When I first saw this bag, it was next to the XL model I wrote about previously. I was torn, as this is the size and model I would normally pick for my day to day gear, but I also knew that it would be slightly too small for me to carry for the next 12 days of our trip. So do I buy the larger one and be happy now, or the smaller one and be happy later? As is always the correct answer, the answer to this conundrum was “both”.
Though, the excuse was that my wife also was looking to get something slightly larger than the bag she was carrying, and this Tanker Sling Bag W zip (L) (item 622-08633) caught her eye. She simply said “ok, get both, I’ll use this for the trip and then you can have it.”
One day later: “You know this bag is mine now, right?”
A day after we got home she handed me this Tanker, and said: “You can use this until we go on a trip where I need it again.”
My dear reader, I do not know if this is my bag, her bag, or both of ours? I am going to say it’s hers, I’ve played this game before.
The thing is, it’s a really damned good bag. Which is why we bickered over it. And why I’ll probably buy another. Which, is also why, you should buy one.
Materials & Specs
This is a part of the ‘New Tanker’ series, which is simply a slight update to Porter’s iconic Tanker line. Mostly this comes in minor layout changes, a new tag inside the bag, and a higher percentage of recycled content in the materials. Aesthetically, and from a hand feel perspective, it’s the same Tanker as always. A Nylon Twill with a Polyester Cotton bonding for the middle layer, and a Nylon tafetta lining inside. Which gives you the padded three layer material the line is known for.
This bag comes in at 11.4” x 7.87” x 4.33”, but because of the material and construction it’s a little more amorphous than that. Depending on what you carry it might feel deeper, or not. This, in my book, is a good thing. The entire package weighs in right about at 1.12lbs — not too bad.
The fit, finish, and materials are industry leading as they are with all Tanker bags.
In Use
This is likely the size of bag most people will find value in, it’s “large” only because it’s the second largest of the sling bag models. It is, however, small in capacity. This is a simple bag which is executed perfectly, and designed to be the single bag you grab for any non-laptop carrying needs you have.
There’s three main sections:
- Two front pockets which have their own capacity, a Velcro strip with a press snap in the center and a weather flap. This is a hallmark of the Tanker bag designs, and is very functional. These are sized large enough to hold most small things like AirPods, reciepts, tickets, etc.
- A front admin section, which on the ‘New Tanker’ is revised. Instead of being a highly organized wallet like section, it simply has it’s own capacity, and two pockets. One open top, and one Velcro, both in the Tanker material. These pockets have proven great in use. They can keep small things easily accessible without taking up unnecessary space in the compartment.
- Rear large compartment has the most space. It has a removeable pouch, which can hang in the pocket, and nothing else. Ample room for a camera and a sun umbrella. Or a water bottle and sun umbrella. (This can hold my 11” iPad Pro.)
There’s a rear pocket as well, which is great for stashing your phone as you move about. All of this is well sized and considered. The shoulder strap is fixed to the bag, but highly adjustable and comfortable for the size of the bag.
While Erin used this throughout Japan, and loved it. I’ve only used it back here in town, and found that for the same reasons she fell in love with this bag, so too did I.
- As I’ve talked about before, Porter’s Tanker material is simply amazing feeling and looking. It’s one of those “you have to see it and handle it in person to get it” but I can assure you that it will not disappoint. The fact that this material is as durable as it is will blow your mind for how smooth and fine it feels.
- The layout on this bag is exceptional. The front velcro/drop pockets are slightly harder to get in and out of on this bag (as the Tanker bags get smaller these pockets get a little trickier to get in and out of) but retain enough utility that there is utility with these. The front admin-adjacent pocket is really nice for storing frequently needed items in a slim but roomy pocket. And the main compartment feels like a luxury for capacity on a bag with this small of a footprint.
- Nothing on this bag is overbearing in feeling, it simply exists to carry your gear.
- The Sage Green color (the OG Tanker color) is excellent on this bag. A touch of non-standard visual to an otherwise reserved looking bag.
- The “New Tanker” line of these simplifies the admin area, and for me that’s a welcomed change as I love how simple that area is, and would miss the nicely sized and placed pockets on this bag the older models have, though there are great deals to be had on the older models.
The only thing I would want on this bag is a small handle of some sort to grab the bag, it’s right on the edge of whether it needs one, and certainly it is fine without. However if a more hidden handle could be added, that would make the bag essentially perfect.
(Erin would want me to note here that the brass zippers tend to chip her nails when she’s grabbing things in and out of the bag, and that really annoys her. She wishes these were plastic zippers instead.)
This is a bag you can toss your camera in with your essentials and spend a day exploring a new city. Drop your 11” iPad Pro into it, and head to a coffee shop to get some work done. Toss a couple water bottles in with your wallet and phone charger, and go for a stroll with your partner. Toss an iPad, snacks, and headphones in to hop on your next flight. It’s easy, sized well, and hard to regret carrying.
In other words, this is my new gold standard for most versatile sized, non-laptop carrying, bag you can own. I’ve yet to feel it was too small to get done what I wanted to, while it never felt so large as to be annoying when I was carrying it — or in the way at all. Mix that all together with the superior craftsmanship Yoshida & Co brings to the Tanker line, and you simply have one fucking great bag.
Overall
If you can only have one Tanker, and plan on using it for your daily bag (without a need for laptop, etc) then this is likely the most ideal size format in the Tanker series. It is the one most people should target. I often try and sort out how well bags perform over time by looking at secondary markets. If the bag is readily available for a low price, then I get the sense people buy the bag often and tire of it. This particular size is less common than others, and holds its value better than more expensive Tanker models — and I can see why — it would take a good amount of cash to get me to part with it.
In a lot of ways, this is what most other slings hope to achieve, but largely fail to achieve: compact, looks good on most people, highly functional, very nice looking, and holding way more than you expect it to.
This is a gem of a bag.