I've used the Reset System as my daily commuter bag for two weeks, and am thrilled with it so far. The materials and construction feel durable and premium, and the whole set has a nice look; it's tough for a modular kit to not scream "tacticool," but I think Rework has managed it. I'm confident the lined zippers and thick nylon would keep my stuff protected from the weather, though I haven't needed that yet.
The backpack is a comfortable carry, with nicely padded and ventilated back panel and shoulder straps, and the included sternum strap works great to distribute heavier loads when needed (love the magnetic buckle). It's also very well-structured; the bag is sturdy and will stand vertically regardless of how it's loaded or which cases are attached, and the interior compartments don't really intrude on each other.
The modularity that sold me on the Reset System has been perfect for my use. I typically have the Essentials Case attached, but can drop it to save weight and slim the bag down, or add the Tech Case as well for extra storage. I sometimes carry single-strap with lighter loads, so it's great that the shoulder straps can be stowed. That's also useful when flying, since it'll fit neatly under a seat or in an overhead bin.
The large main compartment is mostly undivided: just two shallow zipper pouches running down the front side, as well as nylon loops on the rear, in case you wanted to attach your Tech and/or Essentials cases on the interior of the bag. Basically, one big rectangular space. It opens clamshell-style so you can fully pack it, but I usually slide my lunch bag in from the top and anything else I'm carrying above that.
The admin compartment is shallower but still runs the full height and width of the bag, and has mesh and nylon compartments for organization. There's also a divider in here that nicely fits a tablet or notebook, or even a small laptop.
My 16" computer is a tight squeeze – but does fit! – in the Laptop Case, though it slides into the backpack's laptop compartment easily with or without the case, and I can add an 11" tablet to the compartment with no issue. The compartment itself is well-protected, so the Laptop Case might be overkill for typical use, unless you sometimes plan to use the case as a separate sling with the included strap. For what it's worth, my Dell laptop is the same width but slightly taller and much thicker than a 16" MacBook Pro, so I think the MBP would fit comfortably in the Laptop Case.
Two large water bottle pockets were high on my wishlist – tough to find on a bag this size! – and the Reset had exactly what I was looking for. Both fit a 3.5" diameter bottle, including some pretty tall ones. Also useful for an umbrella, tripod, etc., if that's your thing.
The accessory cases are great. The Tech Case has solid internal organization, and fully opens clamshell-style if needed, while the Essentials Case is a few inches taller and less structured inside, more of a "dump pocket." Each also has a zippered exterior pouch for segregating smaller items. There's nice key leash on the Essentials Case, though I don't personally use it. The ability to quickly detach either case and convert it a sling is a great feature; attaching and detaching from the backpack with YKK annex clips takes a little practice, but is quick once you get the hang of it.
I've only packed it once for non-commute travel, but found that I was able to fit a lot of clothes in the large main compartment within packing cubes that I already owned. Even fully loaded (probably over-stuffed), the backpack is very comfortable to carry. The structure of the main body and thick nylon exterior resists much bulging or distortion.
A few minor suggestions for improvement:
• I'd have liked a small pocket for e.g., keys or sunglasses at the top of the backpack, perhaps sharing space with the front admin compartment. There's no quick-access storage without the Tech or Essentials Case attached, which is rare for me, but not unheard of.
• I don't love how the sternum strap attaches the bag (triangular profile hooks that slip through loops on each shoulder strap). When the sternum strap is in use, they're very functional and secure, but when it's unclipped and out of tension, the shorter end in particular could potentially slip out. The gated hooks or YKK annex clips used throughout the rest of the System might have worked here, but possibly this was to save cost and/or weight. That said! I only use that strap when I've got the bag pretty loaded, so most of the time it's stowed away in a pocket. Not a huge deal.
• I'd love Rework to make a phone pouch or similar to attach to the shoulder straps! I've got a couple nice pouches from other companies, but I'd buy one that matches the Reset System immediately.
Overall, this is a thoughtfully designed and well-constructed backpack and accessories set, and I'd happily recommend it for folks as a daily commuter or carry-on travel bag!
