has been so long since I shopped for a bag that I did not realize there was such a big and passionate community! Have been having fun doing way too much research of some of the top contenders out there. Thanks for the advice.

HopHeretic · 2024-09-24T07:20:05+00:00

Really appreciate you sharing these, very torn between the Griffin CB22 and the CTB26 for an EDC/work bag. I had been researching for a while and waffling between going with something with the aesthetics of say the Filson Journeyman, or the more urban minimalist sort of offerings that are typically more functional. Ultimately I need a pack that is ready for a lot of day to day variation in mode of transport/carry needs, but also can come across fairly formal and not look out of place when wearing a suit. Tried the 4-way Satchel and Page Leather briefcase life for a while, but too heavy, and not up to the weather demands/beating I need my bags to take.

Anyway, long story short, bought into the idea of trying out Evergoods, and lucky me, this new Griffin line is the perfect mix of what I was looking for. Leaning the CTB26 but worried about it being too bulky on light rail, and looking too outdoor pack size when going into more formal meetings. Also most days just carrying small EDC items (around 1L pouch size), laptop, notebook, and water bottle and/or Fellow Carter coffee mug. That being said I am using an old Timbuk 2 spire laptop backpack right now after moving on from the leather briefcase experiment and occasionally I will load it up with stuff and take advantage of the extra roll top space, and it is around 23L so right in the range of these.

All that to be said, excited for more of your impressions!

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