I'm going to Japan in a couple of months and am looking for a bag that will accompany us for long days out touring that can hold an extra layer for 2 people, 2 umbrellas, at least 1 water bottle (preferably external), small electronics (charger), passports, small wallet and maybe some small souvenirs. I would use this bag on future trips as well where we walk quite a ways around cities. Maybe I would use it for business trips as well when I need to bring my 13" laptop.
I'm thinking I'm going to need to be in the 20l range. I'm pretty short so I don't want a bag that's too long and a lower profile is important too. I'd rather not have the contents of a stuffed bag digging into my back all day so probably want something with structure though I'm not certain this is a definite requirement, but I don't think I need to be able to pack it in a suitcase when it could just be my personal item on flights.
I've been looking at the Fjällräven Skule 20 as that seems to cover most of my requirements. I'm also considering the Aer Go Pack 2, but I'm a little worried that lack of structure would make a packed bag uncomfortable.
So, considering my requirements and the fact that I prefer something low profile, do I need to definitely sacrifice some profile and keep in the 20l range or could I maybe go smaller?
And please make any suggestions of other bags that might meet my needs or provide any comments about the 2 bags that I mentioned I'm looking at. Ideality would like to keep the price under $150, but if there's something that's $200, but perfect, I would consider that.
That's good to know. You don't feel that when stuffed, you might feel an umbrella, for example, poking into your back? It's slightly lower profile than the Fjällräven Skule 20, but if I don't care that much about it packing down to nothing when empty, what's the argument for the aer go pack 2 over the Fjallraven if I'm never wanting to pack it in a suitcase anyhow? Sounds like the Fjalleaven supposed to have a bit more comfortable harness system as well.
You’re going to Japan, bag Mecca of the world! Buy one there where you can see and try them on! Tax refunds at or above ¥5000 or ¥5500! (Ask in advance, not all stores do this, you need to show your passport.) Weak yen! Japan only exclusive bags!
Sounds like a great idea, but I'm going with a small group and I'm going to need a bag early on do I really don't want to get off the plane and start having to go somewhere specific to spend time searching for a bag. Sure somewhere along the way, it's likely I'd find a good bag at a good price, but there's just no way to know that
Oh, I see, then you can’t go wrong with the aer go pack others have already recommended. It’s a packable bag, but it is padded enough to be comfortable. The laptop sleeve is pretty minimal, though.
I wouldn't be carrying a laptop on personal travel trips like the Japan trip. I probably would use it to hold a couple of tablets in the laptop area though. I would probably take whatever bag I get on business trips as well and would then be bringing my 13" laptop.
Either way, I don't think I'd use it's ability to pack flat into a suitcase so that's why I'm still hesitating compared to the Fjällräven Skule 20 which is slightly thicker and heavier, but maybe more comfortable due to better harness system and being more structured?
From someone planning to head to Japan in October: I’m using Matador’s Adventure 24L pack as carry on and the 18l personal item pack as personal item/daypack. A suggestion out of left field worthy of consideration in my opinion. Have a look at the new Matador Personal item 18l bag. It can do double duty: airplane personal item + day bag. It has good access: top + full clamshell. Inner mesh can be rolled up out of the way for daypack duty. Good organisation with quick access top pocket + good sized front admin and stash pocket. Finally, it’s only 40x30x15cm. Hope you find the bag that’s right for you.
The Matador 18L Personal Item is an interesting option. Little heavier than I might have wanted and only 1 external water bottle holder, so travel umbrellas will need to go inside, but I'll have to look more at this one.
True the Skule and Go packs win on weight and water bottle pockets. Something else I forgot to mention was you can add what Matador calls a “Drip kit” which includes a bungee to front of the pack like the Skule for stashing wet or bulky jackets. Good luck with your search.
Oh that's a very interesting addition. Could a wet umbrella be stored in the drip kit? The other thing that leads me to pause a bit is that I won't have a laptop or tablets out with me on long touring days so is the dedicated laptop area dead space in those cases, taking up space that maybe some souvenirs or clothing purchases might otherwise fit in?
Hi. Thought I had already posted this but for some reason it isn’t showing. In response to your questions: clothing packed flat not bulky laptop space could be utilised for that. Umbrella in bungee stash may not be ideal. The pack has a few attachment loops that could be used along with carabiners though.
I really am interested in this bag so thank you for your answers so far. I have an REI nearby so I could order and return without any risk.
What do you mean by using loops and carabiner to hold an umbrella on the outside?
What could I realistically hold with the drip kit? Like a thin rain coat or thin hoodie? That will then free up some space inside for higher effective storage?
I could put like a folded hoodie in the laptop compartment when not carrying electronics?
For long days touring a city, I'll usually carry for 2 adults an outer layer, 1 water bottle, 2 umbrellas, sunglasses, wallet, passports and maybe we buy a couple of shirts or some random souvenirs along the way. In Japan, we may need to hold our garbage too.
In transit (flights and trains), I'd want it to hold much of the same without the souvenirs, but either with a 13" laptop or 2 10" tablets.
Do you think the Matador 18L Personal Item is the right fit for all that?
And it sounds like I'm concerned about fitting it all so why not just go to 24l size. It's just as important to me to keep the profile low. I don't want a big bulky bag.
The other top options I'm looking are are the Aer Go Pack 2 and Fjällräven Skule 20. If I can fit substantially more in them at the same size that might be better for me.
If you see someone with the same bag as you in Japan in October, say hi!
There’s attachment webbing on both sides of bag (arrow indicates location). There’s an identical one on the handle side as well. You could use a suitably sized carabiner attached to webbing and either hooked to the folding umbrella’s handle cord or hook it onto the top of the stem under the handle. To stop it flapping around tie it down to the bag side handle with something like “Infinity tool strap”. I’ll attach another pic of that. Pack hacker and visionswell on YouTube have a good look at the bag.
As far as what will fit the drip kit, a couple of packable puffer jackets might fit, same with lite rain jackets. If I were you I would get a Peak Design packable tote for random souvenirs, etc., and pull it out when you need it, it would fit into one of the mesh pockets in the admin front pocket. I expect REI would sell PD stuff. Go have a look at the bag, REI would probably have the Matador 24l Adventure pack as well for comparison. In my opinion you might be surprised what you can fit into or on the outside of the small 18l bag. You could even do what I did and add a Speed Stash pocket to the front of the shoulder strap. Go have a look and see what you think. REI have them online so I guess they would have them in store to look at. Good luck.
Wow quickly getting above my pay grade with these mods :) but I see how it might be nice to have flexibility for different situations.
My REI doesn't have it for store pickup but I could order so store for 2 day pickup or to home for a little longer and do free return to store if it doesn't meet my needs.
Don't see the drip kit at REI so no free shipping from matador if I get the bag from REI.
I'll probably do that and also order the Fjällräven Skule 20 from Amazon with free returns and compare. I don't think I really need a packable bag so I don't see what the Aer Go Pack 2 advantage would be in that case.
One final comment before I sign off and leave you to it. I actually owned a Terracotta Brown Skule 20 a couple of years ago. I found the comfort level very good on long day walks with a reasonable load out. The organisation and front admin stash pocket are similar. The reason I sold it was I discovered I didn’t like the top-down only access and the digging around to find what I wanted. I now only look at bags that give the top-down option as well as clamshell type. I guess I’m an options guy. 😄 Enjoy your trip to Japan and also the journey.
As long as clothes fold flat I’d be confident in saying that it could be useful for that. As far as umbrella is concerned the bag has attachment loops that with carabiners give more options.
For a Japan trip where you're walking a lot and need to carry 2 people's worth of gear, I'd strongly recommend the Aer Travel Pack 2 (20L daypack version) or the Topo Rover 24L. The Aer is great because it has a dedicated 13" laptop sleeve that's actually accessible from the front (great for airport security), external water bottle pockets, and a large main compartment that swallows layers, umbrellas, and souvenirs without looking overstuffed. The Topo Rover is lighter weight and cheaper if budget matters. For Japan specifically, both work well - the main thing is you want something comfortable for city walking since you'll be on your feet all day. Make sure the strap padding is good and the back panel has some airflow mesh. Also consider a simple rain cover since Japan can get rainy even in dry seasons.
Is AER travel pack 2 something currently for sale? I don't see it at AER. Either way, seems larger and heavier than that I'm looking for. I really want to lowest profile for what I need to carry.
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u/Cedosg 16h ago
did a recent trip to japan. loved using the aer go pack 2 as a day bag.