Here I am, nearly a year and some experiments later. Over the last year, I've used a few different bags as a personal item. My normal Tumi briefcase has some great features with the magnetic pouches, but won't stand upright and overall is too limiting to use as a 'seat companion'. Fine for the office, not for travel. I bought a cheap 'bucket' bag, to try out that form factor. I really like it, but a single cavernous space is not what I want. I end up searching for things too much. I need more separation.

My requirements, I've concluded, are:

• Must fit RyanAir size limits for the free bag (40x20x25cm / 16x8x10")
• Immediate access (meaning: no more than one zipper, zero searching ... part of that is discipline, I realize) to: laptop, liquids, passport, wallet, keys, phone, power bank.
• Secondary space is fine. I'd load that up with things I won't load into a checked bag but am probably not going to need during transit. Things like a charger, my electric toothbrush, medikit, etc.
• The bucket space .... a big space I'd use differently depending on my travel. Short trips maybe a change of clothes, long lights I'd pack it with snacks.
• Elegant design. Black.