Your videos make me want to buy all of these bags way more than any videos the companies that make the bags put out. Ijust bought an Aer travel pack 3 and now im convinced i need more bags. I bought the Nomatic navigator carry on from your video. Thanks for the great content!
Dude I love your vids. No shade to any of the other reviewers out there, but you just do it for me. Maybe it’s the well timed expletives and the uber-enthusiasm I can relate to. Just when I tell myself I have enough bags…here we go again. I’ve yet to get myself an Aer bag but everywhere I look, they are the hype. Look at me already justifying my prospective purchase. 😂🤫
Thank you for the video! Me personally, I traveled to Japan last month for a month straight and had the aer travel backpack with me - the luggage pass through was vertical so the backpack lay on its side, which was a huge annoyance because of its size (and i had a big 100L suitcase). As for the "solution", I normally "weave" the straps inbetween the luggage carryhandle and the backpack, so when you look at it from the backside the shoulderstraps are behind the luggage handle while the passthrough strap is infront (i hope you know what i mean haha). This way the handle blocks the straps from dangling around too much. Keep up the great work (:
I just bought this bag and I have a few thoughts... 1. The lack of a quick access pocket and internal pocket on the bottom of the front flap gives the bag a weird shape.. You will see the top half of the bag bulging out while the bottom indenting. I also feel that it's a weird decision to not make use of the empty space there. 2. This is something mentioned by a lot of people including this review, and that is the lack of mesh liner pockets. The folded pockets lack elasticity to fit larger items, and stuff falls out from these pockets whenever you turn the backpack sideways. 3. The inner space, especially the main compartment of the bag is much smaller than what you would expect when seen from the outside and the "20L" designation. The unnecessarily thick front flap, valet pocket and laptop compartment take space away from the main compartment. The main compartment will fit 1 Peak Design Tech Pouch + 2 smaller pouches like the Bellroy Tech Kit or Peak Design small wash pouches at most.
@@Rob-ty3ig I personally prefer the Pro Pack 20L for the aesthetic - the CPP is too squarish and brick-y for my taste (it's 5cm deeper than the Pro Pack 20L). But CPP will make a great travel bag I think.
Luggage passthrough on backpacks: They should never be vertical like on this bag. I would think the vast majority of people pack their backpacks with the idea of keeping it upright and having it on its side could allow for smaller items to shift or "spill out" of the interior pockets. Also, a big thing: The side pockets for the water bottles. You don't want your water bottle tilted on its side unnecessarily and certainly not carrying it that way. Any bumps on the luggage could cause it slip out. Also, you can't utilize both pockets well if it is on its side.
Hi Aaron, I am in HK as well. I wanted to know if you if any stores in HK sell this bag. I was thinking Suburban but they don’t seem to stock it. Any suggestions apart from online from Aer? Thanks, much appreciated.
you can come to the new Nomads Nation office, we've got it in all 3 sizes. We are getting set up in Lai Chi Kok this week, shoot me an email aaron@nomadsnation.com and you can come swing by to check em out (but not buy)
Great review of this bag. I currently have Able Carry Max which is the best & only bag i have. However I am on the lookout for a new bag which is about 20-26 Litres which can be my new EDC / Office / Work bag. Able Carry Max is prob a bit too big for that as i have been using for nearly a year. AER has had a lot of hype. This new bag of theirs caught my eye. Things i like: 1 = AER branding / logo - for me i like it. Not too big / loud. Nicely blended / integrated on the bag & its on the top part so not much of a deal-breaker. 2 = Materials 3 = Size 4 = Colour options 5 = Zip noise is nice - not too loud esp in an open office - dont want to attract the wrong attention Things i dont like 1 = Overkill on the compartments - need to get rid one of the middle compartments. 2 = Maybe they appear to have cut some corners on comfort & certain materials like some zips / compartment are not weather resistant / proof. 3 = Straps could be a bit more tidier. Overall, a nice bag & nice price point but i think will pass. The other options im looking at is Able Carry Daily Plus & Daybreaker 2 & Alpaka Elements Pro & Minaal Daily 3.0 Spent a long time reviewing Able Carry Max before purchasing it. Seems like i will have to do the same for my next purchase. Keep up the great work Aaron.
Curious about what you guys think: would the main compartment fit a gym outfit? (Light shoes, shorts and a tee) and maybe a small towel+ small wash pouch?
Hi! I’m a new subscriber and really appreciate the thorough reviews and all the info in the comments. I’m looking for a smaller bag and I’ve been considering the Aer Pro Pack Slim, but I also watched your review of the Able Carry Thirteen, which looks like a great option too. Would you recommend one over the other? (Or an entirely different bag? 😅) Thanks!
I like the new colours, I am not a fan of the luggage pass through strap....to me it's the wrong way. I also find for my taste, to many pockets/zippers. cheers!
Excellent review as always, looks is a really good option for office backpack. For future reviews could you consider make a review about some briefcases as Bellroy Tokyo Work bag or Bellroy Tech Briefcase?... Thanks and keep up the great work
Thanks Fernando! We actually already shot the Bellroy Tokyo Work bag review - it's in line to be edited and should be live in a few weeks so be sure to keep an eye out :)
I don't understand how AER makes their decision on which models gets a side handle. In the City collection, the City Pack has a side handle but not the City Pack Pro. In the Pro collection, the Pro Pack 20L doesn't have a side handle but the 24L does.
Hey Aaron, I love your reviews! Thank you so much for helping us choose the best pack! For the tech compartment, is it wide enough to fit 2 laptops (or 1 laptop + portable monitor)?
New to Aer but so far I love it. I have the 24 and wish the luggage pass through was horizontal. One other luggage comment, a couple of my carry-on bags have a handle that is wide enough to cause a problem when trying to get my loaded backpack off the rolling bag. If possible, would love the pass through to be an inch or so longer. Keep up the great work.
Euwww I hate the first zipper. Pet peeve is half zippers that force me to do the whole digging thing to find stuff at the bottom of the “organization” section. Boo. I also am Not sure how I feel about the face of this bag. And that middle admin- meh. Looks like it gets top tight like the AER tech pack….so the compartments start squeezing up losing the point of them. Last gripe- the short lips on the bottom of the main compartment and laptop section. When it’s packed up…especially when trying to put your laptop in its area…that flimsy lip catches on everything. Super pain. I do Love the color lol.
Is there a similar bad to this but smaller. Say 14ish liter that still has two water bottle holders? The osprey daylite has one but I don’t know if there is one that small that could squeeze in a larger laptop. Nice editing btw.
cheers! Check out the Aer Pro Pack Slim - although I'm not sure if it has two water bottle holders (but to be honest, I can't think of a small bag that DOES have 2 water bottle holders, so you might have a tougher time there)
The floppy pocket was the main reason I went with the City Pack Pro instead of the Pro Pack when I needed something larger than my City Pack. I also hate the branding on this.
This way is also not bad, but thing that is missing is the side handle allowing to properly grab the bag when putting or removing it from the luggage, the same downside in on the latest Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro :/
Thanks for another great review! I’m debating between this bag and the Able Carry Daily Plus. The backpack will be my edc for commuting and work, and I’m 5’0 tall. Would you recommend one bag over the other? (Or something else entirely? 😅) Thanks!
at 5'0 tall I assume that any 20+L bag is gonna be a bit big on you, but if you need the storage space I think the Able Carry Daily might feel less bulky
I’m 5’0 too😢 been going back and forth on this Aer PP 20l for months, its the perfect size for my frame but i’m afraid it’d be too small for one bag travel. I love the sleek/smart urban city look of this bag, only Alpakas’ element pro comes close in terms of looks but the volume is too big and the bottom of the shoulder straps has that classic Alpacka polygon padding which personally i find ruins the aesthetic
thanks so much for the great content you continue to put out Aaron- before any carry decisions, i always check your reviews. Althought i dont need the 30 L or so , I have used a recon for years , ive tried to change to more professional/office bags but always found myself coming back to the north face- With this being said, how do you think this 20 L compares to the recon? thanks again for all you do. btw that coldplay line-dead
Thanks dude! Unfortunately I’ve never tested a recon (which I know is quite the black mark on my resume) so I can’t say for sure. All I can say is I still stand by everything I said in the review about this bag 💪🏻
Would this backpack work for high school? This is what i use every day for school: 4 B5 notebooks 17" laptop 2 folders for my assignments Average sizes book for reading Average sized pencil case Pouch for carrying my wallet, phone, ID card, and case for my glasses. Charger for the laptop My phone Medium sized metal water bottle Flashcards to study for quizzes or tests And my retainer case to protect them from getting crushed. Not too much stuff. If this backpack isn't for high school, can you recommend me some other backpacks? I'm a huge fan of the Aer backpacks so would be glad if you can find one. I was looking into the Aer Tech Pack 2 and Aer Day Pack 2 as well. Are they a good choice?
yikes, that's a tough one... if you want a bit more padding/comfort, go with Aer. If you want a more lighter/streamlined feel go with Minaal. Can't go wrong with either
Thanks for the video, great job as usual. About your alternative propositions, don't you think this 20l would more compete with other 20l (PLC20, Alpha One Niner Whitley,..) rather than the CPP ? I own the CPP and looking for a smaller alternative for some occasions and I was wondering if thos Pro 20L was not too close than the CPP to justify a buy.
Could you do a review on both the Mous backpack and sling? I've been interested in them but there are not many reviews on them. Especially not like what you do 🙂
Would you recommend this bag over the nomatic 20 L travel bag or day bag Leaning more towards this one or do you recommend any other bag for me? Looking for an edc with flexibility for travel
Nice video. Own 4 AER bags/slings The most used one is the original Flight Pack, which after 5 yrs of constant use finally tore near where the shoulder strap connects to the top of the bag. Looking for my next EDC/Travel backpack . Living in crowded HK, 20 ltrs with a slim profile is about the right size. This one is under consideration. Keep up the good work!
How wonderful that you're back to what you do best matey. It's understabdable that one may expand one's horizon in creativity & knowledge. You have our utmost respect & thumbs up. Reckon most backpack that has the ability to interlock with their zippers, it mainly (in our opinion) is more of a deterent. A thief would just take the whole backpack regardless whether there's a humungous padlock on it. Nevertheless it's a great additon for security and just that little gimmick might just boost the sale. Always thinking..! Also another point, Recycle Material, sounds great but have you any idea what the process & procedures when recycling? We much prefer the slim version, enough for EDC & overnighters. You're fair dinkum mate.!
Yeah, for me.. I also agree mainly because Aer needs to solve the straps dangling to the side. Now if they have some way to tie it down, I prefer it being on the side. I've the TP3 small and I think that strap (while sturdy) is too thin. I'm worried about it ripping eventually, but my friend demonstrated it is very sturdy and would only break/unravel at either seam without compromising the rest of the bag.
I’m at a hard no, at least for me. Do appreciate the large internal pockets. But the move away from the front half-zip pocket to the deep admin panel, is the problem. Much better executed on the CPP. Also, and related to the slash pocket, is the top pocket. The key clip ends up in a weird spot, the more hardware-like items I carry in the front stash pocket end up lost in the black hole or in the top pocket (really bad, because I carry my sunglasses in the top pocket, which now lacks the chamois-like lining as well), it just adds up to a lot of disorganization for sake of what is ostensibly a branding change that I don’t think many customers wanted. The lack of an XPac colorway is also a problem. Unless this bag at its price point is intended to help get more customers into the brand by offering an easier entry point in the price structure; for that I think it rocks.
Will a Packit Classic lunch bag fit in the 20 liters main clam shell compartment? Dimensions are 8.25 inches tall standing upright, 10 inches wide from side to side and 4.25 inches front to back/deep. Or can you provide the dimensions of the main clam shell compartment?
Per Aer customer service The internal dimensions of the main compartment of the Pro Pack 20L are approximately 13.5" x 4.5" x 11", but being that it is a soft good, there should be an inch or two of flexibility.
Great review as usual, Aaron, BUT, bag not as good as some I've seen or even own. Not a fan of the colors either- especially the interior-and those wierd darts on the front.
