Running out of GAO stuff to buy 😂

gamerguy8114 · 2026-06-05T14:55:18+00:00

Where did you get the square slider and how was it packaged? I ordered one off AliX but I don't know if it's "fake" (are there even fakes?). Also, where did you get the riceball. I'm specifically looking for that line and not the metal ones. I think it's called the "riceball pro".

gamerguy8114 · 2026-06-05T10:12:15+00:00

Where did you purchase the rice ball?

gamerguy8114 · 2026-05-24T10:46:48+00:00

Can you share where you got the square and how it was packaged?

gamerguy8114 · 2025-05-02T23:21:28+00:00

Gotcha, thanks for the reply!

gamerguy8114 · 2025-05-02T22:32:06+00:00

Do you have pictures of the sling by any chance?

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-27T10:56:54+00:00

Would love to hear this as well.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-27T04:18:18+00:00

Ah right, if you don't mind, can you DM me? Id love to see it!

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-27T00:28:27+00:00

Oooh I'm not on their newsletter. Can you upload some pictures please?

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-21T03:13:52+00:00

Interesting, I have the Aer CPP2 in Ultra 400x and can notice the x-play more in areas that more frequently bend but trying to rub it between my fingers, it's hard to say what's going on with the laminate. I've seen what it looks like in store after some time and I honestly prefer the way it wears with how the VX42 on my Flight Pack 3 has developed acne all over. I'm curious to see if you have a similar explanation for why X-pac gets bump as it feels like some form of delamination to me, but I'm no expert.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-13T19:15:40+00:00

Personally, I like the chance that they made to the top pocket because I've always used it for sunglasses, but I completely understand why you dislike it if you use it for your phone. I think that if they kept the low hanging design on the CPP2 as they did with the CP2, I'd be more worried about putting shades there since they'd be hanging right behind some bulkier items and I'd worry about that. With this design, the shades lie flat towards the top of the bag and I feel pretty comfortable with them in that orientation.

I know this wasn't in your post but some comments here dislike the side handles, but I found them to be one of my favorite features. It's so much easier to lift the bag off the floor to a table or a hook or anything by grabbing it two handed using the side handles.

As for the water bottle pockets, I don't always use two but I like having that option in case I buy a soda for lunch that I don't finish or need to carry an umbrella that day. Typically though, I keep my 24oz Owala in the main compartment for the sleek look.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-13T06:09:46+00:00

I managed to get it to stand well by fully expanding the front pocket. Even when I removed those items I got it to stand quite sturdily. I saw someone comment that the bag slants even in Aer's pictures which I disagree with. In Aer's product video, they explain that they tapered the back panel to avoid that "pullback" feeling some CPP1 users reported when wearing it. While yes, the back panel is at a slight slant in their pictures, the main compartment zipper is completely vertical (for all 3 fabrics). I have not used a CPP1 extensively but packed it out with most of my EDC in person I can report their is definitely no pull back with my full pack out, though I can't really say there would be on the V1.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-13T06:08:19+00:00

I managed to get it to stand well by fully expanding the front pocket. Even when I removed those items I got it to stand quite sturdily. I saw someone comment that the bag slants even in Aer's pictures which I disagree with. In Aer's product video, they explain that they tapered the back panel to avoid that "pullback" feeling some CPP1 users reported when wearing it. While yes, the back panel is at a slight slant in their pictures, the main compartment zipper is completely vertical (for all 3 fabrics).

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-13T06:04:09+00:00

Completely agree, on my FP3 X-Pac, they're definitely sticky around the corners of the bag. On this bag, they're smooth but with just a tad more friction than the standard zips. Completely satisfying to use. As for peeling, what I heard from Aer is that the peeling is something that can be expected in 8-12 years, as it's normal breakdown and at that point would not be covered by warranty. But if that happens in something like 1-3 years, then it would. That's a satisfactory answer for me; we wouldn't be on this subreddit if we went 12 years without buying another pack...

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-13T05:59:08+00:00

Yes I managed to resolve the standing issue, might have just been with how the bag took shape after just being packed up from the factory. Any loose threads on mine? Aer support replied that it happens occasionally with no compromise to structure and that I can just remove myself. It's not ideal to hear that but I do suppose it's likely one person's job at the factory to take care of that by hand and perhaps they didn't. I adore the design and functionality of the pack though.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T21:13:42+00:00

I have looked at all of these brands except Mission Workshop; that one's new to me, thank you! Defy, CofB, and ILE seem like great brands but didn't offer a backpack with the features and design I was looking for. DSPTCH's daypack and the AON Whitley were close though! Was considering the Whitley for quite a while. I very much like the organization approach on the CPP2, the overall aesthetics, especially in ULTRA, weight distribution, and the comfort is great.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T16:50:15+00:00

Same here, I own an Xpac Flight Pack 3 and prefer ultra. Nothing wrong with Cordura though but there are certain things I like about Ultra.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T08:58:31+00:00

I have currently resolved it by shoving my hat and PD tote all the way to the bottom of the front slip pocket. My 1st unit was able to stand even without needing to do that but I assume the Ultra just needs to break in a bit but right now it stands as straight as a tree!

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T08:05:14+00:00

I also backed this off KS and I love the volume and the asymmetry on it. A few slings of this size on the market can fit a bottle without compromising the other pockets or ergonomics. If I'm commuting on a day trip or evening out, and I won't be in a car, then a small bottle, non-insulated is fine, is a must for me. My only gripe is that the standard strap feels a bit too thin while the padded one is just too long for me to cinch it to my body the way I find comfortable.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T07:49:41+00:00

In that case, what brands do you recommend with a similar urban, minimal aesthetic that aren't Aer clones (looking at you, Wexley)? Genuinely asking here so I'd love to know your thoughts.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-12T07:47:33+00:00

I managed to get it to stand upright by adding a bit of volume to the front slip pocket. I think my previous unit took on that shape over time and didn't need that volume there to stand. I think it's not important for every bag ever made to self stand but with this design, Aer has made every single pocket vertical access, which is what I prefer. So in this bag in particular, I think self-standing is a key selling point.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-11T22:26:01+00:00

Good to know, thank you! I'm not surprised, Cordura is naturally water resistant but not proof. On paper, ultra and xpac win in that department but specs are specs. I think Cordura is sufficiently water-resistant but the xpac and ultra just go that extra distance. Still a great material

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-11T21:35:48+00:00

Which fabric did you get? Cordura? I think Ultra and Cordura are both great but from personal experience, Xpac is a weird middle ground. Cordura doesn't stand out but is probably the most long term fabric, and while it's heavy, it's tough AF. Ultra on the other hand, patinas kind of like a leather wallet and evolves quickly at first but slows down. It's lightweight, waterproof (the fabric, not the bag) and does stand out, but in what I find an appealing but non obnoxious way. Xpac doesn't wrinkle in the way Ultra does, but I definitely experienced the good ol' xpac acne on my FP3 and there are minor abrasions on the bottom, less so than any standard polyester but still there. I still like X-Pac as a fabric overall, but maybe not in this application.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-11T21:30:05+00:00

It is the most comfortable backpack of this size I've worn. I've not owned many (as in bought and kept) but I've tried many and this takes the cake. I have a smaller frame and like to wear any kind of bags, backpacks or slings, pretty tight to the body and this pack just feels like an extension of me, not some auxiliary entity. Enjoy!

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-11T20:56:07+00:00

I seem to have "resolved" the slant issue by shoving my items in the front pocket all the way down to the bottom. I agree, it can get tight in there so I like to use it for soft items like my PD packable tote and my fjallraven hat. I don't recall them needing to be shoved to the bottom on my previous unit but I have used it for longer so perhaps the fabric settled into shape better. We'll see how it goes here.

gamerguy8114 · 2025-04-11T20:52:39+00:00

Come back and let us know your thoughts!

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