Travel test

WHAT: Chrome Macheto

2.0 Black Tarp edition, chromeindustries.com

WHERE: Essex/canary Wharf, London

EXPERIENCE: Escaping WFH for a rare trip to the office by train/ DLR for a meeting and to clear my old desk ready for a new hot desking setup, I needed a versatile, tough, comfortable pack to bring home the detritus accumulated over the years.

Cue the 52-litre cabin baggage size expandable, ballistic nylon and tarp shell Macheto 2.0, with padded 15in laptop sleeve.

The shoulder straps store away, so there’s nothing to catch on things when you pop it in a plane overhead bin or a train luggage rack.

The clamshell opening has two zipped compartments, which would be great for organising your clothes and gear on a short trip.

However, I would be filling it with my favourite travel guide books, towel and shower gel, emergency jumper, vodka with a scorpion in the bottle (I can explain), two Champneys spa rubber ducks and two De Vere spa rubber frogs (don’t judge me) and all sorts of useful/not-so-usefulbut-i-want-it paraphernalia (I did manage to recycle the Russia 2018 World Cup football and the American cop hat).

Obviously, even minus a football, the detritus amassed over the years at Canary Wharf was significantly bulky, and the pack had to be expanded to cope, which just involved a zip.

For the heavily laden journey home – the bag was filled to the gunnels – it became apparent how ergonomically comfortable it is to use.

QUIBBLES: A tad picky, but it’s slightly weighty at 3.8lb. VERDICT: No wonder there’s a lifetime guarantee, you’ll be loving it for years. Can’t wait to take it on a plane.

9.5/10