In this hands-on review, we’ll take a look at The Daypack from Stubble & Co to help you decide if it’s worth buying.
If you haven’t heard of Stubble & Co, their products are worth looking into. This particular article is about their Daypack. Read on to learn more about the company and the bag. Of course, we’ll also answer the big question — is The Daypack worth your money?
Table of Contents
Quick Take
The Daypack is a well-constructed bag with a cool minimal aesthetic. At $135, it’s not the cheapest backpack, but it is high quality.
About Stubble & Co
Stubble & Co is a British company that, well, their website says it best…
Stubble & Co is a British born brand on a mission to create tough, durable and highly functional bags designed for every aspect of travel.
They definitely deliver on creating durable bags, and they have an ethical mission to boot. If you’ve seen any of our content about Everlane, then you know we really appreciate ethical brands.
This review focuses on The Daypack offered by Stubble & Co, but you can find their full collection of products on their site if you want to see more.
Overview of The Daypack
The Daypack is a canvas bag with a drawstring top and a magnetic top cover. I have the navy colorway of the bag, and I gotta say, the navy and brown combo looks classic and stylish.
The top cover features a mountain logo that looks pretty cool, and there’s a second logo near the bottom of the bag sporting the brand name. I’m not usually a fan of brand names being shown on products, but in this case, it’s pretty tasteful.
There’s a well-placed zip pocket on the very front of the bag that’s a good size for storing some everyday carry essentials like your phone and wallet, though I’d feel more secure storing them in the main compartment on the inside of the bag.
By the way, if you’re in the know about zippers, rest assured that The Daypack uses YKK zippers. If you’re not familiar with YKK, just trust us, they’re some of the best in the business.
Another really solid feature of The Daypack is the two water bottle pockets on each side of the bag. They function well and create a nice symmetrical aesthetic.
A great EDC combo is a water bottle or thermos in one pocket and a small umbrella in the other. However, you may not need to carry an umbrella with this bag because it’s waterproof!
Waterproof Canvas
I really appreciate that Stubble & Co uses waterproofed canvas. Whether you’re taking The Daypack into the great outdoors or wearing it in the city, it’s important to have a bag that can handle some water.
That one time you get caught in the rain unprepared is all it takes to ruin important books, documents or even your laptop.
Comfort
A quick note about the shoulder straps is that they feel sturdy and comfortable, but they aren’t heavily padded.
Speaking of comfort, there’s one odd thing about the fit of this backpack. The bottom of the bag pushes into my lower back in an uncomfortable way. It’s not a big deal and it’s not painful, but it’s noticeable. It’s a comfort issue I’ve never had with a backpack.
Inside The Daypack
Now, onto the inside of the bag.
If you open up The Daypack, you’ll find a laptop pocket that fits laptops up to 15″, a main section for books and whatnot and a small zip compartment which works fine for storing pens, a pocket knife and other little EDC items.
A feature I think is missing is a designated spot to store a couple of pens and other writing utensils. I’m by no means a pen aficionado, but I do like to have a couple of pens and a highlighter in my backpack and it’s nice when a bag has a perfect spot for them.
On the upside, I can definitely appreciate the minimal layout of the compartments.
The Drawstring Closure and Magnetic Top
I’m a bit confused by the drawstring and magnetic top cover design choice. I feel like I’m missing something when it comes to drawstring bags.
I understand the appeal of a small drawstring bag to take to the gym or the beach, but I don’t think a drawstring backpack with a magnetic cover is ideal.
For me, it’s just not as practical as a backpack that zips. When the bag is full, it’s kind of awkward to stuff the drawstrings in after tightening it closed, and the magnets on the top cover are pretty weak and don’t feel very secure.
That being said, it’s still a sturdy bag, I just prefer a zippered design.
Stubble & Co does offer a standard zippered backpack so if you’re like me and don’t love the drawstring top, you could opt for The Commuter.
Ironically, I think the top cover on The Daypack makes it look a lot cooler than The Commuter, but I suppose The Commuter might function better due to the zipper.
When to Wear The Daypack
The Daypack definitely adheres to a minimal aesthetic. That’s good news because, like any minimal clothing and accessories, you can wear it with pretty much anything.
I’ve been using The Daypack for everyday carry of things like my laptop, daily planner and notebooks. It looks stylish yet a little rugged which I really like. It feels appropriate wearing it to a cafe, and it’d also look good on a hike. You can bet it’s good for travel too.
Recommendation: Is It Worth the Price?
The Daypack is a good bag for everyday carry that has all the features that most guys would need in a backpack (and the waterproof material is a huge plus), but an additional inside pocket for pens would be nice.
Depending on your budget, this bag could be an excellent choice for you.
Personally, I’d opt for a more affordable option like this $75 sustainably made backpack from Everlane. Everlane makes great products, and it’s hard for me to reason with the price difference between their backpack and The Daypack from Stubble & Co.
However, The Daypack has hundreds of five-star reviews on the Stubble & Co site so they’ve definitely created a great product. Also, Stubble & Co offers free global shipping!
Questions About Stubble & Co’s Daypack
Here are the answers to some questions you may have about Stubble & Co and their products:
Does The Daypack have a laptop pocket?
Yes, The Daypack has a pocket that can fit a laptop of up to 15″.
Is The Daypack waterproof?
The Daypack is made of waterproof canvas so yes, it is waterproof to an extent. It can handle rain, but the inside contents would probably be damaged if the bag were totally submerged in water.
Does Stubble & Co offer a warranty on their products?
Stubble & Co offers a two-year warranty. You can see the details on their site.
Are Stubble & Co products made in Britain?
Stubble & Co is a British brand, but their website doesn’t seem to mention where their products are manufactured.
Is Stubble & Co an ethical company?
Yes, sustainability and ethics are a big part of Stubble & Co. Learn more on their sustainability page.
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