I have a new job which I start on the 2nd of March.
The new role is still compliance, but it’s a more focused role and the company I’m moving to is far less Sales driven (I kid you not when I say that in 2025 I completed more than 100 customer questionnaires and reviewed more than 70 contracts for Compliance Schedules and clauses) so I’ll be able to focus on delivery of my responsibilities rather than spending a significant portion of my time dealing with short notice, short turnaround customer requests.
I’ll also be in the office 2 days a week, WFH the other 3 days, and will be doing some short haul EU travel to visit our other companies.
As a reward to myself, I decided to buy myself a new Backpack for when I start the new role. Traditionally I’ve bought cheaper backpacks in the £40-£60 range and they’ve done me OK, but after my experience with the Logitech MX Master 3s (which I have also bought a second one of for in the office) I decided to push the boat out and splurge on something more expensive.
It’s so high quality, has brilliant touches such as the front and back of the main compartment being openable to give brilliant accessibility and Orange internal fabric to ensure that you can always see what you’re looking for rather than the number of bags I’ve had with dark internal fabric which makes it impossible to find anything. There are also a decent number of pockets to hold items plus a laptop pocket and a tablet pocket
When it arrived, the way it was packaged showed a lot of thought and all materials were paper/cardboard based. I also ordered their lunch bag which was packed inside the backpack rather than coming separately.
I’ve not taken it out of the house yet, but looking at how it works and putting my stuff into the backpack was easy and I can’t wait to use it in anger.
I think it’s a UK brand, but I would recommend if you have the chance to try one have a look.
Looks like a great pack! There was a big difference when I went from Ogio to AER backpacks. It’s nice to have a quality pack for work and travel. Hope it lasts you for a long time!
I’m not sure it would go down well if I got another bag so soon after purchasing one! I got the Patagonia Black Hole 32L to replace a model that my wife bought me almost when we first started dating about 10 years ago! That one I could basically see through the bottom of the bag now as it had worn through that much!
I also have a Fjallraven bag - I believe it’s the Ulvo which is excellent quality and similar to the Black Hole - however, it’s only has a single external opening pocket, which means I can’t use it for my keys and my phone, as they’ll scratch each other (the Black Hole has a pocket on the front and on the rear flap). I tend to use this one for work more and the Black Hole is my daily bag for shop trips etc. I would say its rugged enough and I’d love one of their hiking bags, if they weren’t so expensive! Off topic slightly but their Keb trousers are the comfiest trousers I’ve worn hiking (hurt my wallet though!) Thankfully for my wallet, I don’t live or work near one of their retail shops any more!
However, I have just ordered the Tide Accessory bag from Three Peaks after following you link and having some isuses with my current tech bag!
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