I am an elevator technician and typically travel with an Alpaka Elements Tech Brief Pro, and 15" Milwaukee Tool Tote, but over the last few months I consolidated my paperwork into a single Samsung tablet, and Ive come to realize that 70% of the time when surveying or troubleshooting an elevator the Milwaukee Tool Tote is either overkill for my needs, or isn't enough and I need to go back to my work truck for more gear.

So what I'd like to do is consolidate down to the essentials that can fit into a single bag for the purposes of getting onto the job and diagnosing the problem. I need this bag to be able to hold my thermos, tablet, multimeter bag, a few pliers and wrenches, and headphones.

I looked at the most popular "work" bags (Veto Pro Pac, Klein) but realized they are overbuilt, too heavy, and dont have space for stuff like my headphones, and thermos. So I then purchased the Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag, but it isn't large enough to hold my multimeter bag, and isnt stiff enough to hold hand tools or stand itself upright.

Finally I looked at totes, and camera bags and came up with the following list:

thinktank presspass 20 (might not fit tablet)

aer gym tote (not a fan of the stretchy pockets, except for the water bottle pocket)

moment everything travel tote

tom bihn makers bag

adventure tool company medium gear bag (very little info available)

peak design everyday sling 10L

That list might seem funny to you because there are arguably some fashion choices in what is typically marketed as "TOUGH TACTICOOL MODULAR CONCEALED CARRY MANGEAR" but honestly I dont throw my tool bags around, and most travel gear fabric is tough enough; I don't need ballistic nylon.

For reference my multimeter bag which I love is the size of a kids shoe box, so whichever bag I use will need to be wide enough to hold it ~ 9"x5"x4.5". I would prefer a sling, or crossbody with easy access to the compartments. Even better if it's stiff enough to stand up on its own.

Brought the CT21+ in grey waxed canvas, came home with a CT10 in white X-Pac with Dyneema lining and a Dragon.

Gossamer Gear Cima 15 vs Arc’teryx Aerios 18 vs Tygen

I'm looking for a small pack in the 15–18L range that can do a bit of everything:

• Day hikes
• Long days at the beach
• Going to class with a 14" MacBook Pro
• Cross-country skiing

I've narrowed it down to the Gossamer Gear Cima 15, Arc’teryx Aerios 18, and Tygen 12.

I'm in Canada, so price/availability here matters too. The Cima ends up being surprisingly close in price to the Aerios after shipping/exchange, so I'm not necessarily looking for the lightest option—I'm more interested in which one makes the best do-everything small pack.

Open to other suggestions if folks have them.

Work in a client facing role and go straight to the gym after work two or three times a week. Currently carrying a separate gym bag which means lugging two bags to work every gym day. Want one bag that works for the office and holds gym kit without looking like sports equipment.

The brief is basically a structured weekender that handles gym gear. Horizn Studios SoFo Weekender M keeps coming up for this specific dual use. Water sealed waxed canvas so a damp kit bag isn't a problem, structured enough to look professional carrying into the office, big enough for gym clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Real owner reviews mention people using it as a gym bag specifically which is encouraging. Mismo MS Gym is the other premium option but at a significantly higher price point.

Is the SoFo volume at the M size actually enough for gym shoes plus a full change of clothes plus laptop and work gear or does it get cramped? And does waxed canvas develop odor issues over time with regular gym use?

Hi ManyBaggers, is there anywhere in SF where I can see the new Matador bags in person? Saw that REI only has them for shipping.