We demoed the Arc’Teryx Blade 24 and came away proclaiming it the ultimate carry-on pack for those who want their Macbook or laptop at the ready while travelling. This slim and tough little number is well-designed to slide under the seat in front of you – no more struggling to stow your carry-on in overhead compartments.

The Blade packs come in three sizes. The 24 features a small fleece-lined top pocket to protect electronics and a suspended laptop compartment with a laminated easy in/out computer protector. Other critical pockets include a large document compartment, a front pocket with accessory slots and a concealed passport/ticket security pocket.

We’ve used it as an everyday Macbook/laptop pack as well. A demonstration of its toughness: I was driving around a curve when my passenger door flew open. There was no passenger, fortunately, other than the Blade 24, which flew out onto the tarmac and skidded about 10 feet. I pulled over to retrieve it and found my Macbook totally unscathed – even though I’d left the zipper open. (A velcro strap secures the computer in its compartment.) And the outer material of the pack was not even scuffed.

Ontario residents: in celebration of the opening of its first Toronto flagship retail store, Arc’Teryx will host a Crowd the Store contest, starting with a scavenger hunt for gift cards on August 16 in the downtown core.

Located at 339 Queen Street West, between John Street and Peter Street, the 2,817 square-foot store will open to the public on August 23 at 11 a.m.

Ontario customers will now have access to Arc’teryx’s complete line of products beginning with the current 2014 Fall collection. Customers will also have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the company’s innovative and forward-thinking design process via special engagement areas inside the store.

“As a proud Canadian born and bred company, we are excited to continue to grow our presence in our home country with the new brand store in Toronto. This new location allows us to better equip Toronto’s passionate outdoor community with our complete range of functional, minimalist and stylish performance products,” says Adam Ketcheson – VP/Senior Director, Marketing & B2C.

All Arc’teryx product design, research and development is undertaken in-house at the company’s head office in North Vancouver.