Aer City review: B tier, ranked 3 of 15 Laptop Backpacks

Aer City

Ranked #3 in Laptop Backpacks

542 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The sturdy build and laptop protection are highly valued despite a minor design flaw. It represents a good balance of quality and functionality within the commuter backpack space.

Consolidated from 22 cited sources across 13 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

8 positive sources
12 mixed sources
1 unconvinced source

See the sources

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Pros & cons

✓ Sturdy construction
✓ Excellent laptop protection
✓ Community appreciates build quality
✓ Lightweight

✗ Some users note a collapsing back panel
✗ Lacks dedicated laptop sleeve of higher picks

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 2 articles, 19 video reviews and 1 community source

8 positive sources

Danny Packs shivas6675 · owner · Mar 2025

Excellent build quality; and overbuilt one could argue. 2. Stiffer than I thought it might be: not sure if the material will relax with use. I have had other bags made of the same material, but don't recall them being so stiff. The ones I have are over a decade old, so can't recall! Can anyone else who owns the bag comment on this? 3. The H2O pocket is slender--more than it appears in videos 4.

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Pack Hacker Pack Hacker · 344K subscribers · Sept 2019

We liked the look of this sling but we decided to poll our Instagram audience and get their thoughts on it as well. Here are the results. At the time of this review, there are two different colorways. There is the black that we have here and the gray as well. Black seems to be the most popular since it's currently sold out at the moment.

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Pack Hacker Reviews OnlyArion · owner · Aug 2021

I am currently looking for a new backpack for university and the aer city pack and aer day pack are among my favorites so far! Do you have a video that solely focuses on university bags? It can be quite tricky to find a decent one that's flexible enough to fit all needs imo EDIT: a direct comparison between the aer models would be interesting!

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Odie To The Max Odie To The Max · 4.9K subscribers · Aug 2020

As far as slings go this is one of my favorites as it offers some mild internal organization as well as great materials. It carries well as a fanny pack or a sling fitting either of your carry styles. This partners really we with travel packs as the daily carry when you get where you’re going! Let me know what you think of this sling.

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Nomads Nation eitanlahyani1 · owner · Dec 2022

The Pro Pack is damn perfect for me! I mean this bag, wow. On a more general note, just to say that I'm following literally every EDC/Travel channel out there, happy to say NN is the best! Mainly because of your presentation/acting skills ;) and also because the pro editing, both make the videos fun rather than tiring. so massive Kudos!

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Josh Graham christophercomrie8187 · owner · Mar 2025

This bag nails all those points. And thank you especially for not doing that weird thing I’ve noticed in practically every other review of this bag, where they cram it full of stuff then complain that there’s no space left. Yeah, no kidding - it’s a small backpack, not a TARDIS. If you want to carry more stuff, get a bigger bag.

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Pack Hacker Tariq.K · owner · Sept 2019

I have Codofbell xpod and I see that Aer City Sling is much sleeker and cleaner for daily carry. I love the X-Pod but want something little bit smaller.

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HICONSUMPTION shhhcarl · owner · Dec 2021

What a fantastic review! I just got my Aer City Sling 2 in X-pac and honestly, it’s definitely gonna be my end game edc sling bag.

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12 mixed sources

nitpacker derekg2132 · owner · May 2025

Than the aer city pack pro 2 xpac it's legit perfect it has everything they fixed whst aucked om the older one has the traditional luggage pass through now orange interior has every poket i like size is perfect not too small.or too big bu5 seems to be everyone else's fac also it's freaking.sold ou5 toll sometime in July wo I 2qw looking at th3 city pack 2 same but smaller I think.16l is too small plus I didn't know toll now the dedicated laptop pocket. I actually don't like the xpac fabric looks and sound like a rain jacket.

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Nomads Nation Nomads Nation · 118K subscribers · May 2020

The Aer City Sling is NOT for you if…

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Nomads Nation Travelingandjournaling9093 · owner · Mar 2024

I like this tote but like you I’m not sure about the space in the zipper area 😢 I have the bellroy tote, but the front pocket really caught my eye and the shoulder straps look longer than bellroy. Since I’m tall they might work better for me and it’s bigger n better for travel with the luggage pass thru.

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Nomads Nation AaronHuang-1996 · owner · Mar 2025

Overall it's a big upgrade for me, but the problem is that V1 I'm using right now is just too durable to disuse:face-orange-biting-nails: Now I'm super excited to see if AER can issue a new Travel Pack version that also has 2 water bottle pockets! Here are some pros that I personally enjoy about V2: 1.

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Nomads Nation Aaron Radcliffe · reviewer

The Aer City Pack Pro proves itself as a durable and versatile city backpack. With ballistic nylon, solid YKK zippers, and Aer’s trademark comfort, it is built to handle daily commuting and heavier tech loads with ease.

Read I Instagram Instagram post

One thing to note: the laptop sleeve is inside the main compartment, which might not be ideal for everyone. If that bothers you, the City Pack Pro could be a better option—it’s bigger at 24L and has more space overall.

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Pack Hacker Reviews CME3 · owner · Apr 2026

Top easy access is so small it makes this unusable. I am so reliant on adding my glasses case to that pocket, these bags are a total fail for me.

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Desy Cheng nobearclaw7308 · owner · May 2025

I had the first aer city pack pro and I wanted to like it more than I did. The 2 seems way better, but its too boxy for me.

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Nomads Nation JuniorTobias525 · owner · Mar 2025

I think the design of this actually a downgrade with the front zipper and the chunky buckles

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Nomads Nation Jjguthrie2993 · owner · Apr 2025

Love Aer, but I still like V1 of this better. The one exception is the luggage pass thru.

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the Guardian Article

It’s a shame that … it doesn’t come in more colors or patterns.

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GearByWomen epm586 · owner · Oct 2025

the negatives def out weigh the positives imo.

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1 unconvinced source

Pack Hacker Reviews maddmoxx6414 · owner · Aug 2021

I did my own comparison between my tomtoc Compact EDC Sling Bag and AER City Sling 2. They are both similar in Length and Height dimensions but different in width, The AER City Sling 2, is much wider and has more internal compartments and zippered pocket, which I like. The only thing I don't like about the City Sling, is the strap design.

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1 stance not read source

Chase Reeves d.stryker09 · owner · Nov 2022

Chase, I love the review on the Aer City Pack Pro. I had an odd favor to ask of you. I know you are an Owala water bottle fan. However, would you know if a Yeti 26oz rambler fit in this water bottle holder? Lastly, if you were paying for this bag… Would you choose the Xpac or the ballistic and why? I live in Texas, as you well know there’s very little rainfall here in San Antonio.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #3 of 15 on our laptop backpacks tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 22 cited sources across 13 outlets.

1 of the 21 sources with a clear view is critical of it: Pack Hacker Reviews. Some users note a collapsing back panel. Lacks dedicated laptop sleeve of higher picks.