Here & Now Supply Hybrid Pack - an affordable, feature-packed 25-31L EDC + One Bag Travel pack

[@DutchinBrazil]

Interesting!

[@n3m3s1s0501]

Thanks for this review! Are you planning to review the Black Ember Forge you showed at the end? :) I am actually looking for an “EDC to light travel” hybrid bag, but that leans more towards the EDC functionality (vs a bag that leans more towards travel), and I’m wondering if the Forge may be the one!

[@TheMountainborn]

Hi Mehdi! I will do at some point although it won't be for at least a few videos at least. My tl;dr response though is that unless you're really in love with the fabrics and sort-of customisability (I say sort of because the customisability is pretty superficial as opposed to functional on the forge IMO) of the Black Ember - or you prefer to carry EDC bags in a briefcase/messenger style form factor more than in backpack form - then there are probably better "EDC to light travel" hybrid bags out there (I refer to these as "Goldilocks bags". Some options (assuming you're down with the more backpack style form factor): Bellroy Transit Travel Pack 28L Heimplanet Monolith Daypack (v1 or v2) GoRuck GR1 (particularly some of the "slick" variants) Aer Travel Pack Small v2 (very much a travel pack but very capable for EDC for folks with larger load outs IMO) Mystery Ranch Summit 26 (but only if you get a good organizer panel in there IMO)

[@christianmarcschmidt]

Great review. I’m curious if you have any thoughts on the Black Ember Dex. It’s a duffel/backpack hybrid currently on Kickstarter. I’ve been considering backing the 30L. Do you think it would be a good solution for minimal one bag travel?

[@928ruf]

The material and back organisation looks like the Nomatic travel backpack…

[@TheMountainborn]

Definitely! It also reminds me of the material Wandrd uses in their bags. Random fact: this video is currently almost 50 minutes long. It was originally 1 hour and 10 mins (you probably noticed the significant amount of cuts in the video) - originally in the "also consider" section I had a comparison against the Wandrd Hexad and the Nomatic pack but I cut those out since no one is going to watch a 1:10 video 😂 and also there are a ton of videos on the Nomatic / Wandrd bags already so I thought those might be okay to cut. But you're spot on with the material (and structure) comparison

[@928ruf]

@@TheMountainborn I have used a Nomatic for my daily commute and more recently I bought a Wandrd Prvke more focused to carry my camera equipment. I have to admit that the Wandrd built quality, especially the zippers feel more robust to me. Your videos are on the long side, sometimes I’m checking the timeline to see at which minute you are first opening them and showing the inside 😋 Anyway it’s very interesting to have your point of view and expertise on the backpacks which could be compared to the one you are testing.

[@KandarpXJani]

Hey Mountain, I'm making a habit of correcting your titles lol. You mention in the video that it starts from 25L, but your title says 28L 😊

[@TheMountainborn]

Hahaha oh man you’re the real MVP! Thanks for catching this - fixed!! Yeah, I’ve been super tired recently and apparently it shows - wait till you get to the 46:06 mark 😂

[@KandarpXJani]

@@TheMountainborn hahaha that slayed me! I'm definitely in the bag for a market like this! We should connect on IG or something, I feel like we have a lot in common haha

[@TheMountainborn]

Hahahahha 😂 Glad you got a laugh out of it. And for sure my friend! My insta is @themountainborn

[@frezzingaces]

He's back baybeeeee. Have you considered reviewing the linus tech tips bag? It seems..... not good.

[@TheMountainborn]

Yeahhhh boiii! Oddly enough I just happened to see his video on his bag the other day (I don't subscribe but he does occasionally pop up in my feed) - I normally wouldn't give it a second thought because it's not my style but coincidentally a couple months ago I was talking with a friend who who routinely carries two laptops and a bunch of heavy tech gear and was lamenting some of the shortcomings of bags out there and how they make them less suitable for computer-focused folks like himself. So I was actually thinking about maybe picking it up and giving it a whirl for him - I'll keep you posted!

[@donkeybro6368]

Love anything feature rich, but the TSA lock bit is plain comedy.

[@TheMountainborn]

I appreciate they were trying to offer a wide breadth of features on this bag for a very reasonable price point but I think that in the v2 they could probably do away with this (and a few other features in the v1) for a more focused and refined carry experience.

[@yusux]

Interesting bag but great review as always. Any plans to review more duffel style bags? I’m really curious what you would think of the goruck kitbag 32l.

[@TheMountainborn]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I do want to review more duffle style bags - I have a soft spot in my heart (albeit one that is usually disappointed in the end) for duffle-style bags that can also carry like backpacks in particular. In the past on this channel I think I've covered the Arcteryx Carrier duffle - fully intend to do more in the future! I am interested in the GoRuck kitbag 32L but the challenge I face is that they always seem to be out of stock :(. If I'm ever able to catch one would love to review it!

[@TheMountainborn]

Oh! Looks like they're in stock at the moment! I may just pick one up - stay tuned!