Eat drink college

eat.drink.college

THE PENNSYLVANIA ISSUE!

DRINK!

THE STRIKE ZONE

A HIDDEN GEM IN INDIANA, PA

EAT!

THE BEST GRUB AT THE 14 PA STATE UNIVERSITY TOWNS!

COLLEGE!

IS THE RIUTBAG THE PERFECT BACKPACK?

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2016

p.14 THE QUARRY AND ALIBIS 2 GREAT SPOTS FOR DICKINSON COLLEGE STUDENTS!

p.18 THE 14 BEST RESTAURANTS IN EVERY PA STATE SCHOOL TOWN!

p.28 THE REVIEW PAGE THE RIUTBAG! THE PERFECT TRAVEL BACKPACK?

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p.10 THE STRIKE ZONE! A HIDDEN GEM IN INDIANA, PA!

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EAT.DRINK.COLLEGE Download the eat.drink.college app!

MASTHEAD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY

DESIGNED BY MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY & RAY ELISE

STAFF WRITER MATTHEW R. HUMPHREY

FREELANCE WRITER TASHA ULIANO

STAFF DRUNK DAVID YOW

STAFF CHEF + CURMUDGEON STEVE ALBINI

Find the best places to eat at a college town near you!

Quick and dirty recipes any student can follow!

Hilarious video reviews of college joints in the US and around the world!

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BIG POPPA PUMP SCOTT STEINER

FOLLOW US @eatdrinkcollege /eatdrinkcollege www.eatdrinkcollege.com

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

“Here I am with some Strike zone regulars on Halloween...”

What’s up, readers? I am your editor-in-chief, Matthew R. Humphrey. Welcome to eat.drink. college. How is everyone doing? Well, I hope. It’s a goddamn pleasure to have you here for the very first issue of this magazine.

Just to let all you newbies in on the story, eat. drink.college is a magazine about the good times we all have during our college years. Picture those moments with your best college friends at that popular local place where everyone goes to get their late night drunk food. Great stuff, right? Think about that place while reading this magazine.

Everyone that’s ever been in college has memories of places like that. In this magazine we hope to replicate those memories. As you read on, I hope they come back to you and make you smile just a bit. And I hope you keep coming back to eat.drink. college to find great new places to make memories now and into the future.

Enjoy!

“...and here i am again!”

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Mat

y e r h p m u thew R. H

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THE STRIKE ZONE! A HIDDEN GEM IN INDIANA, PA

THE INTERIOR OF THE ZONE IS old school, SMOKY, AND INVITING AS HELL Every college town has one. Whether you know it or not, and chances are you don’t, they’re there.

They’re hidden gems. Little known restaurants and bars that, for one reason or another, are off the beaten path for college students. Oftentimes they’re smoky little dives haunted by the dreaded townie.

The type of person that lives in a college town yearround and hates college students. Or do they?

Indiana, PA is home to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), one of 14 state-owned universities within the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). A walk or a drive along Philadelphia Street, the main drag in Indiana, reveals dozens of restaurants and bars. Philly Street, as it’s affectionately called, is a short walk from IUP’s campus. Weekends on Philly Street are swarming with students. Bars like The Coney and Wolfies get so packed they’re essentially standing room only. They’re great places, but they’re not the only game in town.

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Just outside of downtown Indiana on Oakland Avenue lies Mohawk Lanes, a 24-lane top notch bowling alley. Attached to it, and accessible from inside Mohawk Lanes, is a hidden gem. It’s called The Strike Zone Sports Bar. When you walk up the steps to Mohawk Lanes you pass through a set of glass doors. The door to the right takes you to the bowling alley, what most people come here for.

When you open the door to the left, you’ve entered The Strike Zone. Even before you open the door the smell is there. The acrid smell of cigarettes and stale spilled beer is enough to keep some from entering.

Those who brave the smells are immediately welcomed by the hearty laughter and warm conversation of the regulars and a “How’s it goin’?” from the bartender. The majority of The Strike Zone’s customers are indeed “townies,” but they don’t hate college students.

JUST A FEW OF THE ZONE’S REGULARS, STUDENTS AND OTHERWISE “Everybody’s welcome at The Zone,” says Tom Paul, more commonly known as TP. “But it’s hard to be a quiet person that keeps to themselves. If you’re here, you’re going to end up in conversation with somebody.” Almost everyone that’s gone to “The Zone” at some point will know TP right away. He’s a short guy, with white hair and mustache, and likely wearing some sort of Pittsburgh sports shirt or jersey. He’s always smiling and laughing and, depending on how many Bud Lights he’s consumed, talking with a near spot on Irish accent.

“EVERYBODY’S WELCOME AT THE ZONE” Another regular, and part-time bouncer and bartender, is David Green. David is an Iraq War veteran and a wall of a man, heavily tattooed and friendly as hell. He’s also a full time student at St. Francis University in nearby Loretto, PA. “I first started coming here because it was my job. I still come to work, but it’s more like visiting family.

Everyone here knows everyone. They’ve got your back. That’s important to me.”

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TP AS COLONEL SANDERS

A COUPLE OF REgULARS STRAIGHT OUT OF “A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”

“I’m not sure why students from the college don’t come here more often. It’s a great place, cheap drinks, good cheap food… Maybe it’s because it’s not a quick walk to campus,” says TP. “Maybe they think we bite. We don’t! Not unless you ask!” he says with a hearty laugh.

One college student that does regularly come to The Strike Zone is Matthew Stumpf, a PhD student in English and Literature at IUP. “The Zone is a great place. A few friends and I like to call it ‘The Dive.’ But that’s not a knock in my opinion. That just means it’s real. You can’t come here and be fake and obnoxious like in a lot of the college bars downtown. You’ll get called on your bullshit.”

“I LIKE TO CALL IT CHEERS WITH MORE VULGARITY” Another college-aged regular is Alex Riggenbach, a recent Psychology graduate from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. “I only started coming to Strike Zone a few months ago when I moved into a nearby apartment. A friend of mine ended up being my neighbor. He said what a great place The Zone is and took me over. And it really is.

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CHUBBS MAKES A GREAT NUN

JUST A FEW OF THE FRIENDLY FACES YOU’LL MEET AT THE ZONE I like to call it ‘Cheers,’ but with more vulgarity,” he says with a laugh.

Every year The Strike Zone has a few noteworthy events that bring in regulars both new and old. The last Friday in October features a Halloween party that packs the place. A buffet and costume contest make things extra interesting. TP manages to place in the top three every year.

“Last year I was zombie Michael Jackson. I managed to place second. Not bad for me. First place certainly deserved it though. One of the Zone’s cooks has a mother with Alzheimer’s. She was Little Red Riding Hood and rocked the place.

She definitely deserved first place.”

The other big yearly event at The Zone is the Anniversary Party in March. This packs the bar with even more people than the Halloween party. Every year a bartender from the past returns to serve the Zone family. The past several years the guest has been IUP graduate Matt Rodgers, more commonly known as Chubbs. He’s a big guy with an even bigger heart. He left Indiana, PA for Indiana University in Indianapolis to attend law school in 2014. He still makes it a point to return every year and he has a huge following. “No matter where I go this is the best bar I’ve ever been to. Sometimes people fight or get into arguments, but that’s par for the family course. I don’t see these people for a year or more and it’s like we talked yesterday.”

“ANYONE’S WELCOME TO COME AND BE A PART. JUST DON’T EXPECT TO KEEP TO YOURSELF” There’s something special about The Zone. Is it the bar itself? Conversation with the regulars shows that it isn’t. It’s the people. It’s the conversation. It’s being part of an extended family that happens to congregate in a space. TP, says, “Strike Zone is my living room. This is where I hang out and relax. It just so happens a lot of other people, people that are like family, share it and we get along really well.

Anyone’s welcome to come and be a part. Just don’t expect to keep to yourself.”

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THE QUARRY AND ALIBIS TWO GREAT PLACES FOR DICKINSON COLLEGE STUDENTS

Dickinson College is known for rigorous academics, but offers much more than that. It’s a private liberal arts college located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and it features beautiful stone buildings. These buildings inspired The Quarry’s name.

Students come to The Quarry after class to catch up on work, hangout, eat, play games and more.

The Quarry seeks to give students more than the typical college party scene. The Quarry is open until midnight Monday through Thursday, 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 pm on Sundays.

The Quarry is located on Dickinson University’s campus at 51 North College Street across from James and Stuart Hall. It offers everything from coffee to pastries to salads and sandwiches. There are always vegetarian and 14

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gluten-free options available. The Quarry offers Wi-Fi for students to do homework, check email and kill time.

The Quarry is set in a three story building. The outside features a wraparound porch with tables and chairs. The main floor is where food and drinks are purchased and includes a lounge area where students can hangout. There’s also a roaring fireplace, perfect for cold winter days.

Upstairs is the quiet zone where students go to do homework, study, read or just get some peace and quiet. The lower level is where the fun happens. There’s a game room with TVs and gaming hookups as well as everything necessary for live music. There are also foosball and air hockey tables with couches and bean bag chairs nearby for a relaxed but fun setting.

You want to come here.

yuengs and wings anyone?

Alibis is the most popular bar for Dickinson College students and is just a short walk from campus. On weekends, Alibis moves their tables to create a spacious dance floor. Everyone, students and locals alike, love the wings served at Alibis.

Wing sauces include options such as garlic parmesan, mango habanero and jerk seasoning.

Alibis offers several special events throughout the week. Tuesdays are always trivia night, Wednesdays feature a lively open mic night, and Thursdays is karaoke. Friday and Saturday nights feature DJ’s to pump up the dance floor.

Food specials during the week include six-dollar burgers on Tuesdays and 45-cent wings on Thursdays. Sundays feature the popular “Yuengs and Wings” special which includes a dozen wings and a pitcher of Yuengling for just twelve dollars.

Happy hour is 6-8pm daily.

Dickinson College is known for its rigorous academics, but thanks to places like The Quarry and Alibis, students always have a place to eat and drink at college.

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THE BEST EATS AT EVERY PA IDS! K , T U STATE SCHOOL YOUR HEARTs O EAT

No matter where you go to college you’ve got to eat. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education includes 14 universities around the state. Every one has somewhere great to eat. These are just a few of the places you’ll find in each town.

What are some of the places you love in your college town? Write to us and we just might feature your favorite in the future on the official eat.drink.college website or in an upcoming issue!

ROSA MARIE’S BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY

Rose Marie’s is a bit tiny, but with a romantic feeling, even at lunch time. The entrance is off of Main St, down an alleyway if you were walking, so it can be a little tough to find. There is ample parking in the back, 25 cents per hour during the day and completely free at night.

This is an Italian restaurant with southern Italian leanings. A long menu, seven or eight packed pages, including all types of pastas, pizza (made with a brick gas-fired oven, baked goods, and seafood. Specials rotate monthly. Has a kids menu is family friendly. Wine, beer, and a full bar. Casual attire is fine though you would not feel out of place a little dressed up.

26 E Main Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815

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The extensive menu is vegetarian and pescaterian friendly. There’s really something for everyone here and it’s a great place for graduating students to celebrate.

SPUDS

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Spuds strives to serve the best fresh cut fries and hand patted burgers around. Our creative and endless french fry menu has allowed the restaurant to expand across the state of Pennsylvania serving quality food for the whole family at an affordable price. With our primary focus concentrated on FRESH burgers and fries, our large menu selection including wings, salads, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, shakes, and other favorites should not be overlooked. Give us a try, build your own, get creative!

The combinations are nearly endless with the BYOF (Build-Your-Own-Fries) option. Toppings include everything from chili, cheese, fried chicken, coleslaw and vegetables. You can truly make the menu your own at Spuds.

This location is actually the second opened with the original located in Kutztown, PA.

227 Wood St California, PA 15419

BOB’S SUBS AND SANDWICHES CLARION UNIVERSITY

Great place for students, locals, visitors, and especially alumni! Classic hoagies. “It’s a PA thing” is their slogan.

Subs or hoagies here are delicious and simple, but completely unique to Bob’s. It’s in the bread and mayo, which are both homemade. Very friendly and down to earth employees from Clarion University and the community take your order and prepare your hoagies right in front of you. No frills, small town prices.

If you’re driving across PA and want a little taste of local yum, drive 5 minutes past all the chains to this treat in downtown Clarion. Fresh toasty bread, crunchy veggies, a wide selection of deli meat, and a hearty smear of mayo make it a perfect lunch stop.

If you’re looking for a great, no frills sandwich, Bob’s Subs and Sandwiches in Clarion, PA is a solid option!

501 Main St Clarion, PA 16214

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RUDY’S TAVERN EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY

Great spot for a cheap beer. And I mean CHEAP! Small dive with some TV’s and games (bowling, golf, etc) and always has some locals to swap stories with. If you’re hungry make sure you try a super dog while you’re there.

Nice laid back place where $10 can go a long way.

They make the food right in front of you so you see what you get. Definitely worth going. The only negative is they don’t take cards, so be sure to bring cash.

You always feel like family at Rudy’s! The Cajun cheesesteak and the super are delicious! The bar and bathrooms are always spotless! All around great atmosphere!

90 Washington St East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

SUNSET GRILL EDINBORO UNIVERSITY

Nice place on the lake! You have the option of inside seating, outside by the lake, or outside under a canopy.

The staff was really friendly and helpful. We had the buffalo dip as an appetizer-just enough kick to not be overwhelming. For mains we had the roast beef sub with au jus. Great lunch special.

The waitresses are all very nice and personable with fast service. The managers are very big on communicating with the customers.

With a scenic view of the lake and fresh air, you can enjoy your food, drink, and company in the sun! This place is amazing to go to when they feature bands and musicians playing live music.

508 Erie St Edinboro, PA 16412

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9TH STREET DELI INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Everything is fresh and local. Pasta salad, potato salad, and desserts are all homemade. Just a small Ma & Pa shop. So much better than ANY chain sandwich shop!

The bread is always fresh. The prices are outrageously low with HUGE portions. The “small” for any hoagie is a foot long! Service is always fast and always friendly.

Don’t ignore the coolers. They’ve always got potato salad, macaroni salad, and various other gems and treats that are typically top notch as well.

If you’re a fan of sandwiches and subs this place fits the bill. Philadelphia people always say how nowhere else does a cheesesteak like their hometown. The 9th Street Deli is the kind of place that makes them put their feet in their mouths. Or at least their food long cheesesteaks.

901 Philadelphia St Indiana, PA 15701

THE FRYING DUTCHMAN KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

The Frying Dutchman is a force to be reckoned with in Kutztown, PA. The donuts are fried fresh to order and match up against any others in the country. This is the kind of place you become addicted to and have dreams about.

The Frying Dutchman is something to experience aromatically, aesthetically, and most importantly, gustastorily.

The first bite is soft, like biting in a warm, sweet cloud.

The variety of toppings give a lot of variety for adventurous types. The donuts just seem to melt away in your mouth. Some find the small size appealing. Smaller size equals few calories, right?

The Frying Dutchman isn’t just the best place for donuts in Kutztown, PA or college towns in general. It’s one of the best in the whole damn country.

236 W Main St Kutztown, PA 19530

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TEXAS LUNCH LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY

The Texas Lunch in Lock Haven, PA has been open since 1918. Lock Haven University was founded in 1870. That means The Texas Lunch has been serving LHU students from its inception. No small feat.

The Texas Lunch serves some of the best hot dogs in the world, especially the growlers with the house-made meat sauce. This has been a staple of the Susquehanna Valley since its inception. Their fries are fresh cut and stand tall on the plate. The owners renovated the place not too long ago to give it a 1950s retro diner feel, which is another huge positive.

Their steak salad is made with real steak, not shaved beef or hamburger. It’s topped with onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, green olives, and fresh french fries. A classic taste!

204 E Main St Lock Haven, PA 17745

Service is quick and friendly. The food is always good and always greasy. Perfect for college students!

CAST & CREW MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY

Cast & Crew is an “improvisational restaurant” and features fine casual dining.

Try the “I Love Lucy” burger. Two ¼ lb. burgers with bacon wrapped pineapple ring, mozzarella cheese, potato frites, & pineapple coleslaw on a seasoned Kaiser bun. Outstanding stuff!

Blackened chicken and dumplings, border cantina, Italian nachos, steak salad...all wonderful!

This is a chef-focused kind of place so look for new specials every day of the week and sometimes even on a chef’s whim!

295 S Main St Mansfield, PA 16933

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It looks like a dumpy little diner from the outside. Don’t be deceived. This place is fantastic. The chef really knows what he’s doing.

SUGAR BOWL MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY

A wide variety of food to satisfy every desire. Great place for a cheesesteak or a couple of pizzas! HUGE variety of salads! Fan of baklava? They’ve got that, too. And it’s outstanding.

Sugar Bowl is a delicious, greasy, unhealthy, and satisfying college pizza place.

Sugar Bowl is famous for their stromboli and they’re definitely worth a bite or ten. They also do a mean chicken cheesesteak. Waffle fries are a delicious and satisfying side for anything on the menu. Also, be sure to check out their numerous milkshake flavors. All delicious.

Sugar Bowl features an outstanding program wherein student organizations can deliver food on Fridays and Saturdays and keep all of their tips for whatever fundraiser they happen to be working on.

9 Normal Ave Millersville, PA 17551

KATHY’S DELI SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY

With over 20 years of food service experience, Kathy Pugh is no stranger to making customers happy with great food and friendly hometown service. In November of 2002, Kathy and her husband Glenn opened Kathy’s Deli on West King Street in Shippensburg. Originally, Kathy’s Deli consisted of just 8 employees and offered soups, salads, made-to-order sandwiches, baked goods, and gourmet coffee. The business has grown to include 30+ employees and is one of the most popular caterers in the area.

Kathy’s Deli caters any event from backyard barbecues and company picnics to elegant wedding receptions. We have been honored to cater for Congressman Bill Shuster, twice for Governor Ed Rendell, and also for top executives from all over the world. Kathy’s Deli invites all of south-central Pennsylvania to experience the difference.

Kathy’s features daily special sandwiches, soups, and hot meals. Be sure to check their website weekly for the latest!

891 W King St Shippensburg, PA 17257

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North Country Brewing Company Slippery Rock University When Jodi and Bob opened the doors to North Country Brewing Company in 2005, they couldn’t have expected the support and demand for good craft beer that Slippery Rock had. Over the years, this brewpub has featured over 100 different types of beers, ranging from traditional reds and stouts to more outlandish and experimental brews such as bacon-flavored brews and chai tea infused ales.

In addition to their outstanding brews, North Country features great, seasonal food that’s worth traveling for.

Everything from sandwiches and soups to mussels and falafel are featured on the menu. North Country is dedicated to being sustainable and local and this care is evident in every bite.

141 S Main St Slippery Rock, PA 16057

North Country Brewing Company’s owners care a great deal about the Slippery Rock community and on average raises $50,000 through their annual Brewfest for the Slippery Rock community. Drink. Eat. Feel good about it.

Asuka

Cheyney University and West Chester University Asuka looks unassuming from the outside, but when you come in, you’ll immediately feel comfortable in the quiet, tastefully decorated dining room. Regular diners say they love the friendly and helpful wait staff. And the food is fresh and authentic, especially the sushi! Asuka’s goal is to offer quality food and service in order to create a memorable dining experience for customers.

The sushi and sashimi at Asuka is always fresh. In fact, if they can’t find fish fresh enough they simply won’t serve it. Sushi and sashimi plates always come with thin lemon slices that add even more of a fresh flavor to the immaculate fish.

1502 West Chester Pike West Chester, PA 19382

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The Chinese dishes on the menu also use only the freshest ingredients. You can guarantee whatever you order will be cooked to perfection, from the rice to the vegetables to whatever you have as your protein of choice. This is a place to savor every mouthful.

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eat.drink.college’s Review of Things!!!

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Official

Backpacks are as convenient a way to carry things around a city as they are when hiking in the great outdoors, keeping your hands free and spreading the load across two shoulders, but they can be a little worrying when you’re carrying expensive gadgets. The reason? All the zips are behind you. Standing on an escalator, in an elevator or on a platform waiting for a train, you always have the worry of a thief quietly unzipping the compartments to make off with your hard-earned technology.

The RiutBag reverses this approach. First, the zips are against your back, where it would be virtually impossible for anyone to unzip them.

Second, there are only two zips – one for a small phone/wallet pocket, and the other one giving access to all of the interior compartments. The small pocket zip is completely hidden beneath the straps, while the main compartment zips are at the side. In practice, when wearing it, you keep the zips at the top, where they are completely inaccessible without removing the backpack.

A messenger bag feels safer, because you can carry it at your side with an arm across it, but it’s less convenient and less comfortable than a backpack. This is the problem Riut sets out to solve, with a secure backpack designed specifically to keep your gadgets safe from sneaky thieves – so I thought I’d give it a try…

The original RiutBag, launched back in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, was a little bulky for everyday use, with a capacity of 20 liters. The new models are available in a choice of 10 and 15 liter capacities. I tested the slimmer of these, the RiutBag 10, which is small enough to slip under an airline seat so should be accepted as a second bag for those airlines that allow a laptop bag in addition to your main carry-on.

A conventional backpack design has two flaws where security is concerned. First, all the zips are on the outside, leaving them accessible to anyone standing behind you. Second, there are usually lots of separate compartments, each with their own zip, so multiple pockets are left vulnerable.

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The lack of rear zips aside, the RiutBag 10 looks very much like every other commuter backpack out there, especially in the new black version I tried (there’s also a grey one). It’s smart enough

to take to meetings, but doesn’t in any way stand out – something I consider a plus when carrying valuables. You don’t want a bag that screams ‘Gadget bag – steal me!’.

One immediate difference you notice from most urban backpacks is the shiny plastic base. This is waterproof, and designed to ensure that the contents remain dry if you ever need to take it off and put it down on a wet sidewalk to access the bag. It’s one of those small touches that tells you the company has thought about practicality.

The main fabric material is, like most backpacks, water resistant but not fully waterproof.

If you’re in an area where pickpocketing is a concern, it’s nice to be able to slip your wallet and phone into a secure pocket while also keeping them reasonably accessible. The pocket is very small, but was large enough for my iPhone 6s and Bellroy wallet. It also accommodates a standard passport and a set of keys.

Having invited a couple of friends to try opening the RiutBag zips when I was wearing it, I feel totally confident nobody could do so without me being aware of the attempt. My view is that the premium you pay will soon be forgotten, but the reassurance will be appreciated each time you use it.

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