Moshi’s Arcus Backpack Is Light as a Cloud but Carries All of Your Belongings

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Moshi’s Arcus backpack is perfect for all of your gadgets and gear, and if you’re a photographer, this may be the camera bag you need to start 2017 with.

Labeled as a multifunctional backpack, one thing that certainly stands out about the Arcus is that it is certainly not traditional. Inspired by the shape of an Arcus Cloud, Moshi challenged me to get all of my gear into this bag by sending me their Arcus.

The first thing I noticed about the backpack when I received it was how outrageously light the bag was. Coming from my go to Incase Icon Backpack as my “gear bag”, Moshi’s Arcus bag is a welcome change. For starters it’s a top-loading bag, featuring a crush-resistant top that is great for the delicate things that you might carry. But before we get into the specifics, let me tell you exactly what I carry with me on a day to day basis:

  1. Macbook Air 11-inch
  2. 12.9-Inch iPad Pro (Case: TwelveSouth BookBook Routledge Edition)
  3. iPhone 7 Plus 25gb
  4. Huawei Honor 6x
  5. Anker Powercore+ 10050 Premium Portable Charger ($39.99)
  6. Bragi Dash ($299)
  7. Bragi The Headphone ($149)
  8. Belkin Valet Charger ($99)
  9. Dove Men+Care Dry Spray ($7.49)
  10. Zolt Laptop Charger ($99.99)
  11. Vaseline Lip Therapy ($1.80)
  12. Jaybird Microfiber Cloth
  13. ShedRain WindPro Jumbo ($32)
  14. Gear Diary Business Cards
  15. Three Pens

Sounds like a lot right? It is, but these are the things that I typically carry with my on my day to day. And with plans on possibly getting a DSLR by the end of the year, I needed a bigger bag with enough storage to carry the things that I have with me daily. Moshi pulls this off in epic fashion.

The Arcus actually features a durable fabric that comes in charcoal black or a titanium gray. I received the charcoal color that had silver zippers to accent it, on top of the Moshi logo at the bottom right of the front of the bag.

At the top of the bag is where you get the crush-resistant design that can house everything from sunglasses to even a water bottle if you see fit. Since the top portion also sits above the top-loading portion, it is a bit heavy even without anything inside of it. I house my two phones, my microfiber cloth and a pair of sunglasses if it’s nice out.

Once you open the main compartment, you’ll be greeted by enough space to throw virtually anything in. this is mainly where I put my MacBook Air, my laptop charger, and the two cables that go with it. I’ve also started to place my Anker PowerCore in the main compartment as well because I tend to always be looking for my charger in my bag when I need a quick charge. But instead of using the top loading section on the Metro when I need to grab it, I can now use the awesome elasticized side pocket in order to grab things.

The side pocket of the Arcus, although nifty and great to quickly grab an umbrella or portable charger, the side compartment works best for photographers. Moshi sells (separately) an insert to the Arcus that turns the traditional backpack into a professional camera bag. While I am still on the hunt for a good DSLR, all I can do is hope that in the next few months, I can make sure of the camera insert.

Not only can it transport your DSLR body lenses and tripod, but if you still need the ability of carrying your laptop but now cannot fit it on the inside of the bag, on the rear of the Arcus itself there’s a nice sleeved compartment that not only can house your laptop or tablet as well which is completely separate from the the DSLR insert which I thought was awesome.

Most bags, however, don’t have one important part: A slot for your water bottle. Luckily, though, Moshi’s Arcus does and it is wide enough to fit my 32-ounce Nalgene Water bottle. Most backpacks might only be able to fit a standard sized water bottle, but the fact this one fits my Nalgene perfectly means I don’t have to carry it in my hands on my commute, or try to safely place into my bag with my electronics.

Finally on the front of the Arcus is a pocket that zips downward, perfect for a small notepad and pen, or a wallet. While I usually keep my wallet on me, if you do need to empty out your front or back pockets, you can place them in the front pocket of the bag.

Overall I love the Arcus, more specifically the spacing of the main compartment. There’s just enough space for everything, and the material on the straps of the bag make it great to wear for a long commute without feeling the need to adjust the shoulder straps. At $229.95 it’s pretty expensive, especially considering the DSLR insert is sold separately, but to be completely honest this is one dual-function backpack that should be on the top of your list to get in 2017.

For more information on the Arcus Backpack, head over to Moshi’s site today.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Great for photographers, but great as a gadget bag; Water pocket is nice and large.

What Needs Improvement: Nothing

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About the Author

Greg Alston
Diehard Apple fanboy, and lover of all things tech. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and friends, live sporting events, good bourbon, Tetris, and pizza. In that order.