It's the best backpack I have ever owned. I use it everyday to go to work and I need some more stuff to carry. If you don't need the space it's not that much bigger then the aer city original. Really it's a no brainer!
I've been using it for EDC and travel in Israel for the last 3 weeks and it's the best backpack I could ask for. I get so many compliments on it!! I freaking LOVE it
Thank you for this review, Aaron!! I’ve loved the whole idea of this bag since your short announcement video premiered. I’m a partially Blind 43yo urbanite/PhD student and live in the northern tier US. Read: lots of tech (laptop, Braille display, Bluetooth keyboard, tablet, travel cane, and all the cabling), a need to look professional and a need to be weather tight (and also take the occasional scrape and both protect and not look atrocious…Nomatic isn’t gonna work), and a need to be comfortable when loaded (43yo back) and travel well. I love AER’s aesthetic (the organization is really helpful for non-visual use), and have loved my City Pack. But it’s just a little too efficient for my carry needs. I think the Pro is my new favorite bag, and certainly my favorite bag of 2022. Thank you for doing this review!
Out of the many YT channels that review backpacks, I prefer your channel because your reviews are unbiased, informative, and very entertaining as well. Also appreciate that you provide examples of what you can store in each pocket of the bag.
Thanks for the review. You get full set of aquaguard zippers with the X-PAC version. The zipper pulls are also reflective. I was worried about X-PAC thinking it’s be the cheap raincoat type crinkly, but it’s pretty stiff and durable. Def worth spending $26 extra for what you get.
For an entire week, I've probably watched all of your videos back and forth, weighed and pondered, and this is the one I decided to go with! THANK YOU so much for all your reviews! (Now I just have to wait for the backpack to be delivered!)
Awesome review! I bought this bag based almost entirely on this review. It is perfect for my EDC. I have also used it for short overnight camping trips, and it works great for that as well. For me, it is the perfect all in one bag. The material quality is amazing, and there is nothing major about it that I would change.
Just got mine! Mainly based on your review(s). Quite of a journey the bag did from my sister in NYC here to Tel-Aviv. I looked for a bag that will suite my EDC - mainly GYM-Work bag and I REALLY wanted an Aer bag, but I didn't like that much the Duffle and I was afraid the Fit pack will be too small. The Pro Pack is damn perfect for me! I mean this bag, wow. On a more general note, just to say that I'm following literally every EDC/Travel channel out there, happy to say NN is the best! Mainly because of your presentation/acting skills ;) and also because the pro editing, both make the videos fun rather than tiring. so massive Kudos!
I just ordered this for an airplane underseat backpack. It seems a good fit for wanting the most capacity possible while fitting in the underseat measurement requirements (meets American Airlines requirements). I love lots of organizational pockets to immediately locate what you want instead of digging on the flight. Hope I love it!
I've had this bag a little under a month. I do looove the quality and look of this bag. You can just tell it's well made. I got the grey and it's sexy cool. I packed it out and decided I was keeping it, but wasn't quite happy with how my noise-canceling headphones were fitting. On a whim, I decided to repack all my items into my Nomad Lane Bento Bag. Both are listed at 24 L, but I was shocked at how much room I had left in the Bento Bag after moving everything over. I was able to bring so much more. So I guess I was disappointed in the space for a travel bag. Buuuut, I do love the bag, and it quickly became my EDC. It is a bit bigger than I need for EDC, but I love all the organization and particularly the pocket layout. I keep looking at the Aer Travel Pack Small and wondering if that might be my better underseat bag, but I just like the pocket layout in this one. I'm going to try again sometime with this one as an underseat bag and really see what I think. And I keep watching videos thinking I'll find that perfect underseat backpack. Really love all your videos.
Just bought mine. I have been doing so much research. I was really trying to decide between the travel pack small and the city pack pro (both xpac) I went with the city pack pro because there were so many people who said that travel pack was on the heavier side. This is literally something I use everyday. I’m upgrading for the north face borealis. Little less in volume but excited to see how it turns out!
Appreciate the in-depth review. I watched a ton of other videos of reviews from you, but decided on the X-Pac version of this bag, and I'm waiting for it to come in now. It's hard to find good in-depth reviews for people like me who like to agonize over purchases, down to the smallest details. I'm sure that this one is just right for me now. And don't worry, I made sure to use the link in the description!
@@Nomads.NationTook plenty of time to use it on my daily commute, and here's some thoughts! Love the bag, I really don't have any issues with it whatsoever. It was a bit uncomfortable at first since the X-Pac material took a bit to break in, especially in the straps, but now that I've used it more and adjusted it properly, it feels fantastic. Extremely comfortable, and if I have anything particularly heavy the sternum strap works great. I was worried about fit when I got it because I'm a really wide person, especially the shoulders, but it feels great. Storage is perfect, too. I tend to over prepare for my daily commute, but I was happy to find it has more than enough space for all sorts of stuff. Perfect size for my use case, of daily commute+, where I take less necessary things like medicine bottles, extra gloves and socks, a portable desk fan, and lots of extra bits and pieces that I don't use every day, but still find useful to have with me. I tend to not make use of the full main compartment because the other pockets being full tends to make the spare main compartment space a bit slim, but it still fits everything I need it to, so it's no problem. I'm sure if I did actually need that space I could rearrange and it would fit just fine. I haven't used it in a full rainstorm, but there was a bunch of sleet coming down today and the X-Pac material did amazingly. Very comforting to know my stuff wouldn't get water on it. I had an old cordura messenger bag before, and the material would get a bit of water in it, even if it generally didn't let water through. Seeing it bead off perfectly is great. Other thoughts: I couldn't find any loose threads at all, which I worry about when getting new things like this. One small orange thread is poking out now around the water bottle pocket, but I don't anticipate it being a problem. I hope to not have to replace this thing for a very long time, so not seeing any signs of wear after two weeks is reassuring. I also found the little pull tabs for the front pocket are a great keychain loop too, to customize the bag a bit without damaging the bag at all. I got a small "pin holder" to stick some of my pins on, and it displays them well without getting in the way or anything. My only compromise with this bag was it actually being a bit too plain looking for my taste, so this solves that problem! Overall, really satisfied with the bag I picked out. Appreciate the review once again! Definitely wouldn't have found this one to be the one just right to me without it.
Decisions! Which would you suggest for a smaller frame woman for travel (personal item) and carrying around? The City Pack Pro or the new Pro Collection 20L or 24L???
Love your reviews!! I’m having to go back into work on a hybrid schedule and need something that will keep my laptop safe for regular back and forth each week. Do you have a recommendation that does that and is self Standing ?
Thanks for the helpful review. I am trying to decide between the daypack and daypack pro. I typically carry a laptop, tablet, some books and a binder, along with chargers and other random tech gear. Do you think the clamshell opening for the main compartment would work well with books being packed in there? I like the versatility of the main compartment to also be used to add clothes if I am traveling for a day/night trip, but feel worried about the clamshell opening.
My cabin bag is a Cabin Zéro 36l bag packed with 4 small packing cubes from Decathlon STACKED (like drawers) whilst the bag is standing upright. Packing cubes help the bag retain its shape. The laptop pocket is against your back. Straps and back padding are comfortable. Small tech accessories, docs, Id etc, toileries are carried in my personal bag.
Think I did the vast majority of my searching on this channel and finally ended with the aer city backpack pro in olive and some alpaka bits as well for travel ease, the alpaka backpack in the end not having a separate laptop compartment was the killer.
love your channel! I bought the Aer Fit but it seems a bit of a tight fit…love that this has side pocket, key leash, front pocket & clam-style opening (none of which are on the Fit), I’ll gladly give up the shoe compartment for all of these other features & larger size
I've had this bag now for about 2 and a half weeks. I have used it on 2 trips. One budget flight to the UK, and 1 long-haul flight to Asia on a larger carrier. Pros: The build and overall quality of the bag are top-tier. No matter how much I pack (within reason), it never feels like you may bust zip. It’s Ryanair under-seat compatible! I was able to push it into their 'bag-sizer-checker' with ease, which is a huge plus for anyone flying budget. I will confidently take this on any airline Worldwide now. I can fit my Air Pods Max (with the cover) perfectly in the outer top zip compartment. Similarly, a travel washbag fits just right in the bottom outer zip. The outer top pocket is perfect for accessing items on a plane. This means you don't need to take an additional sling. The top handle is fantastic-it’s strong and feels great. The durability is impressive. It honestly feels like you could throw it off a building, and it would still be fine! The price is very reasonable for what you get. It’s a bag that will last you a long, long time. The laptop area is excellent, especially if you have a pricey laptop. My 15-inch MacBook Pro fits with ease, and I imagine a 16-inch would too. There’s even room for an 11-inch iPad Air next to the laptop. The straps are incredibly comfortable, even when carrying heavier loads. Cons: A lot of space is dedicated to the laptop area. When I don’t bring my laptop, it feels like there’s a lot of empty, heavy space. When I open the main compartment, it looks like (to my eye) only about 33% of the bag is dedicated to the main packing area for clothes, which doesn’t match the overall size and weight of the bag. I expected more packable space. I travel for 2 nights max, so it works, but the over-sized laptop area and padding seem to be taking away from the main compartment. The thickness of the bags material and related padding, maybe when added altogether removes space from the main compartment? There’s a plastic ring above the bottle holder. If you attach something to it (like another plastic item), it makes a 'clink' noise with each step. They should’ve placed it on the other side, where there’s nothing to clash with. You could attach something small, I had a neck cushion attached. The small side pocket is pretty much only usable for keys or very small items. I tried putting my passport in there, but it wasn’t functional. I rarely use that pocket. The original zipper pulls were too hard on my fingers and glossy. I ended up replacing them with softer ones from online. I used a different-coloured zip for the front pocket so I can quickly spot it when I’m on a plane. There’s no obvious, convenient place to store your passport. I still kept my passport in my jacket pocket when walking around the airport as taking off the bag to get it out was a hassle. The small side pocket just doesn’t work for that. It chafes the edges of your passport. It sits a little high on my neck when I wear it, so when I turn my head, it feels like I’m carrying a bulky army bag rather than something sleek and unobtrusive. My friends commented 'when's the camping trip' when I first wore it :) The straps are super comfortable, but they’re also quite chunky. Reducing their bulk might help cut down on the overall weight. Overall, I’m really impressed with the bag. It arrived in about 3 days from the USA to Europe, that was impressive. The build quality, durability, and thoughtful design make it stand out, especially for frequent travellers. Despite a few minor tweaks I’d love to see-like a better use of space and a more convenient spot for my passport-the pros far outweigh the cons. It’s comfortable to wear, fits perfectly within airline restrictions, and feels like it’ll last me for years to come. For the price, you’re getting a bag that’s reliable, well-made, and versatile enough for everything from quick trips to daily commutes. Thanks to the channel for leading me to this bag, and eventual purchase!
Totally depends on how much you pack in your EDC/travels, but the CPP is in the middle of the three so probably would be my pick (not too big, not too small)
@@Nomads.Nation I was also thinking the CPP. Would you take the x pac version or normal version? Is there much of a difference if budget wasnt an issue? Thank you for replying!
Hey Aaron, did you review the city pack pro in x-pac? And how often does Aer update their bags, do you know if there is a newer version of the city pack pro in the works, in which case I’d hold off getting this version?
I haven’t but I have been using the Ultra version for a few weeks now - you can see my full review in our ‘Community’ tab. Not sure about new bags/versions from Aer
I didn’t take your advice on the nomadic 40L travel bag about it being heavy and regretted it. After watching this review I purchased the city pack pro and loved it as soon as I put it on. Light, comfortable and hits the checks I needed for a day/travel pack. After a day walking the city I’m an Aer fan.
Just bought this pack because of your great videos! I did buy the X-pac version as I wanted some extra weatherproofing. Going to start out using this pack for university. Will have to update in a year or so!
I’m having trouble deciding between this Aer City Pac Pro XPac & The Brown Buffalo ConcealPack™ 21L EDC - Dimension Polyant VX21 Black… I’m looking for a versatile EDC bag that is stylish. I’d be using it for city life, work (tech), gym, weekend travel. What are your thoughts?
Interesting the zippers aren’t all PU coated since tech gear is essentially throughout the bag. Also - why’d they put that wonky other bottom pocket in the laptop area? So bazaar. Would’ve just kept it with the middle divider so one side laptop - and the other you can toss folders in (how I organize my office stuff in my AER travel pack small)
agreed on the lack of PU coated zips, but apparently the X PAC version has all PU coated zips, so I think that's the way to go (granted it's an extraa $30)
Works out for me cause I’m left handed but I don’t understand why manufactures put their side pockets on the left side cause if you are right handed you normally would swing the bag around your right shoulder.
Hey man, I don't even remember how I came across your channel but now I can't stop watching your videos lol. Great content overall, I loved that you are recommending alternatives at the end of your videos. I saw that you are still replying to comments even though this video is a year old. I am almost sure about buying an Aer tech pack 3 x-pac, but I just can't pull the trigger. I don't carry that much stuff with me all day, so the size seems perfect. I just wanted to know if you had any other recommendations & stuff to look out for. Love the channel, keep it up.
thanks dude! yup, I respond to every comment 💪 I think if you don't carry a lot of stuff the Aer Tech Pack 3 is a great choice, it's a bulky bag but not huge in its capacity. Maybe check out the Able Carry 13, and Evergoods CPL16
Would you recommend the AER city Pack or the City Pack xPAC or the AER PRO 20L? I'm so confused..:) I was comparing them vs the Alpaka Elements Pro to make up my mind...since all are around same price. I love your reviews btw...but I feel I have fallen down the rabbit hole a bit. I almost want to pull the trigger on the AER Pro Slim, but I am 6'2" and 265..not sure if it would look to small on me. I only carry really a 13 inch pro, airpods, chargers to work, but may want to be able to pack a little more when I travel to go to CA to see my daughter at college.
What would you guys rate this bag on a scale from 1 to 5? Im comparing this to the peak design everyday zip and you guys rated that 4.5 so I wanted to see how you compare this to that. Im not a tech or camera carrier. I just want organisation and comfort. I bring lunchbox, over the ear headphones, laptop, folder, and pens with my water thermos and maybe a second bottle. (College student plus I work). Also how does water protection compare with the two bags?
we don't do the ratings anymore, but gun to my head its a 4.5. Super weather resistant materials. Will hold everything you carry and then some. Only problem is that it might be too big at 24L
I have the Division from Timbuk2 (which is a great bag...though a bit small and the organization is not really functional), and I had the lululemon "the everywhere bag" or something like that from 2019. This looks right up my alley but what's the difference between this and the X-pac?
Does this pack fit a laptop and 3/4 days worth of clothes in some packing cubes? Deciding between the City Pack Pro X-Pac or the Travel Pack Small X-Pac but the Travel Pack looks really bulky.
I just did a week trip to thailand with a 24L bag with clothes + laptop and had plenty of room to spare. So the answer is yes, but it also depends on what type of packer/traveler you are. Also I'm not sure about the packing cubes, also it depends on their size.
Awesome job! Just purchased it. You also helped me make my decision on the peak design travel backpack earlier this year, which I love. You should consider reviewing the brown buffalo conceal. Although maybe that's too niche.
I really wish they made a 20l version of the city pack. 14l is just a bit too small for me, but 24 is a bit bulkier than I would like for an EDC/personal item pack when I'm traveling.
I just discovered all these bag versions & also agree. 14L is too limiting, 24L is almost a weekend bag - not an everyday carry unless you have a bunch of stuff
@@xipalips I have the flight pack 3, and it's a pretty good bag. However, it's definitely on the very heavy side for a 20l bag and while the different carry options are kinda cool, just a straight 20l backpack would be great (the briefcase carry style handles are also done surprisingly not well for an Aer product).
Could I use this backpack as a carry on backpack? I initially wanted to get the Aer Flight Pack 3 but its pretty small for me. This seemed like a more fitting backpack for me but I'm not sure if its allowed on carry on. I also wanna use it for college and the extra space would do great if I wanna bring spare clothes or a food container.
depends on the airline, weight, location, and mood of the customer support agent that day. But probably more than 50% of the time this should be fine if you aren't in Europe/Asia
@@Nomads.NationI am from Asia though 😂 I dont travel too much anyway so its fine I'll most likely be using this as a college bag and for urban cycling
My last issue though is how much clearance the water bottle sleeve has? I carry a 32oz CamelBak Chute and I was hoping to pair this backpack with the bottle ❤
i'm way behind again. another awesome review! i would def use the top outside pocket for quick access (on a plane). the bottom pocket would likely be for a (rare but important when it comes up) wet rain jacket - to keep it away from other contents. shock cords are fine but might snag on the plane
@@Nomads.Nation your review and some others kinda already talked me into getting Aer City Pack Pro, but really looking forward to seeing your final bag prototype and product! After nerding out on 1,000 reviews and never finding the fully "perfect" bag, the vicarious excitement of your journey is real!
Aaron - was just about to pull the trigger before pausing when realizing it's not self-standing, a feature I love on the Aer Day Pack 2 which I have but am finding it to be just too small at 14L. I still may go for the CPP, but do you have any other suggestions for 20-24L that are similarly sleek and professional looking and also self-standing? I'm not trying to tee you up to say, "Yeah, have you seen the new Fyro coming out soon?" but you can certainly mention that one too! ;-)
@@Nomads.Nation Yeah, really seems to be a rare feature. I'll get on your list, however, it seems like it might be another @6-7mths before yours actually ship (from now) - right?
@@EATmlcp correct! The beauty of supporting a Kickstarter is you get to experience the reality of starting a new company, which includes the crazy process of seeing the bag developed, produced, freight-ed overseas, and shipped to your door! Hoping to deliver by Dec 2024 💪
@@Nomads.Nation For sure. It's super cool, man, for sure. Pumped for you and your team, and it looks like you're creating a great bag. BTW, circling back to self-standing bags, do you know if the Tumi EDC-sized bags are self-standing? Big leap in price though.
Just ordered the City Pack 14, but watching this I may have made the wrong call. The price hike is worth it if you want the Aer quality and when the City is too small for your needs (I'll find out when it arrives). Btw, your videos are absolutely fantastic - helped me down-select to my Aer Travel Pack 3. Was I buying the City to 'match' that? Maybe, but I think (I hope!) I'm staying objective, and I really like Aer's quality and look. Keep up the good work - great channel, style in spades, and brilliant delivery ;-)
Any idea what the main compartments' dimensions are particularly the depth? I'm deciding between this and the travel pack regular and small and I need something that would fit a 14cm thick hardshell headphone case. Watched your travel pack 3 videos as well and all of em are great!
thanks so much! I'm traveling internationally and think this would be a fantastic question for Aer customer support - they'll get you sorted. Please let us know what they say!
Took me a bit but here's what the reps said. Main compartment dimensions: City Pack Pro - 18" x 12" x 4 1/2" Travel Pack 3 Small - 18.5" x 12.5" x 4" Travel Pack 3 - 21" x 13" x 4" Was surprised they had similar depths and that the city pack pro is ever so slightly deeper. My hard case is a fair bit thicker but I'm guessing you can just squeeze it in with a bit of elbow grease. Might just go with the city pack pro for that little bit of extra depth.
Aaron I would love if you can compare the brevite backpack and the aer pack normal one , since I am trying to find out the best one for school since some things I like about this one is the more pouches and pockets but Brevite one is more sleek and waterproof laptop bag and this one has AirTag thing
Great suggestion! I don’t have any Brevite bags but we are hoping to get some this year. In the meantime from what I know about them is that Aer will likely have better functionality/durability
@@Nomads.Nation Yes, if it is not as full, I do believe it fits. Been using an almost similar sized backpack for years and never had issues with that. :)
Loved the review, bag just arrived. Review and website says it’s 24L, but the tag says it’s 22L. Did they make a change? It looks like the same bag as the review…
I guess they have changed only the description on the web site while the product remains the same, since there is no product update information. It is a bit difficult to measure precise volume of bags.
@Aaron Radcliffe Well on office days I put my lunch box/bag inside so I don't have to carry 2 separate things, then when traveling that gets replaced by packing cubes for carrying an emergency change of clothes in case my luggage gets misplaced 👀.
I am waffling between the Travel Pack 3 Small and City Pack Pro. They seem more alike than different. TP3s is heavier and less streamlined exterior, but you get 4L more size. Any thoughts @nomads.nation ?
This is a great choice! You can’t go wrong with any Aer bags you just gotta pick a size that suits your needs. This one is 24 liters, which may be a bit big for some, but also could be ideal if you carry a lot more gear on a day to day basis
Hey mate, great vid. I currently have the Aer travel pack 28L for when I’m travelling for 3-4 days and is amazing. I’m wanting a smaller pack for when I’m just travelling overnight. In your opinion is the city pack 14l or the pro pack 20l the better option. Would literally only pack one day of clothes and 15” laptop Both the same price here in Australia
Damn dude I’m a super light packer (currently one week in Vietnam on a 22L) and yet the idea of one night in a 14 liter seems hardcore haha. Are you sure you don’t have to bring a laptop charger, Dopp kit, hoodie, and other normal stuff? If not, go with 14L, but otherwise 20L might be the right call.
Yeah I do have all that stuff also It claims 20l but dimensionally speaking based on specs it works out to 18.9l? This would be for the entire bag. Don’t suppose you know the volume in the main compartment?
I was torn between the two but the main difference in my opinion is the size, It's nearly doubled the capacity at 24 liters The original is only 14. If you looking for a work everyday pack I feel like 24 l is just overkill for the office. This is more like an overnight pack I can even probably do a weekend with this backpack
Really different takes on a similar style backpack. I think Black Ember uses superior materials and design, but Aer is more comfortable, is more dynamic, and provides better value. Can't really go wrong with either!
I have a good question if somebody who has experience with Aer bags could answer it for me. I've really been looking into these bags and I'm loving their versatility and modern aesthetic, however the only thing drawing my attention in a negative way is that it seems their laptop sleeves are geared toward thinner macbook-like styles. As someone with a thicker laptop (Lenovo Legion 7, not terribly thick), will anything thicker fit? At least to me, the sleeves look super tight even without anything in them. Thank you in advance :)
I have a 13 inch MBP so can't say for sure - hopefully someone in the community can help! But I would say a regular laptop (like yours) will fit, albeit tightly. Also never hurts to ask Aer customer support
why do these bag manufactures dont implement the anti theft of the pacsafe? i really want that zipper locks on these bags especially when travelling. pacsafe doesnt have small backpacks that are clamp shell types
These brands are usually pretty good about delivering what their community wants, and anti-theft features aren’t usually very in demand. Having said that, I’ve noticed a shift in the recent year or so where consumers are demanding more safety features from their bags, so we’ll see if the brands respond
@@Nomads.Nation it is really good to have the anti theft feature of the pacsafe. it saved me from pickpockets when we travelled to paris. they wont attempt since it's hard to unzipped. this AER with the zip lock will be perfect
Would the City pack pro accept a 17 inch laptop, namely the HP Z book fury 17 inch. I would like to have a bag that is durable enough to accommodate such a large laptop and additional items such as external disks and a tablet. There are not many high-quality and visually beautiful bags suitable for this use. People who work with CAD and have bigger issues are much worse off.
The Pro is a very nice bag. I thought it would be perfect for work and occasional EDC, but I also liked the Alpha-One-Niner-Whitley. I found a great deal on a like-new Whitley. I would've been happy with either bag.
@@Nomads.Nation I'd heard good things too. That's why I took a chance. I prefer the simplicity of GoRuck, but really like the Whitley. It simply works and it's comfortable to carry.
I wanted to get this CPP bcause i have had their two sling bags and i love it. But the thickness of this bag when loaded is a deal breaker for me. I bought the evergoods CHZ22 instead. Could not be happier. Now i want to get CPL24 as well.
I quite like the looks of this bag, I might get one. As an EDC, and also a personal item for a flight. But no way would I ever put my keys, phone or wallet in any bag; much too easy to lose them if someone steals the bag, or you lose it. Those are always on my person (or in a waist bag). But that's just me ... Always appreciate these detailed reviews, especially the alternatives.
I like the look of it, love my day pack max. But aer being a big bag manufacturer? I’ve never seen one for sale here and can’t even order it from a different store around here. Besides that if I mention them nobody knows about them at all
I guess that "big" is relative. Compared to smaller bag companies like Able Carry and Monarc, Aer is a goliath. Compared to Tumi or Osprey, not so much
Bro. I just got this and the regular city bag. I love them both for various reasons. I also just invested in the day sling 3 max. I really enjoy using them all.
only every day lol, been trying to get ahold of them to send me one but no response yet. If you know someone who works for LTT tell them to send me one!
I really like this one. It's been my EDC for a few months. I end up giving my kid the 17L version just was not big enough for me on some days. I think 24L is a great size add some gym clothes or tech gear.
I’ve been binging your channel and watched a ton of your videos. I'm buying the Aer City Pack Pro, it checks all my boxes! - Luggage handle pass-through (I’d prefer vertical, but it works) - Easy access pocket (nice to get passport while in the airport) - Half-moon front pocket (love this for flights) - Separate laptop compartment (personal preference) - 24L size (In my opinion, the perfect for both an everyday carry and a compact travel bag for quick weekend trips)
Got this bag on sale last Black Friday. I love everything about it. :) Btw.. You forgot to mention the small pocket for airtag/smart tag inside the main compartment.
Hi! Can I suggest reviewing the Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro and having a separate video up against the Aer City Pack Pro? Lovin your informative videos!!
This viewer will use the AER City Pack Pro as an underseat personal item. Could show travel layout using this as an allowed personal item. My overhead carryon is a small suitcase.
So a 32 or 40 ounce bottle wouldn’t fit in the side pocket? Ahh. That’s a slight con for me but I guess I could fit it into the pack itself if I had to
To make sure you get the most accurate answer I'd recommend reaching out to Aer's customer support - they'll get you sorted. Be sure to let us know what they say cuz I'm curious myself
@@Nomads.Nation My friends tell me Peak Design packing cubes. I don't know too much about the others. I know with peak design that there is like a laundry section, and because it has extra slack in the divider when you stuff in your older clothes, the divider slowly shifts over. I have no idea how strong the compression zipper is though, and I know you like to torture test some of your gear. This might be good to see how many T-shirts you could stuff in it without risking breaking the zippers. Would be cool to test others too and see how many more clothes you could fit in a 20l or 30l bag with and without the packing cubes to see how much improvement they make. Even being able to carry 15-20% more clothes in the same travel pack would be massive. It might be good to have the overall best packing cube design, and another as the overall best affordable one as the two clear winners.
@@roseforeuropa AWESOME recommendations. I'll share this with my team and hopefully we can get a 'best packing cubes' review live sometime very soon :)
So I’ve been all over your channel for the past couple of weeks and finally setting on this pack for my eat, pray, love EDC. Thanks so much for your help in making this choice.
Do you want to help me build a game-changing backpack? 👉🏼 nomadsnation.com/building-a-backpack
It's the best backpack I have ever owned. I use it everyday to go to work and I need some more stuff to carry. If you don't need the space it's not that much bigger then the aer city original. Really it's a no brainer!
Plus can double as a small trarvel pack REALLY well
You got me even more excited. The pack hasn’t arrived yet but I already know I won’t regret it
@@justbrowsing81 make sure to let us know what you think about it after testing for a few weeks 🙏🏽
Definitely!
I've been using it for EDC and travel in Israel for the last 3 weeks and it's the best backpack I could ask for. I get so many compliments on it!! I freaking LOVE it
Thank you for this review, Aaron!! I’ve loved the whole idea of this bag since your short announcement video premiered. I’m a partially Blind 43yo urbanite/PhD student and live in the northern tier US. Read: lots of tech (laptop, Braille display, Bluetooth keyboard, tablet, travel cane, and all the cabling), a need to look professional and a need to be weather tight (and also take the occasional scrape and both protect and not look atrocious…Nomatic isn’t gonna work), and a need to be comfortable when loaded (43yo back) and travel well. I love AER’s aesthetic (the organization is really helpful for non-visual use), and have loved my City Pack. But it’s just a little too efficient for my carry needs. I think the Pro is my new favorite bag, and certainly my favorite bag of 2022. Thank you for doing this review!
So glad to help Ryan! It's an amazing bag and I think it will perfectly suit your needs and lifestyle
Out of the many YT channels that review backpacks, I prefer your channel because your reviews are unbiased, informative, and very entertaining as well. Also appreciate that you provide examples of what you can store in each pocket of the bag.
That means a lot to me, thank you!
Thanks for the review. You get full set of aquaguard zippers with the X-PAC version. The zipper pulls are also reflective. I was worried about X-PAC thinking it’s be the cheap raincoat type crinkly, but it’s pretty stiff and durable. Def worth spending $26 extra for what you get.
good to know! Thanks Nay
unfortunately its made in China
@@Zepyhp so is the device you're using to type.
@@Lemon-og1ob Actually, it's made in the USA, designed, assembled and shipped in the USA. Falcon Northwest.
@@Zepyhp there're definitely items in your household you use frequently that are made in China.
For an entire week, I've probably watched all of your videos back and forth, weighed and pondered, and this is the one I decided to go with! THANK YOU so much for all your reviews! (Now I just have to wait for the backpack to be delivered!)
thanks so much!! be sure to let us know what you think of the bag once you give it a test run
Awesome review! I bought this bag based almost entirely on this review. It is perfect for my EDC. I have also used it for short overnight camping trips, and it works great for that as well. For me, it is the perfect all in one bag. The material quality is amazing, and there is nothing major about it that I would change.
Glad it was helpful!!
Same
Just got mine! Mainly based on your review(s). Quite of a journey the bag did from my sister in NYC here to Tel-Aviv.
I looked for a bag that will suite my EDC - mainly GYM-Work bag and I REALLY wanted an Aer bag, but I didn't like that much the Duffle and I was afraid the Fit pack will be too small.
The Pro Pack is damn perfect for me! I mean this bag, wow.
On a more general note, just to say that I'm following literally every EDC/Travel channel out there, happy to say NN is the best! Mainly because of your presentation/acting skills ;) and also because the pro editing, both make the videos fun rather than tiring. so massive Kudos!
really appreciate that dude! hope the ACPP treats you well - be sure to give us a full analysis after testing for a few weeks 💪
I just ordered this for an airplane underseat backpack. It seems a good fit for wanting the most capacity possible while fitting in the underseat measurement requirements (meets American Airlines requirements). I love lots of organizational pockets to immediately locate what you want instead of digging on the flight. Hope I love it!
Hope so too! Be sure to let us know what you think of the bag after testing for a few weeks 💪🏻
I've had this bag a little under a month. I do looove the quality and look of this bag. You can just tell it's well made. I got the grey and it's sexy cool. I packed it out and decided I was keeping it, but wasn't quite happy with how my noise-canceling headphones were fitting. On a whim, I decided to repack all my items into my Nomad Lane Bento Bag. Both are listed at 24 L, but I was shocked at how much room I had left in the Bento Bag after moving everything over. I was able to bring so much more. So I guess I was disappointed in the space for a travel bag. Buuuut, I do love the bag, and it quickly became my EDC. It is a bit bigger than I need for EDC, but I love all the organization and particularly the pocket layout. I keep looking at the Aer Travel Pack Small and wondering if that might be my better underseat bag, but I just like the pocket layout in this one. I'm going to try again sometime with this one as an underseat bag and really see what I think. And I keep watching videos thinking I'll find that perfect underseat backpack. Really love all your videos.
@@robinjohnson9487 appreciate your epic feedback!!
Just bought mine. I have been doing so much research. I was really trying to decide between the travel pack small and the city pack pro (both xpac) I went with the city pack pro because there were so many people who said that travel pack was on the heavier side. This is literally something I use everyday. I’m upgrading for the north face borealis. Little less in volume but excited to see how it turns out!
for EDC you made the right call 💪
Appreciate the in-depth review. I watched a ton of other videos of reviews from you, but decided on the X-Pac version of this bag, and I'm waiting for it to come in now. It's hard to find good in-depth reviews for people like me who like to agonize over purchases, down to the smallest details. I'm sure that this one is just right for me now.
And don't worry, I made sure to use the link in the description!
Thanks so much and I’m glad we could help! Be sure to let us know what you think of the bag after testing for a few weeks 🙏🏽
@@Nomads.NationTook plenty of time to use it on my daily commute, and here's some thoughts!
Love the bag, I really don't have any issues with it whatsoever. It was a bit uncomfortable at first since the X-Pac material took a bit to break in, especially in the straps, but now that I've used it more and adjusted it properly, it feels fantastic. Extremely comfortable, and if I have anything particularly heavy the sternum strap works great. I was worried about fit when I got it because I'm a really wide person, especially the shoulders, but it feels great.
Storage is perfect, too. I tend to over prepare for my daily commute, but I was happy to find it has more than enough space for all sorts of stuff. Perfect size for my use case, of daily commute+, where I take less necessary things like medicine bottles, extra gloves and socks, a portable desk fan, and lots of extra bits and pieces that I don't use every day, but still find useful to have with me. I tend to not make use of the full main compartment because the other pockets being full tends to make the spare main compartment space a bit slim, but it still fits everything I need it to, so it's no problem. I'm sure if I did actually need that space I could rearrange and it would fit just fine.
I haven't used it in a full rainstorm, but there was a bunch of sleet coming down today and the X-Pac material did amazingly. Very comforting to know my stuff wouldn't get water on it. I had an old cordura messenger bag before, and the material would get a bit of water in it, even if it generally didn't let water through. Seeing it bead off perfectly is great.
Other thoughts: I couldn't find any loose threads at all, which I worry about when getting new things like this. One small orange thread is poking out now around the water bottle pocket, but I don't anticipate it being a problem. I hope to not have to replace this thing for a very long time, so not seeing any signs of wear after two weeks is reassuring.
I also found the little pull tabs for the front pocket are a great keychain loop too, to customize the bag a bit without damaging the bag at all. I got a small "pin holder" to stick some of my pins on, and it displays them well without getting in the way or anything. My only compromise with this bag was it actually being a bit too plain looking for my taste, so this solves that problem!
Overall, really satisfied with the bag I picked out. Appreciate the review once again! Definitely wouldn't have found this one to be the one just right to me without it.
@@magpiefirefly thanks for the epic comment and glad you like it!
Decisions! Which would you suggest for a smaller frame woman for travel (personal item) and carrying around? The City Pack Pro or the new Pro Collection 20L or 24L???
Pro 20L (assuming you aren't the hoarding-packer-type lol)
Just wish this thing kept the same full length admin panel and side handle from the City Pack.
Love your reviews!! I’m having to go back into work on a hybrid schedule and need something that will keep my laptop safe for regular back and forth each week. Do you have a recommendation that does that and is self
Standing ?
Cheers! Aer Tech Pack 3, Nomatic Backpack, Fyro T22 (disclaimer; this is my bag), and Cubo LEV24 are all great options for tech that also self stand
Thanks for the helpful review. I am trying to decide between the daypack and daypack pro. I typically carry a laptop, tablet, some books and a binder, along with chargers and other random tech gear. Do you think the clamshell opening for the main compartment would work well with books being packed in there? I like the versatility of the main compartment to also be used to add clothes if I am traveling for a day/night trip, but feel worried about the clamshell opening.
Clamshell + books should be fine 💪🏾
Can you fit a camera cube inside?
for sure! just depends on what camera cube
My cabin bag is a Cabin Zéro 36l bag packed with 4 small packing cubes from Decathlon STACKED (like drawers) whilst the bag is standing upright. Packing cubes help the bag retain its shape. The laptop pocket is against your back. Straps and back padding are comfortable. Small tech accessories, docs, Id etc, toileries are carried in my personal bag.
I’ve heard great things about CZ - hoping to review one of their bags soon
Think I did the vast majority of my searching on this channel and finally ended with the aer city backpack pro in olive and some alpaka bits as well for travel ease, the alpaka backpack in the end not having a separate laptop compartment was the killer.
yea it's crucial for me as well
Enjoying it? I’m thinking about buying
love your channel! I bought the Aer Fit but it seems a bit of a tight fit…love that this has side pocket, key leash, front pocket & clam-style opening (none of which are on the Fit), I’ll gladly give up the shoe compartment for all of these other features & larger size
You also might want to check out the Aer Duffel Pack 2 - might check all your boxes
I've had this bag now for about 2 and a half weeks. I have used it on 2 trips. One budget flight to the UK, and 1 long-haul flight to Asia on a larger carrier.
Pros:
The build and overall quality of the bag are top-tier. No matter how much I pack (within reason), it never feels like you may bust zip.
It’s Ryanair under-seat compatible! I was able to push it into their 'bag-sizer-checker' with ease, which is a huge plus for anyone flying budget. I will confidently take this on any airline Worldwide now.
I can fit my Air Pods Max (with the cover) perfectly in the outer top zip compartment. Similarly, a travel washbag fits just right in the bottom outer zip.
The outer top pocket is perfect for accessing items on a plane. This means you don't need to take an additional sling.
The top handle is fantastic-it’s strong and feels great.
The durability is impressive. It honestly feels like you could throw it off a building, and it would still be fine!
The price is very reasonable for what you get. It’s a bag that will last you a long, long time.
The laptop area is excellent, especially if you have a pricey laptop. My 15-inch MacBook Pro fits with ease, and I imagine a 16-inch would too.
There’s even room for an 11-inch iPad Air next to the laptop.
The straps are incredibly comfortable, even when carrying heavier loads.
Cons:
A lot of space is dedicated to the laptop area. When I don’t bring my laptop, it feels like there’s a lot of empty, heavy space.
When I open the main compartment, it looks like (to my eye) only about 33% of the bag is dedicated to the main packing area for clothes, which doesn’t match the overall size and weight of the bag. I expected more packable space. I travel for 2 nights max, so it works, but the over-sized laptop area and padding seem to be taking away from the main compartment. The thickness of the bags material and related padding, maybe when added altogether removes space from the main compartment?
There’s a plastic ring above the bottle holder. If you attach something to it (like another plastic item), it makes a 'clink' noise with each step. They should’ve placed it on the other side, where there’s nothing to clash with. You could attach something small, I had a neck cushion attached.
The small side pocket is pretty much only usable for keys or very small items. I tried putting my passport in there, but it wasn’t functional. I rarely use that pocket.
The original zipper pulls were too hard on my fingers and glossy. I ended up replacing them with softer ones from online. I used a different-coloured zip for the front pocket so I can quickly spot it when I’m on a plane.
There’s no obvious, convenient place to store your passport. I still kept my passport in my jacket pocket when walking around the airport as taking off the bag to get it out was a hassle. The small side pocket just doesn’t work for that. It chafes the edges of your passport.
It sits a little high on my neck when I wear it, so when I turn my head, it feels like I’m carrying a bulky army bag rather than something sleek and unobtrusive. My friends commented 'when's the camping trip' when I first wore it :)
The straps are super comfortable, but they’re also quite chunky. Reducing their bulk might help cut down on the overall weight.
Overall, I’m really impressed with the bag. It arrived in about 3 days from the USA to Europe, that was impressive. The build quality, durability, and thoughtful design make it stand out, especially for frequent travellers. Despite a few minor tweaks I’d love to see-like a better use of space and a more convenient spot for my passport-the pros far outweigh the cons. It’s comfortable to wear, fits perfectly within airline restrictions, and feels like it’ll last me for years to come. For the price, you’re getting a bag that’s reliable, well-made, and versatile enough for everything from quick trips to daily commutes.
Thanks to the channel for leading me to this bag, and eventual purchase!
thanks to YOU for your epic write up!!
Great work on the vid.Question about the CPL. Does it stand up by itself on the ground or does it fall over?
Thanks so much! And no it doesn’t stand up by itself very well in my experience
Im still indecisive between the CPP / FP3 or TP3 Small. Which one would you recommend for every day use but also be able to use on a trip / weekend?
Totally depends on how much you pack in your EDC/travels, but the CPP is in the middle of the three so probably would be my pick (not too big, not too small)
@@Nomads.Nation I was also thinking the CPP. Would you take the x pac version or normal version? Is there much of a difference if budget wasnt an issue? Thank you for replying!
@@MQuach-ks6uw if you need extreme weather protection and like the technical look of the XPAC, go for that. Otherwise the Cordura is great
Hey Aaron, did you review the city pack pro in x-pac? And how often does Aer update their bags, do you know if there is a newer version of the city pack pro in the works, in which case I’d hold off getting this version?
I haven’t but I have been using the Ultra version for a few weeks now - you can see my full review in our ‘Community’ tab. Not sure about new bags/versions from Aer
I didn’t take your advice on the nomadic 40L travel bag about it being heavy and regretted it. After watching this review I purchased the city pack pro and loved it as soon as I put it on. Light, comfortable and hits the checks I needed for a day/travel pack. After a day walking the city I’m an Aer fan.
Welcome to the club 😎
Nice review. What henley are you wearing?
thanks! All my shirts I've been wearing last 6 months are from cutsclothing.com. I'm beyond obsessed lol
Just bought this pack because of your great videos! I did buy the X-pac version as I wanted some extra weatherproofing.
Going to start out using this pack for university. Will have to update in a year or so!
Can’t wait to hear about it!
I’m having trouble deciding between this Aer City Pac Pro XPac & The Brown Buffalo ConcealPack™ 21L EDC - Dimension Polyant VX21 Black… I’m looking for a versatile EDC bag that is stylish. I’d be using it for city life, work (tech), gym, weekend travel. What are your thoughts?
I've never tested a Brown Buffalo so I can't say for sure, but I've heard great things.
Great video! This will be a great laptop bag for work. Just ordered from your link. Thanks!
Thanks so much for supporting us! We'd love to know what you think about the bag after testing for a few weeks 💪
Good review but where you get that long sleeve shirt? I like the style
Thanks so much! It’s from Cuts, the only t shirts I wear. Not cheap but they feel and look amazing
So I bought this bag, mine came with all PU coated zips. Not sure if that’s a recent change or I just got lucky
Whaaa? Really?
Interesting the zippers aren’t all PU coated since tech gear is essentially throughout the bag. Also - why’d they put that wonky other bottom pocket in the laptop area? So bazaar. Would’ve just kept it with the middle divider so one side laptop - and the other you can toss folders in (how I organize my office stuff in my AER travel pack small)
agreed on the lack of PU coated zips, but apparently the X PAC version has all PU coated zips, so I think that's the way to go (granted it's an extraa $30)
Yeah I was thinking there isn’t a good spot for folders on these bags
@@godsidekurt laptop compartment
@@Nomads.Nation with or without laptop
@@godsidekurt both should work
Works out for me cause I’m left handed but I don’t understand why manufactures put their side pockets on the left side cause if you are right handed you normally would swing the bag around your right shoulder.
Lots of ppl like their water bottle on their dominate hand, but I do see your point
Hi Aaron. I am traveling to Tokyo. Can You recomend where to buy this Aer City Pack Pro ?
I haven’t been to Tokyo in many years so not sure, I’d recommend reaching out to Aer and they will tell you :)
Hey man, I don't even remember how I came across your channel but now I can't stop watching your videos lol. Great content overall, I loved that you are recommending alternatives at the end of your videos. I saw that you are still replying to comments even though this video is a year old. I am almost sure about buying an Aer tech pack 3 x-pac, but I just can't pull the trigger. I don't carry that much stuff with me all day, so the size seems perfect. I just wanted to know if you had any other recommendations & stuff to look out for. Love the channel, keep it up.
thanks dude! yup, I respond to every comment 💪
I think if you don't carry a lot of stuff the Aer Tech Pack 3 is a great choice, it's a bulky bag but not huge in its capacity. Maybe check out the Able Carry 13, and Evergoods CPL16
Would you recommend the AER city Pack or the City Pack xPAC or the AER PRO 20L? I'm so confused..:) I was comparing them vs the Alpaka Elements Pro to make up my mind...since all are around same price. I love your reviews btw...but I feel I have fallen down the rabbit hole a bit. I almost want to pull the trigger on the AER Pro Slim, but I am 6'2" and 265..not sure if it would look to small on me. I only carry really a 13 inch pro, airpods, chargers to work, but may want to be able to pack a little more when I travel to go to CA to see my daughter at college.
You can’t go wrong with any of them, it all depends on personal preference and size. The Pro Pack 20L could be a good middle ground for you
Thanks. I am going to go with the aer pro 20l. I think it will give me the added room just in case it’s needed. Keep putting out the great content!
@@wadter11 let me know what you think of it after giving it a test run!
What would you guys rate this bag on a scale from 1 to 5? Im comparing this to the peak design everyday zip and you guys rated that 4.5 so I wanted to see how you compare this to that. Im not a tech or camera carrier. I just want organisation and comfort. I bring lunchbox, over the ear headphones, laptop, folder, and pens with my water thermos and maybe a second bottle. (College student plus I work). Also how does water protection compare with the two bags?
we don't do the ratings anymore, but gun to my head its a 4.5. Super weather resistant materials. Will hold everything you carry and then some. Only problem is that it might be too big at 24L
I have the Division from Timbuk2 (which is a great bag...though a bit small and the organization is not really functional), and I had the lululemon "the everywhere bag" or something like that from 2019.
This looks right up my alley but what's the difference between this and the X-pac?
This version is very weather resistant. The XPAC version is extremely weather resistant.
Does this pack fit a laptop and 3/4 days worth of clothes in some packing cubes? Deciding between the City Pack Pro X-Pac or the Travel Pack Small X-Pac but the Travel Pack looks really bulky.
I just did a week trip to thailand with a 24L bag with clothes + laptop and had plenty of room to spare. So the answer is yes, but it also depends on what type of packer/traveler you are. Also I'm not sure about the packing cubes, also it depends on their size.
@@Nomads.Nation Sweet thanks Aaron!
Hearing from longer term reviews that the back and strap mesh is wearing poorly. Any experience?
not in my experience with Aer bags, no
Does this pack have a dedicated tablet/ipad slot separate to the laptop?
Yup!
Are the sternum straps removable?
I believe so
Awesome job! Just purchased it. You also helped me make my decision on the peak design travel backpack earlier this year, which I love. You should consider reviewing the brown buffalo conceal. Although maybe that's too niche.
Thanks dude! And yes, Brown Buffalo is high on my list, I've heard amazing things
Thanks for the review! I'm curious if the front kangaroo pocket fits your Sony XM5 headphones in the case?
My pleasure! I’m traveling extensively right now so I can’t check unfortunately - maybe reach out to Aer and ask them
I really wish they made a 20l version of the city pack. 14l is just a bit too small for me, but 24 is a bit bulkier than I would like for an EDC/personal item pack when I'm traveling.
100% agree
I just discovered all these bag versions & also agree. 14L is too limiting, 24L is almost a weekend bag - not an everyday carry unless you have a bunch of stuff
@@backslashioHave you checked the flight pack 3? *Not* the travel pack 3
@@xipalips I have the flight pack 3, and it's a pretty good bag. However, it's definitely on the very heavy side for a 20l bag and while the different carry options are kinda cool, just a straight 20l backpack would be great (the briefcase carry style handles are also done surprisingly not well for an Aer product).
Could I use this backpack as a carry on backpack? I initially wanted to get the Aer Flight Pack 3 but its pretty small for me. This seemed like a more fitting backpack for me but I'm not sure if its allowed on carry on. I also wanna use it for college and the extra space would do great if I wanna bring spare clothes or a food container.
depends on the airline, weight, location, and mood of the customer support agent that day. But probably more than 50% of the time this should be fine if you aren't in Europe/Asia
@@Nomads.NationI am from Asia though 😂 I dont travel too much anyway so its fine I'll most likely be using this as a college bag and for urban cycling
My last issue though is how much clearance the water bottle sleeve has? I carry a 32oz CamelBak Chute and I was hoping to pair this backpack with the bottle ❤
The sun glasses pocket is not water resistant.
Thus that soft padding difficult to dry.
All zipper are naturally water resistant, but if you get caught in a rainstorm it’s true that pocket will take some time to dry
i'm way behind again. another awesome review! i would def use the top outside pocket for quick access (on a plane). the bottom pocket would likely be for a (rare but important when it comes up) wet rain jacket - to keep it away from other contents. shock cords are fine but might snag on the plane
Thanks dude! Agreed about the top pocket on a plane - very helpful for travel
@@Nomads.Nation your review and some others kinda already talked me into getting Aer City Pack Pro, but really looking forward to seeing your final bag prototype and product! After nerding out on 1,000 reviews and never finding the fully "perfect" bag, the vicarious excitement of your journey is real!
@@ikongfuthanks for joining my journey dude - launch coming so soon!!
Great review thank you! Unrelated lol but where is your shirt from?
Thank dude! Cutsclothing.com - best shirts in the game (except they don’t handle stains very well)
The backpack looks amazing and has lots of versatile pockets but would it be good for textbooks? Notice plural. About 2-3
Not sure how thick your textbooks are. I’d recommend measuring them and cross checking the internal dimensions of the bag
Aaron - was just about to pull the trigger before pausing when realizing it's not self-standing, a feature I love on the Aer Day Pack 2 which I have but am finding it to be just too small at 14L. I still may go for the CPP, but do you have any other suggestions for 20-24L that are similarly sleek and professional looking and also self-standing? I'm not trying to tee you up to say, "Yeah, have you seen the new Fyro coming out soon?" but you can certainly mention that one too! ;-)
Ha well truth be told self standing bags are rare. Also check out Nomatic Backpack, Carry Cubo LEV, and that Fyro bag stands pretty well too ;)
@@Nomads.Nation Yeah, really seems to be a rare feature. I'll get on your list, however, it seems like it might be another @6-7mths before yours actually ship (from now) - right?
@@EATmlcp correct! The beauty of supporting a Kickstarter is you get to experience the reality of starting a new company, which includes the crazy process of seeing the bag developed, produced, freight-ed overseas, and shipped to your door! Hoping to deliver by Dec 2024 💪
@@Nomads.Nation For sure. It's super cool, man, for sure. Pumped for you and your team, and it looks like you're creating a great bag. BTW, circling back to self-standing bags, do you know if the Tumi EDC-sized bags are self-standing? Big leap in price though.
@@EATmlcp thanks dude! Unfortunately never reviewed a Tumi so can't say for sure
Just ordered the City Pack 14, but watching this I may have made the wrong call. The price hike is worth it if you want the Aer quality and when the City is too small for your needs (I'll find out when it arrives). Btw, your videos are absolutely fantastic - helped me down-select to my Aer Travel Pack 3. Was I buying the City to 'match' that? Maybe, but I think (I hope!) I'm staying objective, and I really like Aer's quality and look. Keep up the good work - great channel, style in spades, and brilliant delivery ;-)
thanks so much for your kind words, and be sure to keep us posted how it goes with the City Pack 14!
HEY NO LINKS FOR ALL THE OTHER STUFF YOU PUT IN BAG FOR US TO PURCHASE LIKE THAT PORTBALE PHONE TRI POD. WHAT BRAND. WAS THAT ???
Thanks for your passionate comment. I got it at a small market stall in China, it doesn’t exist online that I’ve seen
@@Nomads.Nation ohh😞
I am exan AER City Pro and the Travel Pack Small soon. I am looking forward to the comparison.
So are we!!
Any idea what the main compartments' dimensions are particularly the depth? I'm deciding between this and the travel pack regular and small and I need something that would fit a 14cm thick hardshell headphone case. Watched your travel pack 3 videos as well and all of em are great!
thanks so much! I'm traveling internationally and think this would be a fantastic question for Aer customer support - they'll get you sorted. Please let us know what they say!
@@Nomads.Nation I just sent a message to their support. I'll put the sizes here when they reply. Safe travels!
Took me a bit but here's what the reps said.
Main compartment dimensions:
City Pack Pro - 18" x 12" x 4 1/2"
Travel Pack 3 Small - 18.5" x 12.5" x 4"
Travel Pack 3 - 21" x 13" x 4"
Was surprised they had similar depths and that the city pack pro is ever so slightly deeper. My hard case is a fair bit thicker but I'm guessing you can just squeeze it in with a bit of elbow grease. Might just go with the city pack pro for that little bit of extra depth.
Got the Flight Fack 3's main compartment dimensions as well for added measure: 16" x 10" x 4"
@@ruovgaming thanks dude!
Aaron I would love if you can compare the brevite backpack and the aer pack normal one , since I am trying to find out the best one for school since some things I like about this one is the more pouches and pockets but Brevite one is more sleek and waterproof laptop bag and this one has AirTag thing
Great suggestion! I don’t have any Brevite bags but we are hoping to get some this year. In the meantime from what I know about them is that Aer will likely have better functionality/durability
Would this fit under a plane seat as carry on rather than overhead?
Depends on the plane, but it should be fine for larger airlines. No chance on RyanAir, etc
@@Nomads.Nation Yes, if it is not as full, I do believe it fits. Been using an almost similar sized backpack for years and never had issues with that. :)
@@lampexxl8599awesome, thanks for that!
Loved the review, bag just arrived. Review and website says it’s 24L, but the tag says it’s 22L. Did they make a change? It looks like the same bag as the review…
I guess they have changed only the description on the web site while the product remains the same, since there is no product update information. It is a bit difficult to measure precise volume of bags.
That is extremely confusing. All I know is I was told 24L
I have the X-Pac version. Super comfy on the shoulders/back under full load. Love all the pockets. I'm a fan.
Yea it’s a killer bag, no doubt about that!
What’s the difference between the xpac and city pro?
Is this bag bigger than the Kanken 15” laptop bag?
Haven’t reviewed that bag so not sure
I like how you hold the bag near you and in your hands and arms so we can see the size of it.
Glad you like!
think this bag is big enough for ~ 5-7 day one bag trip?
Depends how you pack, but for many people absolutely. I’m on a one month trip right now with a bag smaller than this!
After looking at many of your videos (and others) I decided to go for the city pack pro (olive) , I used your purchase link, cheers!
Thanks so much! Please let us know what you think of the bag after testing for a few weeks
I love the Aer Travel Pack 3 in small & X-Pac, best backpack I've ever owned, basically the same but 28L and with load lifters 🥰, it's just awesome.
such a sick pack, and if you dont mind having a larger EDC its super versatile
@Aaron Radcliffe Well on office days I put my lunch box/bag inside so I don't have to carry 2 separate things, then when traveling that gets replaced by packing cubes for carrying an emergency change of clothes in case my luggage gets misplaced 👀.
@@DanEngineer915 smart moves!
Agreed. Have the same one.
I am waffling between the Travel Pack 3 Small and City Pack Pro. They seem more alike than different. TP3s is heavier and less streamlined exterior, but you get 4L more size. Any thoughts @nomads.nation ?
I LOVE the look at this backpack! I’m an incoming freshman in college and was wondering what would be the best Aer backpack for a student?
This is a great choice! You can’t go wrong with any Aer bags you just gotta pick a size that suits your needs. This one is 24 liters, which may be a bit big for some, but also could be ideal if you carry a lot more gear on a day to day basis
Does CAP2 fit the front pocket?
currently traveling so can't check, hopefully someone from the community can help
Hey mate, great vid. I currently have the Aer travel pack 28L for when I’m travelling for 3-4 days and is amazing. I’m wanting a smaller pack for when I’m just travelling overnight. In your opinion is the city pack 14l or the pro pack 20l the better option. Would literally only pack one day of clothes and 15” laptop
Both the same price here in Australia
Damn dude I’m a super light packer (currently one week in Vietnam on a 22L) and yet the idea of one night in a 14 liter seems hardcore haha. Are you sure you don’t have to bring a laptop charger, Dopp kit, hoodie, and other normal stuff? If not, go with 14L, but otherwise 20L might be the right call.
Yeah I do have all that stuff also
It claims 20l but dimensionally speaking based on specs it works out to 18.9l?
This would be for the entire bag. Don’t suppose you know the volume in the main compartment?
@@Naz_Vibes sry dude, I do not. Ask Aer customer support, they should be able to help you out
I was torn between the two but the main difference in my opinion is the size, It's nearly doubled the capacity at 24 liters The original is only 14. If you looking for a work everyday pack I feel like 24 l is just overkill for the office. This is more like an overnight pack I can even probably do a weekend with this backpack
I agree but many people would disagree. Lotta overpackers out there lol
@@Nomads.Nation true I'm super minimalist. Great video!
@@Jasondranoff me too - cheers!
How does this compare to the black ember shadow?
Really different takes on a similar style backpack. I think Black Ember uses superior materials and design, but Aer is more comfortable, is more dynamic, and provides better value. Can't really go wrong with either!
I have a good question if somebody who has experience with Aer bags could answer it for me. I've really been looking into these bags and I'm loving their versatility and modern aesthetic, however the only thing drawing my attention in a negative way is that it seems their laptop sleeves are geared toward thinner macbook-like styles. As someone with a thicker laptop (Lenovo Legion 7, not terribly thick), will anything thicker fit? At least to me, the sleeves look super tight even without anything in them. Thank you in advance :)
I have a 13 inch MBP so can't say for sure - hopefully someone in the community can help! But I would say a regular laptop (like yours) will fit, albeit tightly. Also never hurts to ask Aer customer support
@Aaron Radcliffe (Nomads Nation) Thanks for the reply Aaron! I might do that. Just wanted to see if anyone had their own experiences first.
why do these bag manufactures dont implement the anti theft of the pacsafe? i really want that zipper locks on these bags especially when travelling. pacsafe doesnt have small backpacks that are clamp shell types
These brands are usually pretty good about delivering what their community wants, and anti-theft features aren’t usually very in demand. Having said that, I’ve noticed a shift in the recent year or so where consumers are demanding more safety features from their bags, so we’ll see if the brands respond
@@Nomads.Nation it is really good to have the anti theft feature of the pacsafe. it saved me from pickpockets when we travelled to paris. they wont attempt since it's hard to unzipped.
this AER with the zip lock will be perfect
Is Aer bag only available in the USA?
I believe they ship worldwide
Would the City pack pro accept a 17 inch laptop, namely the HP Z book fury 17 inch. I would like to have a bag that is durable enough to accommodate such a large laptop and additional items such as external disks and a tablet. There are not many high-quality and visually beautiful bags suitable for this use. People who work with CAD and have bigger issues are much worse off.
This would be an ideal question for Aer customer support - please let us know what they say!
The Pro is a very nice bag. I thought it would be perfect for work and occasional EDC, but I also liked the Alpha-One-Niner-Whitley. I found a great deal on a like-new Whitley. I would've been happy with either bag.
Haven’t checked out anything from Alpha yet but I’ve heard awesome things
@@Nomads.Nation I'd heard good things too. That's why I took a chance.
I prefer the simplicity of GoRuck, but really like the Whitley. It simply works and it's comfortable to carry.
@@Duanewrites I’m hoping to review one soon!
Hey!. Could you fit a 16" laptopin it?
Sorry for first response - that was incorrect. I do not know but I would recommend reaching out to Aer to double check with them
I wanted to get this CPP bcause i have had their two sling bags and i love it. But the thickness of this bag when loaded is a deal breaker for me. I bought the evergoods CHZ22 instead. Could not be happier. Now i want to get CPL24 as well.
awesome to hear!
just bought this using link here - love Aer products!
Much appreciated Tom!!
I quite like the looks of this bag, I might get one. As an EDC, and also a personal item for a flight. But no way would I ever put my keys, phone or wallet in any bag; much too easy to lose them if someone steals the bag, or you lose it. Those are always on my person (or in a waist bag). But that's just me ... Always appreciate these detailed reviews, especially the alternatives.
Cheers!
I like the look of it, love my day pack max. But aer being a big bag manufacturer? I’ve never seen one for sale here and can’t even order it from a different store around here. Besides that if I mention them nobody knows about them at all
I guess that "big" is relative. Compared to smaller bag companies like Able Carry and Monarc, Aer is a goliath. Compared to Tumi or Osprey, not so much
Bro. I just got this and the regular city bag. I love them both for various reasons. I also just invested in the day sling 3 max. I really enjoy using them all.
Nice dude!
Have you thought about reviewing the LTT backpack?
only every day lol, been trying to get ahold of them to send me one but no response yet. If you know someone who works for LTT tell them to send me one!
This or aer travel pack 3 small?
For EDC? This. For travel, travel Pack
This looks like a smaller version of Aer Travel Pack 2 small don’t you think?
very similar, yes
This or able carry day plus though?
I haven't reviewed the Daily Plus yet, so I can't say for sure....
I really like this one. It's been my EDC for a few months. I end up giving my kid the 17L version just was not big enough for me on some days. I think 24L is a great size add some gym clothes or tech gear.
Glad to hear you’ve been loving it - I really enjoyed the organization
Thanks Aaron, another informative review
glad you found it helpful!
Definitely a good review. HK in the background?
thanks dude, and yup! Been in HK for 6 years
I’ve been binging your channel and watched a ton of your videos. I'm buying the Aer City Pack Pro, it checks all my boxes!
- Luggage handle pass-through (I’d prefer vertical, but it works)
- Easy access pocket (nice to get passport while in the airport)
- Half-moon front pocket (love this for flights)
- Separate laptop compartment (personal preference)
- 24L size (In my opinion, the perfect for both an everyday carry and a compact travel bag for quick weekend trips)
Glad our videos were helpful!!
Got this bag on sale last Black Friday.
I love everything about it. :)
Btw..
You forgot to mention the small pocket for airtag/smart tag inside the main compartment.
shit! totally forgot about that! bad Aaron!
@@Nomads.Nation haha, awesome review still..
@@Shin_Igami666 ❤
13:36 Sums up everything.
😂
Sad to see that u guys didn’t test out "The Beast" (17-inch laptop) and find out if it fits in the laptop compartment.
haha The Beast is at Tav's house and we have a new studio now - maybe I can get a new prop 'Beast' for future reviews
Hi! Can I suggest reviewing the Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro and having a separate video up against the Aer City Pack Pro?
Lovin your informative videos!!
Great suggestion - I’ll add it to our to do list!
@@Nomads.Nation Hey! Thanks for replying!
You guys should also review the Alpaka Bravo X Sling V2 Pro. Looking forward to your videos of those!! 🙌🏼
@@zedrikyt it just got shipped to us - review should be live soon!
@@Nomads.Nation :o
Thanks for the fast response and being so active!! Looking forward to those in the future! 🤍
@@zedrikyt 🫶🏽
This viewer will use the AER City Pack Pro as an underseat personal item.
Could show travel layout using this as an allowed personal item. My overhead carryon is a small suitcase.
Thanks for your suggestion ❤️
So a 32 or 40 ounce bottle wouldn’t fit in the side pocket? Ahh. That’s a slight con for me but I guess I could fit it into the pack itself if I had to
It’ll be tough to find a great backpack that can fit that big of a water bottle 😬
how high is the false bottom
To make sure you get the most accurate answer I'd recommend reaching out to Aer's customer support - they'll get you sorted. Be sure to let us know what they say cuz I'm curious myself
Thank you so much for your video 😊.
Glad you liked it Vickie!
How would you say this measures up against Black Ember or Peak Design? Is this a more budget friendly version of the aforementioned brands?
you cant go wrong with any of the three, but I'd say from a value perspective Aer probably wins
Yo, I know you're super backed-up with bag reviews and requests. BUT, I have yet to see a packing cubes comparison video from you. What do you think??
It’s actually VERY high on our to do list - hoping to have something live in the next few months. Got any recs?
@@Nomads.Nation My friends tell me Peak Design packing cubes. I don't know too much about the others. I know with peak design that there is like a laundry section, and because it has extra slack in the divider when you stuff in your older clothes, the divider slowly shifts over. I have no idea how strong the compression zipper is though, and I know you like to torture test some of your gear. This might be good to see how many T-shirts you could stuff in it without risking breaking the zippers. Would be cool to test others too and see how many more clothes you could fit in a 20l or 30l bag with and without the packing cubes to see how much improvement they make. Even being able to carry 15-20% more clothes in the same travel pack would be massive. It might be good to have the overall best packing cube design, and another as the overall best affordable one as the two clear winners.
@@roseforeuropa AWESOME recommendations. I'll share this with my team and hopefully we can get a 'best packing cubes' review live sometime very soon :)
@@Nomads.Nation Sounds great!
Great review 👍🏼
appreciate that Miguel!
So I’ve been all over your channel for the past couple of weeks and finally setting on this pack for my eat, pray, love EDC. Thanks so much for your help in making this choice.
Glad we could help! Please let us know what you think about the bag after testing for a few weeks 🙏🏽
Day a of the pac and I’m in love 😍 ❤
@@JamesDerousselleawesome to hear!
I’ve found my new favourite channel 😭 🎉
Thanks so much and welcome to the community!