Here is a side by side since many of you are considering the 20L Pro Pack as a smaller alternative to CPP. I hope this helps.
First reactions:
Hi everyone, I’d like to introduce my latest impulse buy owning approximately 0 nice backpacks. I decided “why not?” and after alot of research and some recommendations from a work colleague, I decided to jump on the pre-order for the Elements pro backpack, after using some hunk of garbage Nike backpack for longer than time itself.
I’d like to again stress the title. I have no clue what makes a good backpack, just wanted to share my thought on my new backpack, and hopefully give some insight, I might give a carry update after tomorrow and following weeks etc. I haven’t even taken it outside yet, just packed it, and upon packing here’s my thoughts.
First, my god was this expensive. I paid $225 AUD, about $150 USD, I don’t know if that’s cheap or not but it’s something to keep in mind for those on a budget. The price is now $271 or $180 now that it’s available for regular purchase.
HOWEVER, wow oh wow am I impressed …
I just got the CHZ, and was packing it up for an upcoming business trip. I decided to grab my cache for a little extra laptop padding, and discovered that the clip loops on the cache line up perfectly with the pen loops in the CHZ.
I obviously don’t have to tell this group this, but I wanted to share my experience a little.
I live in the Netherlands and last summer our international airport was an absolute nightmare. The management of the airport was so bad, the line to check your bag stretched outside of the airport and almost to the parking lot. It became commonplace to miss flights and airlines were cancelling large portions of their planned flights.
In September I did a 3 week tour of California. It was my first one bag experience ever. After the terrible summer Schiphol had, I wasn’t ready to entrust my baggage to them.
In the end I was absolutely right to do so. I’d say a third of our flight out of Amsterdam didn’t make it. As it was, the line for security was so long we had to run to make the flight.
On the way back we had a layover in Heathrow and it was also just as poorly managed. We walked past thousands of suitcases just waiting in hallways.
Next month I am going to Vietnam for 2 weeks. I …
We’ve all talked about the gear we can’t live without, but is there anything you packed that you wished you’d left behind, or even better, sent home?
I can start:
A few years back, in Thailand, I mailed home a Steripen and a pair of collapsible water bottle. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. It wasn’t a waste though, I mailed back a whole bunch of souvenirs as well.
Yesterday, in western Europe, I sent back two pens, a spare pair of earbuds, my umbrella, and my insulated water bottle with a relative I met up with who was on the tail end of her trip. My SO sent back two pairs of socks, an umbrella, and GoreTex boots! (The boots were graciously accepted as an international return by the retailer as they were chafing and didn’t fit well!)
What has everyone else ditched, wanted to ditch, or wished they hadn’t brought on trips?
A relaxed and boxy short that combines proper tailoring with performance materials and swim-ready features. Belt loops and a proper fly mean it can dress up. Draw strings and powermesh pockets mean it works great in the water. The lightweight and breathable F.Cloth is super durable and feels great to wear.
Experiment 361 - Nylistic Paragliders
An experimental take on the roomy Paraglider silhouette in the rugged elegance of Nylistic Merino. The floating double stacked front pockets create a secure yet airy feel that must be experienced to be understood, while the 3Bar + Paracord 550 leg openings adjust with a simple ease.
Bombworks really my go-to this month. Bombtwill season keeps getting longer and longer as I love these pants in rainy weather the most. The angled in pockets are just so sweet as well as the thick belt loops. I alternate between these and the Bombdeux. My washing machine is really harsh but I don’t need to worry about these then or at any point. Stress free clothes are part of what can make beautiful performance clothing.
Experiment 351 - Amerinoco Boxford
An intimately blended shirt experiment. The classic Boxford shirt cut, done up in a beautiful merino/cotton fabric from Albini. A small collar, broad body and signature inside/outside chest pocket create a relaxed and boxy fit.
I ordered a pair of each of these to try out, and personally I really like the feel and look of the OG Free Ways, I think I’m gonna get multiple pairs and make these my go-to for warm weather and see how many summers they can last.
There are just a couple things about the New Ways that seem better that have me scratching my head, especially considering that those cost less.
The first is that the mesh back pockets have a layer of the f.cloth on the inside facing your body, I think I heard in an IG live that this was because it’s more comfy to sit on? Is there any reason why then this wouldn’t be done in the Free Ways too, with a layer of the OG cloth on the inner face of the back pockets?
The second is probably DIY fixable but the New Way Shorts paracord has a little black fastener you can just pull the cord through to tighten to exactly how snug you want it, very easy and nice. The Free Ways just have two ends of cord dangling, leaving you to tie them together, …