A confession: I love my baggage. Just a few years in the past, I grew to become satisfied I might discovered the perfect bag on the earth. Now, nevertheless, I’ll effectively have a contender for that coveted spot. It’s the Mountain Cross Bag from Topo Designs, and in simply the 2 months I have been utilizing it, this versatile provider has turn into fully indispensable to me.
WIRED readers shall be accustomed to Topo; they make our fave World Briefcase design, however personally it is only a contact too giant for me. If we’ll begin throwing round even consideration for “greatest bag on the earth” titles, then we’re speaking parameters of Goldilocks-zone perfection right here, certainly? And that is the place the Mountain Cross delivers. It’s not too large and never too small. It’s excellent. No, actually. Have a look at it. It is 15 inches huge by 11.5 excessive and 4 deep. Greater than adequate to carry a 15-inch laptop computer in a devoted padded sleeve on the again.
It has so many compartments that on first inspecting the Mountain Cross I assumed I might found all of the zipped sections. No, there’s one other. Oh, and one other. And two exterior elasticated bottle holders as effectively. Apparently this factor can stow 17 liters of stuff. I think they’ve low-balled this determine.
Jeremy White
As for consideration to element, the detachable crossbody strap does not have a type of annoying slide-y pads that is by no means in the proper place while you want it—this bag’s padded shoulder protector is mounted in place however 10.6 inches lengthy so it is all the time prepared for motion. In consequence, the Mountain Cross is astonishingly comfy to hold, even absolutely loaded.
And check out these vibrant YKK heavy-duty zipper straps. They’re paracord, so, when not serving to you entry the Mountain Cross’s interior recesses, they are often taken off and used to assist rig up something from animal snares to shelters, lash rafts, or perhaps a tourniquet. When additional unwound, the skinny nylon strands apparently make wonderful fishing line, stitching thread—even dental floss.
However what is actually value shouting about is that this bag’s feel-good issue. The 200D light-weight nylon ripstop higher, 1000D nylon decrease panels, and 210D nylon liner should not solely powerful sufficient to face up to heavy put on and tear, they’re all 100% recycled. The dye mills for the textiles are licensed to make sure the chemical substances used are wholesome and protected. Certainly, the entire bag is Honest Put on licensed, assembly labor requirements for security, well being, and wellness of those that made this peerless portmanteau. And lastly, due to Topo’s “MAP Assure” restore program, the Mountain Cross carries with it a lifetime guarantee towards defects in supplies and workmanship. Yep, lifetime.
I hear you, the place’s the objectivity right here? Nothing’s excellent. What’s fallacious with this factor? Nicely, I confess I am struggling to select minus factors for the Mountain Cross. At $139 it is very fairly priced. A discount, even. The brilliant accents on the brand-new fall assortment’s Mustard/Forest or Midnight/Caribbean colorways is perhaps too sturdy for some (not me, I like them). If that’s the case, you may go along with boring Black/Impartial.
You may additionally argue it has too many separate sections, just because, of the ten or so on mine, after months of use, a number of stay stubbornly empty as I simply needn’t hive off my stuff into so many distinct compartments. And if you’re searching for a commuter provider that may double as a gymnasium bag, the Mountain Cross is actually not going to suffice. Maybe the largest gripe is that tall water bottles may really feel too cumbersome for these exterior facet pockets. However that is about it.
Is that this the brand new greatest bag on the earth? It is shut. I am nonetheless deciding if it bests the mighty however sadly now not accessible Filson Duffle Pack. Within the meantime, seize one earlier than Topo will increase the value or, God forbid, stops making this stuff. Because the Monetary Occasions has simply so rightly identified, there are two sorts of individuals on this world: these with baggage they’ve given some thought to, and those that do not care. If you happen to’re the previous, Topo’s Mountain Cross is for you.
