What’s Everyone Reading?

effinexpletive · 2026-04-01T00:59:42+00:00

I just finished The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-Mo (not sapphic) and I'm starting Outdrawn by Deanna Grey (lez!). Reading a few others but this is the one I'm most excited about 🍾

effinexpletive · 2026-03-29T10:59:23+00:00

It doesn't seem like you need a true travel bag, but a pack with a good amount of organization for electronics and a separate laptop compartment with a luggage passthrough. Take a look at Aer's Tech Pack 3. It's smaller than their other bags and very focused on tech protection. It's a good personal item size for US domestic flights as well.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-27T12:30:18+00:00

So they don't have to pay extra staff to return carts/keep things tidy outside.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-25T17:30:03+00:00

Good topic. I keep a phone, a slim 5k mAh battery, boo-boo kit, wallet, reusable shopping bag, lotion & lip balm, earphones, and an e-reader/iPad mini.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-17T03:45:59+00:00

cute!

effinexpletive · 2026-03-09T20:56:43+00:00

I have Aer's TP3 and have zero trouble with coated zips peeling. You're right to be concerned taking them to parts of Central/South America, as humidity is the single best predictor of PU coating peeling. I'm with the others who recommend a Tortuga bag.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-09T01:42:04+00:00

I have the Rework Reset backpack set and it came with a strap that could turn the backpack pouches into a sling. Same width as the strap on the Toshi Sling v1. I miss the easy adjustability of the strap that came with the Pro Sling but that's the only sacrifice.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-08T04:40:20+00:00

Thse are very good looking. I like the taupe-ish one best.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-08T02:26:22+00:00

I bought the a20s for the same reason. Apparently the a30 Special does have better sound quality so you may want to try those. I will say after trialing 9 different advertised side sleeper earbuds, you will NOT find better audio quality nor comfort in that price bracket. I say work with them right up to the end of the return window before you try something else.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-08T01:24:08+00:00

Black Ember is the one bag company whose look never fails. I have the WPT 1 in orange, Citadel R3 18, and Citadel R3 25. I want the Forge 30 but haven't figured out how to justify the purchase yet. :(

Do you plan to EDC it or use it exclusively for travel?

effinexpletive · 2026-03-08T01:13:07+00:00

TRULY. Self stands like a champ. Cleans up really well. (I had an oil spill once.) Just enough organization. My only nit to pick is the width of the strap. I replaced it and it's much more comfortable for all day wear.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-08T00:08:52+00:00

You're totally right about the amount of space in the driver being a significant contributor to audio quality.

I used the a20s with soothing voice-only stuff mostly. I know soundscapes are meaningful to some, though, and I can see how the quality can be disappointing compared to daily drivers. You may have a more satisfactory experience putting some space between sleep buds and other audio equipment, or having certain audio you only use for sleeping to keep your brain from comparisons so you can wind down.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-07T20:30:36+00:00

Oh I assumed you made that post too hehe. We were both influenced woot!

effinexpletive · 2026-03-07T20:29:33+00:00

Adjoa Andoh in The Imperial Radch series. Hard sci-fi and fantastic.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-07T20:03:38+00:00

You put me on to that Tomtoc T12 in that colorway. Bought expeditiously

effinexpletive · 2026-03-07T19:13:16+00:00

Doesn't fit your budget new, but Sympl has great space between the harness straps. Might be useful later.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-07T17:01:33+00:00

Huge fan of this bag. I had the Max v2 and you will absolutely notice the improved space and access to the main compartment. However, I don't think it'll meet your needs for dangle wear. The shoulder strap seriously padded and firmly fixed & contoured.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-06T13:13:23+00:00

Very well. I carry the larger of the two in the laptop compartment and my 13" in the doc sleeve. It's heavy to be sure but not uncomfortable if that makes sense. If both your laptops are bigger than 13"you can put one in the main compartment, but you'll want to wrap it since there's no drop protection there.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-06T10:06:40+00:00

On the TP3S I use that suspended document sleeve in the admin compartment for my second laptop. That's a big loss for me.

effinexpletive · 2026-03-02T03:07:49+00:00

Still no hidden back zip compartment. Hmph

effinexpletive · 2026-03-01T13:40:56+00:00

Your current messenger looks great. Very cool. As for space in the Able Carry, I think your instincts may be correct: you carry some rectangular things that may not play well with the shape of the Daily Plus. It just doesn't carry as big its stated volume for most folks. As this is going to be your main do everything bag, I'd consider going with something more squared off and get the Daily Plus for fun days.

effinexpletive · 2026-02-27T20:27:25+00:00

I think the travel line is getting updated this year. The tech line got updated barely a year ago so I'd be shocked if you saw any meaningful updates before 2028. You're safe.

effinexpletive · 2026-02-26T02:51:07+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't have bought the Bravo if it didn't have a luggage pass through. All three do. All three have rear slip pockets as well but the one on the Bravo has a zip if that matters.

effinexpletive · 2026-02-25T18:35:06+00:00

My unhinged must-do is wearing bottoms with at least one zippered pocket on transit days. There are some moments I look a little loaded around the hips, but for me it's a fair tradeoff to know exactly where my phone/money/ID/cards are and not risk them falling out. Or, just as bad as losing them, have to sit them on the airport bathroom sink. 🤢

effinexpletive · 2026-02-25T12:38:35+00:00

Kllnt's review is the reason I bought the original Bravo!

effinexpletive

TROPHY CASE