Great review. I'm a bit confused at the leather on bottom gripe, there are so many great leather duffle bags, leather is meant to be used heavily. Also, any way to buy this bag in 2024? I'm looking for it
95% of my travel is everyday carry, so I don’t put much effort into my travel carry. In the rare instances where I do travel, I just roll all my stuff into a duffel. I’m not even sure I own packing cubes :/
Thank god someone finally admits that you WILL sweat while wearing a backpack... I watch other reviews and they all act like the vent system on whatever pack will prevent sweating. This is simply not true in any form or function, no amount of ventilation will prevent it, there will NEVER be enough ventilation to prevent you from sweating. It's the reason if I know where i'm going and not riding my bike, I will take my messenger bag. The vents can help, but they WILL NOT stop it from happening. I also hate bags that dig into the overall bag space with other pockets, this makes NO sense to me and makes me question the overall volume of the bag. I don't think they should be able to claim a size if the other pockets take away from that size, it's misleading at the least and false advertising at the worst case. I have one bag that is 17l, I use it specifically for trail riding so size isn't really an issue, if you use the outside pockets you can cut down the main space to less than 10l, which is ridiculous to say the least, you shouldn't be able to take away that much overall space just because you use the pockets. The main reason I just use it for trail riding, it sucks as an EDC bag.
I've recently decided I'm over the whole of concept of modular bags. Just looking for something that doesn't look ridiculous for daily carry, but works well for 2-3 day trips, going to the gym (I wear size 14 bball shoes that take up a lot of space), and I don't mind using pouches. I have the prima and errant, the prima is fine but I hate that the quick access pocket gets crowded out when you fill the bag to the brim and you know the problems with the errant. Is this bag the right direction given those problems? I don't carry cameras
Sounds like the AEL222 is right up your alley. I’d recommend taking a close look at my load out to give you a feel of what you can pack into this thing.
Could you do water submersion tests? I'm looking for a solid backpack for fishing/hiking. I'm sure you're aware of how many puddles can accumulate in a tin fishing boat lol.
I cannot, this pack is not waterproof. I’ll tell you right now it’ll ruin all your stuff. Waterproof bags look like balloons with zippers, and are usually pretty ugly. But they’re waterproof. None of the bags I’ve reviewed are waterproof.
Nice review! Please, could you help me to select a right backpack for me? I commute by bike and train between Brussels and Amsterdam and I usually have 2-3 days trips where I need to take my notebook, tech gear (iPad, nintendo switch, power bank), gym clothes and sneakers, toiletries, clothes for the 2-3 days. I was really interested in buying the Nomatic travel backpack but after your 2 month review I lost my interest, even with its amazing ability to expand and have extra space.
Hmm... I’m not that great at recommending bags based on specific needs like yours. I’d say to check out my Prima vid to see if something like that can suit you, or the AEL222, or the Peloton Asphalt.
Hello sir. I got a couple question please help me if you can. Thank you. So my situation is this. I am student going to college looking for a backpack but I don’t understand those terms for backpack like liters and something else. So I have a 15.6in laptop and a 12.9 inch iPad. Do you have any suggest of backpack that allow me to put both of these in and still have some space for the school supply? I don’t think I will take both around all the time so I am looking at backpack that can fit 15.6’ laptop first. If it can fit both that will be the best (plenty much i want one that have lot of volume) If you have any suggestion please help. Oh and no worry about the cost of it, I been saving money for it. Thank you sir. Thank you very much.
Yuhang Chen I recommend a backpack like the north face surge as it has a padded and suspended laptop and an iPad place, had place for textbooks, 3 quick access compartments and a organisation place Link for it in pounds, www.google.com/shopping/product/16747140042670864970?q=tnf+surge&biw=320&bih=591&tbs=vw:l,ss:53&prmd=sinv&prds=epd:13595072344724915382,paur:ClkAsKraX5zKqWaWMLc1nIxREk79-7pdrWM5f3TMuC3ESHxcduDCvqDa_S1emqlaYkQHApBJyzfuqVAVTm3Z8ZkRD1dEf8z4bIKHmCJjYWzSucZ5MU1e05Lw8RIZAFPVH72N6EECjN7HwkFa8YXMnGT6byQvmA,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1
"Alchemy, how do you want me to use this bag?" You answered your own question... By placing "luxurious leather" on the bottom, Alchemy is telling you that this bag isn't meant for people who are going to "drag it on the concrete" or put it down on questionable surfaces... It's supposed to be an aesthetically pleasing city/work daypack, not a mountain/tactical/ruck pack. This bag is for the fashion conscious professional who takes good care of his gear and is meant to be used in a city/professional environment, not for hard use. Just like how the nicest dress shoes will have leather soles... You need to take the targeted use/consumer demographic into account before passing judgment on design decisions.
![Prima System Backpack Long Term Review [2018]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1KhTxadEqss/mqdefault.jpg)
![Prima System Backpack Long Term Review [2018]](/img/tr.png)
![Alchemy Equipment AEL222 First Impressions Re-Shoot [2018]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LWhTc2e8t5U/mqdefault.jpg)
![Errant X-PAC Backpack First (and last) Impressions [2019]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w_nE16jK3qY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Long Term Review [2019]](/img/1.gif)
so refreshing to actually hear criticism of bags and call outs on bad design. thank you
Great review. I'm a bit confused at the leather on bottom gripe, there are so many great leather duffle bags, leather is meant to be used heavily. Also, any way to buy this bag in 2024? I'm looking for it
Probably not, maybe on eBay.
Nice overview, thanks. Could you do load out with packing cubes too? I really want to know whether the bag can fit enough for a 3-4 days trip
95% of my travel is everyday carry, so I don’t put much effort into my travel carry. In the rare instances where I do travel, I just roll all my stuff into a duffel. I’m not even sure I own packing cubes :/
@@HumorousMaximus Thanks! For ypur daily carry, do you prefer the ael222 or the axiom 24?
Axiom. It’s very quickly becoming one of favorite packs.
@@HumorousMaximus you may want to try the cpl24. It is similar to the axiom
Thank god someone finally admits that you WILL sweat while wearing a backpack... I watch other reviews and they all act like the vent system on whatever pack will prevent sweating. This is simply not true in any form or function, no amount of ventilation will prevent it, there will NEVER be enough ventilation to prevent you from sweating. It's the reason if I know where i'm going and not riding my bike, I will take my messenger bag. The vents can help, but they WILL NOT stop it from happening.
I also hate bags that dig into the overall bag space with other pockets, this makes NO sense to me and makes me question the overall volume of the bag. I don't think they should be able to claim a size if the other pockets take away from that size, it's misleading at the least and false advertising at the worst case. I have one bag that is 17l, I use it specifically for trail riding so size isn't really an issue, if you use the outside pockets you can cut down the main space to less than 10l, which is ridiculous to say the least, you shouldn't be able to take away that much overall space just because you use the pockets. The main reason I just use it for trail riding, it sucks as an EDC bag.
David Cote 👏🏼👏🏼
I've recently decided I'm over the whole of concept of modular bags. Just looking for something that doesn't look ridiculous for daily carry, but works well for 2-3 day trips, going to the gym (I wear size 14 bball shoes that take up a lot of space), and I don't mind using pouches. I have the prima and errant, the prima is fine but I hate that the quick access pocket gets crowded out when you fill the bag to the brim and you know the problems with the errant. Is this bag the right direction given those problems? I don't carry cameras
Sounds like the AEL222 is right up your alley. I’d recommend taking a close look at my load out to give you a feel of what you can pack into this thing.
@@HumorousMaximus nice, thanks. Any other bags you recommend checking out before pulling the trigger?
Browse around my videos. That’s all the experience I have. A few bags meet your criteria, so it’s gonna be a matter of taste at this point.
Great review. Is that a TAD gear bag in the shot, and if so will you be doing a review on it?
You know it. First impression video should be up soon, if time permits.
Could you do water submersion tests? I'm looking for a solid backpack for fishing/hiking. I'm sure you're aware of how many puddles can accumulate in a tin fishing boat lol.
I cannot, this pack is not waterproof. I’ll tell you right now it’ll ruin all your stuff. Waterproof bags look like balloons with zippers, and are usually pretty ugly. But they’re waterproof. None of the bags I’ve reviewed are waterproof.
thinking of getting the AEL002 30 LITRE. since its kind of the same. were using the front zippers that much of a pain? they dont seem so smooth
They’re definitely a pain to use. I made sure to mention it in the video.
@@HumorousMaximus yea but do you feel like thats a deal breaker for you?
No, I still gave the build an 8/10. So it’s annoying but manageable.
Nice review!
Please, could you help me to select a right backpack for me? I commute by bike and train between Brussels and Amsterdam and I usually have 2-3 days trips where I need to take my notebook, tech gear (iPad, nintendo switch, power bank), gym clothes and sneakers, toiletries, clothes for the 2-3 days.
I was really interested in buying the Nomatic travel backpack but after your 2 month review I lost my interest, even with its amazing ability to expand and have extra space.
Hmm... I’m not that great at recommending bags based on specific needs like yours. I’d say to check out my Prima vid to see if something like that can suit you, or the AEL222, or the Peloton Asphalt.
How long did shipping take? I just ordered this bag. I’m really looking forward to it.
About 2-3 weeks. I didn’t get a “shipping” email, and they didn’t respond to my emails. It just turned up.
Thanks, what shipping company did they use?
I don’t remember if it was FedEx or UPS.
Did they charge you custom and duty fees?
I like your Axiom 18 even more (drool)...
Is it for sale?
Nope.
Hello sir. I got a couple question please help me if you can. Thank you. So my situation is this. I am student going to college looking for a backpack but I don’t understand those terms for backpack like liters and something else. So I have a 15.6in laptop and a 12.9 inch iPad. Do you have any suggest of backpack that allow me to put both of these in and still have some space for the school supply? I don’t think I will take both around all the time so I am looking at backpack that can fit 15.6’ laptop first. If it can fit both that will be the best (plenty much i want one that have lot of volume) If you have any suggestion please help. Oh and no worry about the cost of it, I been saving money for it. Thank you sir. Thank you very much.
I suggest you check out my videos, maybe you’ll find something that fits your needs. I made a video for every bag that I have used.
Yuhang Chen I recommend a backpack like the north face surge as it has a padded and suspended laptop and an iPad place, had place for textbooks, 3 quick access compartments and a organisation place
Link for it in pounds,
www.google.com/shopping/product/16747140042670864970?q=tnf+surge&biw=320&bih=591&tbs=vw:l,ss:53&prmd=sinv&prds=epd:13595072344724915382,paur:ClkAsKraX5zKqWaWMLc1nIxREk79-7pdrWM5f3TMuC3ESHxcduDCvqDa_S1emqlaYkQHApBJyzfuqVAVTm3Z8ZkRD1dEf8z4bIKHmCJjYWzSucZ5MU1e05Lw8RIZAFPVH72N6EECjN7HwkFa8YXMnGT6byQvmA,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1
what's that pocket you have on the right shoulder strap?
Chrome Industries cell pouch.
"Alchemy, how do you want me to use this bag?"
You answered your own question...
By placing "luxurious leather" on the bottom, Alchemy is telling you that this bag isn't meant for people who are going to "drag it on the concrete" or put it down on questionable surfaces... It's supposed to be an aesthetically pleasing city/work daypack, not a mountain/tactical/ruck pack. This bag is for the fashion conscious professional who takes good care of his gear and is meant to be used in a city/professional environment, not for hard use. Just like how the nicest dress shoes will have leather soles...
You need to take the targeted use/consumer demographic into account before passing judgment on design decisions.
Hi can u help me find the alchemy AEL 222 pls
This was a limited run. If the link in the description doesn’t work then you’ll have to hit up Google and find resellers.
HumorousMaximus can you sell me yours 😐😬
No.
HumorousMaximus ok 👍
Sell me your bag. 😉