I wish I would have seen your review before I purchased mine. I agree on the capacity and say the same thing in my review on the alpaka page. I did not receive my sternum strap and contacted customer service. They said they understood how important it is to have all the components of a backpack system, and then said they cannot guarantee the outcome or resolution. I even offered to purchase one, and I have not got a reply after 3 weeks, and 3 emails. I advised to not purchase the bag due to lack of customer support and miss leading capacity along with the high price tag. I enjoy your reviews, and like how they are presented along with the visual aids like your personal item box and packing peanuts. Keep up the great work. Sending Love and Positivity You Way.
I can't believe the volume calculation itself doesnt even reach 32l 😂 great review. I'm tired of other channels endlessly praising every bag. And so many of the new backpacks seem to have these incredibly tight pockets so you can't fit anything in there other than a passport.
Thanks, I like to show the good and the bad and let you decide what's important. One passport pocket is fine but it's nice to have some pockets with volume.
Packing peanut test coming in clutch again - 28L actual capacity paints a very different picture to the advertised amount. Looking forward to the packing capacity video!
Packing peanut test is one of the most clever and objective parts of your reviews, and no one else does anything similar. Which is weird because capacity is arguably the most important factor in choosing a bag.
This is true, I started noticing bags were vastly off in their product pages for capacity, some above, some below, it's necessary to test because that's a huge part of why people buy a particular bag
Lol I just put my written review live and no joke it took me two days of thinking and getting angry to figure out that hip belt. You are the only other reviewer I’ve seen note it besides myself! (Always wander). Great review as always
Yeah it makes sense once you know how it works, but it's weird that they offer a complicated strap setup without any explaination of how it works. Nice review btw, "What in the what? Folks" 😁
Thank you for this detailed and helpful video! If possible, could you do a capacity test for the Peak Design 25L Outdoor Backpack? It would be great to see how it handles with camera gear and without, along with a review of all its features. Looking forward to your insights
This has been my everyday and main travel bag for the last year. Got it in Xpac, but I really want the blue Axoflux. Such a great bag, with just enough organization outside of the main compartment and the straps on the bottom of the bag I use for my extra set of shoes, which really opens up space in the main compartment. Can't say enough about this bag. :)
Man I keep up to date in bags to see if any can beat the Patagonia MLC mini and so far, nothing seems to check off all the marks the same way it does. So glad I bought it
What is the purpose of external pockets with no dimension? It's function would seem to me to add weight to the bag. It is pretty but the only use case is as a domestic US carry on. And in that way it falls well short on capacity. Just my 2 cents
Good point, I like to see more volume in the exterior pockets, a small hidden pocket or two is fine for a travel wallet or something, but it's nice to have at least one with some actual volume.
Packing peanut test strikes again! Confirms my (and many others’) assumptions about capacity! I would certainly have liked an extra couple of liters, but, on the whole, this bag has been quite a nice goldilocks solution for me. At 6’3”, i can get away with this as an EDC, whether during travel or at home. Wonderfully comfortable carry, too. Curious how you feel the capacity of this compares to the Able Carry Max with water bottles in both (or how the packing peanuts measured up!). Thanks for another great review!
@OneBagTravels thanks! The Max was another bag I considered, but the internal(ish) water bottle seemed like it would take away from too much of the main compartment for me. I just got a couple of new packing cubes-including the Evergoods TPC 8-so I'm excited to see how they work inside the Alpaka. Also, re: the literage, I think you've definitely got to take advantage of the laptop compartment with something like a packable jacket, socks/underwear, etc. I usually have my iPad + a book/jacket. Thanks again for the review, and keep up the awesome content!
Update - the TPC 8 is a *perfect* fit at the base of the bag. Crucially, it takes advantage of all the main pocket depth (which I found hard to do with my matador cubes), but it still manages to leave the front pocket usable. Loaded it out with that at the base, a CAP 2 (camera kit) on top of that, an eagle Creek XS and another small (5x7) cube for socks/underwear, and a gravel mini toiletry kit. Just shy of a week's worth of stuff, and without the CAP 2 I can get a pair of shoes in there instead. Extra layer (packable puffy? goes in the laptop pocket. Good little bag once you tetris everything in!
@@takiTCG Good idea with the laptop, definately good to use that space with something else if you're not carrying the laptop. I like the look of those Evergoods cubes, I'm going to check them out. And thanks for following up with the TPC cubes!
@OneBagTravels no problem! The TPC is definitely hefty and adds some weight, but it really does have some good capacity, and the natural compression from the series of zips works quite well. I fit 1x base layer bottom, 2x base layer tops, 3x cotton t-shirts, 1x flannel, and 1x pair of pants. Shape leaves plenty of room toward the top of the bag-can even fit a pair of size 12.5 shoes lengthwise above it!
Thanks for the review. Glad I opted for the Able Carry Max when I was comparing…it’s obviously larger. This ALPAKA is not much better than my Fjallraven Raven 28, which remains the best value for its cost. However for actual travel I prefer my Pakt V2 35L.
I bought it it looks so good and im reasonably satisfied with it but i dont think i would have bought it if was correctly advertised as 28l Its just too small for longer traveling
You could probably stuff it in the box, it's flexible but the back padding is still pretty thick and bulky so it can bend somewhat, but it doesn't really squish lengthwise very well.
@@OneBagTravels can you include a weighing scale on your review? Weight when bag is empty and when bag is fully packed..love your reviews! So technical..thanks!
Smaller brands, more expensive materials, less economies of scale, designing bags takes a lot of time, a target demographic that is used to or expects these higher prices, etc.
@@costive1 tbh i did recently used an expensive bag. Although good materials, it broke down so easily. The budget one i used seemed better are then jsut paying for the design then?
Without knowing what brand you used or what component failed hard to say anything at all. But expensive doesn't necessarily equate to durability for the aforementioned reasons and more
@@costive1 actually i used two bellroy and alpaka. It was a 30L bag i guess, both didnt last in our trip and also they were new. My budget amazon bag with the same load had no issues.
I’m going to be honest I feel like Alpaka is the budget brand of expensive bags if that makes any sense there quality isn’t bad but every-time I see their bags it just doesn’t scream durable I’ve owned one alpaka bag and it wasn’t bad but I ended up giving it away, and bellroy bags don’t look durable at all to me I feel like they are just about the name and branding I’ve never owned one so I wouldn’t know it just never catches my appeal, the bags that. Unfortunately in order to get an amazing bag it cost more money, and you yourself will have to ask yourself it’s right investment for you? If the cheap one works for you it works. I own two evergoods bags one mystery ranch dragon 2.0 and greenroom136 rainmaker which have stayed in my rotation and seem extremely durable and I am happy, materials matter and you just kinda have to do the research on if the bag looks like it would last a lifetime or not honestly if you’re looking for durable goruck is the way to go!
I really wanted to like this bag, but it just isn’t an efficient use of space. BTW, I felt that a fair amount of the internal volume is in the laptop compartment. I bet you could stack 3 or 4 thin laptops on there.
their slings and pouches have been great. but their bags can be a bit of a letdown. especially the capacity. they were aiming for that shallow profile, I guess. now, your test has shown of 28L actual cap than the advertised 35 is a bummer.
I think it's a bit outrageous for people to be walking around a big city with a $10,000+ designer bag on their arm, you might as well hold up a "please rob me" sign. Secondly, I really don't feel sorry for these brands, they raise their prices at least twice a year, so basically they are driving any potential customers into buying fakes kislux
I wish I would have seen your review before I purchased mine. I agree on the capacity and say the same thing in my review on the alpaka page. I did not receive my sternum strap and contacted customer service. They said they understood how important it is to have all the components of a backpack system, and then said they cannot guarantee the outcome or resolution. I even offered to purchase one, and I have not got a reply after 3 weeks, and 3 emails. I advised to not purchase the bag due to lack of customer support and miss leading capacity along with the high price tag. I enjoy your reviews, and like how they are presented along with the visual aids like your personal item box and packing peanuts. Keep up the great work. Sending Love and Positivity You Way.
Bummer they haven't been very responsive, they should send you a replacement strap for free
I can't believe the volume calculation itself doesnt even reach 32l 😂 great review. I'm tired of other channels endlessly praising every bag. And so many of the new backpacks seem to have these incredibly tight pockets so you can't fit anything in there other than a passport.
Thanks, I like to show the good and the bad and let you decide what's important. One passport pocket is fine but it's nice to have some pockets with volume.
Packing peanut test coming in clutch again - 28L actual capacity paints a very different picture to the advertised amount. Looking forward to the packing capacity video!
It's different but good to have a realistic expectation of what to expect out of a pack's capacity
Packing peanut test is one of the most clever and objective parts of your reviews, and no one else does anything similar. Which is weird because capacity is arguably the most important factor in choosing a bag.
This is true, I started noticing bags were vastly off in their product pages for capacity, some above, some below, it's necessary to test because that's a huge part of why people buy a particular bag
Lol I just put my written review live and no joke it took me two days of thinking and getting angry to figure out that hip belt. You are the only other reviewer I’ve seen note it besides myself! (Always wander). Great review as always
Yeah it makes sense once you know how it works, but it's weird that they offer a complicated strap setup without any explaination of how it works. Nice review btw, "What in the what? Folks" 😁
Thanks! Looks like we had a lot of the same ideas. Great enthusiast bag though for sure.
Thank you for this detailed and helpful video! If possible, could you do a capacity test for the Peak Design 25L Outdoor Backpack? It would be great to see how it handles with camera gear and without, along with a review of all its features. Looking forward to your insights
I like the water protected zips but having them next to each other like that is an interesting choice.
I concur
How did they even come up with the 35L of capacity? Using what, 35L of compressed air?
🤷🏼
Thanks for this review.
This has been my everyday and main travel bag for the last year. Got it in Xpac, but I really want the blue Axoflux. Such a great bag, with just enough organization outside of the main compartment and the straps on the bottom of the bag I use for my extra set of shoes, which really opens up space in the main compartment. Can't say enough about this bag. :)
Nice, glad to see you like it
Man I keep up to date in bags to see if any can beat the Patagonia MLC mini and so far, nothing seems to check off all the marks the same way it does. So glad I bought it
I'd hang on to that one if you like it, great pack.
What is the purpose of external pockets with no dimension? It's function would seem to me to add weight to the bag. It is pretty but the only use case is as a domestic US carry on. And in that way it falls well short on capacity. Just my 2 cents
Good point, I like to see more volume in the exterior pockets, a small hidden pocket or two is fine for a travel wallet or something, but it's nice to have at least one with some actual volume.
Packing peanut test strikes again! Confirms my (and many others’) assumptions about capacity! I would certainly have liked an extra couple of liters, but, on the whole, this bag has been quite a nice goldilocks solution for me. At 6’3”, i can get away with this as an EDC, whether during travel or at home. Wonderfully comfortable carry, too. Curious how you feel the capacity of this compares to the Able Carry Max with water bottles in both (or how the packing peanuts measured up!). Thanks for another great review!
Peanuts for the win! =) Able Carry Max seems bigger but I haven't compared them side by side
@OneBagTravels thanks! The Max was another bag I considered, but the internal(ish) water bottle seemed like it would take away from too much of the main compartment for me. I just got a couple of new packing cubes-including the Evergoods TPC 8-so I'm excited to see how they work inside the Alpaka. Also, re: the literage, I think you've definitely got to take advantage of the laptop compartment with something like a packable jacket, socks/underwear, etc. I usually have my iPad + a book/jacket. Thanks again for the review, and keep up the awesome content!
Update - the TPC 8 is a *perfect* fit at the base of the bag. Crucially, it takes advantage of all the main pocket depth (which I found hard to do with my matador cubes), but it still manages to leave the front pocket usable. Loaded it out with that at the base, a CAP 2 (camera kit) on top of that, an eagle Creek XS and another small (5x7) cube for socks/underwear, and a gravel mini toiletry kit. Just shy of a week's worth of stuff, and without the CAP 2 I can get a pair of shoes in there instead. Extra layer (packable puffy? goes in the laptop pocket. Good little bag once you tetris everything in!
@@takiTCG Good idea with the laptop, definately good to use that space with something else if you're not carrying the laptop. I like the look of those Evergoods cubes, I'm going to check them out. And thanks for following up with the TPC cubes!
@OneBagTravels no problem! The TPC is definitely hefty and adds some weight, but it really does have some good capacity, and the natural compression from the series of zips works quite well. I fit 1x base layer bottom, 2x base layer tops, 3x cotton t-shirts, 1x flannel, and 1x pair of pants. Shape leaves plenty of room toward the top of the bag-can even fit a pair of size 12.5 shoes lengthwise above it!
Thanks for the review. Glad I opted for the Able Carry Max when I was comparing…it’s obviously larger. This ALPAKA is not much better than my Fjallraven Raven 28, which remains the best value for its cost. However for actual travel I prefer my Pakt V2 35L.
Good bags
I bought it it looks so good and im reasonably satisfied with it but i dont think i would have bought it if was correctly advertised as 28l
Its just too small for longer traveling
Did you do the packing peanuts test on the Aer TP3 (35L)? If so what was the result?
Not yet
The bottom seems much more flexible than i expected, if the pack was like half full it could fit in the box?
You could probably stuff it in the box, it's flexible but the back padding is still pretty thick and bulky so it can bend somewhat, but it doesn't really squish lengthwise very well.
Good review, but the bag isn’t for me…I’m more interested on your take with the Bellroy lite travel pack behind you. When? 😊
I'm planning on posting a review in 2 weeks for the Bellroy Lite
@@OneBagTravels can you include a weighing scale on your review? Weight when bag is empty and when bag is fully packed..love your reviews! So technical..thanks!
@@jimpeeRNx Good idea, I weigh the bag sometimes but not every one
As usual great review! I dont know why the bags are so expensive. Lol
Smaller brands, more expensive materials, less economies of scale, designing bags takes a lot of time, a target demographic that is used to or expects these higher prices, etc.
@@costive1 tbh i did recently used an expensive bag. Although good materials, it broke down so easily. The budget one i used seemed better are then jsut paying for the design then?
Without knowing what brand you used or what component failed hard to say anything at all. But expensive doesn't necessarily equate to durability for the aforementioned reasons and more
@@costive1 actually i used two bellroy and alpaka. It was a 30L bag i guess, both didnt last in our trip and also they were new. My budget amazon bag with the same load had no issues.
I’m going to be honest I feel like Alpaka is the budget brand of expensive bags if that makes any sense there quality isn’t bad but every-time I see their bags it just doesn’t scream durable I’ve owned one alpaka bag and it wasn’t bad but I ended up giving it away, and bellroy bags don’t look durable at all to me I feel like they are just about the name and branding I’ve never owned one so I wouldn’t know it just never catches my appeal, the bags that. Unfortunately in order to get an amazing bag it cost more money, and you yourself will have to ask yourself it’s right investment for you? If the cheap one works for you it works. I own two evergoods bags one mystery ranch dragon 2.0 and greenroom136 rainmaker which have stayed in my rotation and seem extremely durable and I am happy, materials matter and you just kinda have to do the research on if the bag looks like it would last a lifetime or not honestly if you’re looking for durable goruck is the way to go!
I really wanted to like this bag, but it just isn’t an efficient use of space. BTW, I felt that a fair amount of the internal volume is in the laptop compartment. I bet you could stack 3 or 4 thin laptops on there.
It's a big laptop compartment for sure
their slings and pouches have been great. but their bags can be a bit of a letdown. especially the capacity. they were aiming for that shallow profile, I guess. now, your test has shown of 28L actual cap than the advertised 35 is a bummer.
I like the Metro Pro and the Flight Sling a lot, Elements is a good bag but the capacity isn't very realistic.
I think it's a bit outrageous for people to be walking around a big city with a $10,000+ designer bag on their arm, you might as well hold up a "please rob me" sign. Secondly, I really don't feel sorry for these brands, they raise their prices at least twice a year, so basically they are driving any potential customers into buying fakes kislux
Alpaka is consistently over stating the volume on their bags have kept me from being a serious buyer of their products...
They should be more accurate on their specs for sure