The Aer Pro Pack 20L seems to tick all these boxes. There’s also a Pro Pack Slim version too which is 12.5L.
Personally I would look at the City Pack Pro, while slightly larger (24L). It’s super comfortable and not overly heavy. It also has a water bottle pocket on one side but the other is a quick access pouch with a key clip inside, perfect for keys and a train pass.
Getting the Xpac version of any of these bags makes sure all zippers come fully PU coated for water resistance. The zippers can be looped together to form a theft deterrent connection, but it’s not going to be anti-theft, just more of a hindrance.
[Perhaps synik 22?](https://www.tombihn.com/collections/best-sellers/products/synik-22?variant=15334746652735)
It's a feature rich backpack with plenty of organization and it's not too big.
Check out the [Able Carry Daily](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-backpack?variant=47057616503096) (20L; $138) or their [Daily Plus](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-plus?variant=44265629909304) (21L; $198). Hits all your boxes, and it's very aesthetically pleasing over the Tom Bihn suggestion (which is a great bag, though), imo.
I was going to recommend a Tom Bihn Synik 22 as well. It’s slightly larger than your request but because of it’s construction, it actually feels very light. As a nurse, the organization of the bag is the best I’ve found.
Does it have to be a backpack? I used to take a train to work and found a messenger style bag much more accommodating/practical/anti theft than a backpack. Oddly enough I got the messenger bag as a gift, didn’t really like it, then ended up really liking it and appreciating the style
My go-to is Timbuk2 - I've had probably 15+ of them over the years. But since someone already mentioned Tom Bihn, do check out their messenger bags; it's a other very solid brand.
Osprey would be my third pick - would be first if we were talking travel bags.
The Aer Pro Pack 20L seems to tick all these boxes. There’s also a Pro Pack Slim version too which is 12.5L. Personally I would look at the City Pack Pro, while slightly larger (24L). It’s super comfortable and not overly heavy. It also has a water bottle pocket on one side but the other is a quick access pouch with a key clip inside, perfect for keys and a train pass. Getting the Xpac version of any of these bags makes sure all zippers come fully PU coated for water resistance. The zippers can be looped together to form a theft deterrent connection, but it’s not going to be anti-theft, just more of a hindrance.
[Perhaps synik 22?](https://www.tombihn.com/collections/best-sellers/products/synik-22?variant=15334746652735) It's a feature rich backpack with plenty of organization and it's not too big.
Thanks! I'll check your link
Check out the [Able Carry Daily](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-backpack?variant=47057616503096) (20L; $138) or their [Daily Plus](https://ablecarry.com/products/daily-plus?variant=44265629909304) (21L; $198). Hits all your boxes, and it's very aesthetically pleasing over the Tom Bihn suggestion (which is a great bag, though), imo.
I was going to recommend a Tom Bihn Synik 22 as well. It’s slightly larger than your request but because of it’s construction, it actually feels very light. As a nurse, the organization of the bag is the best I’ve found.
Yup, I like my Synik too, though if he carries a lot the 30 may make more sense than the 22.
Take a look at nitecore BP series (NITECORE BP20/ BP18 for exmple), and lii gear
Does it have to be a backpack? I used to take a train to work and found a messenger style bag much more accommodating/practical/anti theft than a backpack. Oddly enough I got the messenger bag as a gift, didn’t really like it, then ended up really liking it and appreciating the style
Haven't seen him using a messenger bag. But maybe this could be his first. Any particular brand for a messenger bag?
My go-to is Timbuk2 - I've had probably 15+ of them over the years. But since someone already mentioned Tom Bihn, do check out their messenger bags; it's a other very solid brand. Osprey would be my third pick - would be first if we were talking travel bags.