Is the Aer City Pack 2 worth it? From my first impressions, yes, if you want a small, well built everyday carry bag. In this Aer City Pack 2 review I unbox it, pack it out with my real tech, and try it on. It fit almost everything, but I'm an overpacker, and a couple of bulky things didn't go where I wanted.
The full video is above. This is a first look, not a long term test.
What is the Aer City Pack 2?
The City Pack 2 is Aer's 16 L everyday backpack. There's also a Pro version. On the box and in the video: 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon, YKK zippers, a lightweight nylon interior, and a laptop compartment that fits a 16 inch laptop. Aer's product page lists it at US$149, 2.45 lbs, and 18 x 12 x 5.5 inches.
I bought it because the Aer Gym Duffel blew me away with its build quality. I've been through a lot of bags, including a Nomadic bag I thought was the one. Something was always a little off. I was moving down from a 20 L bag because I don't think I need that much.
It came in two days from the US to Canada. You do pay shipping fees, but based on the quality I think it's worth it.
What I liked
Build and straps
It looks sleek. The straps are nice and thick, the back is padded, and there are side handles that give you more ways to grab it. There's also a luggage pass through on the back. It just feels like a quality bag.
The front pocket
I like to carry multiple pairs of glasses. My Ray-Ban Metas fit perfectly, there's room for another pair, and my wallet fit in there too.
The tech organizer
The front organizer goes down very deep, basically the whole length of the bag. It has a pen loop, a section that fits something like an iPad, and slots for cords. I put the cords and a 2 TB drive I rarely need at the bottom where they're hidden, and kept adapters, a USB-C to Lightning cable and a pen up top. It held my Action 5 battery, mic and lav, ND filters in their case, a cloth and a charger. It fits a good amount of tech, not as much as I hoped, but enough.
The main compartment
It opens almost all the way, which is really nice. My 14 inch M4 MacBook in its case fit like a charm. My iPad mini fit, and so did my AirPods Max. I added a folio on top and it still closed, packed right to the max.
Water bottle pocket and wearing it
My water bottle fit in the side pocket and the bag stood up on its own. On my back it's comfortable. I compared it to my Nomadic bag, and the Nomadic just doesn't fit right on me. The Aer does.
What I didn't like
- The top zipper is stiff. It feels like a water resistant zipper and it's a little harder to open.
- AirPods Max don't fit in the top pocket. That was the one thing I really wanted. They're too fat. They went in the main compartment instead.
- Bulky items press on the edge. Pack something thick in the organizer and you'll feel it at the edge of the bag, so be okay with it taking some wear.
- It's a bit front heavy when packed with my gear.
- It got tight. Adding my Osmo Nano, Action 5 and accessories made it very full. That's partly on me. The Pro version probably would have suited me better, but I want to learn to underpack.
What I didn't test
This was day one. I didn't test durability, rain, or long term comfort. I didn't use the lifetime warranty. Aer's warranty page says it covers manufacturing defects for the life of the product.
Who should buy the Aer City Pack 2?
- People who carry a laptop, a tablet and some tech every day and want a smaller bag.
- Anyone moving down from a 20 L bag.
- Not for heavy overpackers. If you carry two cameras and every cable, look at the City Pack Pro 2.
Aer City Pack 2 review verdict: is it worth it?
This is the bag I'd been looking for. It fit my everyday carry almost entirely, it's comfortable, and it feels like the same quality that sold me on the Gym Duffel. If you overpack like I do, consider the Pro.
There's no affiliate link for this one. Here's the official page: Aer City Pack 2, and the City Pack Pro 2 if you need more room. You can also see everything I made for Aer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Aer City Pack 2? It's 16 L. Aer lists it at 18 x 12 x 5.5 inches and 2.45 lbs on its product page.
Does a 16 inch laptop fit in the Aer City Pack 2? Aer says the laptop compartment fits up to a 16 inch laptop. I packed a 14 inch M4 MacBook in a case and it fit easily.
Do AirPods Max fit in the Aer City Pack 2? Not in the top pocket. They fit in the main compartment.
What is the Aer City Pack 2 made of? 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon with YKK zippers and a lightweight nylon interior.
Should I get the City Pack 2 or the City Pack Pro 2? If you carry a light everyday load, the City Pack 2 is enough. If you pack a lot of camera gear like I do, the Pro version is probably the better fit.
