n_ls

Red Wing Postman & Converse CdG

I'm a bit late chiming on this but I have the 20L VX Sanction and it's a great bag for urban commuting. Quality is amazing, fit is comfortable and adjustable, and it's waterproof without looking like it is which is nice in the more formal contexts that the city often necessitates. 

 

Personally, I wouldn't want to carry any more stuff than fits in it around the city day to day. I find it carries a laptop, charger, camera, notebooks, pens and pencils, a lunch, and one layer quite well. I don't change after my ride, and if I did I would probably pack extra clothes in a small duffel or stuff sack and have that in my basket or pannier rather than carry so much on my back. Unless you're a courier off and on so frequently, I find having a huge bag on your back when the bike can carry it for you disadvantageous.

Thanks for the feedback! I actually got second thoughts and ended up ordering eventually the Sanction. I'm still waiting for it; but I will see how much I can fit in it when I receive it and decide accordingly. I was also worried going too oversize with a 40L for daily needs after reflexion. 

I'm quite impatient to receive it now!

How was it? Been wanting to go there for a while now. 

I've got the Sanction. It's a great bag but I wouldn't recommend it at all for your intent. I thought it would have a bigger capacity than it ended up truly having. I can usually fit my laptop, charger, etc., a school textbook or two, and MAYBE some clothes. If I did fit all that it would end up being a very tight fit. I would recommend a 40L bag even if it ends up being a little bit too big.

 

Kinda wish I got the Arc'teryx Arro, which was my other choice, as of late.

Thanks for your feedback! I think I will go with the Fitzkroy then. Any Fitzkroy-user feedback is welcome as well!

@aso, yeah I did have a look at the Crafted Goods, but the design and the fabric / engineering of the MW attracts me more. I agree that the volume looks perfect though.

How's norse project backpacks? The isak rucksack in profile. The build, quality, storage etc

I was rocking one for the last 15 months, I liked it a lot in terms of look and volume. The fabric is good as well, quite durable.

What was clearly flunking on the other hand was the engineering behind. The best example is the metal piece allowing to adjust the strap length: it was clearly badly conceived, with a very weak alloy and a way to pass the loop that inevitably led to the metal piece to break when the bag was fully loaded. (see pictures below)

Happened a first time after 6 months of use; I had a spare part provided by Norse and had it repaired. Then the other one broke a couple of months after, same scenario.. 

Eventually it happened a third time last week, so I passed by the shop and explained it to the guys; they have been pretty understandable and took the bag back. It was apparently definitely not the first time they heard the story. 

We had a look together at the new Isak available now; they have apparently reviewed this design point with a new system. They also changed the closing system, and unfortunately it looks less convenient than before to my opinion. Some new versions are to be expected for FW15 also. 

Overall I don't like the current Isak as much as the first one, but it's still a good looking back, functional and with a good volume for a decent price. 

I'm looking for some advice regarding the size of my next backpack (20L or 40L). 
I have targeted Mission Workshop's Sanction and Fitzkroy, but I'm hesitating on which one to go to. 

I am looking for a daily pack to carry my stuff, being mostly a computer, charger; a couple of notebooks; some food; and often some clothes since I am biking to work and change when I arrive. It is also nice to be able to have a little bit of room left to put some groceries on the way back. 

I'm wondering if the Sanction (20L) might not be a bit tight for this use; but at the same time I don't want to unnecessarily oversize it since it remains a daily carry bag. I'm afraid that the 40L Fitzkroy would be a bit too big for a daily basis. 

Any advice from owners of the two above-mentioned bags, or any bag in this size range?

Previously I was using the Norse Projects Isak Rucksack (FW13) which was great size-wise, but I just returned it to the customer service because it was flawed.

Thanks !

Viberg Bobcat