With the recent release of the Steam Controller (2026), LTT Labs collected controllers from around the office to perform testing for LinusTechTips and ShortCircuit videos, but within the team we were noting the variety of face buttons(A, B, X, Y). They’re all shaped differently, and combined with the ergonomics of the controller body, they can feel different to press as well.

Strangely, we weren’t able to find any force test results online, so we’re going to (partially) remedy that! We have the tools to check these out, so we did some poking and prodding with our test stand and force gauge.

We likely received some of these controllers as review units, but this isn’t a review of the controllers, more of an exploration of the button mechanics and testing. Let us know if you have any questions!

Steam Controller has no xinput so I still reach for my gamesir controllers. 8Bitdo Leverless Arcade Controller, Gamesir G7 Pro, Supernova, Steam Controller 2026 and Cyclone 2

Do you think it’s fake internal inside? The battery looks different. The motherboard looks a bit darker.

75-80gf, feels like standard dualshock/dualsense sticks. Accidentally melted left trigger switch with hot air, so had to swap them for Omrons.

I ran across the Utility Backpack in a random Uniqlo in Ho Chi Minh City. It felt good in the hand, a lot sturdier than the Multi Pocket Backpack. Padding and ventilation on the straps and back feels a lot more plush too.

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I’ve been using it for a day, walking around urban Vietnam for about 16000 steps in about 30deg Celsius heat, carrying whatever a fully loaded Toshi 6l sling weighs. Gotta say it’s been really, really comfortable. So much so that I’m gonna replace my Toshi backpack back home with this one, just to see how it carries.

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It’s not a premium bag, but it’s… utilitarian in the best way. Heh heh.

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And yes, the olive is gorgeous.

I do a lot of 1 night or two night travel as. Corporate pilot. This is my set up for 2 nights or less. The purchase of the TD25 was the final piece of the puzzle. It’s PERFECT for what I need. The pouches/packing cube below each bag are what go in the respective bag above it.

CPL 16 (flight bag)
CAP 1 : my daily carry items (chapstick, lotion, contact case, Kleenex, sunglasses, 5mah charger, foldable scissors). This goes in the cockpit with me when I fly.

CAP .5: tech pouch. Just chargers and cords

Light jacket

Snacks + spork

All flight documents, keys

iPad / MacBook

Water bottle

TD25
Shoe bag

TPC 8 holds 3 days worth of clothes

CAP 2 : all nightstand items (alarm clock, muscle rub, few essential oils, pocket flashlight, medicines, vitamins, eyeglass cleaner, ear plugs)

AER Split Kit: my toiletry bag. This is a weird addition but I don’t like any Evergoods products for toiletry kit. I wanted the gravel mini but they don’t make it. I did ask some friends to grab me a forclaz …

I’m in love with my Nitecore SLB06 🥰

You all were so helpful in helping me decide on colors last time, I thought I’d ask one more question. I’ll try to be brief but do need to explain context a bit.

I’m trying to design a very premium sling. Initially, the concept collection was Vela (sail) so gravitated towards sail cloth inspired fabric and naturally went with laminated zippers.

I am putting a ton of effort into not compromising on construction and materials and was going to offer a lifetime warranty but ended up going with 8-year. But things like finished seams, high tier YKK zippers, PVD coated hardware.

But this collection isn’t meant to be a rugged outdoor collection. More of a fashionable city, everyday, type sling. Reverse coil zippers add a bit of water resistance as well. The fabric is water resistant as well. So maybe that is good enough?

Also, keep in mind with lamination, there are different quality. Low end laminates will begin to delaminate often in < 1 year. Good laminates …

I’ve bought so many damn slings, diff sizes, so many brands (code of bell, aer, evergoods, chrome, cotopaxi, heimplanet, Thule, fjallraven, baggu, the list goes on) and finally I’ve found the one!!!

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Bellroy venture ready 2.5L. This sling has been out for a minute but it didnt catch my eye. Saw so many reviews that were raving about it, so grabbed one in black. Glad its the one without the shiny zippers and more subdued branding.

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Its the perfect size. I would not want any bigger or smaller and most importantly it lays on the body so well! Thats been my biggest gripe with almost every sling, but the bellroy looks and feels good. I just wish i would have bought it 2 years ago. Now I can stop spending money on slings!

Some highlights:

The new rules now include the right to carry on board, without additional fee, one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack. On the insistence of MEPs price transparency and the comparability of air tickets was increased by obliging airlines, intermediaries and search portals to always display the air fare inclusive of carry-on luggage at the outset of the book process. Negotiators agreed that airlines may offer cheaper tickets for passengers who choose voluntarily to travel without hand luggage.

Air passengers will no longer be charged additional fees for correcting name spelling errors or for getting a printed version of a boarding pass if they have already checked in.

Maximum dimensions for a personal item will be 40cm by 30cm by 15cm. Maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage will be width+height+depth=100cm. Maximum weight will be 7kg.

Edit: pretty sure the luggage size requirements are just the bare minimum that all airlines must meet. If an airline …

I’m in Canada, and in the market for my first onebag solution. Many of you have heard of the Forclaz travel 500 40L. I was going to buy this bag but I didn’t like that the waistbelt is not removable. I’m checking the website and there’s now a Quechua 30L travel 500 bag and they added a removable waist strap which is amazing. The only thing is I’d still like the 40L for the extra capacity, and I’ve heard they are updating them from some EU consumers. I’d hate to buy the 40l now just for an upgraded version with a removable hip belt to come out soon. If anybody knows about the updated 40L or has tried the Quechua 30L out, please discuss here.

I like to draw my packing list. It’s fun and makes me carefully consider each piece I want to bring. I draw most of it from memory, which also forces me to keep tabs on the individual clothing items I have. I’m posting this after the trip, which was two weeks in Georgia (usa) end of May to June. I packed for workouts, beach, car rides, lounging, and one dress for going out.
Here’s the written packing list:

Bag: Big Agnes 32L

Worn on plane
- Heron tee
- Leggings
- Hoodie
- Socks
- Tevas

Clothes packed
- Tees (3)
- Tank tops (3)
- Jean shorts
- Bike shorts
- Dress
- Bra (1)
- Underwear (6)
- Bathing suit
- Socks (extra pair)

Toiletries
- Disposable contacts
- Glasses + case
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush
- Chapstick
- Leave-in conditioner
- Whatever else is already in the bag

Electronics etc
- Laptop + charger + mouse
- Phone + charger
- ipad
- Books (2)
- Sketchbook + pen
- Sennheiser headphones + adapter
- Packable silk bag
- Nalgene water bottle

Not included in …

Exactly what the title says. I’ll be staying in five different places along the way, some of which will have access to laundry machines. In the past I’ve used the same backpack as my travel bag AND my day bag, but I was given a peak design backpack recently and wanted to try it out.

reading the standard packing lists everyone seems to converge on the same stuff. laptop, magic keyboard or similar, anker charger, kindle, maybe a folding stand. but when im at a coworking or unpacking next to actual nomads at a cafe i keep noticing tiny gear that nobody really talks about. cable bag with a magnetic clip. a particular phone stand someone swears by.

curious what falls in that category for you, the thing that punches above its weight but never makes the public gear lists

I’m headed to Italy here in a few months for a much needed vacation. I generally lean towards practicality over appearance but lately I’ve been wanting to look a little less like I just walked out of REI’s travel section. For those on this sub with a little style, what tips/tricks/specific brands can you suggest to help me out? I’m male….but I’m very open to female ideas of what looks good and works….

Couldn’t resist and finally pulled the trigger.
Looks great and I’m really happy with it.

I do a lot of 1 night or two night travel as. Corporate pilot. This is my set up for 2 nights or less. The purchase of the TD25 was the final piece of the puzzle. It’s PERFECT for what I need. The pouches/packing cube below both bags are what go in the respective bag above.

CPL 16 (flight bag)
CAP 1 : my daily carry items (chapstick, lotion, contact case, Kleenex, sunglasses, 5mah charger, foldable scissors). This goes in the cockpit with me when I fly.

CAP .5: tech pouch. Just chargers and cords

Light jacket

Snacks + spork

All flight documents, keys

iPad / MacBook

Water bottle

TD25
Shoe bag

TPC 8 holds 3 days worth of clothes

CAP 2 : all nightstand items (alarm clock, muscle rub, few essential oils, pocket flashlight, medicines, vitamins, eyeglass cleaner, ear plugs)

AER Split Kit: my toiletry bag. This is a weird addition but I don’t like any Evergoods products for toiletry kit. I wanted the gravel mini but they don’t make it. I did ask some friends to grab me a forclaz …

I do a lot of 1 night or two night travel as. Corporate pilot. This is my set up for 2 nights or less. The purchase of the TD25 was the final piece of the puzzle. It’s PERFECT for what I need. The pouches/packing cube below both bags are what go in the respective bag above.

CPL 16 (flight bag)
CAP 1 : my daily carry items (chapstick, lotion, contact case, Kleenex, sunglasses, 5mah charger, foldable scissors). This goes in the cockpit with me when I fly.

CAP .5: tech pouch. Just chargers and cords

Light jacket

Snacks + spork

All flight documents, keys

iPad / MacBook

Water bottle

TD25
Shoe bag

TPC 8 holds 3 days worth of clothes

CAP 2 : all nightstand items (alarm clock, muscle rub, few essential oils, pocket flashlight, medicines, vitamins, eyeglass cleaner, ear plugs)

AER Split Kit: my toiletry bag. This is a weird addition but I don’t like any Evergoods products for toiletry kit. I wanted the gravel mini but they don’t make it. I did ask some friends to grab me a forclaz …

Walked in to check out waxed canvas vs solution-dyed in a CTB26. Walked out with a CTB20 and CAP2L in black/coyote X-Pac. New EDC achieved!

Went on a 1 week hiking trip to Yellowstone with the wife. My tried and true TD35 as my carry-on, and using a mirror CPL24 for the first time! I really enjoyed carrying the CPL24, really lives up to the hype. Even on the 2 8-11 mile hikes we took, the CPL24 worked really admirably, once I figured out the best way to carry for me (which was very very high and tight and high sternum strap). I was surprised it felt light and comfortable. Had snacks for 2, 16oz water bottle, 3 liter water bladder, some binoculars, small camera optics, and light outerwear. Shoulder strap passthrough for the water bladder tube worked great. My only cons are no hip belt and a back panel that is not very ventilated. Will I use the CPL on longer 15+mile hikes? Perhaps not, but for 11miles and almost 6hrs, I had no issues with it! Very happy with this purchase!