Still very happy with Aer City Pack 2 Ultra. Just on train from Antwerp to Brussels on a little break with it.
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I’m not sure I’ve ever needed a vertical zip on a bag like this, will it be useful?
I also don’t understand rolltops either, seems like far too much material getting in the way.
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The idea is, that rolltops are a pain to find thing in, so the vertical zip makes that easier.
So far so good when I was looking for my sunglasses at Whitechapel this morning
Oh I see, so it solves the masses of material at the top getting in the way, whilst watching everything fall out the front of your bag as you unzip. I think I will remain unconvinced. Nice colour though.
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They are simple (no way for them to fail really) and are watertight (if the fabric is waterproof). Waterproof zips are very expensive and prone to failure.
Well, that’s why they are popular on certain outdoor packs. There’s no real need for a commuter bag to be watertight (especially one with a big zip down the middle 
).
Howwwwwww much!?!
Then just found this which I’m tempted by.
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This is true. That bag must be popular on the Tube though, feels like every other commuter has one or similar.
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Bellroy luggage now open for pre-order. Wow. £239 for the soft shell and £279 for the hard shell.
Hard sell.
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Must admit I wasn’t that excited by them.
The hard shell one didn’t even look that good from the outside I didn’t think.
Not sure there’s been a huge discussion on here previously, but I wonder what thoughts are.
Briefcase vs backpack for work?
I feel like both have excellent use cases but interested to know what others think and use.
My Nano wallet is in the post. Will add pics once it arrives 
Easier to have the most used card at the bottom of the stack I think.
Will use it a bit and see how I get on. Nice quality though.
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I was team briefcase for a while, I had one on wheels which was great when I was driving about between offices/hotels and needed more than a few days change of clothes.
These days I’m well and truly team backpack. I’ve a Patagonia one that looks as home in the pub as it does on the tube/office (for when I go down south), doubles up nicely as a holiday backpack when needed
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I didn’t realise people still asked this in 2025!
Backpack obviously, I can’t think of any practical advantage of a briefcase. A satchel/messenger bag maybe but those aren’t great for your back.
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I think my Samsonite briefcase which was my pride and joy in the 1990s must have gone to the charity shop about 10 years ago.
One of these: Grey Samsonite Briefcase Hardcase With Code Lock Retro | eBay
Can’t remember how. Much I paid for it, but more than I could really afford at the time. I still have the Filofax somewhere…
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For a while when it was just a day in London a briefcase was so much easier to lug about and if I worked in an office daily I’d probably still use it.
Now when I go it’s often for a few days at a time so it just all goes in the backpack which is so much easier, so I totally get the shift.
Corrr look at that bad boy
I think modern briefcases (see below) are much more practical than some older styles.
It’s almost like backpack level storage but in briefcase/messenger bag form.
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I was trying to remember the product name. It was a Samsonite Oyster - hard shell to protect your precious, valuable items presumably being the idea.
Totally impractical for a laptop and related accessories though, so that style of case although very good looking and so well made and sturdy just died out.
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