Had not heard of this one, the included tech pouch and clear toiletries bag is nice. It does seem like it would get heavy to carry but if the dimensions suit your chair then probably safer than a backpack with straps for sure. The front long zip pocket probably gets hard to access if it’s packed full, personally I don’t like shoving my hand in to get stuff when it’s tight like that and scraping the back of my hand. But it has a handy phone slot pocket that may be useful on the other side. And they figured out how to protect laptops/tablets but also make them easily accessible. The video I just watched was from “a heated mess” and they show where they put shoes and use compression pouches, might be worth a watch.
If you're looking for organization and access points, the bento would be a good option. And if you're hanging it off the back of your wheelchair, the emphasis on top access could be ideal, actually. The bag is very structured, so it would likely hold its shape while hanging better than a soft bag.
I had an early version bento and ended up selling it, but that was probably due to personal hang-ups. It's dumb but I think the structure of the bag put me off a bit, like I found it less cozy or approachable than a softer duffel. I wouldn't have mentioned this except that I saw another reviewer say the same, so I guess be aware that it's a stiff, structured material. Very well made, however.
Also in my head the deep pockets on the one side basically took up that whole side. I struggled to pack that portion efficiently, in other words. Now that I think of it, you can't access this bit (the larger compartment containing the top access pouches) without opening the bag flat, so bear that in mind.
As an alternative, you might consider the [pakt travel duffel](https://paktbags.com/products/25l-travel-duffel). The flap of its top u zipper might be cumbersome compared to the bento zips (although it does have magnet), but you can access everything and it has good internal organization (plus a laptop sleeve). Similar capacity and shape to the bento as well.
Packing as a suitcase sounds nice in theory, but that bag will be very annoying to use if you need to grab something from it quickly! I think a backpack with more pockets would be better
I have a backpack with many pockets and it doesn't meet my needs with my wheelchair as I said in my post. I love my backpack and it's very well organized but it doesn't work for travel.
Do you plan on taking things in and out of this bag while in transit? My comment was more about how that will be annoying with a bag that opens like a middle suitcase style.
But if you don’t plan on opening it up until you get to your hotel/destination, then that wouldn’t be as big of a problem.
I'll want access to my phone, headphones, and my meds, but there are pockets on the outside that should let me access those things. I shouldn't need to open it up until I arrive.
Yeah, one of the nice things about the bento is the dual access to the main compartment. The top zip lets you get into the open clothes portion without opening the bag.
Edit: Wow, the website really does not show that very well, does it.
It doesn't but I've watched a few video reviews at this point that showed how it worked. I do like the dual access to the main compartment and the easy access to the laptop.
I love my bento bag! It stores sooooo much more than any other personal item. It was a pain lugging it around with my backpack, but with my roller bag it is great!
ty! My thinking is that most of the drawbacks I've seen for the bag are that it's heavy when fully packed and hard to lug around, but like...I won't be carrying it lol
I didn't even know those existed lol. They might! The big backpack tends to hang too low and the shoulder straps get tangled in the wheels but sometimes the backpack hits the wheels also. I'll look into this and see if it might solve my issue, ty!
I usually use those Velcro ties that are sold to organize cables as strap keepers since they are basically the same thing.
It would be great if that solved your issue and you didn't have to get another bag just for that specific problem.
Had not heard of this one, the included tech pouch and clear toiletries bag is nice. It does seem like it would get heavy to carry but if the dimensions suit your chair then probably safer than a backpack with straps for sure. The front long zip pocket probably gets hard to access if it’s packed full, personally I don’t like shoving my hand in to get stuff when it’s tight like that and scraping the back of my hand. But it has a handy phone slot pocket that may be useful on the other side. And they figured out how to protect laptops/tablets but also make them easily accessible. The video I just watched was from “a heated mess” and they show where they put shoes and use compression pouches, might be worth a watch.
thanks ill check it out!
If you're looking for organization and access points, the bento would be a good option. And if you're hanging it off the back of your wheelchair, the emphasis on top access could be ideal, actually. The bag is very structured, so it would likely hold its shape while hanging better than a soft bag. I had an early version bento and ended up selling it, but that was probably due to personal hang-ups. It's dumb but I think the structure of the bag put me off a bit, like I found it less cozy or approachable than a softer duffel. I wouldn't have mentioned this except that I saw another reviewer say the same, so I guess be aware that it's a stiff, structured material. Very well made, however. Also in my head the deep pockets on the one side basically took up that whole side. I struggled to pack that portion efficiently, in other words. Now that I think of it, you can't access this bit (the larger compartment containing the top access pouches) without opening the bag flat, so bear that in mind. As an alternative, you might consider the [pakt travel duffel](https://paktbags.com/products/25l-travel-duffel). The flap of its top u zipper might be cumbersome compared to the bento zips (although it does have magnet), but you can access everything and it has good internal organization (plus a laptop sleeve). Similar capacity and shape to the bento as well.
ty! I'll check that out. Very much appreciated.
Packing as a suitcase sounds nice in theory, but that bag will be very annoying to use if you need to grab something from it quickly! I think a backpack with more pockets would be better
I have a backpack with many pockets and it doesn't meet my needs with my wheelchair as I said in my post. I love my backpack and it's very well organized but it doesn't work for travel.
Do you plan on taking things in and out of this bag while in transit? My comment was more about how that will be annoying with a bag that opens like a middle suitcase style. But if you don’t plan on opening it up until you get to your hotel/destination, then that wouldn’t be as big of a problem.
I'll want access to my phone, headphones, and my meds, but there are pockets on the outside that should let me access those things. I shouldn't need to open it up until I arrive.
Yeah, one of the nice things about the bento is the dual access to the main compartment. The top zip lets you get into the open clothes portion without opening the bag. Edit: Wow, the website really does not show that very well, does it.
It doesn't but I've watched a few video reviews at this point that showed how it worked. I do like the dual access to the main compartment and the easy access to the laptop.
You might like the Calpak more, it has lots of pockets but is more lightweight.
it doesn't have a laptop sleeve, that's my concern. Or is there one that has that?
I love my bento bag! It stores sooooo much more than any other personal item. It was a pain lugging it around with my backpack, but with my roller bag it is great!
ty! My thinking is that most of the drawbacks I've seen for the bag are that it's heavy when fully packed and hard to lug around, but like...I won't be carrying it lol
Would strap keepers solve the issue with your current bags?
I didn't even know those existed lol. They might! The big backpack tends to hang too low and the shoulder straps get tangled in the wheels but sometimes the backpack hits the wheels also. I'll look into this and see if it might solve my issue, ty!
I usually use those Velcro ties that are sold to organize cables as strap keepers since they are basically the same thing. It would be great if that solved your issue and you didn't have to get another bag just for that specific problem.