Comfort and Wearability
On the whole, the Wingback Everyday Pack is comfortable for loads up to 15lbs or maybe even 20lbs. I found it housed all of my EDC with ease, which usually constitutes a 14″ MacBook Pro, an iPad Pro, a tech kit, a Kindle, a water bottle, and a camera kit of sorts. The shoulder straps distributed this weight evenly, and the back panel, while simple, is plenty comfortable for your commute to the office. The back side also gives you access to your laptop sleeve, and another small hidden side pocket, where you could stash some cash, your passport, or anything else you might want to keep out of sight. I also loved how slender the profile is on your back. It stays close to you, even when full, without looking like you have a tortoise shell on your back.
However, I did find that when you have heavier loads in the bag, the thinner straps don’t offer the best comfort. Now your mileage may vary, and putting much more than 20lbs in a 21L isn’t common, but it’s worth mentioning. The 2″ Cobra Ladderlocks could be construed as overkill, and I found myself on a couple of occasions putting my bag down on tables very gingerly as I didn’t want to take a chunk out of the surface. I feel like a tapered strap with a 1″ COBRA might have been more apropos to a bag of this size.
As the back panel is pure Halley Stevensons waxed cotton, it isn’t the most breathable on warmer days. No waxed cotton breathes well, so if you’re looking at a heritage pack, the chances are you’re painfully aware of this fact already! And of course, there is the lint factor which comes with most waxed canvas bags. If you have pets, be prepared to lint roll every once in a while. That effect will subside the more the bag is used and the wax breaks in, but it will catch your surroundings. I don’t think these are negatives per se, but rather notes you should be aware of when using heritage products.
The handles that run all around the exterior of the pack are fantastic. They stay out of the way, flat to the pack while not in use, but provide extra carrying options and lashing points for the Halo strap if you need to carry more. I like that you can grab the bag from almost any position and be moving quickly. The visual of the bartacking is a confidence boost too; this bag is made to last.
