A confession: I love my luggage. A number of years in the past, I grew to become satisfied I would discovered the greatest bag on this planet. 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 change into utterly indispensable to me.
WIRED readers might 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 this planet” titles, then we’re speaking parameters of Goldilocks-zone perfection right here, certainly? And that is the place the Mountain Cross delivers. It isn’t too huge and never too small. It’s excellent. No, actually. Take a look at it. It is 15 inches extensive by 11.5 excessive and 4 deep. Greater than enough 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 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 kind of annoying slide-y pads that is by no means in the proper place if 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. Consequently, 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 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 de facto 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 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 substances 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, because of Topo’s “MAP Assure” restore program, the Mountain Cross carries with it a lifetime guarantee in opposition to defects in supplies and workmanship. Yep, lifetime.
I hear you, the place’s the objectivity right here? Nothing’s excellent. What’s improper with this factor? Nicely, I confess I am struggling to pick minus factors for the Mountain Cross. At $139 it is very fairly priced. A discount, even. The intense accents on the brand-new fall assortment’s Mustard/Forest or Midnight/Caribbean colorways is likely to be too robust for some (not me, I really like them). If that’s the case, you’ll be able to go together with boring Black/Impartial.
You can additionally argue it has too many separate sections, just because, of the ten or so on mine, after months of use, a couple 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 actually not going to suffice. Maybe the most important 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 this 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 these items. 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 case you’re the previous, Topo’s Mountain Cross is for you.
