Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been using a laptop backpack from Case Logic for the past six years. However, I recently purchased a 15.6-inch laptop. Getting it to fit was like trying to fit into a shoe that was two sizes too small. Throw in the power brick, a computer mouse, and whatever else I need whenever I am out and about and I had a camel hump that was a pain to take on public transportation and did not leave me feeling particularly confident about the protection of my equipment. Nevertheless, the bag was still in fantastic condition and technically usable. As such, when Amazon suggested this product to me, I was more torn than most people on whether it would be a worthwhile purchase – especially considering the rather steep price. Although I have used it for only a week now, I have to say that I feel like it was an excellent investment. PROS - Excellent build quality - Thoughtful design - Sleek appearance The first thing I noticed when I saw the backpack was how sturdy it looked. Unlike most backpacks, this one will stand up on its own rather than slump over when placed on the ground. This is due to the hard plastic case at the bottom of the bag – accessible from its front – where one can store a laptop’s power brick separately from everything else. The zipper quality was similarly impressive. When doing and undoing the zipper, it has a solid, deep sound that one can be assured will never tear or open accidentally as you walk down the street. The material feels robust and resistant to tears or scuffs. The backpack also has a Teflon coat, which makes it fine for brief walks through light rain. As I opened the various compartments, I also appreciated the bag’s design. The laptop and document compartments use L-shaped zippers that go from the top and zip all the way down to the bottom of the right side. This makes putting in and removing laptops, papers, and whatnot much easier. I no longer have to worry about scraping the cover of my laptop against a metal zipper or accidentally crumpling documents. If I need extra space to do so, I can just spread the section a little more. The tablet compartment is also an excellent addition, just big enough to hold comfortably my Surface 2 tablet. I am pleased that they did not limit this pocket to hold just iPads. The laptop pocket comes with removable padding at the bottom to protect the bag from modest drops. I feel like it could hold a 17-inch laptop without problems, though I have not tried this. There was no neglect of the front pockets. The main front pocket has spaces for all my pens, pencils, and highlighters as well as smaller netted pockets for the other things I usually use like gum, a calculator, and cough drops. The frontmost pocket is great for holding thin documents, such as passports or tickets. The bottommost compartment has a hard plastic shell that is meant for power bricks or other more delicate, if somewhat small, electronics that need extra care like computer mice. There is also a side pocket for beverages, which can be zipped up when not in use, but I will comment on that later. I also appreciate the bright orange material used to line the interior pockets. The contrast with the black makes it easy to find what one needs, especially in low light and with small objects like flash drives. It is a subtle feature, but I never realized how much time I spent looking for my flash drive in my old backpack with a black interior until I pulled it out of this bag with barely a glance. The bag also has slits on the back behind the padding to allow it to slide down the handle of a suitcase. This is excellent if you are traveling on a plane, though I doubt that I will use this particular feature at all. As a side note, I typically use the document pocket – with the hard case as its base – to hold a large metal thermos of coffee and my small lunch. It does so comfortably and with minimal crushing of my food, which was a big annoyance with my previous backpack. That should also give you a sense of how large it can be if you need it to hold textbooks or an armful of folders. Though I generally prefer function to form, the bag’s design is sleek. It feels like something that belongs in an office; it would not look out of place next to a briefcase at a meeting. The branding is minimal and subtle, with no dramatic coloring to attract attention to the manufacturer. The bag can grow to be about as big as you need it to be, but it can also be surprisingly slim. You probably will still feel the jostling of others on a crowded subway car, but it will fit comfortably on your lap if you manage to find a seat. When you need to make your way to the subway doors to get off, you can throw it on your shoulder or use one of the straps on the bag’s top or side to hold it in your hand and make a beeline. CONS - Beverage holder could be improved One thing that disappoints me is the lone side pocket. It zips away when not in use to make the bag more streamline, but I feel like it was a somewhat neglected feature. The netting and elastic is adequate for a can of soda or typical-sized bottle of water, but I would have hesitations about putting anything taller or heavier in there. Personally, I always use the side pocket to hold an umbrella. It puts the umbrella within easy reach and keeps it away from everything else when it gets wet. However, the size of the pocket makes me concerned about my umbrella falling out. If the pocket were just a bit taller, I would have no problem keeping my umbrella in there. As it is now, though, I guess I will have to keep it somewhere else. Someone else’s experience with this pocket may differ. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - Weight - Price I know it is impossible to have a backpack that is both sturdy and light as a dust mote, but I think weight is something people should keep in mind. Although the backpack straps are well made and distribute the bag’s weight effectively, the bag definitely has a certain degree of heft even when somewhat empty. Adding a laptop and the usual accessories is bearable, but I would be somewhat wary of loading it up with everything in and on your office desk and then walking across town. A bag of this quality – and at this price – is definitely an investment one should make only if the bag will be often used or hold especially delicate or expensive electronics. I think it might be overkill for the rare meeting a few blocks away or for the K-12 student who carries little more than loose-leaf paper and pencils. Even I feel like the bag is a little on the pricey side, despite almost daily need for a backpack. Still, I do not quite think that this is something that should count against the product. It is great - for the right audience. Overall, I would recommend the bag to anyone who wants a sturdy, thoughtfully designed, and aesthetically pleasing backpack to carry things safely and conveniently in an office or college setting. I am sure that this bag will see even more use than my previous backpack from Case Logic and last just as long. I will update my review if anything changes or if I can think of any other comments. UPDATE – 6/24/15 I took this bag with me on a trip to Hawaii from the East Coast. It carried my laptop, Surface 2, computer and phone chargers, and a wireless mouse without any problems. I moved through security like a breeze thanks to the generous pockets and never once felt concerned about damaging my electronics. I am somewhat disappointed that the paint on the zipper pulls chipped while keeping it under the seat, but this is a minor complaint. A few days ago, I also walked through a ferocious downpour on my way home. I thought my umbrella kept most of it away, but it turned out that the outermost portion of the bag was unprotected. I assumed that it had completely soaked through the pockets, but the bag actually kept most of it away. It was damp, sure, but otherwise fine. I think I might give the bag a coating of Scotchgard just to be safe, but this bag can handle more than a light sprinkle. UPDATE – 10/28/15 I recently upgraded my Surface 2 to the Surface Pro 4 and it no longer fits in the tablet pocket. I have to keep it in the laptop compartment, but it does not change my opinion of the bag. I just wanted to give readers some perspective as to how big of a tablet or notebook they could keep in the tablet compartment. Bag is still holding up well! UPDATE - 6/3/17 I am happy to report that I am still using the bag and it is holding up very well. No scuffs, tears, or loose seams! UPDATE - 12/1/19 The bag continues to be in good shape, but is showing some slight signs of wear. A few of the seams are beginning to fray ever so slightly, but this is a cosmetic issue.