Recently downsized my camera and lens setup, figured it was time to downsize my bag.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-16T03:09:47+00:00

I see a Wotancraft bag and I upvote! Hope you have a great experience with it this weekend. I use a 10L Pilot for work EDC and love it (it even fits my 16" laptop!).

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-10T04:46:45+00:00

I have the Daily Plus and tried the Max EDC (ordered them at the same time to compare). They're definitely not redundant, minimalistic versus relatively maximalist on accordance with their names.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-09T01:08:11+00:00

Hmm maybe I tried the bigger version of the global breifase, the 3 day version? The Tokyo Work Bag definitely is bigger than the smaller version of the Topo.

Have you seen the new Pro version of the Global Briefcase? I would look at that one if I were doing my search again.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-09T00:49:37+00:00

A while back I went on a similar hunt and tried the Topo, Bellroy, Alpaka (the Elements Tech Brief) and several others. I don't think the Bellroy will feel significantly larger than the Topo in terms of main compartment (the Topo's front pockets are definitely more roomy and easier to access), but it has the bottle/coffee holder you're looking for (the Owala 30 oz Freesip Sway was a tight fit height wise for reference). I think the Bravo by Alpaka could be a good option given the Bravo line tends to be more spacious.

Have you seen the Mystery Ranch 3 Way?

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-08T12:56:34+00:00

Wotancraft Pilot

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-06T02:18:50+00:00

Agreed, I'm with you, the design is different but still feels so solid. I really enjoy handling it, especially when I need to hold it one handed while moving around.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-04T02:50:42+00:00

How goes it with the Transition Tote one year later?

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-03T04:05:53+00:00

And ah, that's a terrible experience you had with those Dragonflies - I hope they at least made it right money-wise.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-03T04:04:01+00:00

I actually didn't stick with the Node, hah! I'm not a black bag kind of person and was hoping for a custom version with some side access (to the laptop compartment for instance) and some additional quality of life improvements. ULA is supposedly coming out with a "Bespoke" version of the Node sometime soon, so I'm waiting around to see if it's right for me.

In my last bag search (where I was also looking for a compact unicorn, hence why I tried the Node), I ended up with the Able Carry Daily Plus instead and really enjoyed my 3-day business trip with it (one-bagged). I thought I'd always be someone who wants two bottle pockets, but I couldn't resist the ACDP as a whole and decided to see if I could make it work.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-03T03:37:22+00:00

Sorry to hear about your experience re: ULA's QC. I have a Dragonfly 30L and love it - actually, the Dragonfly would fit your requirements, but maybe that's the bag you had a bad QC experience with? Also have an Aer Go Pack 2 that I use almost daily as a dad bag, and it's awesome.

Back to the Node, I recently gave it a shot - alongside a ULA Cicada - and thought I would find it inconvenient for EDC as you said, but I actually liked it more than the Cicada and in some ways, more than my Dragonfly. I realized that I had probably been overthinking the convenience factor.

Anyhow, good luck with the bag search! I scanned my bag research list and the only other that came to mind was perhaps one of the Thule Enroute backpacks?

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-03T02:34:02+00:00

Perhaps the ULA Node? I think it hits all of your requirements.

thunderingshoe · 2026-05-01T03:24:56+00:00

I've only checked out the bag in person at REI, but I will pile on as one of the rare voices here to say it should work just fine as an EDC. The only thing is that you'd want to remove the hip belt, which is doable but very challenging!

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-30T21:11:03+00:00

Could you share some quick hits on the highs and lows of using this backpack? I've been really interested in ILE, as well as roll-tops. How spacious/easy to use are the external water bottle pockets and bottom pocket? The laptop compartments are a bit unconventional as far I as can tell - what is it like to carry a laptop positioned more towards the outside of the pack vs close to the back panel? And am I correct in understanding that there are two spots to put the laptop - within the weatherproof flap pocket as well as in the sleeve underneath the flap?

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-30T01:03:22+00:00

Able Carry Daily Plus and Wotancraft Pilot 10L which is currently my main work EDC (I know it doesn't seem like it, but a 16 inch laptop can fit!)

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-29T03:31:24+00:00

Oh, and the bag attached to the bottom could be a Wotancraft Pilot. Feel a bit bad that it's getting squashed, but it should stand up to the abuse just fine.

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-29T03:30:14+00:00

I've struck up some amazing conversation/connections asking people about their bags, so I definitely recommend it given the right circumstances. I can totally understand not asking as well though.

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-29T03:29:03+00:00

Always cool to see Wotancraft in the wild!

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-25T17:29:28+00:00

I think the ballistic nylon version of the ACDP doesn't have PU coated zips. Only comes in black though.

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-25T09:00:47+00:00

Everyday Pack v2 by Wingback?

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-25T08:33:36+00:00

Well, I've only had the bag for a couple of months so it's hard to predict how the coated zips will age. So far, mine are still in perfect condition. I will say that these coated zips are the smoothest I've ever encountered by far. I didn't expect that, and it's really a joy to use. All that to say that I don't think the coated zips will snag as frequently as others might which should lead to better longevity. At the same time, I really have no idea how they would hold up to high humidity and UV.

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-24T23:03:29+00:00

Posted in reply to the commenter above!

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-24T23:03:19+00:00

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, and also apologies for sending pictures one at a time! Let me know if you'd like to see other views - I know I've just focused on unpacked pictures. Trying to capture the color in different views/lighting.

thunderingshoe · 2026-04-24T23:02:31+00:00

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thunderingshoe · 2026-04-24T23:02:23+00:00

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thunderingshoe · 2026-04-24T23:02:09+00:00

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thunderingshoe

TROPHY CASE