I've packed a laptop on every trip so far and can't say I've noticed it!

Sling or backpack is a personal choice. Do you need a backpack for walking around when you get to your destination or would you prefer to have a backpack to walk around.. Me personally I use the Aer sling for walking around usually just to carry my phone, battery, charger, earbuds, tissues, and hand sanitizer. If you're someone who needs more room for camera, laptop, etc then you should bring a day pack that can hold all that stuff. Maybe check out the tortuga outbreaker daypack in that scenario. It is comfortable carries a laptop and you can pack it in your larger travel bag (check size first)

It has a good waist belt and straps yes. It's great for walking through airports, towns, etc. Personally I'm not sure about hiking though. After an hour or so it gets uncomfortable, as this bag is more optimized for convenience, carry on size, storage spaces etc than hiking long distances.

I use this bag, I dont use the toiletry bag or the tech bag, but I do use their packing cubes. Their cubes fit nicely in the bag, can compress and fit a lot of clothes. I have the medium and small cubes which take up the majority of the big space, but in those cubes I fit 6 pairs of shorts, 6 button up shirts, 6 pairs of undies and 6 undershirts. Also in the main compartment I carry a small umbrella and my small toiletry bag with a thin packable daybed laying flat on top of everything. In the front organizer I can fit a pair of size 11 shoes in a shoe bag at the bottom toes down or a pair of flip flops and wear the shoes while in transit. I place my tech kit in one of the top organizer pouches in the front of the bag. I wear pants and jacket or hoodie while in airports but there is still enough space in the bag to stuff the jacket if I dont need it. I use that setup for a week or longer trip because with a weeks worth of clothes you can do laundry or at least not be forced to have go wash clothes in your sink. I'm a light traveler but not really a minimalist traveler. I've also never had to use the expansion feature of the bag. Comfort level is fine, the straps are firm and if the bag is heavy can feel like they may cut into your shoulders. Surprisingly they don't feel too bad because of how the straps can rotate a bit. The bag also doesn't pull on your shoulder and sits on the hips nicely. I've had the bag since it came out, been on 3-4 trips to Asia with it, and I agree that the chest strap sucks, it can come undone from the side fairly easily and it doesn't stow away nicely. It is also my only gripe with the bag.

It's just a zipper that makes it bigger or smaller, no straps. It looks pretty normal in both states and I've checked it in on flights in its expanded state many times (so yeah it'll be fine)

They are pretty thin. For me it's fine wearing the pack for an hour or so when it's very full, but then the straps start to get annoying. I also wore this backpack for 6 hours on end (about half full) and this was fine

@@indietraveller Ok thanks a lot for your feedback! Quite funny that a backpack with this price fails (a bit?) with the most essential thing about a backpack.

Had no issues after several years

@@indietraveller Excellent to read this! Safe travels. 🫵🤘🤙🙏

It will exceed the max dimensions of a lot of airlines, so no guarantees. But to be honest they don't usually check and I've taken it on board when expanded quite a few times. Visually it doesn't look like a backpack that's (far) over the limit

I personally think it's much too big for daily carry. Maybe take a look at the Tortuga Setout Divide. It's 26L which makes it suitable as a big laptop bag, but it can expand to 34L for a weekend trip

@@indietraveller I checked it , but unfortunately it is not available in my area. Another option please?

@@j.dniotis3216 I think AER travel packs are nice. They're big laptop bags or small travel bags depending on how you look a it. Maybe those ship to where you are

@@indietraveller sorry for so many messages. Again not available for Greece. Very unlucky!

@@j.dniotis3216 Ooof sorry to hear that! I'm also European so I haven't always had luck with all of them. I guess Osprey is another bet as they have a European branch. Their 24/7 Series (or Lifestyle series) is pretty great

Yeah the Setout is now being retired for another model I think. Haven't seen other long-term reviews, but I can say the Peak Design held up very well for me after 18+ months of frequent use. The only minor damage I have seen is some flaking of the black paint on some zippers or metal joints for the shoulder straps, which is fair enough. Functionally it's still in perfect condition. Of course this is just one person's experience :)

@@indietraveller Excellent, thank you. It's my top choice for my next-next bag. Looking at the Tortuga Outbreaker vs. the Osprey Farpoint 40 as a compromise for now.

It really depends - I love them both! The Setout feels lighter and is easier to jam in a tight compartment or luggage rack. The Peak Design feels a bit heavier but also more durable and weather sealed. Maybe it depends on the type of trips you take. The Setout feels intuitively a bit more suited to budget travel (I took it to Southeast Asia for example) and maybe the Peak Design is a bit more of a high-end bag. I think objectively the Peak Design is the best of the two but they're different kinds of bags.

​@@indietraveller Great! Being someone who typically travels with a lot of photography gear, I think I will go for the Peak Design on this one. Thanks very much for your fast reply, very much appreciated!

@@elsociote In that case you'll love the Peak Design. Have a look at some of their camera gear/lens cubes... you can insert them into the backpack

@@indietraveller I definitely will get a few camera and packing cubes with it. Wash and tech pouch I already have and been loving 'em. Thanks!

Still love it - in fact, it's still my main backpack I use. Haven't checked out the Manhattan 50 but my opinion on the peak design hasn't changed :)

I'm convinced, ordered!

I've used it on a normal rainy day, but can't say I've taken it storm-chasing!

@@indietraveller And how was it? Any leaks inside the bag?

@@artfake6111 Nope... if so would have definitely mentioned it! It can deal with rain very well. The sealed zippers are actually better for this than many other backpacks :)

@@indietraveller Okay, thank you for your answers!

@@artfake6111 No worries!

Im between the temba axis 32l and this one... The big question Is Will a 17 inch laptop Fit un the bag... Im checking the bumbulbee 230 for the laptop thing...

Yeah the straps etc. hold up very well.

To provide some counterpoint, I have used it for 2 weeks in 45L expanded mode with some heavy gear (2 laptops, camera, bluetooth speakers + headset, autumn clothes...), and it was very uncomfortable. I have carried the same load in a old Gregory hiking backpack which was totally tolerable (albeit less convenient to access which is why I wanted to try the Peak Design). I wouldn't recommend using the Peak Design in 45L, unless it's mostly light gear.

@@0011usagi Thanks for the info. Good to know! I have Osprey Farpoint 40 and was thinking about buying this one. Comfort is the most important feature I'm looking for.

Yes it can be carry-on luggage

It works as a carry on item (overhead bin), but will it work as a personal item? (Under the seat)

No I find it a bit too big for that. For day to day stuff I like to use a pack under 20L. My current daily carry is the Tortuga Setout Divide

@@indietraveller Ah that one's tough to buy right now.

Ohhhhh wow... after 4 years of having this pack, you've just made me realize this! Thanks for mentioning. It's honestly weird that there is never any sort of instruction manual with backpacks... this seems extremely pertinent but also easily overlooked.

Hah that just means two signs of approval. I guess it's 2/2!

(That’s what I thought, but I don’t wanna any doubts, just in case 😂) Hahah thank u so much!

@@diegomolinag Good thing you asked! :D