The Rains Trail Reporter bag is exactly the kind of bag that I should have been looking to get but never realized I needed. It’s the perfect middle ground between the best laptop backpacks and my fanny pack, and it offers plenty of versatility to fit into a number of situations. For months, it’s been giving me room to pack a bunch of items while also looking refined enough to bring with me on a first date or night out at a classy establishment. Here’s why I’ve always got it hanging on the chair near my entrance.
This minimalist 0.9-gallon bag lets you take a lot of stuff on the go without attracting too many eyes.
I was given the Trail Reporter bag as a gift by someone who thought I needed another bag, a notion I would have disagreed with were I impolite. The next day, though, I was getting ready for a day out on the town, going from lunch to a movie and more, with plenty of time in the park to read. That’s when I looked at the Trail Reporter as my new MVP.
First off, I really like its simple exterior pouch for storing my phone and my portable charger. It’s protected by a snapping flap and the perfect place to store tech when I’m trying to focus on reading. At the same time, the front placement puts it all within easy reach if I hear the chimes of someone calling me. This way, I’m not digging deep in a tote bag, my previous choice for when I wanted something smaller than a backpack and bigger than a fanny pack.
Then there’s the spacious main compartment that’s big enough for a hefty hardcover book or multiple smaller gadgets such as the Kindle Paperwhite I’ve been reading Karen Hao’s “Empire of AI” on and the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones that help me block out the world around me. This section of the bag is protected by a zipper, so I’m not worried about books or tech getting spritzed with rain if I somehow forgot my trusty umbrella at home.
Finally, there’s the little interior pocket, which I think about as the emergency access tray. That’s where I keep an EpiPen in case I have an allergic reaction, wired earbuds in case my headphones run out of battery and my ReMarkable Paper Pro Move for when it’s time to journal.
I’ve lived long enough to know that one’s collection of bags can get out of control quickly, so I’m very happy with how my black Trail Reporter offers an aesthetic that always fits in whatever room I’m in. This is partially thanks to Rains’ signature matte polyurethane (PU) material that makes it blend into the moment.
If black is too minimalist for you, Rains also makes the Trail Reporter in green and Lagoon (think dark blue). I would pick the black version 10 times out of 10, but these give you options to color-match to your outfit or other baggage.
I also appreciate how its main flap stays shut with magnetic snaps, which have been strong enough in my experience to stay closed throughout a busy day around town. This follows the aforementioned Sony XM6 headphones, whose case uses a magnetic clasp, a first for that line.
Your mileage may vary with how you feel about how the Trail Reporter’s PU coating shows its wear. I’m not bothered that it’s picked up a bit of scuffing in my months with it so far, as I don’t need my stuff to always look flawless. If those last sentences made you shiver, we have plenty of other editor-tested handbags and book bags for you.
Bags are funny when it comes to prices. $125 may seem like a lot or a little, but when a big tote bag from one of my favorite concerts of the year cost me $45, I could see how folks might balk when a smaller but more fashionable shoulder bag is nearly three times as much. Still, I get so much use out of this bag that I can’t help but deem it “worth it” for me.
In this economy, though, everyone’s price sensitivities are going up. I can pretty much guarantee that someone’s going to email me with their frustrations that I’m recommending a $125 shoulder bag, and I won’t argue with them. I’ll just say that everyone’s priorities are different, and we’ve all got our reasons for spending the way we do.
Adjustable crossbody strap requires work
The one other nit I have to pick with the Trail Reporter is that I find myself spending a little more effort than I’d like when it comes to adjusting the length of its crossbody strap. I don’t do this often, mind you, but when I had to do it as we took photos for this story, I was just wishing something about this went easier.
This is the sign of a truly great product. If one of my few frustrations is about a facet you’ll probably rarely use, I feel confident recommending it.
If you’re looking for a stylish bag that offers the right mix of utility and portability, the Rains Trail Reporter needs to be on your radar. No matter which of the best e-readers you rock, you’ll be able to pack it with more than enough room for actual paperbacks, your must-have accessories and any other trinkets you keep on your person. So, while I love to brandish a tote bag that declares my fandom for a band, brand or local store, I’ve come to accept that this bag proves how less is definitely more.
The durability of Rains bags varies by model. I’d classify the Trail Reporter as durable but not rugged. For example, Rains rates it as for “waterproof protection from light rain,” which they codify as “level 3” and compare to a drizzle. This isn’t a bag meant for monsoon season.
You can wash your Rains bag but not in a washing machine. Rains suggests using denatured alcohol liquids, which it calls methylated spirits, with a dry cloth or sponge. In my experience, the Rains Trail Reporter wiped clean, but its matte material did scuff quite easily. I don’t mind, though, as I think it creates a nice patina.
CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products we review and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Electronics writer Henry T. Casey has been writing product reviews for more than a decade, and a lot of those years has been spent overpacking bags full of review units to lug to and from the office and various photoshoots. He’s also realized that there comes a time when a man looks goofy bringing a backpack to a formal event.