In The Loop Travel
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • The Americas
    • Caribbean
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia/Pacific
    • Africa
  • Fitness
  • Cruising
  • Travel Tips
  • Videos
  • Work With Us
  • My Work
  • About
  • Colorado Craft Brewery Guide
  • Media Kit
  • TBIN Influencer Network

Solo New York Unbound Backpack: The Right Bag for the Job

10/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
In The Loop Travel Gear Reviews
For frequent travelers, convenient packing options are almost as important as your passport. I like to think I've finally nailed packing, locking on a great system using my trusty Delsey carryon rolling suitcase for trips of any length. I can easily go from airport to destination without hassle or delay. I know exactly what to pack, how to roll my clothes perfectly and where all my vital items are located in the hidden pockets. 
But when it comes to my work bag, the one that carries my laptop, tablet and every possible cord and charger, I've been a bit stymied. I've run through a number of bags and backpacks, looking for the perfect option that gives me the space I need without too much extra space -- that I would inevitably feel the need to fill up, creating a monster backpack that kills my back and barely fits under the seat in front of me. My Swissgear backpack, though uber-durable, was too heavy and just too big. I switched to an ultra-thin generic option that couldn't hold everything I needed and ultimately fell apart because of my rigorous travel routine. Discarded backpacks and laptop bags litter a closet in my basement, a graveyard of the "almost but not quite rights." 
So, when Solo New York offered me the chance to try out and review its Unbound backpack, of course I welcomed the chance. (Solo New York is the same company that creates our absolute favorite rolling duffel bag, which makes regular appearances on even the longest trips. Read our review of that one here.) Here's what I thought of the TSA-approved Unbound backpack, which I've taken on trips in the U.S., the Caribbean and Greece this fall. 
What I Loved 
For starters, the weight of this backpack -- just under 2 pounds -- was a big reason I agreed to put it into my rotation. My abandoned Swissgear bag was 3.3 pounds, which, when fully filled, can feel like carrying an elephant when you're schlepping through airports and across cruise ships. The Unbound backpack feels light, even with my 15-plus-inch laptop inside. 
I'm also a fan of the padded laptop compartment, which unzips fully so is TSA compliant. I drop my laptop into the padded spot, and my tablet in the pocket in the same compartment. For me, having a packing habit is important -- I put everything in the same spot every time, so I know where it is (no digging through my bags!) and I won't forget anything -- so having the structured pockets is a great starting point for my packing. 
The bag features four zip sections, including the laptop zip at the back, so there's a lot of space for putting in my odds and ends. The biggest section is the middle, and I've found I can fill that one with my bulky items, including my noise-canceling headphones, two bags of cords and chargers, my quart bag of liquids and even a book. It's surprisingly spacious. The third section is just the right size for a couple of notebooks and pens -- essential travel writer items. The fourth is really just a pocket, but it's the right size for my mobile hotspot. The Unbound backpack also has two side pockets, ostensibly for water bottles, though I manage to use it to hold small miscellany, like business cards I've collected or facemasks I need to access quickly. 
I love the look, which is sleek and modern, even when I pack this thing full. It's also durable: I've thrown this bag into cabs and Uber vehicles, overhead bins, underseat storage and through security, over and over, and it still looks new, with no fraying of straps or even scuffs. The backpack has a comfortable padded back panel that slides over telescoping roller suitcase handles, creating a secure hold that means I don't have to carry it on my back when maneuvering through airports and the like. I'm also a fan of the oversized zipper pulls, as I don't fumble to unzip even on dark airplanes.
Picture
Picture
What Doesn't Quite Work 
My biggest complaint with this backpack feels a bit like nitpicking, but it drives me nuts: Straps sit above the side mesh pockets. You can't unclip them, as they're permanent, so the strap gets in the way of the zippers in two of the compartments. It's a minor annoyance that nonetheless irritates me every time I go to dig into the bag and have to regrasp the zippers. (The straps are important; they are designed to keep tall water bottles in place.) 
This other issue is on me, I know. 
I still tend to overpack this bag, and when I do, it causes two problems: I can't use the side pockets for water bottles, because there's simply no room, and the bag is a tight fit under airplane seats. I've never had an issue with it actually not fitting, but it's been a squeeze a few times. I'm holding my breath waiting for the day when an airline gate agent stops me from carrying it aboard.

The Bottom Line 
After banging around the Soho Unbound backpack for a few months, I've decided to make this my regular bag. The space, design and style are all big positives, and while I have a few minor quibbles, overall, it's the best option I've seen in a while.

Interested? 
The Unbound bag sells for around $80, a pretty budget-friendly price in an era where backpacks can run you $150 or more. You can find it online at solo-ny.com or retailers like Amazon.

Picture
The Able Carry Daybreaker
How About a Great Weekender Bag? 
Review by John Roberts
I got the chance to try out the sleek Able Carry's Daybreaker Backpack on a few shorter trips.  
This lightweight 25-liter pack is the perfect addition to my travel gear.  
I have already been using an Able Carry Max Backpack for all my regular travel, which usually sees me on the road for more than a week at a time. But the Daybreaker is an amazingly durable and compact option for weekend getaways and outdoor adventures. 
This bag is constructed for aggressive outdoor use, made with Cordura nylon, which makes it water resistant and able to carry heavier loads. Plus, it only weighs 560 grams. 
It's got a tall and slim profile, with an adjustable sternum strap. This creates less stress on the back when the backpack is loaded.  
About the storage and other features: I can slip my laptop into the divider, with room in a long zipped pocketed area behind that for cords and chargers and other items. The main compartment then fits any snacks, drinks, toiletries and other essentials needed for my outings. A mesh "hidden" pocket under the lid of the backpack allows for easy-to-reach items such as passports, power banks and phone chargers. 
There is an external side pocket with holes that allow any wet items to drain. On the other side, a zipped pocket with mesh interior has a leash for keys. The backpack also has several loops and hooks on which you can hang an item attached by a carabiner. 
The Daybreaker now comes with me on all my hiking, biking and kayaking trips.

Thanks for checking out these reviews of our favorite new backpacks.
JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    AIDA Cruises
    Alaska
    Albatros Expeditions
    Alicante
    AmaWaterways
    Amber Cove
    American Queen Steamboat Company
    American Queen Voyages
    Amsterdam
    Antarctica
    Antigua
    Arctic
    Arizona
    Aruba
    Asia
    Atlas Ocean Voyages
    Australia
    Austria
    Avalon Waterways
    Backroads
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Barcelona
    Belize
    Blue World Voyages
    Bonaire
    Bora Bora
    Brooklyn
    Budapest
    Burma
    Cabo San Lucas
    Cadiz
    California
    Cambodia
    Cancun
    Caribbean
    Carnival Cruise
    Celebrity Cruises
    Celestyal Cruises
    Christmas Markets
    Cologne
    Colombia
    Colorado
    Corfu
    Costa Rica
    Cozumel
    Craft Beer
    Croatia
    Crystal Cruises
    Cuba
    Curacao
    Dominican Republic
    Dubrovnik
    Egypt
    Emerald Cruises
    Emerald Waterways
    Europe
    Expat Life
    Explora Journeys
    Fathom Travel
    Fitness
    Florida
    Fort Lauderdale
    France
    French Polynesia
    Galapagos
    Galveston
    Germany
    Grand Cayman
    Greece
    Grenada
    Guatemala
    Halifax
    Harmony Of The Seas
    Hawaii
    High Line Park
    Hiking
    Holland America
    Hong Kong
    Houston
    Hungary
    Ibiza
    Iceland
    Isla Mujeres
    Italy
    Jim Thorpe
    Key West
    Kotor
    Labadee
    Lake Minnewaska
    Las Vegas
    Lisbon
    Lithuania
    London
    London Eye
    Maine
    Malaga
    Mexico
    Miami
    Minnesota
    Mississippi River
    Monte Carlo
    Montenegro
    Monterey
    Montreal
    Moorea
    MSC Cruises
    MSC Divina
    Netherlands
    Newfoundland
    New Jersey
    New Orleans
    New York
    New York City
    New Zealand
    North Carolina
    Norway
    Norwegian Cruise Line
    Nuremberg
    Oceania Cruises
    Oregon
    Orlando
    Panama
    Panama Canal
    Passau
    Paul Gauguin
    Paul Gauguin Cruises
    Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia
    Pickleball
    Ponant
    Portugal
    Prague
    Princess Cruises
    Puerto-rico
    Queens
    Regensburg
    Regent Seven Seas
    Rome
    Royal Caribbean
    Saint-Tropez
    San Francisco
    Santorini
    Scenic Cruises
    Scottsdale
    Seabourn
    SeaDream Yacht Club
    Sicily
    Silversea
    Sintra
    Sorrento
    Spain
    Star Clippers
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    Symphony Of The Seas
    Tahiti
    Travel Gear
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks And Caicos
    UnCruise
    Un-Cruise Adventures
    UnCruise Adventures
    Universal's Islands Of Adventure
    Uniworld
    Utah
    Utica
    Utica Boilermaker 15K
    Vienna
    Vietnam
    Viking Cruises
    Washington
    Windstar Cruises
    Wisconsin

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2013 | All rights reserved | Ewing, New Jersey.
Contact | About | Media Kit