TRST_Blog

You might not know it (because I never told you) but I am obsessed with finding the perfect bag. I spend my time scouring the internet looking for information, reviews, anecdotes, myths and whatever I can about particular bags that have caught my fancy. The two biggest issues I have encountered on my quest, thus far, are the seemingly infinite number of backpack, messenger bag, satchel, fanny-pack and potato sack models that are being produced each day and the limited amount of information available about any of them.

Those two issues in particular are thorns in my side because I am unable to buy copious numbers of bags to test them myself. (My name is [REDACTED], and I am a feeble, limited and weak human being.) So, what does a cheapskate, like myself, do when they either a) don't have the money to buy a new bag, and/or b) there's no one who's taken the time to detail their experiences with said bag? The answer is wait. Then manically scour the internet. Then wait. Finally, after a year of carrying my possessions in a bindle, get frustrated enough to start playing fast and loose with my credit card.

This post is the culmination of a year and a half of waiting and frustration.

First, things first: I bought a Poler Rucksack, in "furry camo" if you insist. Add roughly $20 for shipping because I'm a sucker and I live in America's hat. It took a couple weeks to get here, and now it's sitting on the floor of my apartment.

The backpack came lovingly crammed into a USPS box alongside a cute little quote, a sticker sheet and a single-use hand warmer. I know it's not much in terms of extra "swag" but it's the thought that counts and I appreciate little gestures. The hanging tag is made out of steel and might work as a bottle opener in a pinch—which seems to be always.

On to the bag itself. The bag is made of 1000D Cordura, which is just plain tough. I mean that in two ways, first, it feels like it will outlast my sorry looking dermis, and second, it is not the most pliable fabrics I've laid hands on. The folks at Poler have said this about their new bag design (all-caps is all their doing):

OUR SECOND GENERATION OF BAGS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED AND ARE TOUGHER AND MUCH MORE WATERPROOF

Like I said above, I'd believe it.

The bag itself has a single large pocket (21.6L in volume), a small top pocket (2.4L in volume), and two removable side pockets (2.3L in volume each). Despite the old school hiking backpack feel, this is most certainly a day pack. There are two fairly basic straps, with no sternum or hip belts to aid in support. So, while you could load up your bag with bricks, because surely the construction could support it, you probably are better off not doing it. I repeat do not do that.

Unfortunately, I have yet to spend enough time with this bag to write a proper review. (I was too excited not to share some images!) I will work on it over the next few months, but I can't promise anything sooner, although I will accept any questions you may have until that time.

I wish everyone who reads this the very best in 2013 and beyond.

[Disclosure: I am one of those silly and unfortunate few who cancelled their Instagram account, although I did so at the first irrational flair up during their purchase by Facebook.]

Like everyone that follows the tech news circuit, I heard about Instagram changing its Terms of Service and I was unhappy. The terms seemed to imply that user's photos could be sold off to advertisers and used out of context. All of the circles that I follow were passionately ablaze.

Later, the Verge's own Nilay Patel wrote a fairly convincing translation of Instagram's legalese which put most of those fears to bed. And, shortly thereafter, Instagram's co-founder Kevin Systrom, penned an official response. Overall, a very quick response to a viral controversy.

Many of Instagram's impassioned user base found themselves in a slightly awkward position. An entire day spent worrying about the fate of their data in the hands of a cold and indifferent advertising companies turned out to be merely a mountain made of a mole hill. Now, many of these people are either living up to their commitments and quitting the service out of principle, admitting they were wrong, or staying quiet until everyone forgets what just happened.

I won't chastise those people, to be honest I am positive I have done just the same; however, I would like to take a moment and analyze some of the response. The population of the web that writes about these topics has understandably been split into polarities. I say 'understandably' because of our shared human history of othering, a topic which I will side step for the moment. Now that one half has spoken out about their feelings of betrayal, the other half is moving in to say, "we told you so."