Topo Designs Mountain Cross Bag Review (2 Weeks of Use)

[@forty9photos]

I personally love this bag and here's why.... I got it as soon as it launched and have put it to good use. My theory for why this bag can be polarizing is that there are two types of bag people. Pouch people vs pocket people. This is a pocket people bag and the pocket arrangement happens to work well for me. The particular pocket arrangement gives Jansport Big Student vibes but in a grown up iteration. I think of it as a sporty briefcase filing cabinet and use it as a crossbody work micro gym bag combo. Some people call this a tablet bag. It's more than that for me because the items I put in it are reasonably small/minimal. Back to front how I use the pockets. (1) Laptop pocket. MBP14 with shell case fits perfectly and when needed iPad 11 w/ Magic KB also fits. (2) Main pocket. Change of clothes or books/files dep on needs that day. Kindle PW5 with case fits perfectly in mesh pocket. A row of pens with clips and/or notecards/small notebook in other mesh pocket. Shoes don't fit, but a light change of clothes do, so great for PT appt before/after work. Mesh pockets also work for charging cables. (3) Smaller main pocket. Charging cable jungle and bulky things. I even pit a mirrorless camera in it; with how the bag fits things, camera gets more protection from ground in this slightly raised pocket than the bigger "main" pocket. Small interior zip pocket for dongles and other small things. (4) Admin pocket. Wallet, business cards, AirPods, gum etc. (5) Slip pocket. Don't really use. I put pens with clips through the daisy chain loops and behind the slip pocket. Magnetic name badge (name placard facing inside) goes on this pocket if I know I'm taking it on/off throughout day. I imagine a U-lock could work with Daisy chains, but if you're bike commuting, this is not the right bag. (6) Side pockets. Computer mouse fits perfectly as do cheap sunglasses. Phone battery pack/cable for easy under-seat access if flying. They're snug, but can fit 12/18 oz Yeti Rambler bottles when needed. I usually only use one side for a bottle. (They are a tight woven stretch mesh with an elasticized top edge. The Topo website portrays an earlier model with gusseted side pockets like the front slip pocket and that was going to be a big no-no for me.)

[@forty9photos]

Part 2. Things I'd add/change and other comments: -It's heavy for what it is, but at the same time a lot of Topo's stuff has gotten thinner/flimsier over the years. This hasn't... yet. -Depth. I would love the length width profile to stay the same, but increasing depth in Main pocket would be great. Make the Main pocket 1.5" to 2" deeper. Will also help with snug water bottle pockets issue. -Luggage passthrough pocket on back = chefs kiss -Front Slip pocket could use development. Some type of mesh that wouldn't show snags? I've accepted it as fashion > function point of bag. -I don't use the shorter strap or the other strap mounting points. This is too big to be a fanny pack for my 5'2" 120# frame and long strap works as crossbody or shoulder bag for me just fine. -Bottom buckle straps. Again another fashion > function part of the bag. I have put a PD tripod in its case on it and it works to carry but setting bag down, just no go. If I have a jacket to stash, I'll thread it through the handles because it's easier and doesn't make the bag dangle any lower. -I love the hand straps. Good enough that I can easily remove big strap. -Yes the bag flops over, but it doesn't bother me; this isn't a high end structured leather bag. It's a mountain cross bag that I imagine someone would be exchanging their skis for from the back of their Subaru after a good day on the slopes. -Color. I bought both the All-Black and the Green/Khaki versions and kept the latter. It pops, and that's what this bag is supposed to do. The all-black was cool, but it was trying to be something it wasn't, to fit in. -Price. I got it a the full price of $129 and that feels very appropriate. -Idk abt the 14L vs 17L issue, but I feel like I can fit a ton into it. As a smaller person, I don't want a bag that fits more than a MBP14 in it. Other bag rec: For those wanting a bag similar to this but not so many dang pockets, I'd say look at Chrome Industries Kadet Max. Haven't tried it, but it seems like the minimalist cousin of this maximalist bag. Hope this helps.

[@ninapoerbonegoro2128]

A confusion or anomaly, really-- this bag is stated as having 17L, while their Global Briefcase which is WAY larger, is listed at 14L. I owned both, this mountain cross bag literally fits IN the global briefcase; meanwhile, the dimensions of the two bags are identical (the GB is 0.5 inch longer). I complained to Topo about this and they still weren't able to explain why the discrepancy, they just kept insisting that the mountain cross bag is 17L. This really annoys me.

[@intravenousradio]

totally agree - there's no way in hell this bag is 17L.

[@DJ_Cue]

Good review as always. I have this in black for work, last one on the Topo EU website and it’s brilliant, love the style and versatility. It just works 😊

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@Enjoyyourcarry]

This is the first bag I reviewed! I loved it in theory. But also thought it had too many pockets and I got annoyed with how it wanted to flop forward most of the time instead of standing up on its own when put down.

[@Mindalaewilliam]

Can you do a review for the Away outdoor Messenger 16L bag I want a bag that simple in design that yet can use daily to work also being able to put my laptop in.

[@splinky-100]

Can you slip the back strap over the handle of a rollerbag?

[@isoldearndt9852]

Nice colour Mix.

[@hawkeye50]

Disappointing that a 17L bag does not fit a 15" laptop in its laptop compartment.

[@RealMuperSan]

I got this bag on their Black Friday sale. I like it, but too many pockets.

[@intravenousradio]

i'm calculating the volume based on the dimensions and it only comes out to 11.3 liters. can you help me understand how topo designs got 17L out of this bag? are they just grabbing numbers out of thin air or what?

[@angellara3281]

Can it fit a 14" Macbook?

[@Ike_C]

I have the 14" Apple MB Pro and it fits, just barely.