I like the Aer Go Pack 2 better. When I'm using a day pack, I'm always taking layers on and off, so the large stash pocket on the front of the Aer pack is super useful for me. The luggage pass-thru is also useful as I use that pack as my personal item on budget airlines where a smaller bag fits the size requirements. Also I prefer to have the additional organization pockets inside the Aer pack to keep small items where I can find them.
Thanks for another excellent review. Your comment on the lack of luggage pass through really resonates with me. It's 5 cents of material, almost no weight, and a couple bar tack stitching. I don't know why every bag this size range doesn't have luggage pass through. I have four mid-20 liter packs that I really like as personal item travel bags and think they have some different and thoughtful design approaches, except they don't have luggage pass through! It's such a cheap easy feature I wish it was a standard element in bag designs for this size range.
I kind of think they didn't include it on purpose because they intended it to be a packable daypack rather than a personal item, but enough people use luggage-pass through sleeve it seems like a feature they should have added.
Very good review! I especially liked the sizer box and packing demo - I have done a similar loadout in my Aer Go 2. I probably would have put the sandals side-by-side against my back to add structure to the bendy back panel. Compared to the Aer Go 2, I like the slightly more structured look, but would like to see a couple more slip pockets inside like the Aer has. I find myself using these quite a bit in addition to the top quick-grab. They could also have put some loops on the front to string some bungee cord for more external carry. But, I do appreciate that the Tortuga is a few grams lighter and that the side pockets are more stretchy and usable when the bag is packed out.
I think I need to do a comparison with the Aer Go Pack, they have a lot of similarities but enough differences to be worth a side-by-side comparison. Aer has an outside pocket, more interior pockets, luggage pass-through sleeve, but Tortuga has more structure, is 3 oz ligher, has more waterproof fabric and better exterior pockets.
I should do a Xero review, I've had them for years and use them all the time. They're good for all day but not if you're walking a lot. They're very comfortable for short walks but the padding is thin so my feet hurt if I walk too far in them.
That's a good point. I checked the specs on Challenge website and the SHELL200 doesn't match up, but the SHELL70RS seems to match the EPX70RS specs. Could be they are rebranding an existing product, or they had Challenge build them a custom fabric, not sure.
Laptop backpack has more protection for a laptop, more pockets, and is larger. If it's EDC and you carry a laptop and a lot of tech Laptop Backpack. If you want a minimalist daypack that's very light and packs down small then Daypack Pro.
😲😲😲 That's such a toss-up, they're both great and a lot of overlap in features. I like the look of the Go Pack more with design and colors, but waterproofness on Tortuga is nice, plus it's lighter.
I like the Aer Go Pack 2 better. When I'm using a day pack, I'm always taking layers on and off, so the large stash pocket on the front of the Aer pack is super useful for me. The luggage pass-thru is also useful as I use that pack as my personal item on budget airlines where a smaller bag fits the size requirements. Also I prefer to have the additional organization pockets inside the Aer pack to keep small items where I can find them.
Those bags are very comparable but those are good features.
Aer Go is not very packable though. It's thick and wide, very annoying to get onto a 30L if you're one bagging.
@@bradconteI disagree. The Aer Go is very packable! A solid bag for me.
Thanks for another excellent review. Your comment on the lack of luggage pass through really resonates with me. It's 5 cents of material, almost no weight, and a couple bar tack stitching. I don't know why every bag this size range doesn't have luggage pass through.
I have four mid-20 liter packs that I really like as personal item travel bags and think they have some different and thoughtful design approaches, except they don't have luggage pass through! It's such a cheap easy feature I wish it was a standard element in bag designs for this size range.
I kind of think they didn't include it on purpose because they intended it to be a packable daypack rather than a personal item, but enough people use luggage-pass through sleeve it seems like a feature they should have added.
Very good review! I especially liked the sizer box and packing demo - I have done a similar loadout in my Aer Go 2. I probably would have put the sandals side-by-side against my back to add structure to the bendy back panel. Compared to the Aer Go 2, I like the slightly more structured look, but would like to see a couple more slip pockets inside like the Aer has. I find myself using these quite a bit in addition to the top quick-grab. They could also have put some loops on the front to string some bungee cord for more external carry. But, I do appreciate that the Tortuga is a few grams lighter and that the side pockets are more stretchy and usable when the bag is packed out.
I think I need to do a comparison with the Aer Go Pack, they have a lot of similarities but enough differences to be worth a side-by-side comparison. Aer has an outside pocket, more interior pockets, luggage pass-through sleeve, but Tortuga has more structure, is 3 oz ligher, has more waterproof fabric and better exterior pockets.
That's a nifty bag. Must..resist..more..purchases!
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Another great video….any possibility for a review of your xero sandals? Are they comfortable for all day use?
I should do a Xero review, I've had them for years and use them all the time. They're good for all day but not if you're walking a lot. They're very comfortable for short walks but the padding is thin so my feet hurt if I walk too far in them.
I wish Tortuga would just say who actually makes the fabric. From the specs and description it sounds like Challenge Ecopak.
That's a good point. I checked the specs on Challenge website and the SHELL200 doesn't match up, but the SHELL70RS seems to match the EPX70RS specs. Could be they are rebranding an existing product, or they had Challenge build them a custom fabric, not sure.
This backpack or the discounted tortuga laptop backpack? I don't care about luggage passthrough.
Laptop backpack has more protection for a laptop, more pockets, and is larger. If it's EDC and you carry a laptop and a lot of tech Laptop Backpack. If you want a minimalist daypack that's very light and packs down small then Daypack Pro.
This or Aer Go Pack 2?
😲😲😲
That's such a toss-up, they're both great and a lot of overlap in features. I like the look of the Go Pack more with design and colors, but waterproofness on Tortuga is nice, plus it's lighter.
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