3 min readWhen you spend 10 hours every week commuting for work, your work bag becomes a third arm. I used to stick to crossbody bags, but that was quickly having a rough effect on my spine and shoulders. My vertebrae were very grateful when I switched to a work backpack. A great backpack is now a necessary part of my life, from long-haul overseas travel to quick weekend trips. I have tested my fair share of crappy budget backpacks, so believe me when I tell you Bagsmart’s new Moss Backpack changed my daily life for the better.
I’m no stranger to Bagsmart travel accessories. Their compression packing cubes helped curb my over-packing habit and made the most of limited luggage space. So when the brand launched their Moss collection, designed for smarter commutes, I had a feeling I would like it.
Since I’ve had it, from Monday to Thursday, it doesn’t leave my side. It follows from day to night, so if I’m going out with friends after work, it still holds everything I need. Organization is the most important feature of any bag, and the Moss backpack has it in spades. It’s the difference between having a stain remover stick at the ready at dinner, and digging through a bottomless pit for your keys.
On the front of the bag, there are two spacious, easy-access pockets. I use the top one as my AM pocket, holding tissues and my morning meds. The bottom is my PM pocket, with a portable charger to revive my drained phone battery and apartment keys for when I’m finally home. I love that these front pockets have a bit of stretch in them, so they can hold more than just a few pencils and pens.
The main compartment opens flat, so I can easily pack it with my chargers, wallet, headphones, and all my travel-size toiletries. And when it’s zipped up, it’s still spacious enough to hold random bulky items (like a 1.5L bottle of rosé for a post-work dinner party).
As my main work bag, I’m so grateful for the genius design of the laptop compartment. There’s a flap that can cover larger devices and hold them in place, and a separate zipper pocket to hold your power cord in the same place. My laptop doesn’t have a case, but I feel safe with it surrounded by fuzzy, soft-to-the-touch padding. And speaking of padding, the carrying straps are the most comfortable I’ve ever used. The padded straps are actually long enough to cover my whole arm, not just my shoulders.
Pros
- Key leash in the front pocket for easy access
- Spacious 22L main compartment opens 180 degrees
- Well-padded laptop compartment holds up to 15.6-inch device
- Hidden security back pocket for phone or passport
- Small enough to fit under an airplane seat
Cons
- Water bottle pockets can't fit bottles >30 ounces
- Doesn't expand for greater depth
Outside is water-resistant, so I don’t have to worry about my things if I’m caught in the rain. The Moss has kept my standards for a great backpack pretty high. While Béis is my favorite in-flight travel backpack, and the Fjallraven is great for more rugged journeys, this is my new everyday bag. It’s sleek enough to bring to the office, and organized enough to keep me on track during the day.
It’s not the only great piece in the collection, either. I also tested the Moss Tote on a trip to a cabin in the Poconos. It’s an ideal road trip companion, spacious enough to hold your snacks and your in-car essentials, but compact enough to leave room at your feet. So whatever Moss bag suits your lifestyle, know that you’re getting superior organization in a polished package.
Shop Bagsmart’s Moss Collection
