5 April 2024
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The backpack arrived promptly. It was the first time I've shopped with Wardow.
The security features are great. I have lots of Pacsafe products. I was looking for a very lightweight bag that would serve as paid hand-luggage (overhead locker bag that you pay for, as opposed to a small underseat personal item) on Ryanair. It is super light and secure. It opens like a suitcase and has no internal organisation – just a strap to keep things in place, so you may want to use packing cubes. No laptop sleeve, so if you carry tech, you'd need a separate sleeve. Very simple and minimalist. Effective compression straps. No waterbottle pockets. The carry handle is useful for short distances, and the rucksack straps are minimally padded. There is no sternum strap or hip belt, but Ryanair only allows for 10 kg, so this is fine. The material feels nice. I used a rain cover from a different bag, so I don't know how water-resistant the fabric is. As there is metal inside, I will continue to use a rain cover. The top quick-access pocket is adequate but may impinge on internal storage a bit. The front pocket is great for flatter items. I like the idea of contrasting colours but would have preferred a brighter yellow rather than mustard brown, but as it is on the bottom and might get dirty, maybe this is more practical. The bag stood up on its own fully packed! You need to pack smartly as it is very thin, and items will dig into your back. I actually added a piece of cardboard to protect my stuff, and this worked well against my back. So it is not the most comfortable pack ever – I wish the straps were a bit beefier and that it had a more durable plant waterproof bottom for setting the bag down. Maybe it could do with one internal zip or mesh pocket, but for my purposes of needing a lightweight bag with a luggage pass-through for Ryanair, it's perfect. I love the way you can open the top and access the main section. I had my quick grab pouch with my flight essentials in. A long review, but I couldn't find much info online about the bag, so I hope it helps someone. Considering the weight, having lockable zips and wire mesh (not all over but in the main places someone might slash, including straps), this is definitely a bag to consider if you don't need to overpack and don't need a separate organisation compartment for everything. I'm 169 cm (5'7") and found it a comfortable carry if packed with clothes and nothing too heavy. I wouldn't want to shift more than 15 kg with it over a long period, or if I did, I would improvise a sternum strap. It also packs flat. On my outward journey, I actually had it packed inside another bag. Oh, and I think it is quite cute in the sort of baby-blue-grey-eggshell colour :)