STM Annex Drifter: On the minus side
Like many bags with multiple compartments, it’s pretty easy to lose track of where smaller items may have been placed if you need them in a hurry. That’s a common issue for any complex bag of any type, and the Drifter is no different.
The Annex Drifter does a solid job of protecting your back, and the padded sections are likewise reasonably robust, but the further you get from the back, the less protected your tech gear will be. The zippered mesh pocket that’s designed to fold out from the Annex Drifter is a touch problematic if the Drifter is heavily packed, especially as the zip is at the base. If you can’t fold it out due to bulk or because you don’t want to reveal what you’re carrying for security reasons, it’s rather easy to have items drop out the base when unzipped.
While it should measure in for most flights, at 1.04kg it’ll take a reasonable chunk out of your permitted carry-on allowance if your bag does end up getting weighed. It would be rather easy to load up the Annex Drifter well beyond allowed limits — I may have been guilty of this myself — without realising it’s slipped over the line.
It’s also obviously not going to exactly match your needs if you’re transporting technology and need a more serious business style look. The Annex Drifter’s style is quite deliberate, but it’s not business-centric to speak of.
The Annex Drifter has an adjustable chest strap for added grip, but it was notable when testing it that those who are more (ahem) “ample” at chest height might struggle with its upper settings being a little close to your neck, while lower settings may be impossible to clip up at all.
Next page: STM Annex Drifter: Pricing and conclusions