Journal

A brief history of the backpack: from soldier's kit to commuter staple The backpack looks like a recent invention, a piece of gear designed for the last few decades of commuting. In fact it is one of the oldest ways of carrying things that still works, and today's commuter version is a direct descendant of equipment that is five thousand years old....

The best holdall under £150 in the UK: what a good budget buys £150 is the honest sweet spot for a holdall that will last. Below it, most bags cut a corner that shows within a year. Above it, you are paying for a name or a heavier leather than a weekend bag needs. This guide is the checklist of what £150...

How to store a canvas and leather bag over summer British weather is hard on bags from October to March; summer is hard on them in a quieter way. Heat, sunlight and a cupboard that bakes against an outside wall do more damage over three months than a winter of rain does. The good news is that putting a bag away properly...

The five bags every UK man needs (and the three he doesn't) A man's bag wardrobe is smaller than most people think. Five bags cover every situation a normal year throws at you: the daily carry, the commuter, the quick-errand bag, the weekend bag and the travel bag. Anything beyond that is either a specialism you actually use or a bag that...

Is a holdall OK as carry-on? UK airline rules Short answer: yes, but only if the holdall fits the airline's cabin bag sizer. UK carriers generally allow a cabin bag up to 56 by 36 by 23 cm (the IATA standard) or, in some cases, a smaller 45 by 36 by 20 cm. Most of our holdalls fit the larger size; some...

What to carry in a 13 inch laptop backpack on a UK daily commute A 13 inch laptop backpack for a UK daily commute carries the same eight items every day, with two or three seasonal swaps. The list below is the kit that has survived the train, the platform, the wet pavement and the office, written for the person who is...