You know those consumer surveys that companies do, where they say they’ll enroll you in a sweepstakes if you complete the questionnaire? Well, it turns out that people actually do win those. To wit: I just won the Gear Patrol sweepstakes where the grand prize included the Topo Designs x Gear Patrol technical pack, which arrived today!

It’s a sturdy pack with three carrying systems: backpack straps, a pair of totebag-style handles, and a shoulder strap for cross-body carry.

I also won a gift card and a year’s subscription to Gear Patrol magazine, which I’m rather looking forward to reading.

Since taking the picture above I’ve tucked away the backpack straps and rigged up the shoulder strap to carry it like a messenger bag. I think I’ll carry it to today’s meeting of our local Esperanto group!

I’m actually a big ol’ geek about all sorts of devices for carrying things—check out my long list of lunch carriers.