ATTITUDE SUPPLY ATD1: LONG-TERM REVIEW
Standard EDC mode of ATD1, almost fully compressed.
FOREWORD
I have been a lucky ATD1 user since September 2019 and have accumulated some thoughts, ideas, and impressions that I would like to share. For those who are not familiar with the bag, I encourage you to visit https://www.attitudesupply.com/collections/all/products/atd1-backpack-black-cordura and fill the gaps.
In short, the bag’s Unique Selling Proposition is the ability to expand from 20L to 55L, basically becoming a universal solution for anything life throws at you :)
Intrigued? Read on, my friend.
Quick disclaimer - the bag is awesome, comfortable, well-built and is a pleasure to use. What you are about to read is a lot of personal observations that might sound like a ton of critique, but in reality just a lot of thoughts on how this amazing bag can become even better.
Now let’s get right in it.
A quick rundown of specs:
Main Fabric: 500d, PU coated Cordura® Fabric with DWR or Dimension Polyant VX21 X-Pac®
Lining: 210d, PU coated High Tenacity Nylon with DWR.
Webbing: Mil-spec 1’ nylon webbing.
Zippers: YKK 10mm zipper.
Padding: 10mm, closed cell Evazote® 50 foam.
Frame sheet: Propex Curv® (self-reinforced polypropylene fiber)
Hardware: Made in Italy nylon hardware + ITW Nexus steel hooks (in my case replaced with Fidlock V-Buckle and Slides)
Measurements: 50-70cm x 30cm x 26cm - 19,7-27,5in x 12in x 10,2in
Volume: 20-55 L / 1220,5 - 3356,3 Cubic Inches
Weight: 1,5 kg - 3,3 lbs
Designed, developed and made in Italy
Price: 299 EUR
IMPRESSIONS / THOUGHTS
The bag has been my primary carry as an EDC and a travel/grocery bag. Some of the points shared below could be considered as my wish list for ATD2 :)
Here it goes. Even weird ones :)
Top grab handle. I don’t love the handle on ATD1. Here, I said it. I wish it had more padding and was slightly longer. When holding the bag by the top handle (which I do quite often in the subway) my knuckles are pressed against the stiff frame sheet on the back of the bag. It is increasingly not comfortable the more weight you have inside. Granted this problem is relevant when you hold the bag facing toward when grabbing the bag facing you it is fine.
External carry.
a) Unlike, say, Boundary Supply or Peak Design bags there are no straps to attach yoga mat/jacket on the outside of the bag. Having such straps on my previous bags I occasionally miss them while using ATD1, especially with a yoga mat.
b) Having dedicated accessories compatible with ATD1 (for example phone pouch attached to one of the straps) would be awesome. I am excited to see ATD1 ecosystem developed further than packing cubes and a padded waist belt.
Quick access pocket. This is sorely missed after being used all the time on bags like Boundary Supply Prima, Peak Design Travel Line. Remote Equipment ALPHA 31 has a somewhat similar design to ATD1 and has such a pocket, I would love to see it on the next iteration of the bag.
Main fabric. 500d Cordura is good fabric, but my heart skips a bit when I think about VX or even better - Dyneema on ATD bag. Having used Mission Workshop bags I came to love 1000d Nylon, HT500 or MultiCam Black Camo Cordura. Even if sticking with the same 500d just more color options would be very welcome (Coyote, Olive, Navy, etc). Different fabric/color would also mitigate the issue of lint/dirt/hair/fur sticking to the bag.
Inner lining. Inside the bag there is a cool label which states “Handle without care, it will hold up”. I agree with the statement, to a degree. The inner lining used on ATD1 is high quality and feels good but is somewhat gentle… When I do grocery hauls and throw bananas, tomatoes, etc I feel uneasy because the fabric gets stained relatively easy. The same issue is present in Peak Design bags (Everyday backpack, Travel line, etc) where the fabric looks good and is pleasant to the touch but gets stains like nobody’s business. Here I much more prefer the liner used on Mission Workshop (not sure what’s the fabric but it is completely waterproof and easily cleaned dark grey), Life Behind Bars (bright yellow TPU tarp liner is excellent in terms of visibility and durability). No liner works fine for me too like on the much praised BRAVO 18 by Remote Equipment.
Water bottle pockets. My biggest gripe with the pockets is that they do not have an elastic band that would keep the bottle secured when inside and when empty tucked to the side of the bag. The current pockets are deep and wide enough to carry smaller bottles but my CamelBak Chute 1500 ml is hard to get inside (straps inside and on the outside get in a way) and the water bottle is wobbly and feel like will fall out when I run. Elastic straps to secure the bottle would be a welcome addition in my opinion.
Rolltop closure. I think I would prefer a zipper or magnets that would keep the top flap closed in case I overpack. If I pack too much there is not enough fabric left to properly roll the top so having a zipper would certainly help with keeping stuff inside :) Black Ember WPRT (rolltop bag) has such zipper and I have zero concerns about my stuff getting wet or falling out.
Laptop/Tablet compartment. Here I have a few points:
a) the fabric used at the moment is a bit too stretchy for my liking. It does not secure the laptop/tablet tight, there is some give from day 1 and I expect it stretched out even further as time goes by.
b) For laptop specifically, I would prefer a velcro strap to secure it in place (many bags have that - Errant, Everyday backpack come to mind). Once, I nearly dropped my laptop on the concrete floor when picking the bag by the top handle and not noticing that the zippers were not closed properly. The weight of my 15-inch MBP opened unsecured clamshell and almost fell out. I got lucky and caught it in time. Admittedly, it was my stupid mistake for not securing the zippers but having something to secure the laptop in the pocket would give me peace of mind for sure.
Buckles. Stock buckles are fine but I would love to have the option to put Fidlock - V-Buckles, Slides, etc. I ended up buying those separately and modding the backpack myself.
Zippers. Call me a spoiled brat, but whenever possible I would like to have YKK Aquaguard zippers. They look cool, they protect the contents of your bag. Perhaps it was a conscious decision (not just cost-saving) to have regular YKK 10mm to allow smooth zipper operation around the U-Shape of the clamshell.
Keyholder. This is nitpicking but the key holder on the bag is plastic and unimpressive. I wish something more robust and reliable was used, a simple titanium key holder would elevate the bag usability and look to the next level.
Hidden/Secret pocket. I quickly got used to pockets that I can use while the bag is ON me by reaching my hand back and quickly hiding a wallet, passport, phone or keys. Peak Design did this brilliantly with their Travel Line, they used the water bottle pockets to create quick access hidden pockets perfect for storing small things without the need to take off the bag. Boundary Supply Prima has a similar pocket in the same spot. Granted, as soon as the water bottle is in the water bottle pocket, the hidden quick access pocket becomes difficult to use (both for putting things in and taking out). All in all, I would love Attitude Supply to come up with some sort of compartment that could be used without the need to take off the bag.
WRAP-UP
Despite the above, I think ATD1 is already a legend and has the potential to seriously disrupt the carry scene. As already mentioned in the disclaimer, the number of points listed does not mean I am unhappy, but more a testament to my passion for this unique bag and desire for it to evolve and be the best it can be for hundreds and thousands of customers.
I sincerely hope Attitude Supply and its unique products stick around for many years to come. Meanwhile, I plan to thoroughly enjoy my time with ATD1 while keeping an eye on more products made by Michele Fasano and his team.
