Pretty good price for a well-reviewed backpack. Available in 3 colours: black, navy, and olive. If you miss this, it might return during Black Friday.
Aer City Pack Pro 2 $291 Delivered @ Rushfaster
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It’s all about perspective. If someone has to lug a laptop / live out of a bag / carry-on flights / get to work via public transport the everyday carry (EDC) bag category has a bunch of products that are just right for form and function.
Wait till you find out that people pay $30 for plastic frisbees.
/S
If you travel frequently and tend to only use 1 bag its good to have something comfortable for your back and shoulders. Also being as functional as possible is nice when you're living out of it.
I actually see both sides of this argument.
I've used some really cheap and some really expensive bags over the years, including some > $500 bags from the likes of Tumi and others.
My view, after many, many years of travel is that the best you can do is to pack less and look for things that are smaller or lighter. Weight really adds expense, because you need tougher materials, better stitching, better zippers, better padding and support…etc. to be able to carry comfortably and have a durable bag.
Some of the things I did were:
- going from a 15" to 13" laptop
- switching from MX Master to MX Anywhere mouse
- taking out the iPad that I only used occasionally
- no more physical notebooks - just use my S25 Ultra with the S Pen
- got a 100W 4-port USB-C charger rather than carrying around a few bricks
- simplifying cables, USB-C everything so I only carry two USB-C cables - long one and a short one
- getting a merino jumper which is more breathable but warm (so I don't need to take it off and put it in my bag as often)
- no more water bottle, I just got a glass of water from the kitchen at work instead
- bought an extra pair of headphones which I leave at work, and just carry small earbuds instead in my bagFew more things, but I can't exactly remember. Yes, it's expensive to do some of the above, but what I spent here, I saved on being able to buy cheaper, smaller bags that do not have to be as high "quality". Whilst I love good quality bags, I do think that there's a tendency to just get bigger, more expensive, more ergonomic bags which just encourage more and more packing.
I slimmed down my daily carry from around 7kg to around 4kg (including the bag). Best thing is that I can get away with a much simpler, cheaper bag - they don't break so easily anymore now that I'm not stuffing them to the brink.
As someone who also loves gear and backpacks but has recently been battling with the cost and weight of this endeavour, I have to say your advice is invaluable - thank you. E.g. I love my peak design bag, but the weight and bulk is really bothering me.
Can I ask what merino jumper you use? I feel as though the Uniqlo one is too thin. A merino hoodie seems to be a consistent of the EDC youtube channels
E.g. I love my peak design bag, but the weight and bulk is really bothering me.
Yeah, I found the same - bulk and weight tend to be exponential - you need a heavier bag to carry more heavier stuff, so you end up in this death spiral of carrying more weight.
Can I ask what merino jumper you use? I feel as though the Uniqlo one is too thin. A merino hoodie seems to be a consistent of the EDC youtube channels
Nothing special - I think it's a Charles Tyrwhitt or something from DJs / Myer - simple V-neck merino jumper. They're around $70-80 on sale, and I liked it enough to get two more recently. Pairs well with both a simple black crew-neck t-shirt underneath or a business shirt.
My view, after many, many years of travel is that the best you can do is to pack less and look for things that are smaller or lighter.
Wholeheartedly agree with this comment - I recently bought the older version osprey Talon 22L for my Mt Fuji overnight hike and the key thing was to keep things light. The bag itself is great, but the key is to not overpack - easier said than done - but if you can keep things simple - you'll have a much better time
Are you out of touch? Have you not seen the price of Peak Design backpacks?
You're right. Personally I think this price is stupid too. I didn't downvote, but people can do what they want with their money. They better not moan that houses/coffee/bills are expensive Yada Yada if they buy this though!
no X-pac no sale!
I have the V1 in x-pac and its great.
Damn, I bought an x-pac last week… would have bought the nylon instead at that price!
I have the X-Pac version. I genuinely never thought I’d love a backpack as much as I love this thing.
Just took it with me on a flight to Melbourne for a wedding (and a carry on suitcase) this weekend and it highlighted my love for it even more.
I normally use it for work.
I used “nice” bags before, a Filson rugged twill original briefcase for work and an Osprey Farpoint 40 when I travel but the form and function these modern EDC’s provide is amazing.
I think those 2 other bags will never be used by me again.
I actually had no idea about them and had been using my Osprey happily for many trips but earlier this year I saw dudes on the subway in NYC with the AER’s and other cool, smaller, well thought out bags and then I went down the rabbit hole of “EDC’s” and I’m glad I did.
Oh man, I got a Farpoint 40 too and I'm trying not to delve down an EDC rabbithole too.
What's the difference between this and X-Pac? And which one is more recommended?
Not sure if I should get this or North Face Recon/Borealis.
The X-Pac is more water resistant and comes with aquaguard zippers.
The Able Carry Max EDC and the Aer CPP2 are like THE backpacks right now, check out the Max EDC if you're in this price market also (I guess it also depends on your actual backpack use case)
xpac is a bit lighter and a little more water resistant, xpac bags typically have the orange liner too (makes things easier to see in the bag). The xpac material is a little stiffer as well and has the X pattern on it.
Down to preference IMO but if I had to pick I'd go this, just a more well thought out pack compared to the TNF offerings. Only downside for me are the aqua guard zippers, they require a bit more effort to zip up due to the coating. The coating will degrade over time too.
On top of what others said something that I've seen some people really be disappointed about is Xpac can give premium garbage bag vibes. It looks plasticky and will look crinkly sometimes etc. I only have a Xpac card pouch myself and it looks good on a small form but I've seen pictures of some xpac backpacks that in my opinion look not amazing.
But that's a trade off you get in return better water resistance and less weight.
I've read similar reviews and seen pictures of crinkled and frayed Xpac material. I have the slim pouch 1 in Xpac.
Accidently bought it on AE (currently around 14USD) instead of the Slim pouch 2 which has loops that can convert it into a sling.
I'm probably going to buy the SP2 and put the SP1 zipper pulls on it. Shorter braided cord instead of long rubber.
Hoping for a good price on the CPP2-Nylon on 11/11
X-Pac looks fine, I find it strikes a good balance between looking weatherproof (i.e. plasticky) but also premium. Ultra on the other hand is a lot more polarising.
Yeah should clarify I don't mean to say it's objectively bad. Just some people don't like it so something to consider and find other pictures of as it's not obvious in store pictures online.
Super weird, I just bought this randomly to replace a Crumpler that has a horrendous laptop pocket design. First impressions are that it’s insanely well made and designed. But 25L was tight for me personally and I’m looking at the travel one which is 35L, will definitely buy this brand over crumpler though.
Which Crumpler was it wjth the bad laptop pocket?
“Strictly business”
Pacsafe's are pretty good. Been using them for a few years and can recommend.
I have plenty of AER items including the previous City Pack Pro backpack and can highly recommend. Yes the price point is a higher than most backpacks people are used to here, but it is 100% worth the price especially if you're always using your backpack for work or travel. I use it every day for work for the last few years and the backpack still is brand new. The X-PAC is worth it especially if you're commuting outside (everything stays dry inside).
This bag is 1.3KG - quite heavy for just the bag.
Definitely a lot if you’re going to onebag travel
Able Carry Max EDC is even more at 1.55kg. I would love a modern bag that fully unzips to replace my Deuter Giga 28, butt that bag weighs 1kg and the weight penalty feels like a downgrade.
i have the aer flight pack 2 xpac and kinda love it
only used messenger/briefcase style once on a flight where i had another bigger backpack though haha. though it got through as a personal item so that was nice
Fantastic bag. Been using for 3 years daily and still like new. The X-pac would be my preference.
RolePlayer88 on 02/11/2025 - 17:50 Comment score below threshold.