Vancouverscape, a Vancouver based blog covering travel, tech, and lifestyle

Summer’s just arrived and with that, thoughts turn to travelling abroad or exploring our province’s own scenic backyard. We found a couple of great products to check out from our friends at Eagle Creek: ultralight shoe bags and one of the most convenient day packs we’ve come across yet.

NO MATTER WHAT™ CLASSIC BACKPACK

The comprehensive No Matter™ What Classic Backpack is loaded with great features for taking on travels. First off, the back of the pack has a slip-through panel that fits right onto trolley-style luggage handles for one-handed porting of your suitcase and essentials.

The very front of the pack has a covered zippered pocket to fit travel documents, notepads, or other flat items for quick access.

A secondary compartment right behind opens to stow passport, smart phone and pens within four sectioned-off spaces, leaving room for more items, from phone chargers to e-readers.

Open the main compartment and you’ll find a padded 15” laptop (or tablet) sleeve, a zippered mesh pocket with a key fob inside, and loads of room for books, camera and video gear, etc.

The back panel has contoured backpack straps plus moisture-wicking 3D air mesh for added breathability. Both sides of the pack have daisy chain webbing to attach more gear — or a carabiner and water bottle.

Zippers on the secondary and main compartments are lockable. Finally, a big webbed grip handle on top and reflective accents complete this wonderful, well-designed product for city slickers and globetrotters alike.

I like the contrasting red accents on black (the backpack’s also available in Slate Blue with bright blue and green accents and in white with black accents).

When loaded with goods, the bag feels lightweight yet the zippers and material look very sturdy to last through years of use. Fabric is water-repellant Bi-Tech™, perfect for the Wet coast.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Capacity: 18 L (1,100 cu in.)
Dimensions: 28 x 48 x 17 cm (11” x 19” x 6.75”)
Weight: 0.48 kg (1 lb.)
Material: Bi-Tech™
CDN $79.95/US $69

SPECTER SHOE SAC

Keeping clothes and shoes out of each other’s way in a suitcase or carry-on bag is high up on our packing goals list. Once we’re out on the road, shoes get dirty on hikes, wet in an unexpected downpour. There’s not always time to clean them before packing them back in.

Eagle Creek’s ultralight Specter Shoe Sac offers an ideal solution. We’ve been fans of the company’s products for years, so when we were sent a pair of these, we were more than happy to get ‘em loaded with shoes.

The sacs are made of Eagle Creek’s own LinkSeal™ mesh, lightweight and washable. We’re able to fit in a pair of sandals or one pair of training shoes comfortably. The near-weightless material won’t add any extra bulk to suitcases, keeping those airline weight restrictions in check.

The handle is easy to grab at for quick access — and to store in the closet when not in use. Not only do these make great travel accessories but can be thrown into a gym bag for daily use.

FEATURES

– LinkSeal™ Mesh for dirt resistance and visibility
– Quick-grab handle, also great for hanging in closet to store
– Washable fabric
– Max Shoe Size: Men’s 13

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Dimensions: 41 x 23 cm (16” x 9”)
Weight: 72 g (3 oz.)
Material: LinkSeal™ Mesh
CDN $21.95/US $18.85

Specter Shoe Sacs are available in Ebony and White/Strobe (both shown in the photos above). The No Matter What Classic Backpack and Shoe Sacs can be purchased online and in Vancouver at Wanderlust Travellers’ Store on West 4th Avenue.

All Eagle Creek products come with a lifetime warranty.