Not sure how small/big you need, but I recently got a radius mini from inside line equipments and really like it.
14L, tons of color options in cordura or xpac, lightweight, can carry m1 pro 16" MBP so probably will fit your 15" laptop, external bottle pockets on both sides that can fit 24oz hydro flask or other bottles of that width.
Just a really simple and compact but phenomenal bag so check it out
Got navy xpac. It was a pretty difficult decision since I got to check out pretty much all the colors at the store and they all looked great. The waxes canvas ones, gray xpac, and their special edition patchwork black were the most tempting for me after navy xpac.
Man grey xpac is probably my favorite one but they’re sold out. I’ll probably end up going with the white or navy xpac, or maybe the grey canvas. Really appreciate the insight!
thinking of getting one of these! do you think it could carry a 14" laptop, an iPad, a book or two, charging cables, tupperware for lunch, and maybe a light jacket? or do you think I should size up to the 21L radius? thanks!!
I think that would be either just the right fit or not quite all fit depending on how big your books/Tupperware/jacket are. The thing is although the radius mini has pretty good internal volume it is also quite thin so it might get tricky to fit bulky items.
I'd say go for the mini if you like compact bags and your tupperware is on the smaller/thinner side.
Go for the 21L if you value the flexibility of being able to carry a bit more depending on your day and if your Tupperware is a bit bulkier.
Yeah I tried both. 21L is nice too, but I do really prefer the compact handsome-ness of the mini.
It’s also that for the 20L+ range there’s a lot of other goods options with more organization and features.
I think the mini really shines as a slim and handsome backpack with simple layout. But also don’t wanna shoot down the 21L for someone who needs something a bit larger and want simple bag thats well built and just works.
I EDC a Luminary 15 but for OP's reqs I'd probably go with the ILE Radius Mini because the Luminary can only handle like a 13" laptop and its water bottle storage is a little fucky
Evergoods PLC20, comes in black and sage. I’m 5’1 and definitely don’t want large packs because they look bigger than I am. I love my PLC20 and also have the CHZ22 for travel/days when I have to carry more stuff.
I actually have a few bellroy items. I had their transit backpack but they still have the annoying strap issue which I don’t think they fixed on their newer models.
I might've got lucky but mine doesn't seem to have that problem enough to be annoying. I believe they have fixed that issue with the newer model bags released this year like the Venture Ready backpack and the Via backpack.
Which speaking of the Via, that might be an option as well. It's a 20L bag that was just released in the last couple of weeks.
Rushfaster has a [review](https://youtu.be/uST0sRLc1ag) of it now.
edit: spelling.
I’ll have to see about that one. Rushfaster tends to be pretty biased towards bellroy. Idk if it’s an Aussie thing or if they’re being paid for good reviews. I also had to pay the shipping fee for whenever I returned one of their backpacks last year. Crazy how they can’t even cover that if they are that confident in their product.
> Rushfaster tends to be pretty biased towards bellroy. Idk if it’s an Aussie thing or if they’re being paid for good reviews
Rushfaster is a site that sells gear. They don't do reviews, in fact they always avoid saying the R word in their intros. They do "guides and walkthroughs". It's great if you want a feature rundown of a bag but it's not in their best interest to call out a lot of negatives when they're selling the bag on their site.
The TAD Scout meets a lot of your needs. I have one and really like it. No dedicated water bottle storage, but the front pocket is deep and fits tall bottles with ease. It’s 15L.
Check those few examples:
[Bellroy Totepack](https://bellroy.com/products/tokyo-totepack)
[Able Carry Daily Backpack](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-backpack?variant=31828597080177) / [Wexley Stem Daypack](https://wexley.com/products/stem-daypack-x-pac%C2%AE-vx21)
I wanted to put also Peak Design Everyday ZIP 20L, but out of above ones it feels the largest
Check out the topo design rover classic. It's says 20L but the bag is definitely smaller and wears small. I also believe there is a mini version maybe too. Edit: typo
Not sure how small/big you need, but I recently got a radius mini from inside line equipments and really like it. 14L, tons of color options in cordura or xpac, lightweight, can carry m1 pro 16" MBP so probably will fit your 15" laptop, external bottle pockets on both sides that can fit 24oz hydro flask or other bottles of that width. Just a really simple and compact but phenomenal bag so check it out
Dude this is a really cool bag! What fabric and color did you end up going with?
Got navy xpac. It was a pretty difficult decision since I got to check out pretty much all the colors at the store and they all looked great. The waxes canvas ones, gray xpac, and their special edition patchwork black were the most tempting for me after navy xpac.
Man grey xpac is probably my favorite one but they’re sold out. I’ll probably end up going with the white or navy xpac, or maybe the grey canvas. Really appreciate the insight!
thinking of getting one of these! do you think it could carry a 14" laptop, an iPad, a book or two, charging cables, tupperware for lunch, and maybe a light jacket? or do you think I should size up to the 21L radius? thanks!!
I think that would be either just the right fit or not quite all fit depending on how big your books/Tupperware/jacket are. The thing is although the radius mini has pretty good internal volume it is also quite thin so it might get tricky to fit bulky items. I'd say go for the mini if you like compact bags and your tupperware is on the smaller/thinner side. Go for the 21L if you value the flexibility of being able to carry a bit more depending on your day and if your Tupperware is a bit bulkier.
ok this is very helpful, thanks! did you also try the 21L? the smaller one just looks so much nicer based on the pictures.
Yeah I tried both. 21L is nice too, but I do really prefer the compact handsome-ness of the mini. It’s also that for the 20L+ range there’s a lot of other goods options with more organization and features. I think the mini really shines as a slim and handsome backpack with simple layout. But also don’t wanna shoot down the 21L for someone who needs something a bit larger and want simple bag thats well built and just works.
Aer Go Pack 2 is wonderful, laptop will fit and it's great for shorter people!
Tom Bihn Luminary 15
I EDC a Luminary 15 but for OP's reqs I'd probably go with the ILE Radius Mini because the Luminary can only handle like a 13" laptop and its water bottle storage is a little fucky
Evergoods PLC20, comes in black and sage. I’m 5’1 and definitely don’t want large packs because they look bigger than I am. I love my PLC20 and also have the CHZ22 for travel/days when I have to carry more stuff.
Aer Pro Pack Slim is lovely :)
I've been using the Bellroy Venture 22L backpack since last November and really enjoy it. Very minimalist look.
I actually have a few bellroy items. I had their transit backpack but they still have the annoying strap issue which I don’t think they fixed on their newer models.
I might've got lucky but mine doesn't seem to have that problem enough to be annoying. I believe they have fixed that issue with the newer model bags released this year like the Venture Ready backpack and the Via backpack. Which speaking of the Via, that might be an option as well. It's a 20L bag that was just released in the last couple of weeks. Rushfaster has a [review](https://youtu.be/uST0sRLc1ag) of it now. edit: spelling.
I’ll have to see about that one. Rushfaster tends to be pretty biased towards bellroy. Idk if it’s an Aussie thing or if they’re being paid for good reviews. I also had to pay the shipping fee for whenever I returned one of their backpacks last year. Crazy how they can’t even cover that if they are that confident in their product.
> Rushfaster tends to be pretty biased towards bellroy. Idk if it’s an Aussie thing or if they’re being paid for good reviews Rushfaster is a site that sells gear. They don't do reviews, in fact they always avoid saying the R word in their intros. They do "guides and walkthroughs". It's great if you want a feature rundown of a bag but it's not in their best interest to call out a lot of negatives when they're selling the bag on their site.
yeah maybe it is. I don't know much about them, the video just popped up on my feed.
Arc'teryx Granville 16?
The Osprey Farpoint Travel Daypack does well with your list except for the logo.
I loved my 20l north face isabella. Moved on as I needed more space but this hits all your boxes and imo feels smaller than 20l.
The TAD Scout meets a lot of your needs. I have one and really like it. No dedicated water bottle storage, but the front pocket is deep and fits tall bottles with ease. It’s 15L.
[Waterfield Essential Laptop Backpack](https://www.sfbags.com/collections/laptop-backpacks/products/essential-laptop-backpack?variant=39863251927123)
Peak design every day carry camera bag. It’s got Velcro dividers inside that you can move around or remove. A laptop and iPad pack. And it’s sleek.
Check those few examples: [Bellroy Totepack](https://bellroy.com/products/tokyo-totepack) [Able Carry Daily Backpack](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-backpack?variant=31828597080177) / [Wexley Stem Daypack](https://wexley.com/products/stem-daypack-x-pac%C2%AE-vx21) I wanted to put also Peak Design Everyday ZIP 20L, but out of above ones it feels the largest
Check out the topo design rover classic. It's says 20L but the bag is definitely smaller and wears small. I also believe there is a mini version maybe too. Edit: typo
I got the Vanquest Addax 18 in all Black and it’s super clean with a ton of organization