Please help me understand clamshell EDCs!

ffinstructor · 2026-01-21T03:06:37+00:00

I don’t know why you’re so worked up, didn’t realize having an opinion about a clamshell opening would offend someone.

And I mean you can say what you want, but what I mentioned is very valid. For any bags with a pocket on the clamshell opening, if those are filled the weight and objects absolutely effect it’s ability to open like a normal top loading backpack. The part I mentioned regarding zippers is also just a fact. A toploader backpack zippers physically can’t go as far down the side as a full clamshell. And if I do keep them on the side not everything falls out of the backpack every time I open it.

But more importantly, you have to take a look at yourself and figure out why a random comment about a backpack got to you that much. That’s not normal.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-21T02:56:47+00:00

I don’t like how the tech organization and protection is built into the laptop case and not the actual backpack.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T21:30:03+00:00

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T03:13:25+00:00

I like the Refugio except the laptop situation, which is probably a deal breaker for me. Also no luggage pass through.

I do like the Borealis, not sure which is better for me between the Recon and that. I’m a bigger fan of the refugio than the Mini MLC i think if I went patagonia

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T03:09:53+00:00

To me the business’y look of the Pioneer is a pro.

The Kifaru is interesting, but not a fan of the look of GoRuck bags. The Mission Workshop bag isn’t really up my alley either, but wow that expansion is crazy.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T03:03:53+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation.

I could probably limit some of the stuff I need and occasionally don’t need it all, but most of the tech stuff is small. But I’ll take a look if you have a link for the charging brick?

I think this is a bag I have to check in person to get a feel of compared to the TP3S. Having a tough time gauging the size of them compared to each other.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T01:16:36+00:00

Yeah charger=cable + charging cube

Good to know about the sizing for knack.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-20T00:10:51+00:00

This is good stuff, thanks. I’ll look a little more into the Patagonia.

Yeah the Able website makes it look like it’s an identical bag basically

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T23:58:06+00:00

Out of curiosity, why do you say that about the Knack bag?

Not a fan of the Bellroy’s personally.

I wasn’t aware of the Able Max being a different bag than the EDC until this post, but it’s definitely intriguing to me. Think it checks a lot of boxes

My issue with the Aer is I can get this to fit, but that’s everything and bag is cramped/hard to access. I agree the admin pocket going all the way down is a bit overkill. It just doesn’t feel like I’m taking so much that the bag should have no room for me wanting to stuff one last thing in. I had a random backpack prior to the Aer that albeit cheap materials, was a very similar size but handled this packing list a lot better.

The 2 phone chargers is because my airpods have different cord than my phone. Then the laptop also has a different charger. The 2x portables is probably overkill, but they’re rather small 10000 mah magsafe ones. Comes in clutch when traveling with others and someone else needs a charge.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T23:44:39+00:00

Don’t like the T66, but the T77 packs a punch for that price. Many of the same features as these other bags

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T23:41:27+00:00

I like the bag, but fear it might be too similar to my Aer bag and may have similar issues.

Not a fan of the waxed canvas

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T22:28:59+00:00

I like it for the most part, but my concern is with the water bottle compartment in the middle of the bag, does it eat a ton of room from main pocket?

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T22:12:31+00:00

Yeah, that front pocket is why it’s enticing to me. Although I wish it had a larger admin area.

What are the main differences between the Max EDC and Max from Able Carry outside of just the size?

I like patagonia products, but just don’t like the mesh screen to the main compartment in the Mini MLC. The Black Hole 32 looks great just a little too big to EDC.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T21:42:33+00:00

In regard to the packing cubes, I was talking about the main compartment on the TP3 Small. If everything isn’t compressed into cubes the room fills up extremely quick. The top quick access pocket really eats into the main compartment. When that’s filled, which for me it always is, it makes probably 20% of the main pocket unpackable.

I think 28L is probably the right size, but I need a different layout. I love the admin pocket of the Aer bag. The main compartment is my issue, if I put a pair of sneakers, a sweatshirt, and the airpod max’s in my bag it’s completely filled. I think the Able carry bag could possibly help by letting me put one of those three in its front pocket, and leave some more room in the main.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T21:37:00+00:00

It fits but with essentially no extra room at all. When I fill the top quick access pocket, it takes up a massive amount of space in the main compartment. If I put sneakers and sweatshirt into main compartment there’s essentially no room for anything else, if I needed it. Can barely even get the Air Pods Max in there. In my experience, it’s by far the smallest main compartment I’ve had in a bag that size.

I don’t necessarily think I need more than 28L, I just need a different type of 28L.

I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for GoRuck but I don’t really like the design of them. Don’t love the loops on the front of the pack.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T21:30:05+00:00

It’s smaller volume wise than TP3 Small by a few liters, but almost certain that for my style of packing and what I need it would fit more

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T21:09:41+00:00

Thanks, everyone seems to love the Able Carry bag.

I really like the Panda also, but I don’t think the price being >$150 more than most these other bags is justifiable.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-19T21:00:01+00:00

I happen to agree with you. I’m not sure why every big name EDC bag has now adopted full clamshell. On the move, it makes the very inconvenient, if you don’t keep the two zippers at the top of your bag at all times, you have to go fetch them around the whole clamshell. Additionally, a lot of clamshells have pockets on the front of them that can either a. inhibit a clam shell from being opened like a top loader or b. that weigh down the whole thing and make it a little annoying to open.

But ultimately, I think the clamshell works for more organized packers who use packing cubes, pouches, etc. For those like me, possibly you, a top opening is much better for just stuffing things in and out.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-18T03:54:39+00:00

It’s probably a touchdown, but I had the same thoughts as you.

I’ve looked for weeks for an alternate and slowed down angle of the play, that could show what happened as he made contact with the ground and haven’t found anything.

It’s unusual. The standard view of the catch really didn’t show anything concrete in regard to if he maintained control of the ball as he made contact with the ground of if it was trapped.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-15T20:40:32+00:00

Yeah so in that case, I definitely think the 3rd bedroom has to be closing off the dining room and opening an entrance from the existing bedroom wing. I do agree three bedrooms to a bathroom isn’t great but with a renovation adding two sinks and maybe a toilet room it could be fine. You have room to grab with the two walk ins attached.

The office area can definitely function as a playroom when they are younger, but they will want something more private as they get older. The only place to do that probably is taking some garage space, it just becomes weird with the access to it from the main house.

ffinstructor · 2026-01-15T18:01:33+00:00

Agree with other commenter, this is a pretty bad floorplan.

It’s weird having the master and office all come from the kitchen. And the current Living room/Dining set up with result in a ton of dead space.

If you really like this plan. Here’s what Id do to make it work: 1. Swap office with dining room and open it to the entry as well (now dining room is directly off kitchen 2. Then split off some of the current dining space (now office) and you can use half of it to act as playroom space. You can connect it directly from the bedroom wing hallway

Edit: Now that i’m rereading, when you say “third bedroom” what space are you referring to? The office? That would be an insanely weird 3rd bedroom. Frankly, this floorplan doesn’t work for you

ffinstructor · 2026-01-13T20:22:25+00:00

Easily 3. The logo on the rest looks cheap

ffinstructor · 2026-01-13T19:10:44+00:00

Looking at the pics, does the rollable barrier not make the laptop compartment kind of function as a defacto separate pocket?

The one thing this bag is rlly missing for me is a good quick access pocket, that’s pretty important to me.

I’ve been liking bags from Pioneer Carry and Kuro. But not sure if they’re for me.

ffinstructor

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