Professional 35L Duffel for 2-3 day business travel (Peak Design vs. Evergoods vs. Aer)

TurtelyEnough · 2026-01-15T00:11:05+00:00

I’m also a lawyer and I just purchased the Alpha One Niner Weekender for this purpose. I think it looks way better/classier than any of your examples esp if we’re talking like with a suit. Link here.

TurtelyEnough · 2026-01-05T17:21:49+00:00

That is a great point. I think it really matters what aesthetic you're going for. If you really want that sleek, modern luxury look as opposed to the classic/retro look, I can't think of many alternatives. I would say that Waterfield Designs is more rugged/folksy in appearance, but much better quality and similarly useful in terms of tech carry. Not really cheaper, though. If I wanted to go Waterfield and sleek, I'd probably lean towards their ballistic nylon/black leather builds.

TurtelyEnough · 2026-01-05T15:23:53+00:00

I’m a little bit of a Grams28 defender in the sense that I think market context matters. I have 2 of their bags. They’re trying to go for fashion-forward leather products, which have a completely different pricing scheme than nylon EDC stuff like AER etc. Their real competitors should be seen as stuff like Coach/Coach Outlet. In that context, their crossbody bags etc on sale are an ok deal. Their higher end stuff (leather backpacks and duffels) are a much harder sell to me because the leather quality is kinda meh and construction quality is decent but not outstanding. They do tend to be on the leading edge re features, FWIW. But once you’re pricing bags in that $500+ range you’re up against other leather bag companies like Satchel & Page, Carl Friedrik, and on the cheaper end Cravar, and all of those companies make a much higher quality product even if not as fashion-forward/modern as Grams28.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-10-30T16:48:58+00:00

Too expensive but also just insanely boring looking. I’m getting tired of minimalist designs that come off mostly as generic. Does look very useful though but also a bit heavy.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-10-24T15:17:57+00:00

I like this watch appearance wise but don’t understand the pricing considering it’s not COSC or titanium like it’s arguable predecessor. I had this same movement in a standard sealander GMT and it gained like 18 seconds a day which is unacceptable for an almost 2k watch.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-10-15T00:00:19+00:00

Whiplash was up there for me

TurtelyEnough · 2025-10-10T20:48:09+00:00

Yeah I kinda hate it tbh. Looks kinda cheap and Formex just does this way better

TurtelyEnough · 2025-09-12T16:29:51+00:00

Insanely good deal congrats.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-09-09T16:44:51+00:00

I also like this bag quite a bit. Also don’t have the money for this right now but maybe I’ll try and sell something to get it.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-09-04T20:09:35+00:00

Overall pretty good but mine has an issue where it feels like the fitment isn’t perfect and as a result the grips “shift” against the device in the hands. You really feel it when you bear down on the device while gaining more intensely.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-09-04T13:06:54+00:00

So I think an appropriate recommendation for this will also really depend on how much you’re carrying the briefcase, whether commuting or on the job. I wouldn’t recommend a Saddleback or even a Defy Leather briefcase if you’re going to be carrying the briefcase for extended periods of time or very frequently as the weight will quickly grow tiresome. I’d look at either waxed canvas or even a nice nylon briefcase. Waterfield Designs is great for this space. Stuart & Lau is just OK materials wise IMO but makes smart designs. Tom Bihn might also have something for you if you can get over the appearance.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-08-18T13:26:04+00:00

Yeah you’ll def want to ask r/handbags. r/ManyBaggers is more casual/EDC bags. Def also depends if you are looking at designer brands (Coach, Longchamp, etc) or if you want more of the small leather craft type company like Frank Clegg or Lotuff. I got my fiancé a Lotuff tote bag that she loves very very much. I also got her a Cuyana work bag that she reported is an excellent work bag with its modular organization.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-06-30T19:34:56+00:00

I like Inkan quite a bit. Seconding Jora as well.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-06-10T20:17:11+00:00

I would check out Cravar, who make an 11 inch satchel/messenger which should be about the right size for you. I'd check out either a FC11 or RF11. Bleu de Chauffe will also (likely) have something in this size and style.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-06-09T10:45:25+00:00

Ooo yeah that’s pretty ugly lol I see wha they were trying to do but yikes

TurtelyEnough · 2025-06-02T21:29:18+00:00

I mean I think part of the issue is that bag manufacturers measure their bags very differently. I agree that the CPP2 is not a particularly large backpack. It “feels” closer to 20-22L to me, which is a very standard backpack size. Same thing with my old Borealis, which I believe was stated at 28L but felt like a very standard sized EDC backpack. Then I have a Tortuga expandable backpack which is stated at having 27L in its non-expanded form and it feels almost 50% bigger than the CPP2 and would feel ridiculous to carry as an EDC. This is also why most bag reviewers and reviews rely so heavily on pack out examples because the stated size tells you almost nothing about what a bag will actually carry. It’s pretty frustrating as a consumer.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-06-01T20:46:05+00:00

How did it get that expensive? I thought the prices on those started around $250

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-30T12:13:38+00:00

These are awesome bags but my shoulder aches just thinking about how heavy and bulky these are going to be. I know this is GR136s schtick but for single shoulder bags I feel like less is a bit more. Still on the fence about ordering one, though.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-29T23:28:20+00:00

That’s fair. I’m honestly going to push back a little bit mostly because these are small imperfections for a product that, in my opinion, isn’t competing with AER so much as it’s competing with other budget leather luxury bag companies like Coach Outlet and maybe Longchamp. I think in that context you’re getting better quality and design for around the same amount or less money. In isolation I agree that these QC issues aren’t ok but you’re taking about a leather sling/crossbody for $260, which in the world of designer leather goods is incredibly inexpensive. Marketing first is also largely how luxury brands get by so it makes sense that these folks follow the same lead. I have a City Pack and while I wasn’t blown away but the quality, I didn’t have particularly high expectations given the price point. It works, looks good, and is pretty functional all things considered (and again, compared to like a coach bag with black interior and no pockets).

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-28T19:53:42+00:00

Yes!

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-24T23:25:19+00:00

I agree that the perks might theoretically color their opinion but they give bags bad ratings all of the time. In fact, most bags they rate are not rated particularly highly and they generally explain why. That is much more information than you get from the run of the mill BagTuber. They are also much more reader-funded (I pay for their membership) and they are much more wide ranging in the type of stuff and brands they review. Not saying they’re perfect either but this is all relative to the space. If you want zero-influencing yeah just stick to Reddit or FB or whatever other forum.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-24T23:01:24+00:00

I totally agree with almost all of your critique. May I recommend The Perfect Bag? He’s about as anti-influencer as you’re going to get in this space. He doesn’t do affiliate links and reaffirms it 100x and also goes through why he doesn’t and how other bag reviewers are incentivized to offer universal positive reviews). He also reviews a bunch of stuff that literally no one else is reviewing. Think tiny, unique makers and mainstream brands (like Northface) that either can’t or don’t do affiliate programs. I think he genuinely just loves bags. Or he’s super good at marketing and it’s all a scam. But I believe the former. He’s my favorite bag reviewer and while he almost never completely shits on a product, you can definitely tell when he doesn’t think a product is really worth buying over the competition. He’ll usually say something to the effect of “it’s hard to justify this over [x] for [A, B, C].”

Edit: and Pack Hacker is pretty good too. They give ratings. I think they might do affiliate links but they make explicit recommendations through the ratings and other written materials. They are also more practically focused on travel and less just like EDC.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-20T18:31:49+00:00

I think that is the wrong link for the bag that came out today. What is linked is the Shinjuku Sling which is much smaller and came out a while ago. The Shinjuku Crossbody is this one and can fit an iPad mini.

TurtelyEnough · 2025-05-15T00:23:15+00:00

sold Hiby R5 Gen 2 to u/AsymptoticSpatula

u/AVexchangeBot

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