TRAKKE BANNOCH: REVIEW
FOREWORD
Trakke is a small team based in Glasgow, Scotland. They are responsible for some of the best handmade bags on the market, offering simple timeless designs with supreme quality. Even though their gear brings to mind outdoor heritage pieces, it is unmistakably modern.
Trakke’s products have proven to be great for EDC, travel and any kind of adventure you can imagine. To me, the brand should be considered by anyone who is ready for more mature, professional and sleek items in their life.
Thanks to a number of feature articles on Carryology, collaborations and annual awards nominations Trakke has gathered a global following, which is well-deserved. I have personally bought multiple Trakke products as gifts (notably their Banana Sling in the outstanding Cumin color for my sister-in-law), but have not used their products myself. I was very happy to finally have a chance to review Trakke gear! The review for their Kelso sling is already live and you can check it here.
The Trakke team was awesome to send me another product to review, a fabled 17L backpack that gathered universal acclaim and won a whole lot of awards.
Let’s have a closer look and meet the Bannoch.
WHO IT SUITS
Those seeking a compact daily backpack with a timeless heritage look made from outstanding natural materials.
Anyone who likes simplicity and minimalism would appreciate the clean and functional design of the Bannoch.
WHO IT DOESN’T
Those who need the fastest access to the main compartment will likely struggle.
ABOUT THE BAG
* PRICE: 200 GBP (~$279)
* DIMENSIONS: 44 x 28 x 14 cm
* WEIGHT: 1.1 kg
* CAPACITY: 17L
* COLOR OPTIONS: Black, Olive, Cumin, Pink, Whisky
COMFORT
Bannoch takes simplicity to the next level and the same applies to the harness system. The straps are quite thin yet feature dense padding that feels fine considering the size of the bag. The back panel does not have air channels for ventilation, but I did not find any issues with it during my 10 weeks of testing.
Unlike most of the backpacks you can find on the market, the Bannoch does not come with a sternum strap out of the box, so if you are used to locking the straps on your shoulders and distributing the weight with such a strap you will have to buy it separately. Luckily, Trakke does sell one that would fit the Bannoch perfectly (https://trakke.co.uk/products/backpack-chest-strap), though it will set you back by 18 GBP.
Overall the comfort is good, nothing exceptional, but appropriate for a 17L backpack.
DESIGN & FEATURES
The Bannoch is a looker thanks to an awesome classic design with some modern features thrown into the mix, such as a padded and suspended laptop compartment.
The thing that immediately draws attention are the custom metal buckles, which easily differentiate the Bannoch from anything else on the market. However, operating them takes a bit of time to get used to and in the 10 weeks of using the bag, this has not become an effortless motion.
I imagine that the operation of buckles very much depends on conditions, during a nice summer day it should be quite easy, not effortless but manageable. Things get more interesting in poor lighting conditions and during winter when motor functions are impacted by the cold.
Briefly put, the buckles are cool and unique and they undoubtedly add charm to the Bannoch, but they definitely don't operate equally well in all conditions/seasons and also add a jangle that I would prefer not to have on my daily bag.
The Trakke team did receive some very constructive feedback “from someone with a disability who said they just cannot use the buckles due to restricted motor functions” and that's been something the team thought about a fair bit. It is possible for alternatives or improvements to the current closure system to be introduced in 2021.
The Bannoch features a sizeable padded laptop compartment with a false bottom and it fit my MBP16 like a champ even though the specs mention compatibility with up to 15” laptops.
The side pockets on the outside are great for small water bottles, an umbrella, a tripod, and whatnot. There is no stretch in those pockets and if you cram something in expect that this item will push into the main compartment, stealing some of its volume.
One of the standout features of the bag is an absolutely gorgeous orange inner liner made from waxed canvas. This liner has quickly become my favorite, but it does require some care if you want to make it look good for years to come.
The metal strap adjusters look awesome and will probably outlast me and my kids. I did notice, however, that they are very grippy, so adjusting the straps took more effort than I expected. This is not a serious problem unless you plan to readjust shoulder strap length multiple times a day.
Overall the design is very cool with an old-school outdoor vibe, the inner liner is simply magical but the usability in daily use falls short. This primarily due to the metal hardware used for strap adjustments and opening the bag.
MATERIALS & ORGANIZATION
The material is a dried finish waxed canvas which looks incredible and great to the touch. Note that the fabric can develop a patina with time, which might not be appreciated by everyone.
The waxed canvas is used for both the exterior and the gorgeous interior. As with all waxed soft goods you need to be prepared to reapply the coating every year or so, depending on your use to ensure the water repellent properties remain intact.
The aluminum metal hardware used for the main opening as well as the strap adjustment is high quality, feels great, and complements the canvas body perfectly.
The organization is somewhat spartan but sufficient for a 17L bag (you definitely don’t want more pockets otherwise you risk forgetting where’s what). Externally there are 2 water bottle pockets on the sides.
Internally:
2 expandable front compartments that are roomy when needed yet lay flat when empty. Love it.
Front flat pocket, great for a tablet, Kindle, or a magazine. Beware that the documents might get wrinkly since there is not much structure to the bag
The padded suspended 15-inch laptop compartment is excellent and fit my 16” Macbook Pro like a glove
A medium-sized zippered pocket for the additional secured organization was the primary home for my AirPods Pro, wallet, and keys.
Overall I found the organization to be just enough and I believe the Trakke team did a great job in cleverly using the capacity they had with this bag.
Alternatives to Consider
Able Carry Daily is a great, relatively inexpensive bag that features a bit more built-in organization compared to the Bannoch and does come in more technical colors and fabrics (for example Dimension Polyant Xpac). You can also check my review here.
Goruck GR1 21L is a bag that needs an introduction. Compared to the Bannoch, it has a full clamshell opening, external access to the laptop, and a hydration port. The GR1, however, is not as comfortable out of the box and does require the straps to break in, which can take months depending on your use. Also, it is more expensive and heavier which is a serious consideration for a bag that is worn all day every day ($325 for the US-made version, weighing 2.9 lbs or 1.32kg).
Mission Workshop Sanction is a 20L backpack made in the USA and geared towards cyclists. The straps are very comfortable and feature something the Bannoch is missing: the load lifters. They allow you to pull the top of the bag closer to your shoulders which distributes the weight better and also secures the bag tighter on your body.
WHAT’S HOT
Handmade in Scotland with exceptional quality, durability, and build.
Simple yet functional form factor.
The gorgeous bright orange inner liner.
Custom metal hardware.
WHAT’S NOT
The buckles require getting used to and are far from quick or operate, especially with gloves on or if the pack is packed to the brim.
Waxed canvas is gorgeous and great to the touch, but also notoriously easy to get dirty, especially with lint, dust, etc...
When not closed accurately there could be a gap left.
Readjusting the metal strap adjusters is not easy on both shoulder straps and front flap straps.
No sternum strap out of the box, if you need one it has to be purchased separately.
VERDICT
The Bannoch is a unique and gorgeous backpack with an unmistakable luxury heritage look. The materials and build are superb and the emotional feedback from using the pack is definitely positive. It does come with some quirks that might be significant for some people (most notably the difficulties with operating the custom buckles), but I found them to be more than tolerable.
If you are looking for a small everyday bag made from some of the best waxed canvas out there, the Bannoch should be on your list. It’s definitely not perfect, but it surely is remarkable. I can’t wait to see future iterations of this bag and personally would have loved a 25L+ version to accommodate my bigger frame and preferences to carry a larger bag.
