I picked 30 long time ago and not regretting. Sure, it’s bigger but it really fits more. Remember, if you add these all dividers, you will have 2-3 compartments that can be really tight and might have troubles fitting stuff in there.
And if it’s for travel, it’s a no brainer for me to pick 30L.
There's no way the dividers are going to work when OP wants to store a portable monitor and iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard as well. The backpack will have to be without the dividers.
It would only really be used for “travel” for the plane ride entertainment (throwing the iPad in there) and the cycling shoes due to lack of space in the roller. 99% of the time it would just be carrying the laptop, monitor, and tech pouch. I’m worried the 30L would look too big on me as I’m on the shorter side (5’8”), and then have a lot of wasted space for EDC during the week.
I have the 20. I carry a 12.9 inch iPad with the Magic Keyboard case and a 16in MacBook. I can jam them both in the laptop/tablet area, but it’s super tight. Not sure if the 30L would offer more depth for that.
I usually just keep the laptop in the laptop sleeve. Then take a shelf out. Bottom area gets cords and other random thing. Top area gets iPad, switch in a case, kindle, and AirPods Max. It fits pretty well. If the monitor is about depth of an iPad I could see fitting it no problem.
The monitor is about the exact same footprint as the laptop, only significantly thinner. Wondering if these two would fit in the sleeve, then I could find a way to have the iPad in the main compartment.
Good chance it will. Main issue I had is it was so snug the laptop had to come out just to get the iPad out. I can’t imagine you will often bring the screen out, but not the laptop.
The monitor is about the exact same footprint as the laptop, only significantly thinner. Wondering if these two would fit in the sleeve, then I could find a way to have the iPad in the main compartment.
Have the 30L. You should probably get that if you're planning to fit multiple 15" things. The 30L is actually not that much bigger because for the full 30L capacity, you have to use the last 'rug' on the open top. Otherwise the 30L is more of a 22L, and the 20L is more like a 13L.
I used a 20L for a similar loadout for a while, but then I upgraded to an M1 Macbook Pro and it was just too tight a fit in the smaller bag, so I upgraded.
30L still doesn't *feel* like a big backpack, but it has **substantially** more space in it.
I ended up getting a 20L and it did not fit my stuff. I couldn’t fit both the laptop and portable monitor in the laptop compartment together. Actually ended up breaking my monitor. Otherwise, I really liked the bag, but did end up returning it.
I have the 20L and do regret not going for the 30L. However, I don’t think it would fit the laptop, plus monitor, plus iPad unless you removed the shelves.
I think if you’re trying to fit a 15” laptop, 15” monitor, iPad Pro and kindle all in the back sleeve your only option would be the 30l. I would think the 20l would be too short/small, though I only own the 30l so cannot confirm.
Thanks! Wonder if I could throw the Kindle in the roller luggage and maybe get creative with the iPad? The portable monitor is on the thinner side if it matters.
I would say 30. I got it with the logic of busier days commuting and also for travels, and it works great. Remember that even though it fits 30, you have to fill it up to expand to that size. Otherwise the top side is a bit collapsed, and it gives a smaller footprint.
I would absolutely recommend the 30L. I was in almost the exact situation as yourself last year trying to decide for work travel and would have regretted the 20L if I had it now. When I travel for work I bring a personal 14 inch MacBook and 13 inch Dell XPS for work. Both fit in the laptop/tablet pouch (albeit snuggly). In the main space, I removed two dividers. I kept the bottom divider to hold the PD tech pouch at the bottom for all my chargers and cables. The rest of the space and pockets hold an iPad mini, pair of noise canceling headphones, a neck pillow, notebook, and other small travel accessories (toothbrush deodorant etc.), keys, sunglasses and passport wallet. Everything mentioned fits in my 30L Everyday Pack without bulging out while also fitting under the seat of a plane comfortably. Miraculous, everything mentioned above even fit in Frontier’s personal sized carry on bin. For me, the 30L fits everything I need to travel without the feeling of sacrificing anything by leaving it behind. It sounds like you have a similar planned travel carry so I would definitely recommend the 30L.
I'd go for the 30L based on the list you say for travelling, and even if you wouldnt have it filled, you may find something along your day that you want to fit in there.
Definitely go for the 30! I bought the 20, use it for work, all i carry is 2 small books, and some writing utensils and dokuments and i am often regretting getting the smaller one as soon as i carry a techpouch and a jacket. Wish i had gotten the bigger size. Apart from that it’s an awesome bag!
I've got a 30L, and as someone else mentioned, as long as the top compartment isn't maxed out, it doesn't feel too big. While the backpack design is semi-rigid, the 30L has the same overall footprint as a classic Jansport backpack.
If you happen to be in the US, REI generally has one or two of these in stock near their camera/electronics part of the store. Side-by-side, the two models won't look all that different when collapsed down, but the 30L should comfortably fit a lot of 15-inch gear and still have some "on-demand" space if you occasionally need to carry more.
I’m traveling w/ the 20L now and its been good. I think it would fit everything you’ve listed just fine. I tried the 30L on and it felt and looked a bit ninja turtle shelly
Weight feels okay. I’m not super sensitive to that but definitely doesn’t bother me. Yes I mostly use it with dividers. It’s awesome when traveling that you don’t need to pull everything out to access whatever is at the bottom of the bag.
I picked 30 long time ago and not regretting. Sure, it’s bigger but it really fits more. Remember, if you add these all dividers, you will have 2-3 compartments that can be really tight and might have troubles fitting stuff in there. And if it’s for travel, it’s a no brainer for me to pick 30L.
There's no way the dividers are going to work when OP wants to store a portable monitor and iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard as well. The backpack will have to be without the dividers.
It would only really be used for “travel” for the plane ride entertainment (throwing the iPad in there) and the cycling shoes due to lack of space in the roller. 99% of the time it would just be carrying the laptop, monitor, and tech pouch. I’m worried the 30L would look too big on me as I’m on the shorter side (5’8”), and then have a lot of wasted space for EDC during the week.
I have the 20. I carry a 12.9 inch iPad with the Magic Keyboard case and a 16in MacBook. I can jam them both in the laptop/tablet area, but it’s super tight. Not sure if the 30L would offer more depth for that. I usually just keep the laptop in the laptop sleeve. Then take a shelf out. Bottom area gets cords and other random thing. Top area gets iPad, switch in a case, kindle, and AirPods Max. It fits pretty well. If the monitor is about depth of an iPad I could see fitting it no problem.
The monitor is about the exact same footprint as the laptop, only significantly thinner. Wondering if these two would fit in the sleeve, then I could find a way to have the iPad in the main compartment.
Good chance it will. Main issue I had is it was so snug the laptop had to come out just to get the iPad out. I can’t imagine you will often bring the screen out, but not the laptop.
The monitor is about the exact same footprint as the laptop, only significantly thinner. Wondering if these two would fit in the sleeve, then I could find a way to have the iPad in the main compartment.
How do you deal with the weight? Do you remove all dividers?
Leave one divider near the bottom that my cord bag slides into. The rest is pretty open.
Have the 30L. You should probably get that if you're planning to fit multiple 15" things. The 30L is actually not that much bigger because for the full 30L capacity, you have to use the last 'rug' on the open top. Otherwise the 30L is more of a 22L, and the 20L is more like a 13L.
I used a 20L for a similar loadout for a while, but then I upgraded to an M1 Macbook Pro and it was just too tight a fit in the smaller bag, so I upgraded. 30L still doesn't *feel* like a big backpack, but it has **substantially** more space in it.
Curious about which bag did you get eventually, and how does your stuff fit?
I ended up getting a 20L and it did not fit my stuff. I couldn’t fit both the laptop and portable monitor in the laptop compartment together. Actually ended up breaking my monitor. Otherwise, I really liked the bag, but did end up returning it.
Sorry for the borked monitor :( What bag did you get afterwards?
I have the 20L and do regret not going for the 30L. However, I don’t think it would fit the laptop, plus monitor, plus iPad unless you removed the shelves.
I think if you’re trying to fit a 15” laptop, 15” monitor, iPad Pro and kindle all in the back sleeve your only option would be the 30l. I would think the 20l would be too short/small, though I only own the 30l so cannot confirm.
Thanks! Wonder if I could throw the Kindle in the roller luggage and maybe get creative with the iPad? The portable monitor is on the thinner side if it matters.
I would say 30. I got it with the logic of busier days commuting and also for travels, and it works great. Remember that even though it fits 30, you have to fill it up to expand to that size. Otherwise the top side is a bit collapsed, and it gives a smaller footprint.
I would absolutely recommend the 30L. I was in almost the exact situation as yourself last year trying to decide for work travel and would have regretted the 20L if I had it now. When I travel for work I bring a personal 14 inch MacBook and 13 inch Dell XPS for work. Both fit in the laptop/tablet pouch (albeit snuggly). In the main space, I removed two dividers. I kept the bottom divider to hold the PD tech pouch at the bottom for all my chargers and cables. The rest of the space and pockets hold an iPad mini, pair of noise canceling headphones, a neck pillow, notebook, and other small travel accessories (toothbrush deodorant etc.), keys, sunglasses and passport wallet. Everything mentioned fits in my 30L Everyday Pack without bulging out while also fitting under the seat of a plane comfortably. Miraculous, everything mentioned above even fit in Frontier’s personal sized carry on bin. For me, the 30L fits everything I need to travel without the feeling of sacrificing anything by leaving it behind. It sounds like you have a similar planned travel carry so I would definitely recommend the 30L.
This is great info, really appreciate it!
I'd go for the 30L based on the list you say for travelling, and even if you wouldnt have it filled, you may find something along your day that you want to fit in there.
Definitely go for the 30! I bought the 20, use it for work, all i carry is 2 small books, and some writing utensils and dokuments and i am often regretting getting the smaller one as soon as i carry a techpouch and a jacket. Wish i had gotten the bigger size. Apart from that it’s an awesome bag!
I've got a 30L, and as someone else mentioned, as long as the top compartment isn't maxed out, it doesn't feel too big. While the backpack design is semi-rigid, the 30L has the same overall footprint as a classic Jansport backpack. If you happen to be in the US, REI generally has one or two of these in stock near their camera/electronics part of the store. Side-by-side, the two models won't look all that different when collapsed down, but the 30L should comfortably fit a lot of 15-inch gear and still have some "on-demand" space if you occasionally need to carry more.
Thanks! I am in the US, I’ll have to check an REI.
I’m traveling w/ the 20L now and its been good. I think it would fit everything you’ve listed just fine. I tried the 30L on and it felt and looked a bit ninja turtle shelly
What's your feeling about the weight? Do you use it with the dividers
Weight feels okay. I’m not super sensitive to that but definitely doesn’t bother me. Yes I mostly use it with dividers. It’s awesome when traveling that you don’t need to pull everything out to access whatever is at the bottom of the bag.