Ithya

Your daily kit: wallet, water bottle, a book, a light layer. The main space of about 10 L is backed by two slip pockets and a cell phone pocket that keep the small things from sinking, plus two exterior zippered pockets, one of them hidden against your back for valuables. For trips and bigger loads, the URSUS travel rucksack is the one to look at.

Yes, and that is the trick of the Ithya. The shoulder strap is removable and adjustable : worn high it is a backpack, slung across the body it becomes a satchel. The switch takes seconds and no tools.

There is a laptop compartment inside the main compartment for a compact laptop or a tablet. This is a 31 cm tall bag, so measure your machine first: it is a daypack with a dedicated slot, not an office bag.

The material is water-resistant, not waterproof. It can withstand light rain and splashes, but avoid heavy or prolonged rain and immersion. Protect electronics separately, wipe off moisture and let the bag dry naturally away from direct heat.

The cut is unisex. The compact 31 cm frame sits well on smaller shoulders, which is why you mostly see it photographed on women, but the leather flap and the magnetic clips read just as naturally on men.

Big loads and long trips: 10 L is a daypack, and it does not pretend otherwise. It will not swallow a week of clothes. If you like the small leather format with a Scandinavian take on it, look at the Sandqvist Leather Lid backpack.