Topo Global Briefcase 3-Day Review
"The Mountain Professional"
The Global Briefcase 3-Day from Topo is a very capable minimal traveler’s bag, with enough tech organization, clothing capacity and style hybrid 2-3 day travel.
Playful aesthetic. Ready for heavy use.
Materials solid enough for the outdoors.
420D nylon pack cloth and 1000D nylon exterior, 210D nylon pack cloth liner.
YKK molded zip on main compartment. (These suckers move so smooth and lovely.)
lovely big ol’ #10 YKK zips on front pouches.
Luggage passthrough sleeve on the back
Compression straps on the bottom of the bag can be used to lash on jackets, yoga mats.
Stowable backpack straps.
Carry this thing 3-ways: backpack, shoulder bag, and by the nice briefcase handle perfectly centered on the top of the bag (so there’s no weird bag-lean).
Topo’s signature playful (but burly) styling in this 19L bag.
Backpack shoulder straps hide away pretty easily. Simple straps, look good.
Messenger shoulder strap is innovative, looks good, possibly some may want more grippiness.
Briefcase handle is excellent. Weighted right in the middle so you don’t get any awkward bag-lean when you hold it.
Clothing + tech for short trips.
Clamshell opening and segmented clothing compartment. Plenty of room for 1-3 days of clothing (or longer if you’re a pro minimalist).
Great size for quick trips, business or pleasure.
Use for daily carry AND travel. (Perhaps the styling is a little too casual for some biz trips.)
Laptop compartment with admin panel.
Laptop is padded all around, but not suspended. Admin panel has tons of organization (including two zipper pockets). This is where all the tech lives.
Great organization for such a simple looking bag.
Travel bag attachment clips (for attaching to their travel bag).
Two front dimensional pockets.
Both have mesh divider inside. Both are lovely to get in and out of. Roomy enough to feel spacious, but not so big you lose stuff. Love these things.
Dimensional exterior pockets! Easy to get in and out of. LOVE pockets like these.
Material Choice:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Light enough, colorful enough, durable enough. 420D nylon pack cloth and 1000D nylon exterior, 210D nylon pack cloth liner.
Build Quality:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Built in Vietnam using Topo's standard practices (which haven't let many of us down yet).
Water Resistance:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Don't want to hang out in the rain too long, but you've got some protection in the zips and the nylon.
External Access:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Love those two dimensional pockets on the front; make it so easy to get in and out of and throw new stuff in. Also love the laptop compartment with admin panel on the back of the bag.
Internal Organization:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
One main capacity compartment (where ur clothes go) with a zipper panel to keep it clean. Some mesh in the main compartment (not in the zippered clothing compartment). Laptop compartment on the back has internal org.
Capacity:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Perfect for 1-3 day trips (and longer if you're a pro minimalist). Excellent size for Everyday Carry once you arrive. (Pull out the packing cubes and get out to the cafe/trailhead/museum.) Clamshell opening makes it nice to pack.
Carry Comfort:Sub-Par Satisfactory Excellent
Backpack straps are simple, solid, good looking when worn. Single shoulder strap is innovative and comfortable (though some may want more stickiness). Comfort is decent. It's a small-ish bag at 19L, so unless you're carrying bricks it won't be too bad.
