Faroe Travel Backpack : Hand Luggage Backpack/Cabin Size Carry On Backpack with Adaptable Laptop Compartment up to 15? - 55 X 35 X 20cm

This is my review of the Arcido Faroe, to be updated as I get more experience with the bag. This review is based on one overseas trip to Athens including some hot weather day-hiking around the city with the bag on my back. As I own both the Faroe and the original Arcido, in places I've structured the review as a comparison. The headlines: - It's a very well-made, well designed, lightweight, stylish carry-on bag - It's much lighter than its' big brother, the original Arcido - It has lots of well thought out easy-access features, an improvement over the original - The main compartment includes compression straps to secure clothing packed in that area while allowing direct access on the go. - It was great as a two night overnight stay bag for a business trip, easily packing in plenty of clothing in the main section, business bits in the rear section. - The style and functionality of the bag fits in perfectly for leisure and in a business setting. Some other comments which are generally more observations than criticisms- I am a nitpicker and these are all minor! - It will swallow a lot of gear but not as much as the original; similarly, it's well made but probably not as "bullet-proof" or rain resistant as the original; - It lacks stowaway straps for the odd occasion when it has to be put in a luggage hold. I will straightaway say that as the bag looks neater & smaller so it's less likely you will be asked to check the bag, but this situation may still arise from time to time; - Compared to the original, it dispenses with the shoulder strap but also lacks a side handle which is useful at times when manouevring around a crowded airport; - The rear padding is comfortable but not very breathable while hiking through changing temps at the airport or during hot weather; - As well as the previous point, it is too big to use as a daily commuter bag- I had thought about using it for this purpose; - The laptop system didn't really suspend my 14" laptop but perhaps would work on a 17". It does allow you to quickly pull and remove the bag at airport security but the suspender strap is too long to suspend the bag unless I've totally misunderstood how it should work! - If the main compartment compression straps are cinched tightly, it can be difficult to zip up the rear laptop/work compartment which gets pulled out of shape. ------------------------------------------------------------------- My first impressions were that this bag is again very well made but that it is a much lighter and compact bag than the original Aricido. It's still a large backpack but is not as deep as the original and forms more neatly to your back, not protruding as much as the original. The addition of a quick access pocket at the top of the bag as well as the elasticated side pockets clearly offered obvious advantages in getting at sunglasses case, keys, etc while on the road. Along with the secure document pocket at the top of the rear of the bag which accommodates the Arcido passport wallet, this makes getting at your bits and pieces while travelling very straightforward. All of the access is weighted towards the top of the bag which makes accessing your items really easy when the bag is stowed in an overhead locker. The main front compartment is a good size, fitted with compression/security straps and the shape of the bag means that clothes packed in there settle nicely towards the bottom. This arrangement works really well for quick access when travelling as noted above- in fact it's easier than the original as you don't have to go through an additonal zipper for an internal compartment but the straps keep everything in place when opening the bag. I was concerned on initially looking at the clamshell rear section that all of the organisation is located too far down the bag, making it harder to access the zip pocket, internal organiser while on the go. However (and again I have to assume this is intentional), I realised that the "blank" space at the top of this compartment is perfectly sized to fit a toiletries bag sitting on top of your laptop, making it very easy to pull those items when you get to security. Hence my initial impression proved wrong and it seems Arcido had actually thought this out very well! Lastly, the bag is very comfortable and neat while worn, easy to access and less of a health risk to others when you turn around- the original Arcido can be a bit of a weapon to bystanders if you swing around too quickly! I found the straps well designed and comfortable and the padding easily masked the presence of chargers and other oddly shaped items in the rear laptop compartment. I will note that for activity in hot weather, it is not the ideal bag but of course that is not what it has been designed for! All in all, once again I am a very happy customer and can highly recommend the Arcido Faroe for business or leisure travel.

This is a great bag for trips away for a week or that quick weekend get away. Fits carry on luggage dimensions so no need to wait around at the baggage claim! Everything can be stored neatly and has plenty of room for all you need. The laptop pocket is a great addition for taking Uni work on the go and the defined space for it is really secure and handy instead of rummaging around your bag. Quick and easy to slip your laptop in and out in the airport security queue and for being on the go! Either in a foreign city or around your own. The material feels really durable and I like the sleek design and aesthetic of the Faroe with pockets for easy access to your passport/valuables when you need them. Can't wait to use it again and I recommend for those who get away often on those short breaks.

It's a great bag and I use it every day but there are some things that I think should have been caught in the design stages, for example... I like how the entire front opens up but when you flip it over the top pocket also flips out over the zip and can send the contents flying if you forgot to close it first! The back (laptop bit) opens up nicely, but not fully to 90 degrees. The zips don't quite go down far enough to allow the bag to stand upright and sort your laptop out on a flat surface. The little strap to help pull your laptop out in a nice feature, but also almost entirely useless. If you can get your hand far enough down to undo the velcro, then it's far enough down to just grab your laptop... The clothes straps can also cause some issues for the laptop section if you pull them too tight. Because the back of the main section isn't rigid then tightening the buckles deform the shape slightly and can make it harder to zip up the rear section. Still a great bag though, and gave me a 12 day holiday with only carry on!

l've had this bag for a few years now and can honestly say it's the best designed travel bag l have ever owned in over 60 years of travelling from the UK to New Zealand and various places in between. It's a brilliant ergonomic design, that sits firmly against your back and shoulders, with padded straps for comfort. It sits upright on its own when placed on the ground and you can easily access pockets for passport, liquids and laptop. And it unfolds perfectly to reveal clothes etc once it has been packed. And it's indiscreet, unpretentious and unostentatious : perfect :) Somebody please start making them again !

I actually own another Arcido bag, and liked it so much I thought I'd try out this newer one (yes, I have a thing for bags!). Much as I love my first Arcido bag, this one is better as it feels like it holds more (despite also being the maximum size for airline carry on luggage). It's also more stylish and luxurious looking - good going for what is essentially a mix between a backpack and a larger rucksack! Some other things I like: - water bottle holders on the outside - super easy access to laptop/iPad when going through airport security - laptop is right against your back when wearing the bag; good for security but also posture - comfortable straps, even when it's packed to the max - great quality - i travel a lot, and I've already dragged it around five countries and some 15 or so flights - I can tell it's going to last for ages Finally, you get to be smug as you watch people struggle around planes with wheeled cases. Won't travel without the Faroe now.