With the tape measure parallel to the ground, measure the circumference of the fullest part of your hips (usually around the top of your thighs, where they connect to your torso). Sleeves The smartest feature of the bag though, has to be the sturdy base. It both supports the bag in an upright position and is rendered in reflective Scotchlite – for massively improved visibility when riding in the dark. On first glance, especially given its no-frills design, you’d be forgiven for thinking this minimalist bag is overpriced, but the quality of the materials used, the waterproof seams and all-day comfort should convince otherwise. Holding the tape measure vertically, measure straight down from your crotch to the floor. Take this measurement without shoes on. We discovered that, despite only being rated as having an 18.5litre capacity, we managed to cram a huge amount in without it looking stuffed or feeling unbalanced. This is partly due to the unstructured nature of the design, and our only niggle with it is the fact the laptop sleeve doesn’t have any additional protection, so make sure you put your bag down carefully.

Given the low weight we didn’t expect much from the straps, but they are exceptionally well padded – easily the most comfortable on test. Pros: Stylish; understated; weatherproof; premium materials; deceptively spacious Cons: Pricey; laptop sleeve not padded The Batac is made from 100% repurposed fabric. It has ultralight wide mesh shoulder straps for added comfort, durable but lightweight ripstop nylon shell fabric. But what about the bag itself? It’s big, but weighs very little – less than the Knomo Novello, but with 10+ litres more capacity – and the use of multiple compartments helps you keep on top of your stuff. The material is exceptionally robust, and while the media/laptop section is easy to organise, the main front compartment for your clothes has a stuff-it-and-see feel about it. Not a big deal, but if the zips opened slightly more, organising our pants would be so much simpler.

#Enjoying Cotopaxi Batac 16L Backpack

With the tape measure parallel to the floor, measure the circumference around the fullest part of your chest. Waist With the tape measure parallel to the floor, measure the full circumference of your natural waist (at the crease when you bend to one side). Hips It’s also worth noting that the 500D Nylon material is water-repellant and has been finished with an anti-microbial treatment that combats sweat and odor, so your bag doesn’t whiff after a week. Used as is and your shirt gets crumpled in minutes, but Stolt Running has designed a hard-shell case that fits perfectly in the main cavity and has room for a neatly folded shirt and suit. They even include a folding board (with instructions) to help you fold properly. There’s also a shoe bag and a reflective rain cover for dark, wet journeys. With multiple capacities available from 38l to 68l, the superb Osprey Kestrel (for men) and Kyte (for women) let hikers choose which size they want based on the length of their expedition. We tried the 58l Kestrel on a four-day hiking and camping trip and were thoroughly impressed by its overall comfort and impressive range of technical features.

Principally designed for commuting but capable of taking a lot more than the urban hustle in its stride, the Osprey Nebula is among the best bags of its type. It’s stuffed with padded slots and pouches for all your laptop, tablet and smartphone storage needs, yet capacious enough to hold up to 34l of gear for a day out on the trails. From rainy city days to the wildest terrains, wherever your adventures lead, the Drift will take you there.