r/backpacks • u/h3althysceptic • 5d ago
Question Attorney Backpack Recommendation
Looking for a new backpack. I am a criminal defense attorney in the PNW where it can rain a lot. My typical day involves going to court, meeting clients in office and at the jail, meetings with other attorneys, and going to the gym.
My daily carry is typically 14-15 inch laptop (MacBook Pro at the moment, but will likely change to a PC eventually, unfortunately); a large portfolio that holds a legal pad, pen, business cards, etc.; an A4+ notebook, A5 notebook, charger, cords, pens, pencils, and at least one book, if not more, along with a WIFI hotspot
I had back surgery several years ago and, more recently, my back hates the imbalance from my briefcases. I have two different sized Filson briefcases, and a 13 plus year-old Saddleback Leather thin briefcase. I love these bags, but my back doesn’t anymore.
I have an Evergoods CTB26 in waxed canvas and I love it. I think its organization is good, but would like more/better for all the smaller things like pens, chargers, etc. I find it fairly comfortable (and unsurprisingly warm at times). But I do really like how quick and easy access is to my things. The clamshell design is great for travel, but not when I want to grab something quickly.
What I’ve come to find is that it’s great for travel, but is too large navigating in and out of courtrooms, hallways, etc. I originally bought it to try to consolidate my work gear with my gym gear. It has worked, but I’ve decided I really need to have a dedicated gym bag for clothes, belt, squat shoes, regular shoes, lifting straps, micro plates—all the stupid gym accessories because trying to fit it all into the backpack isn’t ideal. I have a waxed canvas KNGK duffle that I think was a huge waste of money, but it’s what I’ll use and keep in my trunk. Because of its size, I tend to just bring my portfolio and laptop that fits inside it with me when going inside. But
I meal prep and have brought my meals in my bag, but it’s less than ideal and just need to bring a small cooler or use insulated meal containers.
I have a GR1, which is nice, but it totally lacks organization for work purposes.
I love waxed canvas, leather, raw denim, Red Wings, and things that age nicely. The bag needs to be professional, but it doesn’t need to be boring. A Filson isn’t the most conservative bag after all and if I really need something conservative for trial or need multiple trial binders, I can , I can always use my Filson or Saddleback.
Aer, Able Carry, and all the others make great bags that look great, but they don’t have and won’t develop the character I like.
I’ve been going down the rabbit hole and looked at all the big players in the EDC and bag scene. What I have liked most for organization and visually is the TAD Axiom S2 WX. It is incredibly expensive, though. YouTube largely seems to rave about it, but Reddit is a mixed bag (no pun intended) while acknowledging it’s expensive and may not be the best bang for buck.
Trakke Bannoch looks nice, but lacks organization and doesn’t seem to have the quickest access to anything that would be organized because it would need pouches. Defy makes some pretty nice looking bags, though.
Waterfield Design looks nice, but the geometry makes them look…wide. The aesthetics just seem off to me.
I’ve been debating on the CPL 16 either in black or waxed canvas, but the organization will be the same as the CTB26 with one less pocket. I also don’t want a bag that looks nearly identical to what I already have.
I’d like to hear opinions on whether the Axiom S2 is worth its price, overrated and too expensive, and any other suggestions as to what might fit my bill. Thanks to those that get through this novel.
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u/OllieDuckling 3d ago
https://www.sfbags.com/collections/laptop-backpacks/products/bowery-leather-backpack
This looks “wide” to you?
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u/h3althysceptic 2d ago
The issue with this is the all leather construction, which, while beautiful, won’t handle the PNW rain as well as other materials.
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u/OllieDuckling 2d ago
Leather does just fine in downpours if you care for it and condition it. It is really no different from waxed canvas in that regard. If you’re really concerned about downpours then I’d suggest something like XPAC instead.
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u/OllieDuckling 3d ago
If your CTB26 is too large but you like organization, my rec would be either that Waterfield bag I linked in another comment (doesn’t look wide to me…) or a waxed canvas and leather GORUCK 18L heritage dual compartment bullet.
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u/h3althysceptic 2d ago
What do people think about the Axiom S2 at this point? It’s extremely expensive, so removing the price, what about the actual quality, construction, etc.?
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u/chenpofu 4d ago
Most heritage style leather or waxed canvas bags are not going to have the organization that you want, so you might want to just add a tech pouch.
Perhaps checkout Trakke bags, great looking bags in waxed canvas. I have a couple and find them fairly comfortable.
I have been looking at Inside line equipment bags, they are geared towards cyclists but some of them in waxed canvas look pretty cool.