I never check a bag when flying. I’m actually trying to get it down to one stylish backpack and a small purse or handbag. In preparation for my upcoming trip to Israel, I partnered with Incase and received their EO Travel Backpack for review. I’m tempting to bring everything I need for one week of Israel travel in the EO Travel Backpack. Is it possible while still having all the clothing essentials plus my technology? If I can manage this one, I’ll make the EO Travel Backpack my go-to bag. The EO Travel Backpack comes with three separate compartments. One section protects your laptop and iPad and can fit up to a 17-inch MacBook Pro, another organizes your gear, and the final section is like a suitcase where you can pack your clothes. The computer compartment is designed for quick and easy airport screening. Rather than trying to pull everything out of your bag to get to your computer, it’s in a section alone. There is soft, plush fabric on the inside of the pouch for protection and a small outer compartment for your cord.

The zipper runs the full length of the bag so the computer won’t get stuck when you’re in a hurry. I easily slid my laptop into the bag and put the cord in the outer compartment. The Velcro keeps it safely in place and the full length zipper makes it easy to get out even if the bag is completely full. This separate computer section is what drew me to the EO Travel Backpack in the first place.arc'teryx miura backpack The front section of the bag has more than half a dozen compartments to store your gear. z35 backpackIt can hold my bathroom bag, GoPro, camera, phone, passport, attachments, cords, and adapters. laptop backpack swissgear ibexIf you’re traveling with a larger SLR, it might not fit comfortably in this compartment, but I’m trying to minimize my gear so I’m only bringing the Sony Cyber-shot. meiosis backpack buy

The two pen compartments are great for travelers. I’m always digging for a pen to fill out customs forms. It may sound like an obvious thing but not all bags have a separate section for pens. The triple coated weather-resistant front panel is ideal for unpredictable weather locations. The only addition I would like for this part of the bag is a lock or interlocking zippers for better protection against theft. wyvern backpack for saleI’d gladly carry my passport and money in this section if I felt like it was more secure.zboard backpack The middle section is complete genius. pleasanton backpack amazonIt expands 35% for overnight travel and opens like a suitcase. There are two zippered sections so you can separate your dirty clothes and if you roll your clothes, you can fit enough for an entire week or longer.

I packed five shirts, three pairs of pants, a pair of leggings, a bathing suit, two dresses, shoes, two scarves, underwear, and a dry bag in this section and didn’t struggle with getting it closed. The back panels and shoulder straps are padded and have breathable mesh, and the sternum strap is comfortable for carrying. Because I’m trying to limit myself to one bag for a trips, I’d like to have a waist strap as well. When my bag is heavy or I’m going on longer trips, a waist strap relieves upper body stress. It’s a smart, simple fix and goes a long way and would make the EO Travel Backpack more suitable for longer travel. The Incase EO Travel Backpack has some seriously unexpected, fantastic features like easy access to everything, smart organization, and simple protection for your laptop. Everything is already packed; I might as well go on a quick vacation. Maybe I’ll hop in the car and cross number 42 off this year’s bucket list. What’s your go-to backpack for travel?

Is there anything missing from the EO Travel Backpack? I’d love to read your thoughts.Brompton is the Rolex watch of folding bikes; the VW Beetle of folding bikes; the McDonald’s hamburger of folding bikes; the Marlborough cigarette of folding bikes… What I mean is, Brompton is the iconic folding bike. And it deserves to be. In articles about the Brompton bike, the word timeless comes up often. But I doubt that the word was used at any time during the first several years of production and sales. The reality, I suspect, is that Brompton has taken a goofy looking bike and made it iconic. By which I mean, it no longer looks goofy to us; it looks like the folding bike to have. To paraphrase a recent and obnoxious iPhone campaign, Yup, if you don’t have a Brompton, well, you don’t have a Brompton. The success of Brompton, however, is not due solely to good marketing. Andrew Ritchie’s design really is ingenious and elegant. It’s been tweaked over the years, but Brompton has found no cause for any fundamental design changes.

The bike rides well, and folds into a very light and compact package. The folding bicycle is among a few innovations that have transformed the way people use and think about bikes. Brompton belongs in the pantheon of companies that took a cycling innovation out of novelty status and made it part of mainstream cycling. In a way (and I say this grudgingly) the Brompton is the iPhone of folding bikes. Just as Apple did not invent the smart phone, Ritchie did not invent the folding bike. But Brompton, like Apple, raised the bar, and expanded the cultural appeal of what had been a product for nerds and eccentrics. And like other iconic brands such as Apple, a community/cult has developed around the bike. I imagine it’s nearly impossible for two Brompton owners to pass each other without exchanging a knowing wave–or more likely, a secret signal. Other companies have tried to make folding bikes look cool or modern, with sometimes ridiculous results. For example, Strida tries pathetically to strike at the heart of Brompton.

Their site explicitly tells consumers about their bike’s “real cool appearance” and then claims their bike is “the only folding bike in the industry that doesn’t make you look like a ‘granola type.'” Strida: Your name calling only betrays how desperately envious you are. The cult of Brompton has thicker skin–and better bikes–than that. The Web is full of gushing reviews of the Brompton bike. In side-by-side comparisons to other folding bikes, Brompton almost always wins. In a previous post, I wrote about overcoming ten years of coveting a Brompton bike. Now I need to write my own review. But what can I say that hasn’t been said? The bike I tested was not ideal for me. But almost none of my complaints couldn’t be overcome by a custom build–and your credit card number. This bike had the S-type handlebars–which are straight. I probably would prefer the P-type handlebars which would allow me to be either upright or hunched over, depending on my mood.

I found the six-speed configuration a bit fiddly. It combines a three-speed Sturmey Archer internal hub with a two-speed derailleur. That’s two shift levers for only six gears. I think I could live with the simplicity of just the three-speed hub. The rear mudguard has a roller wheel on it, so the bike can be pulled like a cart when folded. It was kind of tippy, so I’d probably prefer the “R-Bike” mudguard integrated with a rear rack, plus Eazy Wheels for a more stable combination of four rollers on the ground. At my height (5′ 10″ on a good day), I don’t need the telescopic seat post. The standard seatpost will do fine. The black O-Bag (made by Ortlieb) was a tight squeeze for my 17-inch laptop, so I’d probably go with a simple folding basket and wear my laptop in a backpack like always. I don’t think I’d get a Brompton travel case. Brompton’s rep, Ed Rae told me about the DIMPA storage case available for $4 from Ikea. (Ed suspects the DIMPA was designed by a Brompton owner).