Aoede Brief Recycled Polyester Backpack

This backpack from Osprey is truly incredible. It has a beautifully strong zippers that really really stand the test of time and it's just a perfect size for electronics on the go.

The bag is built with quality. It has so much space for packing and works great for traveling. I felt I had so much space no matter how I packed it. The different carry options are great as well.

I was looking for a bag that is exactly this, brief, backpack and duffle options around 20-25L. Basically something like a smaller version of the Thule Subterra 40L. I looked at several bags such as Timbuk2 Scheme, Briggs&Riley ZDX, Everymans Hideout, and Thule boarding (which doesn't have a backpack). The Aoede seems the closest to what I was looking for in looks, functionality and price range. It is minimalistic, sleek, simple to use and lightweight, and the materials are of course great. However, it lacks some features can could be easily implemented by a company like Osprey and improve the bags functionality. Structure: The bag does not have padding in the front compartment, meaning it has more give to pack but does not keep its structure. This is mostly annoying when using the upper handle as the bag collapses and loses it shape. This does not happen with the Thule Subterra for example that has a more rigid structure . Laptop: the compartment doesn't have anything that keep the laptop fixed, there is a pocket which is not padded. I feel that for a small bag it would make sense to have some sort of placement specifically for the laptop. The padding is ok but feels like the computer is just going to be moving around. There is no additional pockets for tech, even a small zipped pocket would make sense. This compartment opens as an L, which allows access in horizontal or vertical position, but why not just make it a U ? Main compartment: opens as a suitcase which is great but no pockets or mesh (which other bags do offer). If the bag is intended as a travel and everyday use, you might store some cloths or shoes. having a mesh (as in the thule and ZDX) would have made it so much more functional. Maybe a couple of mesh pockets? Organization compartment: very basic, oriented as a backpack. it is a choice that the designers have to do, but the ZDX and Scheme have brief type of organization. This bag is called Briefpack, so you would expect it to be accessible as a brief...or some other solution that works for both modalities. No padded pocket for phone or glasses: the quick access pocket is not really protective, nor very soft. Again, as a travel bag, you would expect to have a safe place to put you phone for example. Just a little bit of padding on the front panel would have solved that No secret pocket: So there's no RFID pocket, which many travel bags do have now days (ZDX has two). The only "safe" pocket the bag has is inside the backack zipper, which is ok when the straps are tucked but not otherwise. Why not add a pocket under the luggage sleeve? (As the subterra has). As well as a place for an airtag (that could go in the main compartment), Backpack straps: The straps are comfortable, no sternum strap which is too bad... no elastics to keep the dangling tidy. Shouder strap: it is comfortable, however, the padding is very small and when shortened there is no way to put it in the middle which is kind of weired. Key leash: not really functional as it doesn't extend or detach easliy, you might as well just put the keys in a pocket. Overall: I find the idea of the bag really great, I think that the minimalistic concept overpowered its functionality. As a consumer it just seems like a "lazy" implementation, the inside compartment feel a bit cheap (although it's probably made of good materials, it doesn't feel as such). If this bag had an inner mesh, better structure, better organization with some extra pockets, sternum strap and better design for the laptop compartment it would have been a truly great bag. At its current version I would describe it as OK and a bit disappointing in terms of functionality. I hope Osprey takes these comments to improve the bag.

Item was not as expected. It is more compacted than I thought. I do like that there is an additional sleeve for laptop. Another plus was the straps. There is a pocket to put it away when not in use.

The u-zip design allows you to store textbooks using the full footprint of the backpack, as opposed to stacking textbooks back to back on regular backpacks and ending up with a bulky backpack, thus the center of gravity is closer to your body and the backpack is easier on your back.