Review: Aer Fit Pack 2

You’re running late for work, so you dash out of the house in a desperate attempt to make it on time. Ten minutes later, inevitably, you realize you left something important at home and you can’t go back. Aer understands those inconveniences, which is why its backpacks are designed to keep everything you need tucked away so you’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Aer Fit Pack 2, part of the company’s latest Active collection, delivers on that promise in a stylish and thoughtful package. It’s meant for commuters who bounce between work and the gym and don’t want the hassle of carrying around two bags. This single backpack keeps those two worlds apart thanks to a clever system of pockets.

It has all the same features that made its predecessor a solid bag, but it’s got plenty of new features to make it a worthy upgrade. Aer’s made all of the compartments bigger, added more pockets for better organization, and changed the padding so it’s more comfortable to carry across town. It’s even water-resistant, so all your gadgets can be tucked away and kept safe from the rain.

The main compartment is loaded with pockets for all your accessories, and there’s a padded laptop sleeve to protect it from any bumps or drops. For anything you grab frequently, like your wallet, earbuds, or keys, there’s a quick-access pocket on the top for those grab-and-go moments.

Aer

Most of that’s pretty standard for backpacks, though. The highlight of the Fit Pack 2 is its pockets to store all your workout gear. The bag’s front opens into a large pouch that holds your gym clothes and water bottle, with room for a few other trinkets. There’s a separate slot on the bottom for you to slide your workout shoes into (as long as they’re size 13 or under — Sorry, Shaq). Both compartments have built-in ventilation so even on your sweatiest days, the bag won’t stink up too much.

Aer’s ability to make room for all of this while maintaining a slim and lightweight package is impressive. I usually carry my laptop, a few notebooks, my Kindle, laptop and phone chargers, a battery pack, bundles of pens, a pair of sunglasses, a water bottle, my workout gear, and a tupperware container for my lunch. Even with all of that, the bag never felt cumbersome, and I’ve been able to confidently leave my house every day without worrying that I left something behind.

My commute takes about an hour each way, and I usually walk between two and three miles per day. The bag’s back and shoulder straps are lined with padded mesh which keep the bag from feeling uncomfortable, even during my longest treks. There’s a buckle you can snap across your chest, which kept my bag from flopping around on the few days I had to book it to catch my train.

The bag costs $135, which is well worth it if you’re a frequent gym-goer. It’s a pretty lean backpack, so you won’t be able to totally stuff it, but there’s some comfort to be found in that. Since it’s meant to carry just the essentials, it pushes you to think about what you’ll absolutely need to take with you. As long as you stick to that, all your essentials will follow you wherever your day takes you. Everything else will be waiting for you when you get home. Plus, it gives you one less excuse to skip gym days — take that as you will.