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It’s easy to be skeptical of brands that market high-performance products for urban living. Wearing a rain jacket that was built to withstand monsoon season in Jakarta can feel a little superfluous in a New York drizzle.
But for certain products, that tech is actually welcome in everyday city life. Consider the commuting pack. My backpack split yesterday (a jammed zipper wouldn’t budge and it all unraveled from there) and I was upset. I’d gotten the pack only two years ago. But once I reflected on the thousands of train and metro rides — sometimes up to four a day, over two years — that I’ve taken, it put things into perspective.
Commuting is violent and relentless and super dirty. Not unlike the wild. So it should warrant a pack that can withstand Mother Nature and her elements, while looking good propped next to your desk at the office. We recommend going with Arc’teryx’s Granville Daypack. The Vancouver company is celebrating 30 years of making outdoor gear this year, and its offerings are as quality as ever. This pack is a flip-top waterproof bag with a padded laptop sleeve, easy-access compartment and reflective logos for those late bike commutes home.
Oh, and the thing’s currently $85 off. Can’t argue with that.
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