Knowledge Center
How much can you tell about a bag before you buy it? Run any listing, from any shop, through this checklist. It won't tell you whether the bag is good. It tells you how much you know, and what to ask about the rest.
New to this? Read How to read a bag listing first.
These matter whatever you carry.
Only what you said matters.
Nothing extra to check. Pick a need above if one applies.
Safety net
Your result
Answer the Every bag questions to see your result
9 left.
S = Shown · T = Told · P = Pieced together · ? = No idea
| Can you tell how big it is? Dimensions and volume in liters, both. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell what it weighs empty? In grams or ounces, not "lightweight." | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you see the inside, open and empty? Liner, pockets, how deep things sit. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell how the inside behaves? Taut or slack, structured or floppy. Neither is wrong. You want to know which. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell what it's made of? Shell and liner fabric, by name. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell how it opens, and how wide? Clamshell, half-zip, top-loader. How far the zip runs. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you see the side that touches you? The back panel and the underside of the straps. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell how big it looks on a person? A worn photo, ideally with the wearer's height. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell what the water claim covers? Fabric only, or zippers and seams too. | S | T | P | ? |
I carry a laptop Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell if your laptop fits? The sleeve's internal dimensions, not just a screen size. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell how the sleeve protects it? Padding, and whether the sleeve stops short of the base. | S | T | P | ? |
I carry a water bottle Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you see a bottle in the pocket? And the bottle's size. | S | T | P | ? |
I grab things without taking the bag off Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell what you can reach with one strap off? Side access, quick-access pockets. | S | T | P | ? |
It needs to stand on a desk or floor Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell if it stands on its own? Empty and packed. | S | T | P | ? |
I fly with it Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell if it fits carry-on limits when packed? Packed dimensions, not empty ones. | S | T | P | ? |
I pack it full most days Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell how it changes when full? Packed shape, and how far it expands. | S | T | P | ? |
I carry heavy, or for hours Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell how it carries weight? Load lifters, hip belt, frame sheet. | S | T | P | ? |
| Can you tell if it fits your torso? Torso length range, or strap adjustment range. | S | T | P | ? |
Padding matters to me, more or less of it Skip if this doesn't apply to you.
| Can you tell how much padding there is, and where? Back panel, straps, base. | S | T | P | ? |
Yes, freeYes, with a feeNoNot sure
Ask before you buy if you marked ? on size or the inside, or on two or more of the Every bag questions.
baglioteca.com/listing-test