Daily Plus

I have the VX42 version in Olive Green. It has a very attractive iridescent sheen that catches the light, and it looks great contrasting with the black webbing accents in a sort of military-tech chic.

Highlights: top notch, robust build quality rivaling the best bags available, which equates to a great value for the money. Good medium+ size that should be enough for most people without looking like you are going on a trek for daily carry. Enough organization to keep everything in place and accessible. Very comfortable straps and back panel, and the A-frame keeps everything feeling tight and nimble. First class materials inside and out (fabrics, zippers, hardware). Well considered pocketing. Usually stands on its own. Zippers work smoothly and protected from precipitation.

Things that could be improved in my opinion: water bottle pocket is a little small/tight for a 32 oz/1 liter bottle- I've taken to keeing an organizer pouch in there instead and carry my bottle in the main compartment on the opposing side; works well for smaller bottles though. Magnetic sternum strap is a little fiddly and can attach on its own when off body. Overall, the bag looks slightly bulkier than other bags of similar capacity (or doesn't carry as much as bags of similar perceived bulkiness with full clamshell opening). A missed opportunity for a rolling luggage pass-through (hopefully they will release a clip-on strap). No side handles. Webbing looks a little busy.

Overall, none of…

Extremely good build quality - as to be expected from able carry. The A frame set-up gives the entire bag a sturdy frame and can stand up on its own even when empty (your mileage may vary when packed).

Love the main compartment segregation inside. You can easily fit your laptop, tablet and a kindle with no problem. The electronics sleeves are build with a great stretch, which keeps your tech in place during bumpy journeys. The attention to detail extends to the laptop sleeve having an elevated end which limits damage to your laptop during heavier drops.

The separated water bottle compartment is a great pocket to store quick access item incl huge water bottles (it swallows 1L bottle with no problem), umbrellas and light jackets. Very handy for travels. When packed with the bottle, the aesthetics of the bag does not change and you don’t have to worry about your bottle falling out when rushing for that train. (Which is one of the reasons why I got this bag - a fully stashed bottle compartment and yet aesthetically pleasing). One caveat to note of this compartment is that it eats into the inside of the main compartment. Thus, if you are fully decked in the main compartment, this pocket may be very squeezy if you pack it last. Another thing to note is that the compartment is not entirely waterproof (it is resistant to an extent) so keep your bottles shut tight if you do not want water to seep into the main compartment.

On the front most compartment, it is nicely segregated…