New Rooster in the Hen House?
I geeked out a little on travel bags this year. Some small start ups, usually advertising through Kickstarter and other crowdfunding sources, seemed to have some innovative bags that grabbed my attention. I was drawn in enough to order a few of these seemingly “best bags” with hopes of landing the perfect travel bag.
Hexad Access Duffel
My latest bag purchase is the Hexad Access Duffel from Wandrd. You’ve probably seen their advertising. For a small company that was born on Kickstarter, they definitely do a lot of advertising!
Until now my favorite travel bag has been the Mr. Davis Continuum 2.0. Oddly enough, the bag is made by a clothing company, but I’m much more interested in the bag not the brand behind it. The Continuum 2.0 is a very simple, functional, and affordable bag that I can store all of my technical equipment (laptop, headphones, audio recorder, cameras and more) with room left over for clothes and other gear. Best of all, it’s listed at $99 right now, which is much cheaper than competing bags.
Bag Review
The Hexad Duffel just arrived. It shipped out a few days ago and I was one of the first to receive it. Its Kickstarter page made it seem pretty significant, so I was eager to give it a run through.
The Hexad and Continuum bags are similar in size, but the Hexad is larger and deeper.
It’s worth pointing out that my main focus is not a backpack, or day pack that I can put more clothes into. A single 25L suitcase can handle that. I’m looking for a bag to put technical equipment and other stuff that I want access to on the flight (and possibly to use when touring a new city).
Initial Impressions
The first things that jumps out at you when you lift the Continuum and Hexad Duffel is the weight and construction. The Hexad is definitely heavier, but that’s because it’s a little bit larger overall and the materials are thicker in general. The Hexad is made of weatherproof tarpaulin and ballistic nylon. It has the appearance and feel of synthetic leather and is pretty heavy duty. By comparison, the Continuum bag is made of 840D ballistic nylon, which is similar to golf bags and most school backpack material. It’s thinner and lighter but still very strong. In the most simplest terms to describe the difference between the two bags, the Hexad is a heavier, tougher, uber engineered version of the Continuum.
Overall Rating (Scale: 1-10)
Score: 6.5
Pros: Extremely strong construction. Bag feels like it won’t break, maybe ever. Top and side handles for easy lifting. Separated compartments for clothes/equipment. The company sells small storage bags that fit in these separated slots perfectly, but those are extra. External and internal compression straps – most bags just have one or the other, not both. Extra storage compartments, and access areas. Shoe bag built in as well. Weatherproof and some lockable zippers.
Cons: It’s towards the heavy end of bags that I’m looking for. A big concern for me is the lack of storage options for smaller travel items like pens and other things that are essential on trips. Zipper is hidden under the top flap which has the benefit some rain protection but it’s not easy or good for quick access. The side straps allow for compression but block some access to the bag. Laptop compartment faces traveler so that when you walk, it will be at your back – I’d rather have the laptop facing away from me. Shoe bag is built into the internal part of the bag, so whatever you store in there will ultimately take up space inside your bag.
Sleek straps, but are they completely functional?
3 main separated areas in the Hexad
The shoe compartment takes up roughly half of the internal compartment that it’s located in
The small “quick access” slots on the side of the bag are odd. Are you going to pack your bag the same every time so that you’re camera is always exactly in the same spot when you open the bag? If you don’t have many things in the bag, when you use those slots, whatever you’re looking for could take some time to locate and easily shift around to a different spot.
The cost is also a leap for many. Retails for $259. I would not pay that much for this bag. Any carry on type backpack would have to be pretty special for me to pay that price (then tack on tax and possibly shipping) and you’re closer to $300, not $250.
I don’t really care for the adjustable/detachable backpack straps. They are uber designed, curved a little, and thinner. It’s kind of like when you go to a restaurant and order a main course and the server brings back 2.5 ounces of food for $30. I’d rather have larger straps, and definitely ones with good padding. If this bag is loaded up and heavy, I’m not sure those straps are going to be the answer.
The mesh inside the bag could be an issue too. If you choose to load heavy or materials into that larger section, or items that could snag the mesh, it could tear.
Summary
The design of the bag looks sleek and modern on all the videos, but the nuts and bolts of it are not what I’m looking for. At worst I’d say the bag is an uber designed mess and at best that it does show promise and potential. It’s an interesting attempt by a new bag company, but I wonder how much travel overseas (for pleasure or business) they have done? If I were to guess, I’d say not that much.
To me the Hexad Access Duffel is more suited for clothes and other kinds of storage, not as a primary means of transporting camera or technical gear. If clothes and other storage is your aim then bags like the Briggs & Riley Exchange Medium Expandable Duffel, the Patagonia Black Hole MCL 45L, and others are better options than this bag. I’m looking for a bag that’s more focused on electronics, media equipment, and supplies and not as much on clothing. The fact that the promotional videos specifically advertise camera and other equipment for the bag’s main focus is bizarre to me. If this bag really is competing in the camera space, I’ll take the ThinkTank Shapeshifter 15 and 17’s over this one any day.
I’m going to Hawaii in a few weeks, then to Frequent Traveler University (FTU) in Seattle in February, and Eastern Europe soon after that. During that time, I’ll be able to bring the Mr. Davis Continuum 2.0 bag with me and give it some good test runs. The Hexad has already been sent back (and shipping costs back were pricey!). I’m fussy with my travel gear and bags; the Hexad just didn’t meet my expectations.