We recently did a girls trip to Europe - myself (Taz), Tessa (Tez), and our mum. Travelling from Australia with limited baggage meant every packing decision counted, and choosing which bag to use as my day bag was no exception. Since this was a leisure trip rather than a work one, and I was only bringing a compact camera setup - my small Fuji and a few lenses - the Archy ultimately won out (the Tildy is absolutely the one I'd reach for with a larger kit, but with a smaller setup the Archy had plenty of room, with space to spare).
As a carry-on, the Archy is hard to beat. It slips neatly underneath the seat, keeps my camera protected from any bumps along the way, and has enough room for everything I need during a 26-hour transit. One of my favourite features is the ability to transform it from a backpack into a shoulder bag in seconds. This was a total game changer moving through security and customs - I could keep my hands free while still having easy access to everything in my bag. It's one of those features you don't realise you need until you have it, and then you can't imagine travelling without it.
The main destination of our trip was Switzerland, and it did not disappoint. Snow-capped peaks, impossibly green valleys, trails winding through wildflower meadows - we couldn't stop saying it felt like we'd stepped straight into a postcard. Top of our list was spending a few glorious days hiking around the Grindelwald area, and after forking out for the all-access pass, we were absolutely determined to make the most of it. We were out from dawn to dusk.
The Archy was the perfect companion for those long days on the trails. Each morning I'd pack it up and head out knowing I had everything I needed right on my back - camera and lenses safely tucked into the padded caddy, a water bottle in the side pocket, snacks from Coop (a must), a small raincoat for the ever-changing Swiss mountain weather, plus all my daily essentials: lip balm, sunscreen, sunglasses, wallet, hand sanitiser. Having my camera easily accessible was a non-negotiable - with the Archy's convertible feature, it was quick and easy to access whenever a breathtaking viewpoint appeared out of nowhere (which, around Grindelwald, is basically every two minutes). It was comfortable to carry over longer hikes and never felt bulky or threw off my balance on uneven terrain - and it looked great whether I was on a mountain trail or wandering through the village afterwards.
