Working from wherever I want means I need a bag that can pretty much do it all–it’s my work bag, but it should also be suitable for non-work related outings. Say I’m in a new city and want to explore, but I might also want to pop into a cafe for a work break–it’s nice to be able to take just one bag that fits all my needs.
So, there are a number of specific things I look for when choosing the perfect backpack for my location independent lifestyle:
- Function: Does it have a laptop case and ample room for other gear like my external hard drive and extra camera lenses? Does it fit close enough to my body so as not to be a nuisance to others? Does it have compartments of various sizes to keep my things organized? Is it sturdy enough to hold up through both long travel days and outdoor adventures?
- Comfort: Are the straps and back panel padded? Do the straps adjust so the pack can sit comfortably on my hips? Is the weight distributed evenly when the backpack is full? Is the backpack free from unnecessary bells and whistles that add to its weight?
- Style: Does it look professional? Does it fit my own personal aesthetic? Is it sleek and uncumbersome?
For me, the Machir Casual Backpack ticks every single one of the above boxes.
I’ve been taking the bag on all my outings for the last few weeks, from work days at local cafes to short day hikes or lazy afternoons by the river, with a few sunset picnics thrown in for good measure.
Let’s take a closer look at all the useful features this bag offers and why it has quickly become my favorite backpack for my digital nomad lifestyle.
The Perfect Bag for #DigitalNomads: The Casual Backpack by Machir Click To TweetReview of the Machir Casual Backpack
Functionality for the Work From Anywhere Lifestyle
Machir’s Casual Backpack has compartments galore, and plenty of space for everything I need as a travel and lifestyle blogger to get my work done on the go.
The main compartment is home to both a padded 13″ laptop pocket and a slightly smaller 10.25″ tablet pocket, and plenty of room for things like my power cords, my camera body, and a reusable water bottle.
On the front of the bag is another deep pocket where I stored my noise-cancelling headphones (and since I get very easily distracted in noisy work environments like cafes, these come with me everywhere).
At the top, a short zipper opens to reveal a pocket that’s perfectly sized for something small like your keys or something you may need access to without taking off the bag (perhaps a granola bar for that unexpected hunger attack).
At the front of the bag, you’ll find a pocket covered by a beautiful leather flap and held shut by a powerful magnetic clip; open it to reveal a handy place to store your pens and a mesh pocket to secure something valuable. This is where I stored my iPhone and in front of that, my external hard drive.
On either side of the bag, you’ll find two more zipped pouches with ample space for accessories as well as mesh pockets. This was the perfect place to store my additional camera lenses and, though it was a tight fit, I even managed to squeeze in my mammoth 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. My 18-55mm stock lens fit nicely into the mesh pocket.
The back, of course, is fully padded and rigid enough that the bag stands up on its own even when nothing is inside (I just hate when a bag collapses on itself, don’t you?).
This bag could also function as the perfect carry-on bag for digital nomads traveling by air.
Beautiful Details for Extra Style Points
The Casual Collection comes in three colors: Navy, Khaki, and Burgundy. I was smitten with my burgundy bag from the get-go, but when I opened it up and noticed the contrasting turquoise lining and striped straps, I was really in love.
Every part of this bag feels high-quality, from the beautiful orange leather to the sturdy zippers to the shiny metal hardware.
The Perfect Companion for Outdoor Adventures
After a few trips to the cafe toting my laptop and work accouterments, I wanted to take the Casual Backpack for a spin in the great outdoors, too.
The comfortable back panel and straps mean it won’t kill your shoulders during a day of hiking, and the durable cotton canvas construction allows dirt to simply brush right off if things get messy.
Naturally, I carry my camera gear with me on these types of outings, too, but without the rest of my work-related gear, there was plenty of room for extra layers of clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle and some snacks, among other things.
The bag has an approximate volume 1,060 cubic inches (17.3 liters), making it the perfect size for a day trip, and I put it to good use. It came with me for a quick hike with my family, and a day lounging by the river with friends, and a sunset picnic in a grassy field, overlooking Washington’s venerable Cascade Mountain Range.
In the end, the Casual Backpack by Machir passed all my tests. It was highly functional, it felt great to wear, and it looked damn good in the process.
For a life lived on the go, I can’t recommend this bag enough.
Thank you to Machir for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions expressed are those of The Sweetest Way. This post contains affiliate links.
