Using a project or document box to fill in an unused laptop compartment came up in a recent thread so I ordered one from Amazon to see how it works. They come in several sizes and some are clipboards with storage. The weight is probably the downside. It will definitely stiffen up the back panel.
I tried it with some typical EDC and small tech items that I normally travel with. Of course it could be used for travel documents and maps. The clipboard version is a natural for artists.
9”x12”x0.56” (30.5x23x0.19cm), 7.3oz (207g), $8.49
I think you’d be better off with a flexible folder. Why lighter and the stiffness seems unnecessary
Depends on what you are carrying and the level of protection or organization needed. You could slip in a Grid It organizer too. That’s not exactly light either. Or a repurposed Tyvek envelope.
I have the smallest Eagle Creek garment folder that about 14”x9.5” and it fits perfectly in the laptop compartment in my Patagonia Black Hole 32. That could hold a couple button down shirts without getting too thick.
It’s just one answer to what can be done with an unused laptop compartment.
The weight is definitely the main issue but I actually like the stiffness for protecting stuff like cables and chargers - beats having them get crushed by a laptop. Plus the compartments keep things organized instead of just floating around loose in a folder
And this my friend is why a bag with fewer bells and whistles for me always wins. 🤣I'm seldom parted from my carefully chosen sub 1kg machine, but if stuff is contained in packing cubes, so your dirty clothes don't fall out when you open your bag, it really isn't that hard to use an internal sleeve which has no volume. You have a lighter more compact bag and your most precious item is more secure.
I know you're doing this in the interests of science but 🥺 🤣.
And just a friendly mention - quite a few of us, me included, come from countries where we can't see Imgur links.
Context: https://reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/1prv68s/projectdocument_to_utilize_laptop_compartment/
Illustrates using a document box for filling unused laptop compartment space.