SECTION NAME

GEARTRIED-AND-TESTED PRODUCTS THE PERFECT ALL-ROUNDER 24L THULE ENROUTE BLUR 2 R1 899, thule.com THE CLASSIC WEIGHT 980g 39L ADDIS BEST SPEC ABABA DUFFEL A laptop compartment that doubles R2 200, rowdybags.com as storage for a hydration reservoir. WEIGHT 1,5kg BEST SPEC TIP You might want to You can take this rugged, brown detach the long shoulder leather virtually anywhere. strap when carrying the bag in your hand or on a trolley, as it can easily get hooked on other items.

TYSON JOPSON, THE ADVENTURE BIKER, NEEDS: A large-volume, multifunctional with accessible pockets and good compartmentalisation.

I’m always on the lookout for that can do double, or quadruple, duty. The Thule EnRoute Blur 2 does just this. I use it as a day-to-day office bag, adventure-biking backpack and as a weekend or camera bag. The main compartment can hold a pair of shoes and three-day’s clothing and has a laptop compartment with an easy- access zip (great for airport security checks). When I’m riding, this compartment turns into storage for a with a built-in opening I’m not a big fan of many lining, for your sunglasses dash out and be guaranteed for the tube. The external pouch is compartments in a bag; I find case, cell-phone charger a stylish entrance. However designed to take a bicycle helmet them confusing and not ideal and a notebook. The main jet-lagged or dressed-down but can otherwise be used to store for last-minute packing. So compartment offers plenty you might feel, this number anything wet or dirty. The main the classic simplicity of one of space for clothes, shoes, will score you a few nods compartment has a pocket for keys major compartment with a and a book to from the fashionistas. It’s or cables and SD cards, plus two just three small pockets read on your trip all in one an on-the-go bag, perfect pouches. On a shoot, I drop a padded for essentials is something place, like a potjie! This for a weekend getaway camera-bag insert (with a DSLR and I appreciate about this duffel makes both the process of – there’s no space to take WEEKEND BAGS two lenses) into the main section, and bag. The outside zip-pocket unpacking and packing up work along so you’ll have still have space for a night away. Each is perfect for house keys, again when it’s time to leave, to take an additional laptop WELCOME LISHIVHA, FOR EVERY ADVENTURE side pocket holds a one-litre bottle, a , travel documents that much easier. At the bag. It’s also great for an there’s a hard-shell outer pocket for THE STYLISH LAST- and other small items that risk of sounding as if I’ve overnight trip or to take to sunglasses and a smartphone, loops MINUTE PACKER, NEEDS: you’ll want to put away but embraced last-minute the gym. The duffel is made Getaway journos take many short trips, checking out the best lodgings (with reflective bands) for holding light A classic, yet versatile, bag that access with ease. In addition, packing, I like that when in Cape Town by Rowdy, in Southern Africa. We don’t all travel light, though. The team tested objects on a carabiner and an I can sling over my shoulder, the bag has two small inside running late, I can toss which you’ll find at the

four different weekend bags worth investing in for under R3 000 each adjustable sternum strap. Assur-IsmailSadiqah leaving my hands free. side pockets, with a hemp everything into this duffel, Old Biscuit Mill.

46 JUNE 2017 getaway.co.za 47 GEAR WEEKEND BAGS SECTION NAME

THE EASY-TO-CARRY BAG K-WAY CARRY-ON 40 TRAVEL BAG R899, capeunionmart.co.za THE PERFECT BIG BAG WEIGHT 72,5L SAMSONITE 500g REWIND DUFFEL BEST SPEC Being able to double as KATI AULD, R2 995, houseofsamsonite.co.za THE PRAGMATIST, NEEDS: WEIGHT both a backpack and as a carry-on bag. 2,7kg Something that is comfortable BEST SPEC to carry, packs easily into the car, The compression straps compact doesn’t break the bank and has the load for travel-size purposes. the magical ability to fit more than seems physically possible.

This is a simple, lightweight travel bag. It’s soft enough to be squeezed into a small space, such as a crowded overhead locker, and it rolls into a relatively manageable bundle if you’d like to pack it as a spare. Despite being so light, it’s made from durable 600D fabric, and can be used either as a backpack or as a carry-on. I’m not a fan of compartmentalising my luggage – I like to keep my options open – but there is a handy laptop sleeve in the main compartment and two smaller pockets in the front. I found the diagonal zippers make them a little difficult to root around in so I used a K-Way Digital Bag (R199) packing cell that fits snugly into the top pocket. It made it much easier to store and ONDELA MLANDU, THE OVERPACKER, NEEDS: retrieve electronics, hard drives, notepads, pens etc. The bag also has A bag with wheels that won’t compression straps for when packing strain my back when I’m running doesn’t go as planned, and you need to catch a flight, and with enough some help fitting it all in. It doesn’t space to pack everything I need have a sternum strap, though, which – and more. means it’s not very comfortable to carry as a backpack when it’s full I can’t think of anything worse compartments. I opted to put handles on the side as well handy pocket in the front of the of heavy items – but as a ‘throw- than not having enough clothes my shoes in one side and my as at the top, for comfortable bag, too, where you can keep everything-in-and-go’ bag at to wear if there’s unpredictable clothes in the other, but the handling and lifting. The bag a few things such as a notepad, a decent price, it’s perfect. weather, but fortunately, the dual compartments are also also has adjustable straps book or bottle of water. Think Samsonite Rewind Duffel has useful for separating clean around it, so you can compress about investing in a waterproof enough capacity to pack a few clothes from dirty laundry. it to the size you require, which cover for better durability. extras in case the weather Despite its large capacity, this will allow you to skip the The duffel is available in TIP Open the bag with the front side changes during your weekend bag is lightweight and easy to check-in queue and practical black, blue and (the one with the two zipper pockets) away. It has a zip section carry, and it navigates smoothly take it on board your flight as taupe, and also comes with facing down to access the laptop sleeve

dividing the bag into two on two wheels. Plus, it has hand luggage. I really like the a two-year warranty. Assur-IsmailSadiqah without having to dig under your clothes.

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