‘Multipurpose’ is just one of the ways to describe this month’s UNpacking feature.
Whether its extended multi-week vacations in far-off destinations or a quick weekend getaway just outside city limits, the folks at U.N. Luggage are big fans of the Patagonia Black Hole MLC.
“This is another store favourite and, actually, family favourite,” says Jon Thiessen of U.N. Luggage.
When 8 members of his family travelled to Europe together last year, half the group had this bag as their personal luggage.
“This was their choice for how to get as much as they could on a 2-week trip to Germany,” recounts Thiessen.
MLC – which stands for “maximum legal carry-on" – is a soft-sided, unstructured bag that provides 45-litres of space with plenty of packing options. A large main compartment plus two interior organization pockets with a top pocket for smaller items presents an array of packing options.
“(Patagonia) have been doing this bag for probably ten years,” says Thiessen. “It’s been often copied but the original still seems to be sort of the best version of a maximum carry-on.”
The bag also has options when it comes to strap configurations: as a backpack, shoulder bag, or a duffel.
“You don’t always need a backpack,” says Thiessen. “Sometimes it’s just very convenient to just have a single strap to throw it over your shoulder and carry more things in your hands.”
Summer in the city
Located in the heart of the historic Exchange District in Winnipeg, Thiessen has noticed a “steady” number of people in the neighbourhood with all the summer festivals and events happening, though feels the area is still in a bit of a “recovery mode.”
“There’s sort of been some initiatives to get more of a police presence on the streets which is great,” he says.
Summer also typically yields a different preference when it comes to luggage, according to Thiessen.
“Categories sort of change,” he says. Accessories like handbags and purses are more popular as are more packable forms weekend bags.
“If people have a cottage on Lake of the Woods and you need a new bag and you’ve got to go by boat to an island... it’s not usually on wheels, it’s not usually structured, it’s usually they want something soft,” says Thiessen.
Certainly this month’s UNpacking feature fits the bill. Equally comfortable being packed into an overhead bin or in the back of the trunk.
Find all your luggage and travel needs at U.N. Luggage.
175 McDermot Avenue or online at: www.unluggage.com