#beaten&bruised

[abaghabit]

Bags Beaten & Bruised: Greenroom136 Rainmaker L

Patrick from Greenroom136 said he had something up his sleeve and I received a package a little more than a month ago with the Rainmaker neatly packed inside. I've been carrying it around quite a bit on the everyday commute to work and here’s the run down.. 

How It Looks

The Rainmaker is going to fit right in at school or work. A minimalist no-nonsense vibe will attract the college student with a laptop, a bunch of files, notes, and books, and also the mobile warrior who’s headed to that big meeting with a bag of stuff on his back!

How It Packs

Whether you choose the Medium (19L) or Large (22L), the 2 main compartments will swallow everything that you throw at it. Unless you have a huge everyday load or just like huge bags (like me), just go with the one that fits your laptop and all should be good when you choose which size to purchase!

A built-in laptop sleeve in the main compartment keeps your laptop secure and safe in transit. A4 folders and documents have a safe place in a slot behind that sleeve and the rest of your books, cables, gadgets and gear go into the main compartment. A zippered pocket in the front allows for other little things easy to find in the huge main compartment.

The front pocket has an organizer sewn in for your pens and little notebooks. I’ve begun to really enjoy the GR136 keyfob that has an extension strap to reduce the jingle of your keys and makes it easy to find. Again, there is more than enough space here to throw some of the smaller stuff you might wanna reach more quickly.

How It Carries

It carries like a backpack for the office.. Only MUCH MORE comfortable. The 2” shoulder straps are a joy to use and just makes the load so much easier to bear. 

What It Does Well

The Rainmaker will haul all your office/school stuff with ease and comfort and the understated look will fit right in at school or at the office.

The D-rings on the shoulder strap can be used to thread and store the extra bit of the sternum strap through. This is understated and attention to detail that I really appreciate!

What It Doesn’t Do so Well

If there was a niggle, it would be that the bag would look a little “deflated” if there was not enough stuff in the bag. It just looks better with a little load. 

Similar Bags in the Market

There would be tons of bags that fit into this category and it would be futile to list every single one. The Eastpaks and Jansports might fit but they are just not the same in terms of build and quality. In the same space, I would probably compare the Rainmaker to Goruck’s Slickline 26 less the Molle inside.

In a Nutshell

A definite upgrade to any office or school laptop bag! Easy to take from work to play, which is always an advantage for any pack.

More information about the Greenroom136 Rainmaker and if you like what you see, you can swoop one up over at the online store here. 

There’s also a little video here that shows it in action!

[abaghabit]

Introduction

After experiencing the convenience of the Marmot Urban Hauler, I was on the lookout for a similarly designed bag with a better and more comfortable build. The Mission Backpack from Greenroom136 caught my eye and I immediately inquired. I managed to get my hands on one and here's the story.

How It Looks

I'm typically a black bag kinda guy but decided to buck the tradition with this one and chose a bright orange (also because it's my son's favorite color!). It's definitely eye-catching and I've had more than a few kind remarks on the color and design. Tote/Backpack design with seat belt straps for handles and beefy padded shoulder straps. It's a bag which I have carried in a shirt/tie situation and also an everyday jeans/t-shirt getup. It seems to blend in and look the part no matter the outfit.

Initially, I was a little hesitant to put the bag down on the ground as it was so nice and new but it has now gotten a few user marks here and there and that feeling has gone away. I've always believed that the marks and the dirt from everyday use always lends to the character of any pack and I'm glad that this one has a few of its own.

How It Packs

The bag is made of 1 main compartment with sleeves sewn on the insides both front and back. It has the typical bucket of space and sufficient organization within this main compartment for your everyday carry. Sleeves are large enough to fit notebooks, paper, folders, cables, iPad, etc. These sleeves might are deep and spacious, and swallow whatever you throw at it. Sometimes, this makes stuff a little hard to find when it falls all the way down. A key ring is attached on the top of one of these sleeves and keys dangle if attached directly. This is, however, addressed with the accompanying key loop. Just a niggle, FYI.

A zip pocket in front for stuff that you need quicker access to. Slots for pens and other 'lil items make it easy to store my pen, notebook, earphones, and the random item here and there because it's the easiest place to reach and throw stuff in. 

Patrick from Greenroom136 graciously included a matching Random Knick Knack (RKK) and Book Pouch (BP) with the pack. These accessories have added the packing modularity that I enjoy with my packs. My laptop adapter and mouse fit perfectly into the RKK and the BP gives a 'lil added protection to my laptop which I carry most of the time.

How It Carries

2 modes of carry for the Mission Backpack. Tote and Backpack. I love having the seat belt handles to just grab and go from one place to another. And the backpack straps for longer journeys like commutes via train and bus. The wide seat belt handles are wide and comfortable to just grab or to hold for a bit. The backpack straps are wide and well-padded. They easily hold the weight of a full bag well. I thought that they might have been stiff to begin with but their ability to shift slightly to an angle allows for the straps to conform to the torso pretty well. I'm no fan of air mesh but the straps themselves are definitely comfortable. They are also of a well thought out length so that you are not dragging around too much loose webbing when in tote mode.

The bag rides high on the back and I think that this suits the bag well putting the weight higher up instead of lower. It is more than comfortable to carry in both modes.

What It Does Well

I loved the fact that it improved the Marmot Urban Hauler in almost every way possible. Better materials and increased comfort in all modes of carry. It does well blending into anything from a casual to a smart casual kind of setting. There is more than sufficient capacity for any everyday carry and excels at that.

What It Doesn't Do so Well

I'm actually a little hard pressed to put down something here because I really liked the pack from all aspects. The use of air mesh on the straps leaves a little to be desired but air mesh is everywhere on any pack. If what you are weight weenie, then this might not be your pack as the construction and materials used tip the scale a bit.

Similar Bags in the Market

The Marmot Urban Hauler, Mystery Ranch Booty Bag seem to stand in the same space but the construction is significantly different which is what makes it stand out. I'll be continuously looking out to see if anything pops up on the tote/backpack radar.

In a Nutshell

The Greenroom136 Mission Backpack has quickly become one of my favorite EDC packs. It's flexibility in terms of carry methods, ability to fit into anything from casual to semi-formal occasions, coupled with great construction and materials, make it a winner in my books. 

If you'd like, you can swoop one up here.

Thanks to Patrick from Greenroom136 for being so willing to send one over! It has been a real treat!

[abaghabit]

Bags Beaten & Bruised: Marmot Urban Hauler

I started out looking for a light pack-able bag that I could take along anywhere providing a simple carry and a little extra capacity. I was sure that it would not become my primary carry and therefore did not want to spend a whole bunch on it. After some research, I came to this Marmot Urban Hauler... 

How It Looks

According to the description from Marmot, the Urban Hauler is "the age-old Japanese fishing bag concept" getting a "21st century makeover." It has a nice masculine simplicity to the design which I really like. I opted for the ever-safe black with blue accents. There is an assortment of colors if that tickles your fancy. The 210d 100% Nylon Nail Head material keeps the pack looking relaxed and casual. It would be difficult to pair this with office wear but definitely fits into most other settings, including the holidays that I wanted to take it on!. 

How It Packs

It's basically a bucket for your stuff. Besides one external vertical zip pocket and an internal horizontal pocket, the Urban Hauler has no other organization to speak of. That said, I feel that the 2 pockets are sufficient for the purpose of this pack and adds much functionality. 

Everything just falls to the bottom in the Urban Hauler so you want to be careful with what you throw in there. I'm sure that carrying it as a backpack would be pretty uncomfortable if you had an assortment of angular, boxy-type shapes protruding into your back.

I usually pack my stuff in a modular fashion, having a pocket or sleeve for each need, so the lack of organization was not really an issue. I put all my kiddo stuff in a packing cube, cables and portable charger in another, roll my rain jacket up, then throw them all into the bag.

How It Carries

Two modes of carry are available - tote and backpack. I found this to be really functional for what my needs. I enjoyed having a decent handle to grab the bag and just walk a 'lil and also have the option to put it on my back for longer distances. The pack just swallowed whatever I threw at it - library books, groceries, random shopping bags, etc. The material used was sturdy and up to the task of a grab and go daypack!

What It Does Well

The Urban Hauler folds down close to nothing and opens up into a black hole for a whole day of shopping or random bits. It's great for a quick spin around town for errands while looking good! 

What It Doesn't Do so Well

Comfort is the concern while carrying the pack for an extended period of time. I brought this on a week long trip to Hong Kong and it did get slightly uncomfortable when filled up after an entire day. The straps/grab handles could be wider and more padded for increased comfort. The back could use a lil extra padding too!

Similar Bags in the Market

The Mystery Ranch Booty Bag is definitely one that stands in the same space. There are also a whole bunch of pack-able day packs depending on your preferences. It did cost a 'lil more and I'd be keen to see what else it offers..

This pack has made me very interested in similar designs in the market. I am very interested in something similar but in a sturdier, and more comfortable build.

In a Nutshell

A lightweight pack for short trips out. Capacity is of no issue for whatever you want to pack in it, and it all falls down. The only downside is the skinny straps and lack of padding. A great pack for what I bought it for!

[abaghabit]

What is "Bags Beaten & Bruised"?

I've been putting off doing more extensive reviews on bags due to time and other constraints. However, I do feel that a realistic evaluation of a bag is essential in deciding whether a bag is suitable for an individual. It is with this post that I am introducing "Bags Beaten & Bruised".

"Bags Beaten & Bruised" will be thebagdossier's reviews of bags that I have personally carried. A bag's worth is in being able to do the job it was built for and being able to do that job that the owner wants it to do. In order to decide this, bags must be "beaten and bruised".

I've gone and am still going through quite a few bags looking for the perfect one. I can't say that I have found the one but I have gained some knowledge and personal opinions that I hope to share with those who are still on the quest.

I hope that "Bags Beaten & Bruised" will lend insight to the bags that I have carried or am still carrying, allowing others to learn a 'lil about the bags and maybe lending some insight into whether it might be the one for some of you out there!

Look out for the first "Bags Beaten & Bruised" coming in the next couple of days!!