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Details
- Price $139 at minaal.com
- Material Picton v2
- Capacity 2 L / 122 cubic inches
- Weight 10.23 oz / 290 g
- Dimensions 11.8" (w) x 2.0" (h) x 5.9" (d) / 300 (w) x 50 (h) x 150 (d) mm
Overview
Crossbody bags, shoulder bags, man purses, whatever you want to call them, are essential when I travel. Especially when checking out the nightlife, a backpack is too bulky but zero bagging is too much risk given my propensity to always stay prepared.
In such a bag, I always have my passport in a Minaal RFID Travel Wallet, a disposable mask, or sometimes my AusAir Airweave Merino Mask, wallet, hotel keycard or keys, Nitecore NB10000, and Stanley Travel Mug.
The water bottle pretty much determines which bag I can use, and so far, only the Aer Day Sling 3 Max can comfortably carry all these. I've considered leaving it behind, but being able to get a sip of ice-cold water whenever I feel thirsty helps me stay sober and healthy by not buying sweet drinks, and it saves money that way too.
The Minaal Crossbody Bag does technically fit my Stanley Travel Mug, but just barely. But, I've been so impressed by Minaal's collection over the years that I thought I would give it a try.
Style
The Minaal Crossbody Bag is a simple-looking product. While I am a fan of minimalistic design, depending on the styling or material, it can sometimes look basic. Muji and Uniqlo stuff are up my alley, but they can look dull and make you feel unexcited about them.
The Minaal Crossbody Bag looks a little better than fast fashion bags, but I would still consider it to look basic, for better or worse. They don't seek attention, which can be a positive when traveling in a place where you don't want attention.
There is an indented logo on the padded backing and a black printed logo on the strap. I love how subtle yet bold these are.
Even the zipper pulls are shaped to go nicely with the logo.
The bag is a “3D” compartment, which means the fabric protrudes outwards. When the bag isn't filled and the fabric is pressed down, it can form creases around the corner that make the bag look less clean. This is so subtle that it is negligible, but I thought it's worth pointing out.
The main zippers also look like they're sewn on with a little too much tolerance, such that they appear awry and look less clean than I'd like. I would personally opt for some sturdier or thicker zippers so this isn't too obvious.
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It is a great size for a hip bag, but unfortunately, even in the tightest setting, the sling is too loose as a belt.
There isn't much to say about the styling of the Minaal Crossbody Bag. It is really as simple as it can get.
Material
The Minaal Crossbody Bag 2.0 features a durable 600D Picton fabric made from recycled yarn. While recycled materials are often more affordable, this fabric is impressively tough, resistant to lint and hair, and has a clean, sleek look. It’s a great material choice that balances eco-friendliness with practicality.
The 600D denier count means this fabric is suited for everyday use and moderate wear. For added durability in high-friction areas, like the bottom of the bag, Minaal uses a tougher 1200D fabric. This gives peace of mind to those who tend to set their bag down without worrying about it taking too much of a beating.
While the Crossbody Bag 2.0 offers solid water resistance, it is not fully waterproof. The bag doesn’t feature additional waterproofing treatments like those you might find in high-end outdoor gear.
For peace of mind, Minaal backs the Crossbody Bag 2.0 with a solid lifetime warranty that covers defects in craftsmanship. While wear and tear are not covered, the warranty ensures you’re covered for common issues, making it easier to get the bag repaired or replaced if something goes wrong.
Usage
The organization of the Minaal Crossbody Bag is very simple. The main compartment is just a single pocket with three mesh slots, two of which are the same width as the third, along the back.
The smaller slot fits an earphone like the Sony WF-1000XM4 well, while it barely fits the RE:FORM RE:01.
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The larger slot fits my passport in the Minaal RFID Travel Wallet. It looks like it is sticking out but it is barely within size.
While the bag fits my Stanley Travel Mug, it wouldn't zip up with other things in the back slots.
In one of the mesh slots is a plastic light gray clip. I found the loop connected to this clip to be short. This might have been done to keep the keys you attach to it out of the way. But it is way too short that it is difficult to use your keys without moving your body close to the keyhole or detaching them.
There is padding on the back which I found unnecessary given the size of the pack. There is a hidden zipper along both side seams of the back. They are shallow pockets that might be good for stashing cash or an AirTag.
You won't be able to fit larger valuables, such as a passport, in here.
The fabric behaves similarly to 1000D Cordura in terms of dust collection. It feels quite abrasive and gathers dust or white marks relatively easily. It cleans off as easily too with wet wipes. The texture might be too abrasive to be cleaned with facial tissue though.
Conclusion
If you need a minimalist, durable bag for carrying just the essentials, the Minaal Crossbody Bag 2.0 is a solid choice. It’s simple, eco-friendly, and well-constructed, but it may not fit everything you need for longer days out. If you’re not concerned with extra storage space and want a sleek, no-fuss option, it’s worth considering.
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