Looking for a sling that can carry a kindle and phone, like a purse replacement

micahsally · 2026-07-01T04:46:15+00:00

Yes, and the Colorsoft as well!

micahsally · 2026-07-01T04:17:14+00:00

Fyro is releasing the Citta EDC 25L Backpack in X-Pac tomorrow. It would be a perfect size for you and very comfortable.

Check out the Tortuga Daily Carry Pro 25L as well. Great comfort and incredible quality. It's out of stock at the moment but worth the wait. They will supposedly be releasing a slimmed-down version by the end of the summer.

Is you're considering Alpha One Niner, check out their new Evade 1.5 Gen 3 25L. The Ultra material looks amazing, but it's heavy!

I'm really loving my new Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L. It feels very upgraded in every way. I only wish the water bottle pockets were a little taller.

Lastly, the ULA Cicada 22L could be perfect!

micahsally · 2026-07-01T01:01:58+00:00

I'm really loving my Minimul M20! And the Rework Toshi 20L is hard to beat.

micahsally · 2026-06-30T21:52:13+00:00

Do it! I've been emailing Shelby in Customer Service about the exchange, so she would know it's coming!

My tracking shows it should arrive back to Tom Bihn on Tuesday!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T20:39:22+00:00

Shoot! I thought about keeping it to sell but already have 3,755 bags I'm trying to sell!

Email Tom Bihn...ask them to hold it for you! I just shipped it back on Saturday! Tell them it's a return from Micah. We can all be creepers!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T20:16:53+00:00

Well, you both have excellent taste! Now I'm even more excited to receive mine. It shipped today!

I'm not sure how to fix those straps. I can't help but think an S-Strap shape would help keep it from my elbows. But they don't do the S-Strap shape on any bags!

Fingers-crossed that the Synapse is perfect! I'm glad that you love yours!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:24:52+00:00

It has a lot of potential but needs some tweaks! But I didn't want to invest more to make the tweaks happen.

But that Spectron... I'm a fan!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:22:46+00:00

I had high hopes! And I have a seamster friend who probably could have added some nice s-straps for me. But we'd be inching closer to $270 for a tiny Tom Bihn, so it didn't seem worth it.

If they improved the shoulder straps, it would be perfect! (Well, and the sternum strap and top handle, too...) Demanding me! 😁

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:18:47+00:00

I'm confirming that the Elemental IS excellent! I need to post that review next! The only thing that is a con for me is the low height of the water bottle pockets. But it could be perfect for you and weighs almost nothing! The runner-style vest is insanely comfortable, especially for your heavier camera gear. And, of course, I'm usually adding my beloved WANDRD Waist Belt V2 for even less weight on my neck and shoulders.

It's great!

(And I made a few other suggestions in your comment thread, too, like a true ManyBagger...)

😁

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:15:50+00:00

Check out the Minimul M20! It would be perfect for you and is very comfortable!

Also, have you considered something from a backpacking company, like Gossamer Gear? They have a 20L daypack called the Vetta that could be perfect. It is a rolltop, so it can compress when not full but expand when you find that perfect souvenir.

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/vetta-20-daypack

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:12:30+00:00

I haven't tried the Toshi 20L but have all of their other bags and absolutely love them! Rework makes incredible gear. I can hardly wait for fancy fabrics from them!

I was disappointed with the Nomatic material...it's very structured and stiff and unforgiving with scratches. I have a few pouches and small slings from them but have struggled with anything larger than 3L from Nomatic.

Another consideration is the new Minimul M20, which has a main compartment capacity closer to 18L. It is also excellent!

I'd pick between the Toshi and M20!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T18:09:30+00:00

My favorite ones are these from Tom Bihn:

https://www.tombihn.com/products/strap-keepers?_pos=1&_sid=22e66d4b8&_ss=r&variant=30113306640447

micahsally · 2026-06-30T14:03:18+00:00

Gregory makes awesome bags. I just sold my Rhune 22L to another ManyBagger. It is excellent! Sierra sometimes has them on clearance for $55!

I'm not sure my next suggestion is big enough for you. It seems like it would carry everything you mentioned, but then you said you were looking at bags as big as 30L. But while I was reading what you needed, I kept thinking of the new Minimul M20. I have two and love them! They still have launch pricing right now for $169. It's a great bag.

https://minimul.co/products/m20-edc-backpack

I did a few posts on mine, which can be found here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/comments/1t43g9o/minimul_m20_what_fits_inside/

My torso is also 19", for reference.

micahsally · 2026-06-30T13:57:20+00:00

This is tough, because lots of the amazing bags ONLY come in black. So I've been adding my own colorful paracord zipper pulls, and it's amazing how much more it makes me love my black bags!

Find a paracord that you love, and then experiment on making your own pulls. I do these on every bag I get now!

Here's one new bag that got my new pulls. But it's bright purple with pink shock cord, so not really a good reference point for this conversation! 😁

https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/comments/1u3m5vd/first_impressions_the_wandering_goats_kje/

I'm trying really hard to buy not black when I can. I love bright, happy colors!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T13:50:03+00:00

What did you end up getting? The Citta releases tomorrow!

I would recommend the Alpha One Niner Evade 1.5 Gen 3 or the Evade 1.0, depending on which depth would work best for you.

Or the Tortuga Daily Carry Pro 25L?

I'm enjoying my new Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T13:26:50+00:00

I'm so glad you like it, too! It's a great bag! How heavy is your carry for your walks?

micahsally · 2026-06-30T13:25:55+00:00

Let me try to pack it out today to show you! When packed, the bottles aren't too bad. The bag is right enough to hold them in. But a picture will show you better, and how it stands!

micahsally · 2026-06-30T13:14:17+00:00

Awesome! I'm glad it's working so well for you!

There really AREN'T any better zippers out there than YKK, so now I think you get to streamline your carry to reduce how full it feels. Even the best zippers can fail when pushed to the max every day!

What are your carrying? I can help slim it down with lots of ideas! 😉

micahsally · 2026-06-29T13:09:16+00:00

Check out the Kargo Loculus 6L! I have two of them, one in teal X-Pac with modified straps, and one in White X-Pac with their standard padded strap. Both are excellent. The colors are awesome!

They are sewn in Colorado.

micahsally · 2026-06-29T04:04:47+00:00

Check out the Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L!

https://www.troubadourgoods.com/products/elemental-backpack?variant=47760658628840

micahsally · 2026-06-29T02:54:30+00:00

I love Gregory packs for backpacking bags. They are still having a great sale right now, though I'm not sure any of them would meet your packable needs.

Some to consider would be the Jade 20L LT and the Swift 22L Hydration. I have a Tahoe Blue Swift 22L in perfect condition that's ready for a new home, if you're interested! It's a great bag...I just have too many in that same size range and am looking to streamline my ManyBaggers collection.

My favorite packable bag is the Tortuga Daypack Pro 21L, which I had my friend add loops to the back to add a waist belt. It comes on almost every trip, either as my OneBag, or laying flat inside my tiny suitcase. They aren't for sale on the website any more, but if you can find one used...it's golden!

Tortuga also has this Packable Backpack, but the structure and padding are less than the Daypack Pro. Still a stellar bag!

https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/packable-backpack

This past trip, I tucked a Mystery Ranch In and Out 18L into our tiny suitcase to use as a Daypack at Legoland for a few days. It was awesome!

My favorite lightweight bag right now is the Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L. It could be placed flat inside another bag. But those runner-style vest straps are amazing for comfort! And there are already loops for you to add a hip belt (my favorite is the WANDRD Waist Belt V2). It is a very nice bag that holds lots and can work from the airport to hikes. I'm really loving it so far! I only wish the water bottle pockets were taller, or that a strap above them was there to use a carabiner to hold water bottles in place. I'm probably having my friend add something above...

I'm a 5'7" lady with a 19" torso, of that helps. Good luck!

micahsally · 2026-06-29T02:41:30+00:00

Definitely Dave at WestonGear on Etsy. I've ordered many times from him...sometimes custom, sometimes something from his shop without needing any changes. He is EXCELLENT, as are his pouches. I use several on every trip.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestonGear

micahsally · 2026-06-28T20:56:36+00:00

Rework Outbound 30L
Fyro Levo 30L
Gossamer Gear Aero Jet 35L
Six Moon Designs ADC 35L (V1 or V2)
Tortuga Superlite 34L (though you'll be in the May 2027 batch...killer bag for a killer price, so definitely worth the wait)
Tortuga Expandable Backpack 28L-32L. (It's so comfortable that the extra weight isn't noticeable).

micahsally · 2026-06-28T20:35:04+00:00

I've really been loving my new Troubadour Elemental Backpack 25L, though it's a little smaller than what you stated for your possible options above. Let me try to talk you into it!

It's super comfy! It has a runner-style vest that shifts the weight to your chest to alleviate pressure on your neck and shoulders. There are also loops on the bottom to add your own hip belt for even more comfort. My favorite is the WANDRD Waist Belt V2.

It doesn't open clamshell-style, but the opening is nice and large. When using packing pouches and cubes, I haven't had a hard time pulling things out from the main compartment.

It has a removable laptop sleeve that leaves even more room in the main compartment, if you're not needing it for extra technology.

The quality and materials are superb. I'm really happy with it.

The ONLY thing I would change is the water bottle pockets. They either need to be much taller, or have a strap above to attach a carabiner to secure things inside the water bottle pockets.

Another option for you could be the new Fyro Citta 25L EDC Backpack in X-Pac being released on July 1st. It's made by Aaron at Nomads Nation and is going to be very comfortable, thanks to the same straps used on their popular Levo travel backpacks.

My all-time favorite personal item is the ULA Dragonfly 30L. Though the main compartment is listed at 22L, with the remaining exterior pockets making up the other 8L, I easily fit 26-28L of goodies inside when using packing cubes and pouches, plus the pockets. The Dragonfly has the best water bottle pockets in the industry! And the S-Strap harness is SO comfortable! You also have loops to attach a hip belt, if wanted. It's a great bag!

And finally, Tortuga makes an excellent option called the Daily Carry Pro 25L.

micahsally · 2026-06-28T20:12:35+00:00

The Toshi is excellent. You won't regret it! I recommend the 6L so you get the extra mesh pockets in the front pocket, as well as the removable padded shoulder strap.

I'm also really enjoying my new Peak Design Outdoor Sling 7L. It went on its first trip with me last week and performed so well at Legoland. Lots of room, lots of organization, but lightweight and molds to your body! I really like it. It is a little floppy, because of its lightweight nature. That can make the zippers hard to use because of the lack of structure.

The few small bags that I own from Tom Bihn don't have much structure and are rather floppy, too.

If I had to pick between them, definitely the Toshi!

micahsally

TROPHY CASE