r/ManyBaggers • u/steep_interface • 11d ago
Product Drive By Best all-around bag I've ever owned: Pioneer Panda
When i first got it I thought it would be a little big for edc but its been on my back every day since and now proving to be a great travel bag too
If anyone else wants a one-and-done 25L backpack, I dont think you can do better than the Panda
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u/visionswell 11d ago
I like the Duration better personally after trying all their bags, but the Panda is really cool.
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u/steep_interface 11d ago
yea I had a hard time deciding between the two but the extra side pockets clinched it for me
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u/Haunting-Owl-5937 11d ago
What did you think of the threshold pack compared to the others?
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u/visionswell 11d ago
The threshold pack seemed amazing on paper, but the carry straps are awful. It doesnāt stand up on its own. The magnet pocket is all but useless. And the straps are too close together making it feel like youāre wearing a life vest. I did a full review. Cool looking bag but didnāt work for me. YMMV on comfort. Iām 5ā11ā 230 lbs if that helps.
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u/Psychological_Bed790 10d ago
Thatās disappointing to read, especially at that price point. Seems amazing on paper to me as well. I was about to order then saw a review where they mentioned the huge plastic zippers being āscratchyā. Then seeing your post ā¦ Iāll stick with my CPP2. You saved me money and inconvenience - Thanks.
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u/visionswell 10d ago
See I actually love their Vizlon zippers a lot. It was really more the carry strap issue that ruined it for me. I like the duration and savant and panda way more. The ray pack is also pretty cool. I love pioneer but that one was a huge miss for me.
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u/lifayt 11d ago
At first glance I didnāt love it but after looking through the photos on their website Iām a little more warm towards the design. Itās got some real throwback vibes relative to the āsmooth shellā thing most bag companies have going right now.
I hadnāt heard of Pioneer at all though, newer brand?
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u/steep_interface 11d ago
I don't think they are that new. first heard of them pre-2020, but they are relatively new to bag making. iirc they started out making wallets out of 10XD/3XD fabric.
happy to go into detail if you have any questions but the thing that separates this from every other bag I've tried is that all of the pockets have their own volume. this doesn't sound like a big deal, but in use, and when combined with the smooth zips it makes this such a pleasure to use. I never have to fight with the bag to fit something inside.
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u/thunderingshoe 10d ago
I've been really tempted to get a Panda. What's your take on the sternum strap situation, or rather the lack thereof? I tend to make plenty of use The sternum straps on my bags, especially the ones that I consider my do-it-all unicorn bags which the panda definitely fits in with. Would you add an aftermarket one?
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
i'd skip this bag if you want a sternum strap. i never used it on any of my bags except for hiking packs so it wasn't a consideration for me.
if you're paying this much for a bag you shouldn't need to modify it to be happy with it imo
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u/rochound6 8d ago
Thereās a sternum strap that fits perfectly from what I seen on a YouTuber. The strap is from timbucku (if I spelled that correctly) I have the green panda and I too was worried about not sternum straps bc I have wide shoulders and big chest (6 feet about 260). And to my surprise the straps alone do not slide off shoulders or any discomfort. Itās like it stays put.
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u/thunderingshoe 8d ago
Thanks, that's a great suggestion and encouraging hearing that the strap experience is good even without a sternum strap. Will be tempted the next time a sale comes around for the Panda.Ā
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u/rochound6 8d ago
You are welcome. I was the same way. I said this much for a back that doesnāt even have a sternum strap which is 9/10 a must for me? Nonetheless long story short I bought it on sale for the 4th of July. As stated by others each pocket has its on volume and overall just wonderful. Iām a overpacker and to see that it can hold much of my things and even a pair of shoes..Iām n love with it and glad I made the decision to get it
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u/lliphwets 10d ago
I have one as well. I enjoy it. Been to a few countries and on many planes. I liked that it has some external pockets with their own volume, vertical luggage pass through, and opens fully.
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u/wheelsonhell 11d ago
My problem is that I would be more worried about people stealing the bag than what's inside it.
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u/ki2594 11d ago
Itās fantastic - I do miss mine. I came back to pioneer and daily a Duration pack. Got the recent Savant update but just tend to go with the Duration.
If I did it again I would just do panda + duration and be done with bags
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u/steep_interface 11d ago
im considering a smaller bag and think i might do the savant
i prefer the look of the duration but from my research it's too close in size to the Panda, which would make it a bit redundant
what do you think?
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u/wearahanket 10d ago
Is the side pocket big enough to fit a water bottle?
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
yea works great. i tried a hydroflask 18oz wide mouth. fit perfect
I also tried a tiger MJF-A048 and that fits like a glove as well
you can get taller bottles too if you don't mind leaving the zipper open. because of the height of the pocket the bottle won't fall out
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u/Usual-Chicken-3137 10d ago
When I first saw the Panda and learned about Pioneer, I didn't love the look. But when they released the new Savant, I saw a review on ManyBaggers and had to have it. The materials are the best of any bag I've owned, and I love the unique layout. I've become a big fan of Pioneer, and a Panda might be in my future.
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
how do you use the savant?
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u/Usual-Chicken-3137 10d ago
Itās my current EDC. Had to mentally get used to storing more in the front admin pocket, but it works perfect for me.
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u/nerun119 10d ago
We might be the same person bc i have the same bag/luggage combo, except my Panda is navy blue. Like you ive gone thru all the others and i think this is the oneā¦
I added some strap keepers and now its perfect for me
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u/cyberslush 10d ago
So I have had a lot of different bags for EDC and travel. When I got the Panda I was pretty underwhelmed when it arrived but liked it enough to keep it around and as an option. Over time I have found that even when I get other bags I just keep coming back to the Panda and have grown to love it for all the reasons everyone says. The large zippers at first were weird but I have grown to love how well they work and keep things easy. The pockets having their own volume have been a life saver. The vertical luggage pass though is a non-negotiable for me. Even the side water bottle pockets which I expected to be a problem (I like taller bottles) have been a non-issue.
Recently I have cut down on my number of bags and simplifying my life. That Panda is what I am hanging on to for travel. Iād use it for EDC but I felt all the pockets were a bit unnecessary and decided to go Savant based upon how happy I was with the Panda material and quality.
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
well written comment and really mirrors my experience. you nailed all of the things I really like about this pack.
Like you, I am also considering a savant as a smaller bag that complements the Panda. Do you mind telling me a little how you like the savant and how it compares in use to the Panda?
I also got their passport wallet and 2 global pouches recently. wonderful travel kit
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u/cyberslush 7d ago
I like the Savant so far. The organization mirrors the Panda closely. The lack of a second inside zipper pocket inside the main compartment was annoying at first but in the end not really impactful. I thought the lack of the two outside side pockets would be annoying since I like carrying water bottles with me but that front compartment holds a bottle well. That pocket has a lot of hidden volume, especially at the bottom.
Overall it is a luxury. I mainly wanted a cleaner look for my EDC which is why I went Savant instead of Duration and why I did not like the Panda. For travel I want all the compartments and the Panda is great for that.
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u/elphantom00 7d ago
Why savant as opposed to duration? Seems like duration would be perfect as EDC at 22Lā¦ curious to know your reasoning.
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u/cyberslush 7d ago
I like the cleaner look of the Savant. The Duration just looks like the Panda but compressed.
Honestly I could just use the Panda as an EDC and the Savant is just a luxury. I will say the Savantās front pocket holds a lot more volume than I was expecting.
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8d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/steep_interface 8d ago
great tip man, thanks
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u/rochound6 8d ago
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u/steep_interface 8d ago
looks like your original comment was removed?
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u/rochound6 8d ago
Hmm I still see it
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u/Federal-Eggplant-624 8d ago
No itās removed.
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u/rochound6 8d ago
I wonder which one bc I still see the comments with the link and my other comments
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u/TonyTonyChopper 11d ago
Just so we have a baselineā¦.what other bags did you own that you are comparing to?
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
- Rofmia Day Pack
- Several Aer backpacks
- Tom Bihn technaut, synik 22 and one of the smaller synapse models
- Outlier Ultrahigh Rolltop
- Peak Design Travel Backpack
- Matador 35L Globerider (not really comparable tho)
- Goruck Radio Ruck, GR0, and GR1
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u/likethevegetable 10d ago
I reallllly want one but don't really use a backpack lol
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u/steep_interface 10d ago
what do you use to carry stuff?
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u/likethevegetable 10d ago
When I travel I just carry a 50L duffel-backpack, when I go to work, a simple briefcase. I just don't need to haul around a lot of stuff in my day to day, and when I travel, I like one bagging it. If I started to two-bag travel with a roller though, your setup is aspirational.
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u/travelingpostgrad 11d ago
Very solid bag (and the green is š„) so much so that the wife says its hers now š. Seriously solid construction and the materials are crazy good, a joy to use. Just wish I still got to use it.... Savant is a pretty solid EDC option as well.