Gaston Luga has released some new bags, and the Biten 15″ is one of them. It sports a bag shape similar to Fjällräven’s Kanken where it has a square-ish shape and a handle at the top.
The Biten 15″ comes in four different colors – black, black brown, olive brown, and grey brown. The one I have is the black model. The Biten 15″ is priced at S$139. But you can apply coupon code TECHJIO15 for 15% off your purchase.
Tech specs
- Dimensions: 38cm * 26.5cm * 17.5cm
- Weight: 0.8kg
- Capacity: 17.5 litres
- Materials: Polyester, PU leather
- Laptop compartment: 13″-15″ (without laptop sleeve)
Build quality
The Gaston Luga Biten is made from regular materials such as Polyester and PU leather. The PU leather are found on the most straps, zipper pull, base, and handle of the bag. Polyester forms the majority of the bag’s composition. The polyester has a soft to touch feel to it.
The soft polyester used is actually quite water resistant, with drizzle of rain not soaking the bag up right away.
Design
The design of the Biten is unique and has elements that makes it stand out such as its PU leather buckles and straps. The squarish shape also gives off a fashionable casual look while carrying it. The use of polyester also gives off a more relaxed vibe due to the softness of the material.
The base of the bag has 4 metallic feet, that I suppose is to provide better balance when standing in on uneven surfaces.
Features
Let’s start with the front of the bag. The front of the bag has a quick access pocket, which is held in place my two PU leather straps secured by magnets. Lifting the straps, the compartment is enclosed by a zipper. This compartment is great for keeping wireless earbuds like the Jaybird Vista or tissue paper.
Next let’s go to back of the bag. The back of the bag has notable features – (1) passport pocket, and (2) luggage pass through.
The passport pocket is sized adequately to fit most passports. It has to be noted that there is no zipper for the pocket. Though the content should stay secure with your back against it, it would have been nice to a see a zipper for added protection. The luggage pass through strap is a nice addition, and a feature you’ll appreciate if you carry Biten to travel.
Now let’s go into the main compartments of the Biten bag. The Biten has two areas of access like Boundary Supply’s Errant Pack. The access nearer to the front of the bag is the primary compartment, while the access near to the bag’s harness (ie. straps) is the secondary compartment. The interior has a nice low-key premium looking burgundy lining.
Primary compartment
The primary compartment has the largest amount of space and comes with a inner padded laptop compartment. The laptop compartment can fit up to a 15″ laptop, but it does not seem have a false bottom.
The space in the primary compartment is quite substantial, allowing you to pack a day trip’s worth of clothing and gear in there. The zippers enclosing the primary compartment can be opened in a clamshell mode for ease of packing.
The reverse flap of the primary compartment also features a small zippered space to keep smaller items that you do not want to be mixed together.
Secondary compartment
The secondary compartment is a slim space that seems to be meant to store documents or perhaps another laptop . It fits an A4 file comfortably with much excess space.
Side pockets
There are also two side pockets, one on each side. They are perfect to store water bottle or a small umbrella.
Easy carry handle
The Gaston Luga Biten’s most notable component is the carry handle which cab be buckled together by a PU leather buckle for ease and comfort of carry. I do not see myself buckling the handle often as this means that I have to unbuckle it every time I want to access the primary compartment. It would have been nice to see magnets in the carrying handle.
Comfort of carry
The harness of the Biten bag has a rather slim profile and it is not as padded as other bags that I have used. Though it is slim, it seems to have more padding than Timbuk2’s Ramble pack for example. The padding is enough for an average load of carry, since the 17.5 litres bag is will not store much heavy gear anyway.
Conclusion
The Gaston Luga Biten is a nice day bag to use for casual travel purposes because it is light and comfortable to carry. The clamshell mode of opening also makes it easy to pack. The side pockets are also a bonus for people who rely on those.
There are also thoughtful features such as the passport pocket and the luggage pass through strap if you do want to use Biten as travel bag. The design of the Biten is also unique which I kind of like.
Where to buy
TECHJIO15
for 15% off your purchase
If you are interested in the Biten bag, you can purchase it Gatson Luga’s official website here. They are having a promotion now, where you will receive a FREE limited edition Plånkan Cardholder – Midnight Blue (worth S$49) with every purchase! Even better, use the code TECHJIO15 for 15% off.