In our daily travels, it's often practical to have a small bag with us, to hold the few things we never leave behind: papers, means of payment, e-reader, headphones, medication, etc. Personally, I always carry what's called an “EDC” (Every Day Carry). I presented one to you a few years agowhich I used to take with me on my trips abroad. But I always carry a much more discreet small bag with me, carrying the bare minimum. For this type of bag, I always look for practicality and organization. And that's exactly what the Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max offers, which I'm presenting to you today!
Introducing the Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max
At first glance, the Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max looks like many of the men's bags you see everywhere. On one side, we have a small black satchel with a capacity of 2.8 liters, measuring 24 cm long by 15.5 cm high, and 9.5 cm thick, with a shoulder strap.
Note that the manufacturer offers various colors, sometimes with special or limited editions: you can find this model in black, but also in gray, olive green, or even orange.
The exterior is made of 840D nylon, which is very durable and weatherproof, meaning it can withstand the elements. We won't be taking a dip in the pool with it, but it's no match for rain. It also features waterproof YKK zippers to keep water out.
On the front, there's a zippered pocket for storing things you need to have quickly at hand: passport, smartphone, etc. Practical, the interior is orange, which makes it easier to see what is in this pocket, and thus avoids searching blindly:
The Alpaka branding on the bag is very discreet, visible on a sort of small tube on the side of the bag. This allows you to attach a carabiner or various accessories (thin enough to fit through, but its use remains limited).
The top incorporates a very sturdy handle, designed like the seat belts we have in cars. Always very practical for holding the bag:
On the back, there are four fabric fasteners in each corner, for attaching various devices. The manufacturer does indeed provide a shoulder strap, but it's possible to have a more comfortable model, which we'll see later, or simply a strap to carry the bag by hand. It's quite flexible. You can also leave it alone; this bag can be used as a storage bag for high-tech devices, itself stored inside a larger bag. We'll also note the bottom ring, which allows you to attach another strap to the chest, to prevent the bag from flapping around when running, for example, resulting in this type of shoulder strap:
The strap is equipped with two clips at each end: Simply attach them to the bag's attachments:Whether worn over the shoulder or across the body, simply adjust to the desired length:
One last exterior detail: the main pocket is equipped with two zippers that can be locked with a padlock if desired. This can be very useful when traveling: the main pocket is locked, and the front pocket remains easily accessible for your passport and smartphone, for example.
But for me, it's the interior of the main pocket that's particularly interesting:
On the one hand, there's this orange fabric trim, allowing you to better see what you have in your bag. Many bags are black, and you have to admit that you can't see anything when you're looking for something.
Furthermore, this bag features an accordion opening: it can be opened wide for easier access to your belongings:
Finally, this pocket offers plenty of storage: in total, the Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max offers 12 compartments!
In particular, there are two black mesh pockets:
In the upper left corner, there's also a cable port:
You can store a power bank in the large pocket, and route the cable to the outer pocket to charge your smartphone:
On the opposite side, there's a large compartment with soft fabric, perfect for storing an e-reader or tablet, for example, without risking scratching the screen. This Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max is large enough to fit an iPad Mini 6. A pen holder allows you to store your tablet's stylus if desired:
In the center, we have other compartments:
A compartment with a magnetic closure for small items:
Another compartment is closed with a zipper:
This compartment itself contains other compartments:
Perfect for storing memory cards, USB flash drives, Apple Tags, etc.
Then there are two larger compartments on either side of the previous ones. In short, there's plenty of room to organize your bag!
Accessories
Alpaka offers various accessories that can be used with its various bags. I opted for a wider shoulder strap, the “Pro Strap,” and a padded section for greater comfort, the “Shoulder Pad X-Pac.” As you can see, the Pro Strap model is much wider than the original one, and therefore more comfortable:
The attachment system is identical, so simply attach it to the back of the bag:
But this strap also features a magnetic clip system, patented by the company:
Simply slide the two parts up and down to open the system. This is particularly useful for getting out of your bag in an emergency, or for attaching it to a chair or other item to prevent theft. However, there's no risk of the clip opening during normal use, even if someone were to pull on the bag; the closure system is very well thought out.
The second accessory comes in the form of a padded strap:The 3D structure on the underside provides optimal comfort on the shoulder when carrying a slightly loaded bag:Installation is simple, as this strap opens in two:Place the shoulder strap inside and close the Velcro fasteners. And here's the result of our slightly “customized” bag:Note the presence of a small compartment closed by a waterproof zipper. Too small to hold a smartphone (or really very small), but perfect for storing a payment card, a minimalist wallet, cash, or a key, for example. In Use
The multiple compartments of this bag allow us to organize all our gear and find it quickly when we need it. A woman recently remarked this to me during a security check, surprised to see such a well-organized bag. It must be said that many bags have one or two large pockets, and all our gear is thrown together a bit haphazardly. Here, the compartmentalization is really practical.
I have, of course, a whole bunch of high-tech equipment: a power bank with its 3-in-1 cable to charge any type of smartphone or device, a wall charger if needed, true wireless earbuds, a memory card and USB flash drive, an Invoxia GPS, a Kindle e-reader, etc.
But also my first aid kit (never be too careful with children), an Olight flashlight, hand sanitizer, a pen, a Sharpie marker, a mini toothbrush and deodorant, a cereal bar, etc.
This Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max really allows you to store a lot of things, while maintaining a compact, discreet, and organized bag. It meets all needs, and even a foldable headset can fit inside:
iPad Mini 6, foldable headphones, power bank, etc. The geek's survival kit :p
Conclusion
My close friends know: I love bags, and I never miss an opportunity at the various trade shows I visit to discover new ones, even at CES in Vegas :p Not that I'm collecting them, but I'm always looking for THE model that perfectly meets my needs. And I must say that this model is close to perfection for me. Before this one, I had a more “military” model from 5.11, the
2 Banger
. I really liked its versatility, thanks to its Molle attachments for attaching various accessories, or its large Velcro panel for customizing it. But the interior storage space remained limited and dark, and I must admit that the bag's military look made it stand out.
This 5.11 “2 Banger” followed me everywhere for a few years. It was hard to beat!
The Alpaka Elements Tech Case Max is much more understated, while maintaining roughly the same volume. I lose the customization with patches, as well as the Molle attachments. But I gain a lot in terms of practicality:
12 compartments that allow you to properly organize all your gear a main pocket that opens wide thanks to its accordion opening system, which allows for more space when looking for your belongings a brighter orange interior, which also makes life easier when looking for something in your bag. It may seem silly, but once you've tried it, you can't stand bags with all-black interiors anymore :p Of course, we're not looking at a €20 bag here: you'll have to pay €89 for this model.(excluding accessories). A price that remains reasonable for a bag of this quality. I've also negotiated the shipping costs for you: by opting for standard delivery, which takes 8 to 10 days, the shipping costs are only €7.95 (instead of €35 for expedited delivery, which was a bit of a deterrent). And shipping is free for all orders over €95. By adding a shoulder strap or another small pouch, it's quickly reached :) For those who prefer bags with more volume, the manufacturer also offers “Sling Bag” formats. This isn't the format I prefer for everyday use, when I go to the city, etc., as it's too bulky for my taste. But it's a style that many people also appreciate. There are also backpacks, etc. Alpaka offers a wide selection, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a practical bag. In fact, I'll probably soon be tempted by thelaptop bag
, which also seems very well thought out… The Elements Tech Brief 14″ is perfect for a 13″ MacBook!
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