The Highs: Surprising capacity, clever features, attractive price
The Lows: Typical daypack styling
The Verdict: A lot of bag at a killer price point
For a year or two I used a daypack as my daily bag and “briefcase.” It was great: the thing held a lot of stuff, had numerous pockets for electronics and essential items, and was comfortable – most of the time I’d just throw one strap over my shoulder, and it was very comfortable. In a pinch, I could even travel with it. Another factor I must admit to: it’s a bit hipper than a standard issue briefcase, and frankly that fits my self image more than does a black leather briefcase or one of those god awful wheeled cases. Eventually I moved on to a Red Oxx Metro as a concession to convention, albeit one that’s executed in the unmistakable uber-tough Red Oxx style. But sometimes I still think about going back to a backpack/daypack.
These thoughts surfaced again recently as the result of my review of the Patagonia Crosstown daypack. Although I found the Crosstown an attractive daypack with some nice features (including a padded laptop sleeve), I thought it overpriced and mentioned that there were better values available if you aren’t hung up on having the Patagucci er, Patagonia logo on your bag. I specifically mentioned High Sierra, but as you no doubt are aware, there are a number of quality daypacks on the market from companies like The North Face, Black Diamond, Kelty, and others.
Since publishing the Crosstown review, I was lucky enough to secure a sample of the High Sierra Monsoon to review. This is a mid sized (~1900 cubic inch capacity) daypack featuring a padded laptop sleeve, 3 main storage compartments, two side “water bottle” pockets, and two media/MP3 pockets. The fact that it sells for about half the price of the Crosstown really caught my attention. Let’s take a closer look…
A photo tour of the High Sierra Monsoon
As you can see in the photo above, there are 3 main compartments: the rear compartment of course contains the laptop sleeve and measures 19″ x 16″ at its tallest and widest points respectively. The middle compartment measures ~16″ x 11.5″ (tallest/widest) and is a simple open pocket. The third & front compartment measures ~12″ x 11″ and contains numerous pockets and a keytab that we’ll look at in another moment. High Sierra does not publish fabric weights for this bag; I am guessing that the main surfaces are 600 denier and the black section at the bottom of the pack is 1000 denier.
Below is a shot of my T42 ThinkPad in the laptop compartment, which is suspended a bit above the bottom of the Monsoon. Note that there’s an elastic strap that’s intended to secure the top of the laptop, but I’ve tucked it behind the machine. This was one of the only discordant notes in the Monsoon: that strap measures a full 14″ long, making it essentially useless. For my ThinkPad, for example, the strap would be useful if it was ~3.5″ to 4″ long. I don’t know what they were thinking. It’s moot anyway, as the laptop isn’t about to go anywhere once it’s in the sleeve.
On a more positive note, that large black monstrosity in the front part of the compartment is an Eagle Creek Pack-It 18 which contains two oxford dress shirts, a pair of Dockers, and a pair of heavier weight Orvis casual chinos. It looks as though it won’t fit…
…but in fact this (below) is the compartment nearly zipped closed. I simply tucked in the upper right corner of the Pack-It, and was able to zip the pocket closed. I did not have to bend the rigid plastic “bottom board” of the Pack-It to make this happen. The takeaway? You could travel with this bag for a couple of days (or more) if your trip was casual or business casual.
The middle compartment is shown below. The brown portfolio measures 13″ x 10″ x 1.625″; I included a manilla folder and writing tablet to give you an additional scale reference. One important fact that bears mentioning: you can see that this pocket is lined with a lightweight ripstop-type material. This material is a single layer in those instances where it separates compartments internally; where it meets exterior surfaces – the back of the laptop sleeve, the bottom of the bag, the front of the 3rd/front compartment - it in fact functions as a “shift layer.” Those walls are two layers thick, so that if the bag’s contents move around, the internal ripstop material will shift against the external wall, helping to avoid “hot spot” wear and abrasion. It may seem an insignificant feature, but these bags usually see daily use, and such use can take a toll on a lesser bag quickly. Also note the gusset at the bottom of the opening for added strength.
Finally, the front compartment: numerous pockets (one large, one small zippered among them), 2 pen slots, and a key retainer. The catalog in the back of the pocket measures 6″ x 10.5″ – remember that this pocket is fairly deep. I put my frequent flyer cards in one of the smaller compartments on the lower right; you can see the small zippered pocket immediately below them. This smaller zippered pocket would be great for media cards, jump drives, and the like. The large zippered pocket runs the width of the compartment and is a full 7¼” deep.
The first of the two media player compartments is a the top of the bag. This one is large enough (~7.5″ x 7.5″) to accommodate an iPod, Muze, your 3-1-1 bag, or a pair of glasses. The small slit in the boxed section to the right of the zipper pull is of course a port for an earbud or headphone cord.
Side compression straps help take up the slack when the bag is less than full; they’re not removable. You can see the top of a 20 oz. water bottle in the side pocket; its counterpart on the other size of the bag is the same size. If you’ve got the Monsoon on your back, retrieving said bottle by reaching back to grab it is difficult; don’t apply unless you’re a contortionist.
Coil zippers are used throughout and seem to be of reasonable quality; they all operated smoothly. The hook on the bag front is for a carabiner, ostensibly for hanging gear off the bag; its inclusion here is little more than an homage to the Monsoon’s more robust, internal-frame-equipped backpacking cousins; I imagine few Monsoon owners will actually use it.
Another view of one of the compression straps and zipper pulls. Overall stitching quality looked solid; I did have to snip off a couple of thread ends which were sticking out, but other than that, the build quality seemed excellent.
Instead of a separate grab handle, High Sierra opted for a clever loop design which is incorporated into the backpack straps:
A gee-whiz feature: an integrated MP3/iPod pocket on the right (from the wearer’s standpoint) backpack strap. Unzip the side zippers, and you have access to your player’s controls via a translucent material…
…which, when you press it against the screen of your player, enables you to see the screen clearly and operate the controls.
Here it is in use (below). There’s a small pocket with a scalloped opening beneath the headphones symbol for storing the buds when not in use; I found it easier to simply store them in the player pocket. (The round white disk you see in these images is a Magneat, used for tidying up the unused portion of the earbuds’ cord, and no, it doesn’t come with the Monsoon.)
The mesh pocket on the left strap is also described as a media pocket; you could fold a boarding pass in thirds and put it there, or perhaps an energy bar, I suppose. The backpack straps are backed with VapelTM mesh airflow padding, and are comfortable despite the lack of the sternum strap. The back of the daypack itself is also covered with a molded/contoured padded piece. I loaded the bag to a (total) weight of ~14 pounds and it was very comfortable; note that these are my initial impressions, as I have not yet traveled with the bag or used it extensively. Owner reviews have indicated that the bag is comfortable over the long term.
Specifications
- Multiple large compartments open wide for easy-access
- Flex-use sleeve holds most 17″ (screen size) notebook computers (max. size 16″ x 11″ x 1.625″) or a hydration reservoir (not included)
- Versatile flip-down backpack strap pocket allows you to operate your MP3 player without removal.
- Open mesh shoulder strap media pocket offers even more storage
- Zippered side pockets hold a water bottle or other gear, zippered top accessory pocket holds sunglasses.
- Deluxe organizer has multiple pockets and a key tab
- Adjustable side compression straps secure heavy loads.
- Yoke-style, S-shaped backpack straps have comfortable VAPEL™ mesh AIRFLOW™ padding
- Comfortable, contour-molded back panel
- Available in several colors including Rainforest/Ash (shown here) and Black/Graphite
- Made in China
- Overall Dimensions: 19.5″ H x 13.5″ W x 7″ D
- 2.9 lbs.
Wrapping up…
Let’s return to the bag that prompted a comparison to the Monsoon and this review: the Crosstown by Patagonia. To a degree, this is an apples and oranges comparison: the Crosstown, at 1600 cubic inches of capacity and only 1.9 lbs in weight, is a lighter, smaller bag.
It does, however, have a couple of things the Monsoon lacks: the Patagonia logo, and styling that does not fall into the typical “hiking-backpack-reconfigured-for-the-masses” look that’s common to most lightweight daypacks. This is not a knock on the Monsoon so much as it’s a compliment to Patagonia’s designers. The Crosstown offers reasonable functionality without the cookie cutter look, and it possesses typical Patagonia good looks.
It costs $100, however. The Monsoon is available from a wide number of online retailers, and prices vary a bit. At Amazon, the Monsoon is $54.97 in Black/Graphite; in Rainforest/Ash, it’s $54.24. So for nearly half as much money, I get more bag, more features, more functionality, but conventional styling and no Patagonia logo.
For me, although I’m smitten by the Patagonia brand and image (I bought two Capilene shirts from them just this past week) I just can’t square paying more for less bag and less functionality.
Given this choice, I’d go with the Monsoon – in the black/graphite color combination.
You can see the Monsoon at the High Sierra website here, and at Amazon here.
How about you? Which bag would you opt for? Please weigh in by commenting!
The Fine Print: I have no connection to High Sierra or Patagonia; I was provided a sample Monsoon to assist in the writing of this review. I am an Amazon affiliate, but this post contains NO affiliate links.
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November 16th, 2009 at 11:51 am
I have a High Sierra student daypack I picked up a couple of months ago from Costco during the back to school rush – for only $15. At that price it blows away the Rick Steves Appenzell – they are functionally equivalent but $15 beats $40 every time – but I would still recommend the Appenzell to friends because they would absolutely, positively buy the right bag, and not a similar, but much less useful, one on the rack next to the bargain gem bag I was recommending. Sometimes you have to allow for human error, and recommending packs-for-the-masses to friends often leads to a dumbstruck look on friends’ faces when you regard the bag they actually chose with disdain and you wonder how they could have mistaken your Great Buy for that POS they actually bought.
I have the Crosstown now and it is slick. Something that I could take into business class not just economy class if I were lucky enough to get upgraded. Frankly, as a famous blog author you undoubtedly get upgraded all the time on your flights and probably feel just as comfortable with a High Sierra pack as a Patagonia when you take the boarding gate to the left, but for us mere mortals, those are the moments when we are glad we are not at our scruffiest and happier that we have a Crosstown and not a Jansport or High Sierra pack on our shoulder, and a RedOxx or Bihn or MLC and not an OPEC in our hand. At least, our pack says, we can afford a LITTLE luxury and class in our lives.
Let’s face it. The cattle in economy (yes, I have heard flight attendants let slip with such remarks) can’t tell a Steves Appenzell from a Patagonia from a High Sierra. But flight attendants and the hi-so’s in business class can, as can immigration and customs officials, security guards and foreign airport police etc.. And everyone can tell a dirty pair of beat up sneakers from clean stylish sneakers, jeans with holes expensively placed there by the designer vs. jeans with holes from (gasp!) actual wear and tear.
How we dress, how we carry ourselves, how we equip ourselves, can tell a lot about us and influence how we are treated. Rick Steves is a big fan of looking genteelly poor so you won’t attract robbers and pickpockets. I’m a big fan of trying to not look like I arrived in my 50’s (which are the new 40) with holes in my pockets and patches on my sleeves. At the same time trying to look a little up to date in terms of styles and trends (not like “ancient” as in “moded” fifty). Ah, the semiotics of style!
So in brief, please continue to vacillate between reviewing the cheap bargains and the overpriced hi-so stuff – we need both, on different days.
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Kevin Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
“…famous blog author…” Now THAT’S funny!
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November 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Michael W. elegantly states my feeling. But I would add this: apart from the label, the High Sierra to my eye looks dorky compared with the Patagonia that looks modern, elegant and hip at least to my eye.
IMO, this is more than a quick review. It really is well done. Have you reviewed the Tom Bihn Synapse? That would be a comparison I would enjoy.
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Kevin Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
David:
I agree about your perception of the HS to a point. I think it’d be more attractive in black/graphite, which is what I requested. I think I’d describe it more as “typical” than “dorky,” but I guess I’m splitting hairs, and certainly the Patagonia bag is more attractive. Is that worth $50? That’s a question only each consumer can answer.
In any event, I guess “Quick Review” is the wrong moniker for these pieces… there certainly was nothing ‘quick’ about taking the pictures and assembling & writing the post. For a while I was labeling them “First Take” – that’s probably a more apt name.
Finally, I have my eye on the Synapse… a very neat, stylish bag.
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December 11th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Eagle Creek Luggage Sale of suitcase & Backpacks from Bergman Luggage. Both are available at Eagle creek luggage with the lightest luggage, most durable Eagle Creek Backpacks that can go the extra mile.
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December 16th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Would you say that the green looks bad in person?
I was thinking about going with something other than black this time around, but don’t want to order it and have it not look as good as the black might have.
Thanks for the excellent review!
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Kevin Reply:
December 17th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Matt,
For this bag, I’d stick with black. Just my opinion, but I don’t think the green looks that great.
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Matt Gutantes Reply:
December 17th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I actually found some pictures of both of the colors from a different angle and agree with you 100% now. Green doesn’t look too good.
Thanks for the reply!
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December 24th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Any thoughts on how these two bags compare to the Northface Surge?
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Kevin Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Wandering Daruma:
Welcome to the site, and thanks for your comment.
In terms of layout and functionality, they’re quite similar. The Surge is a bit larger (20″ x13.5″ x 9.5″; 2150 cu in) than the Monsoon (19.5″ x 13.5″ x 7″; 1942 cu in) and much larger than the Crosstown (20″ x 11.5″ x 6″; 1597 cu in). The style of the Surge and Monsoon fall into the typical daypack arena; the Crosstown is a bit more distinctive. The iPod pocket on one of the Monsoon’s backpack straps is neat, albeit a bit dorky.
The North Face Surge is certainly a better looking bag than the Monsoon, and FWIW, it has the cachet of the N.F. brand. It’s nearly twice the price of the Monsoon. The Crosstown is an attractive bag, albeit smaller than the other two by a fair margin. Its pricing is similar to that of the Surge.
If you look at the High Sierra Access (big brother to the Monsoon) and Surge on eBags, the Access of course outsells the Surge by quite a margin. What’s interesting to note is the fact that 831 out of 875 Access buyers – or 95% – have indicated that they’d buy the bag again. With the Surge, it’s 267 out of 286, or 93%. That difference is probably within the margin of error… in any event, my point is that buyer satisfaction with the High Sierra daypack is not much different than that for the Surge. (eBags doesn’t offer the Crosstown; there are only a handful of Crosstown reviews on the Patagonia site, and 3 out of 5 users recommend the bag.)
In the final analysis, it comes down to (stating the obvious here, I’m afraid) aesthetics, durability (perhaps a wash?), price, and brand name… and only you can determine the degree of importance each of these criteria merits.
And one thing I don’t know is how large a pack you’re looking for – perhaps the Crosstown would suffice. I would recommend you read a number of user reviews on these bags before making a decision – I’ve found them to be very helpful.
Let me know if you have any other questions… I know at least one reader owns the Crosstown, and he may be able to help. Good luck!
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December 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Now that you mention it…I DO have the Crosstown.
Pros:
* Good travel size. Distributes its volume in a more “rectangular” shape that is held closer to the back than the Rick Steves Appenzell and similar “book bags”. This means you don’t have a saggy lumpy pack whacking people when you turn around, because the Crosstown juts out less than typical tear-drop designs.
* Excellent netbook/notebook/laptop slot. Will take many sizes from netbooks up to 15″ laptops (at least the newer 15″ laptops with the 16:9 aspect ratio screens – “squarer” old-style 15″ laptops may run into a width problem). Suspends the laptop in the center of the main compartment in a harness attached to the backpanel, protects from shocks on all edges – since the laptop will be on your back, it is protected on that side, and clothing protects it from the front. About as well protected as you’ll get, short of a hard-sided Pelikan case.
* Good size for destination use, not a gargantuan bookpack like the LLBean and Steves Appenzell. Yet big enough to serve as a gym bag, or to haul a sweater, guide book, and lunch around.
* You can strap your sweater or jacket on the outside. I didn’t see much utility in this ability initially, but now that we may be facing additional carryon restrictions, the ability to add to the EXTERIOR of my carryon piece this way is very appealing – I don’t want to reserve valuable interior space for my jacket during transit, but I still need a place to stow the jacket when I get off a flight in a hot climate. The exterior straps solve this problem neatly without making the bag too large to pass airline and TSA muster.
Cons:
- I don’t like the waist belt, I cut it off.
- Expensive, but ebags and bagsbuy often have coupons and sales; I saved 20% on mine, which made it worthwhile.
- Not exactly a con, but it’s a little big for a “personal item” and a little small for a “carryon.” In the future we may be limited to a single item, and in that case you’ll have to decide whether to spend your carryon allowance on a bag this size, or on the largest possible bag. For now, for me, this makes a good “personal item” in addition to my main carryon, and if I am checking a bag, the Crosstown is just about a perfect size for an emergency change of clothes, toiletries, and seat side items.
Finally don’t underestimate the value in having the ability to carry a computer ao securely and safely – unlike some travel bags with dedicated slots that let your computer “bump” the ground, this one suspends it, yet at the same time the harness will (mostly) fold out of the way if you aren’t carrying a laptop and need more main compartment stow space.
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