A confession: I love my luggage. Just a few years in the past, I turned satisfied I would discovered the finest bag on the planet. Now, nevertheless, I could nicely 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 out to be utterly indispensable to me.
WIRED readers can be acquainted with Topo; they make our fave International Briefcase design, however personally it is only a contact too giant for me. If we’ll begin throwing round even consideration for “finest bag on the planet” titles, then we’re speaking parameters of Goldilocks-zone perfection right here, absolutely? And that is the place the Mountain Cross delivers. It isn’t too large and never too small. It’s good. No, actually. Take a look at it. It is 15 inches large by 11.5 excessive and 4 deep. Greater than ample 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 would found all of the zipped sections. No, there’s one other. Oh, and one other. And two exterior elasticated bottle holders as nicely. 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 kind of annoying slide-y pads that is by no means in the fitting place whenever you want it—this bag’s padded shoulder protector is mounted in place however 10.6 inches lengthy so it is at all times prepared for motion. In consequence, the Mountain Cross is astonishingly comfy to hold, even absolutely loaded.
And try these vivid YKK heavy-duty zipper straps. They’re paracord, so, when not serving to you entry the Mountain Cross’s inside 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 basically 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 usually are not solely robust sufficient to resist heavy put on and tear, they’re all 100% recycled. The dye mills for the textiles are licensed to make sure the chemical compounds used are wholesome and secure. Certainly, the entire bag is Truthful 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 mistaken with this factor? Effectively, I confess I am struggling to select minus factors for the Mountain Cross. At $139 it’s totally moderately 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 really like them). In that case, you possibly can go together with boring Black/Impartial.
You would 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 in case you are searching for a commuter provider that may double as a health club bag, the Mountain Cross is definitely not going to suffice. Maybe the most important gripe is that tall water bottles would possibly really feel too cumbersome for these exterior facet pockets. However that is about it.
Is that this the brand new finest bag on the planet? It is shut. I am nonetheless deciding if it bests the mighty however sadly not accessible Filson Duffle Pack. Within the meantime, seize one earlier than Topo will increase the worth or, God forbid, stops making this stuff. Because the Monetary Instances has simply so rightly identified, there are two forms of folks on this world: these with luggage they’ve given some thought to, and those that do not care. In the event you’re the previous, Topo’s Mountain Cross is for you.