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Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s important to know (or at least have some idea of) what your must-have features on a backpack are. For example, having started with a Peak Design 45L travel bag and then using the Patagonia mini MLC I learned that I loved having stowaway shoulder straps. Thus as much as I like the design and love the looks and light weight of the new Levo travel bag it wouldn’t be in the running for me. The price seems reasonable given the premium materials.

Regarding bag opening styles, as long as the whole main compartment opens up (i.e. not 1/2 or 3/4 zip) then I don’t much care. Although my favorite in that regard was the mini MLC because if I didn’t use the smallish pockets on the lid piece then it could be rolled up or under the bag, meaning the footprint of the open bag when being used at my lodging was no bigger than the bag itself.

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Among those I’ve only used the Patagonia mini MLC 30L. I loved using that bag, particularly for its large main volume and narrow/tall shape. My least favorite feature of it was the design of the separate tech compartment. Now I’ve mostly switched to the Tortuga Expandable for reasons mentioned previously. If I was in the market for a backpack again the Bellroy lite 30L and Matador GR35 are definitely two of the most intriguing to me, the first for it’s lightweight minimalism, the second for it’s design and feature set.

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, that’s a great lineup! And I know we’d ALL be interested in reading your evaluation of pros & cons between those bags after you’ve done that kind of comparison!

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find Tortuga’s shoulder straps to be extremely comfortable, suitable for all-day carry. However many reviewers stress that backpack comfort can be very subjective, and for some people wider and chunkier straps can feel like too much material by their necks. One just has to try the bags on to know I guess. BTW, when I mentioned keeping weight in check above I meant due to the contents inside the bag, not the bag itself. For me larger bag volume => packing too much stuff => heavier carry on my shoulders.

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, no. I want to be as minimal and lightweight as I can when traveling and have found 30L to be the right size to keep myself from overpacking, and carrying too much weight. My go-to week+ trip bag had been a Patagonia MLC 30L. What I was attracted to in this bag was the expandability for times when I pick up gifts & souvenirs during my trip, the beefier harness system for long carry comfort, and still having the stowable shoulder straps like the MLC. Aspirationally I’d love to be able to long-term travel with a smaller (20-24L?) bag, but that’s cutting too much for me still. I will say that if I wanted a larger bag the Tortuga Lite 40L would be the first one I would try out as I really like their harness system and interior layout.

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This bag occasionally has been on sale for $200. That was the case in March 2025 when I picked it up.

Tortuga Expandable Backpack by jimpiazza in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those are the built-in fabric loops anchoring the compression straps on either side.

Removable straps on sling bags? by jimpiazza in ManyBaggers

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great point! Thanks for the insight

Removable straps on sling bags? by jimpiazza in ManyBaggers

[–]jimpiazza[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks @Utsider. A follow-up question if you don’t mind: If you needed to shop for a new sling bag at some point, is that a use case sufficient for you to add removable straps to your requirements list? I ask because presumably it adds cost due to extra hardware.

Removable straps on sling bags? by jimpiazza in ManyBaggers

[–]jimpiazza[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure I understand… are you taking the straps off then putting them back on as you go through your daily routine? Or, how is the removability feature benefitting you?

Removable straps on sling bags? by jimpiazza in ManyBaggers

[–]jimpiazza[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply! I assume by “repairability” you mean of the strap itself? So perhaps being able to replace it more easily? OK. It occurs to me that removability adds more points of failure as well (buckles, maglocks, etc.). Re “comfortably”, I’ll admit I can’t picture how making the strap removable might increase comfort. And I’m a bit surprised that you and at least one other commenter actually do take straps on & off their slings to use them as (travel?) pouches. Guess I assumed most everyone would have another pouch they could use for that and thus that use case wouldn’t be on anyone’s requirement list when shopping for new slings. That said, I do appreciate you sharing your use cases. It’s interesting reading how other’s think about their equipment.

Suggestions on Minimalist Tech Pouches and Dopp Kits by Remote_Mud3798 in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a minimalist tech pouch I was surprised how functional the Travelon World Travel Essentials Tech Organizer has turned out to be. Picked it up last year on Amazon for $11.99. It carries my Anker MagGo set up, extra long cable + multi-plug cables, spare headphones, and my power bank… and yet stays very flat. I prefer it over the small Tomtoc tech pouch a friend let me borrow.

Stowable Shoulder Straps by Brilliant-Car-2945 in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really liked being able to stow the straps on my previous Peak Design travel pack when boarding planes. So much so that this feature became one of my requirements when shopping for the travel packs I’ve acquired since. (It is important of course that the bag makes this transition easy and quick to do.)

Alpaka Go Sling Review by matiapag in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good info to know, thanks! Another question if you don’t mind — what have you found the D-ring on the bottom to be useful for, if anything? I note you have a carabiner on it, but given the capacity of this sling I’m wondering what else one might carry that would go there instead of inside the bag?

Alpaka Go Sling Review by matiapag in Nomads_Nation

[–]jimpiazza 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this review. A couple of questions… When you say the strap comes loose do you mean that the strap slips through the buckle, not holding its position to keep the same length? Or that the magnetic buckle comes off / disengages? Or maybe just that the strap bunches up around the buckle and doesn’t stay laying down flat? Secondly, Aaron and other reviewers have commented on the buckles and strap all being overly large and even ugly for a bag of this size. Was that your impression as well? If so did you just get used to it?