WAYKS ONE: REVIEW
The unique fabric used on Wayks One feels like linen to the touch and one of the highlights of the bag
FOREWORD
As a bag reviewer, I have begun receiving messages from friends, acquaintances and sometimes just strangers. Often the “ultimate” question is “which bag should I get?”. I have personally tried many brands and put their bags, of various shapes and sizes, through the wringer. As a guy who has tried so many, it’s easy for me to recommend things to guys. Things get a little more complicated when I have to recommend something for the female part of my audience. After all, there are different factors at play that need to be considered. More often than not, my wife (who, by the way, is responsible for the entire photography on the blog) has not liked my favorite bags so far, they just did not click with her personal preferences and/or aesthetic predilections.
Until recently I did not have a solid option to share with women who were looking for a functional yet beautiful bag. Finally this problem has been solved. Enter Wayks One: the first offering of the up and coming brand from Berlin (Germany) that I can confidently recommend to my wife and other women.
Wayks One works equally well for both men and women which is rare, since majority of backpack are geared towards men.
Full disclosure, Wayks One is not exclusive for women. The larger size and superior features would make many guys out there happy, but I did find the Sand color particularly attractive (the bag also comes in Black) and for the first time invited a girl to model for this bag.
Let’s dive into the details to see what makes this bag special.
Meet Idil. She was kind enough to model for this shoot and also loved the bag :)
WHO IT SUITS
Those who want a modular all-in-one carry solution to fit in numerous scenarios (day bag, travel backpack, office bag, camera bag, etc)
People who are not only looking for a just functional but also an ‘easy on the eyes backpack’.
If you put sustainability high on your priority list both the manufacturing process and the materials used on Wayks One will make you feel like part of the solution, not the problem.
The harness system is extremely comfortable and works wonders under any load
WHO IT DOESN’T
If you are on a tight budget
someone who is looking for a bag that is as simple as possible. The modularity of Wayks One and the many features it offers might end up not being used at all
The removable camera/lunch bag is an excellent standalone piece that can keep you gear protected while looking beautiful in the process
ABOUT THE BAG
PRICE: 289 EUR
WEIGHT (depending on the configuration):
- Travel Pack: 2.4 kg (5.3 lbs)
- Day Pack: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)
- Light Day Pack: 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
- Cube: 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
CAPACITY: Up to 45L
In the city or in the wilderness - I found Wayks One to work great in all scenarios
Wayks One was first introduced as a Kickstarter campaign back in September 2018. This was the first campaign of Leonie and Fabian, brother and sister, who co-funded Wayks in a pursuit to create sustainable, modular and timeless gear to accompany you on any adventure, big or small.
I have tried many bags in my life but upon unboxing Wayks One I was a bit mind-blown by how much the bag offers.
It seems that Leonie and Fabian have thought about EVERYTHING and made the Wayks One an ultimate bag with:
Incredible volume expansion. Up to 45L expansion thanks to the rolltop design and detachable 7L Cube (handy for camera gear or just to store your dirty clothes, can also be used as a cooler (!))
Sophisticated harness system for excellent comfort that is removable(!) in case you want to go minimal and cut weight even further
Multiple access points - from the top of the bag as well as full clamshell opening
Detachable waist strap with a couple of convenient quick access pockets
The detachable cord that allows securing items on the outside of the bag
Bright and convenient rain cover which packs in a small bag and can be stored easily
Fleece liner in the quick access pocket to protect your phone, glasses, etc.
Huge and convenient zippered side water bottle pockets
The zippered top of the roll - I appreciated this level of protection which did not force me to always roll the top to secure the contents in the main compartment
External laptop access (up to 17-inch)
The backpack, removable waist strap (with extra pockets!), removable camera pack, rain cover - all of this is an ultimate package that could easily make this the only one bag you need. No wonder it’s called Wayks One!
COMFORT
How does it carry? In one word, great! The back panel reminds me of some sort of hiking backpack and it was very comfortable to wear for me (male, 176 cm height, 90 kg weight) and my friend Idil, who agreed to test and model the bag (female, 165 cm, 48 kg).
The carry comfort was approved by Idil :)
It was a bit weird to feel the difference in rigidity when wearing the bag. The top section is soft while the bottom with cube attached is stiff and rigid which also sits a bit low on the body, but no major issues. I personally used the bag with the cube detached 90% of the time.
A unique feature I have not seen on other bags is the removable harness system that easily comes off by unzipping it.
This is a full harness system in its glory. It can be unzipped for a minimal carry using thin straps provided with the bag but I personally kept the harness system on. The weight difference was not worth it for me to lose great comfort of this back panel and padded straps.
Carrying the cube as a standalone accessory was convenient during shooting days, but I did notice that the included shoulder strap is a bit narrow and not much padded, which did create some discomfort when carrying the cube fully loaded with camera and lenses (heavy stuff).
Under heavy load of camera equipment the strap felt too narrow and digging into the shoulder. Keep in mind when packing your gear!
ORGANIZATION
Wayks One surprised me with the amount of organization, both external and internal.
Externally you have everything you can possibly want in a bag: a quick access pocket on top, a secret pocket in the back panel that is reachable when the bag is on (great to throw your passport, cash or a phone. I loved storing my keys there) and a vertical zipper for side access to the laptop compartment. This is a killer feature when you use the bag as a daily carry and to the office.
SO MANY POCKETS! External access to your laptop, clamshell opening zip that can be opened partially for quick access inside, the side zipped water bottle pockets and a couple of hidden pockets on the back.. Geez! Every little thing has it’s home on Wayks One, just don’t forget where you put what… :)
There is also a zippered water bottle pocket on each side of the bag so you can easily store your bottle without worrying about it falling out. These pockets are also great for a small umbrella, snack or whatever else you need to quickly grab without opening the main compartment.
Internally the backpack has one regular mesh pocket and three zippered ones, all in different sizes to organize your gear while still offering good visibility. Furthermore, you have an access point to the suspended and generously padded laptop compartment from that main compartment.
MATERIALS
Most of the bag is made out of Bluesign certified materials including the fabric made from recycled water bottles and even some recycled YKK zippers.
Everything feels high quality and complement each other well - from zipper pulls to mesh fabric inside to unique to the touch external fabric. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the materials, Wayks did not cut any corners in this department.
WHAT’S HOT
A sustainably made and very pretty bag that is also incredibly rich in features - such a rare combination!
External access to your laptop
Unique outer fabric that resembles linen, which is a pleasure to use.
High level of customization and modularity - the bag can adapt to any scenario and can be your one and only bag for everything.
The full package is pricey but considering how much you get, it’s hard to call Wayks One overpriced. I kid you not, this bag has everything you could ever want: sternum strap, waist strap, load lifters, strap keepers, clamshell opening, side access to the laptop, quick access pocket, secret pocket, smart internal organization, … . You name it and this bag probably has it!
Tasteful minimal branding is much appreciated and makes the bag even more appealing
WHAT’S NOT
All the features can be a little bit overwhelming, especially for those who want a no-frill backpack.
Many zippers on the back of the bag: for detaching the harness, 2 quick access pockets and external access to your laptop. I found it a bit overwhelming and sometimes confusing which zipper puller I should grab. This is not a major issue however, more of a nitpick.
Sand color is prone to get dirty, so get ready to give the bag a soap rub every once in a while.
Not technical looking but packing a lot of forward thinking features - Wayks One took me by surprise.
VERDICT
Right off the bat, I can say that Wayks One is one impressive bag. I was amazed to see that this is the first bag from Wayks and getting so many things right on their first attempt only intrigues me to see what else Wayks will launch in the future.
Wayks One can be the ultimate bag if you can live with only one extremely flexible, customizable bag. Despite the premium price tag, this bag offers everything one could possibly want or need in a bag. The bag has a unique look and feel, every feature you could possibly want and it manages to stay comfortable in any mode you choose to carry it.
I can confidently recommend this bag to those who are seeking for not just a good looking but also a very functional backpack that can adapt to numerous scenarios.
Adventure Ready
Disclaimer
Wayks One was provided by Wayks as a sample for review purposes, the content of this review was not shared with Wayks before publishing.
My goal is to share an honest, unbiased review that is not tailored to keep the brand happy.