The 11 Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024, Tested and ...
The 11 Best Laptop Backpacks of , Tested and ...
Because comfort and durability are arguably the two most important factors when investing, we tested more than 50 laptop backpacks on several occasions in our New York City lab and in the real world to find the best ones for everyday wear with these considerations in mind. We packed each bag with computers, iPads, sweatshirts, and more, and carried them around to see how they felt. We then tossed each one onto the ground from a tabletop to test the bag&#;s durability (using dummy laptops, of course). Keep reading to learn more about our top picks for style, comfort, value, and more.
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Since a laptop usually comes at a high price, it&#;s well worth it to invest in a backpack designed to protect your technology when you&#;re on the go. Whether you&#;re traveling on an airplane or trekking through campus, a comfortable, well-made backpack with a padded laptop pocket is a must-have.
Best Overall
Stubble & Co. The Everyday Backpack
PHOTO: Stubble & Co.
Why We Love It
This versatile backpack will keep you organized with pockets galore in all different sizes.
What to Consider
The chest straps came off during testing, and we couldn&#;t figure out how to reattach them.
&#;&#;This Stubble & Co. backpack was part of our waterproof backpacks test, and we thought the stylish design and ample pockets makes this our favorite laptop backpack. Like the name suggests, this is a great everyday backpack &#; slim and compact but still spacious enough to fit a laptop, headphones, a charger, a jacket, a water bottle, a notebook, a travel pouch, and a small toiletry case.
&#;The sheer amount of pockets would keep even the most chaotic packer organized,&#; says Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco, who tested this option in our New York City lab. &#;I especially love how there&#;s a variety of pocket sizes and shapes to give all different types of items their own little home.&#; There is one back compartment for a 16-inch laptop and other flat items, one main compartment with six pockets, one small top pocket, a teeny pocket on one of the straps (for something small like earbuds), two water bottle pockets on the sides, and one large front pocket on the outside. There&#;s an adjustable chest strap as well, though it fell off during testing, and we weren&#;t able to reattach it.
In addition to the useful pockets, we also loved how this backpack is waterproof &#; we held it underneath multiple showerheads to soak it, and all of our electronics inside remained totally dry, so you can feel secure wearing this even on rainy days.
The Details: 18. 1 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 20 liters | 2.2 pounds | Recycled PET, recycled RPET lining, polyester air mesh | 16-inch laptop pocket | Waterproof
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Watch Us Test the Best Laptop Backpacks
Best Leather
Bee & Kin The Midi Nomad Backpack
PHOTO: Bee & Kin
Why We Love It
The sleek leather material looks nicer than a typical nylon backpack.
What to Consider
The straps are a bit too long, even when they are adjusted to the shortest setting.
Constructed with soft and sleek Italian leather, this midsize backpack has the perfect combination of style and functionality. It&#;s big enough to fit a laptop up to 13 inches long, but it&#;s small enough that you can use it beyond traveling or commuting for everyday activities like running errands. After four months of use, we found this to be the perfect medium-size bag that is easy to clean, making it a perfect option for everyday use. It can easily fit a laptop, water bottle, wallet, notebook, and headphones with plenty of room left over. While we love the size for versatility, it still has plenty of thoughtful features for travelers like a pocket for a wireless charger (sold separately) and several interior pockets for storing accessories.
The leather material has a soft and plush feel to it which makes carrying the bag comfortable, but we wish the straps were a little shorter since the bag sits a little low on the back. Since the backpack is smaller and lightweight, this isn&#;t a huge issue and we still think the high-quality backpack is worth it for traveling, commuting, and everyday use.
The Details: 13 x 11.6 x 5.5 inches | 2.6 pounds | Leather | 13-inch laptop pocket
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Best Expandable
Samsonite Elevation Plus Backpack
PHOTO: Samsonite
Why We Love It
The expandable zippers add tons of extra space.
What to Consider
We wish there were more color options.
I've tested dozens of backpacks and it can be hard to find a backpack that stands out from others, which is why I'm a big fan of this one from Samsonite, which I personally tested in the lab. While it has a simple design from the outside, the backpack is filled with special features that make it better than your average backpack. It has tons of pockets to store every travel essential you could ever need, including laptops, tablets, notebooks, chargers, passports, and it has a water bottle pocket on the side that keeps a bottle secure (it didn't even fall out when I threw the pack off a table several times). The laptop pouch creates a hammock-like effect that suspends the laptop and gives it protection from getting knocked around on the floor. My favorite part of the pack is the expandable zipper that adds 1.5 inches of extra space, which came in handy when I packed the bag with an extra jacket. Plus, it fits underneath an airplane seat with ease, and there's extra padding in the back paneling and shoulder straps for superior comfort while traveling.
The Details: 17.8 x 12 x 6.5 inches | 22.75 liters | 2.2 pounds | Recycled polyester | Expandable
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
The 13 Most Durable Backpacks for Every Adventure, Tested and Reviewed
Best Solar-powered
Solgaard Lifepack Backpack
PHOTO: Solgaard
Why We Love It
It&#;s made out of recycled plastic bottles found on beaches and has a built-in, solar-powered USB charger.
What to Consider
The capacity is smaller than other backpacks we tested.
While this backpack impressed us during testing, it also won us over thanks to Solgaard&#;s sustainability mission in which all of its products are made with ocean-bound recycled materials. The brand uses its patented Shore-tex material to create this backpack with recycled plastic water bottles found on beaches or river banks. In addition, the backpack includes a solar-powered USB charging port so you can charge on the go without having to worry about the life of your power bank. In our testing lab, we were able to fit all of the items on our packing list, including a sweatshirt, a laptop, an iPad, a notebook, and a water bottle, but there wasn&#;t a lot of space left over. The laptop sleeve is in the back of the bag, and although it&#;s just a fleece-lined slip pocket, it wasn&#;t damaged during our durability tests. When it comes to padding, the backpack is outfitted with ample cushioning that makes it comfortable to wear with the adjustable, supportive chest strap, too.
The Details: 12.4 x 6.9 x 19 inches | 19 liters | 4.85 Pounds | Anti-theft lock | USB port
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Splurge
Lo & Sons Rowledge
PHOTO: Lo & Sons
Why We Love It
The nylon material and leather accents give the backpack a sleek look without sacrificing protection.
What to Consider
The laptop compartment is too small for any computers over 13 inches long.
Lo & Sons&#; The Rowledge laptop backpack is one of the most expensive bags we tested, but it seriously delivered in performance. The nylon exterior outfitted with leather accents makes this sleek, timeless bag a dream for travelers and office-goers. While it may small from the outside, we found that it was possible to fit a sweatshirt, a laptop, an iPad, a notebook, and a water bottle with ease. Our only gripe is that the laptop pocket can only fit laptops that are 13 inches or smaller, so you'll want to consider that if you own a larger computer. The adjustable straps and ample padding throughout the entire backpack add to the comfort and durability of the pack. Although the bag felt a little stiff at first, the material quickly contours to the shape of your shoulders and back over time for a more comfortable fit after a few wears. After tossing the bag off of a tabletop, the laptop remained unharmed in the designated sleeve in the back of the bag, and the exterior showed no signs of damage, so we think this sturdy, well-made backpack is worth the splurge.
The Details: 16.5 x 11.5 x 6.75 inches | 21 liters | 3.2 pounds | Nylon, leather | 13.5-inch laptop pocket
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Budget
Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It
This affordable bag has lots of smart features for travelers.
What to Consider
The materials feel lower in quality than others we've tested.
This wallet-friendly backpack exceeded expectations during testing due to all of the thoughtful designs that rivaled the most expensive bags we tested. After four months of regularly using the bag, we especially love the padded laptop sleeve that protects laptops up to 15.6 inches long. The backpack has a variety of other smart features including a USB port, a passcode lock, and a headphone port to make traveling with electronics a breeze. We found that the main compartment is very spacious and easy to pack with bulkier items like a jacket or lunchbox, and the front compartment has tons of little pockets for organizing smaller items.
Made with polyester fabric, the backpack feels fairly durable and didn&#;t get damaged during our durability tests, but it is noticeably lower quality than the other bags we tested with a higher price point. However, the straps have comfortable padding and adjustable buckles, so the bag is still very comfortable to carry.
The Details: 18.5 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 34 liters | 1.83 pounds | Polyester blend | 15.6-inch laptop pocket | USB and headphone port | Password lock
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
For more information, please visit Shengtailuo Case &Bag.
The 13 Best Affordable Luggage Pieces of , Tested and Reviewed
Best Organization
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It
It has plenty of pockets for organizing all of your belongings efficiently.
What to Consider
The capacity could have been bigger.
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe has a variety of interior and exterior pockets to help you stay organized on the go. There&#;s a designated spot for all of your must-haves with a padded laptop pocket in the back, a main compartment with slip and zippered pockets, and a spacious front pocket for items like a notebook. Plus, there&#;s a side slip pocket for your water bottle and a trolley sleeve for attaching the pack to a suitcase. We love the ability to access your laptop from the back zipper or through the main compartment of the backpack. Additionally, we appreciated the sleek pack&#;s compression straps so you can adjust the capacity of the bag, but we still thought the main compartment could have been a bit larger. The padded backpack straps are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and if you live in a rainy climate, the durable recycled nylon exterior is also water-resistant.
The Details: 18.9 x 11.42 x 5.31 inches | 20 liters | 2.51 pounds | Recycled nylon | 17-inch laptop pocket | Water-resistant
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Most Versatile
Monos Metro Backpack
PHOTO: Monos
Why We Love It
The front pocket comes off so you can travel with or without the extra space.
What to Consider
The original model has visible snaps when the front pocket is removed, but that's been updated with the newer version.
The Monos Metro Backpack has a removable front pocket that adds quite a bit of extra space which is so useful for traveling. For other times when you may not need the excess room, all you have to do is pull the discrete cord in the back of the pouch to release pouch and take it off. Best of all, when you remove the pouch, the backpack still looks sleek, and it doesn't look like any part of the bag is missing thanks to the brand's modular system for taking on and off the pouch.
We love the soft vegan leather look of the backpack and found the materials to provide protection against laptop damage when we dropped it. There are several pockets inside the main compartment, and the laptop pocket is in the back, separated from the rest of the bag. Whether you're traveling on an airplane or heading into the office, this stylish bag is ideal for those looking for a versatile backpack. It also comes in nylon fabric with more colors to choose from.
The Details: 11.5 × 16.5 × 6 inches | 18 liters | 3 pounds | Vegan leather or nylon | 15-inch laptop pocket
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best for Students
Fjällräven Räven 28
PHOTO: Amazon
$120
Why We Love It
The backpack is comfortable and breathable to wear while walking.
What to Consider
The polyester blend wasn&#;t as durable as we hoped.
For students walking across campus or between classes, the Fjällräven Räven 28 Backpack is our favorite option. We love how breathable the back padding is and that it provides plenty of cushioning and support when it's on. The design itself is not bulky, so we weren't worried about brushing up against other people while walking through crowded places during our real-world test. Plus, there are tons of pockets in the main compartment for classroom essentials, and each side of the backpack has a water bottle slip pocket.
We did notice that this bag easily collects dust or lint after it is tossed on the ground. Despite the slight dirtiness of the fabric, we found that the backpack does an excellent job of protecting a laptop in the designated padded sleeve in the back. It's not difficult to fit varying needs, even after using it on a daily commute for two months, and we found it battled the elements well, keeping a computer untouched by rain, too.
The Details: 18.5 x 14 x 6.1 inches | 28 liters | 2.2 pounds | Polyester and cotton with wax coating | 15-inch laptop pocket | Water-resistant
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
The 12 Best Messenger Bags of , Tested and Reviewed
Best Basic
Béis The Backpack
PHOTO: Beis
Why We Love It
It has a simple, no-frills design for extra versatility.
What to Consider
It may be too large for everyday use.
We love the simple design of the Béis backpack and found that it&#;s packed full of thoughtful features making it the perfect backpack for travelers, students, and commuters alike. We were impressed with the large capacity of the main compartment that could easily fit all of the items on our packing list, including tech items like a laptop and iPad on the inside and a water bottle in one of the two slip pockets on the sides. The main compartment has several smaller pockets and a designated padded laptop sleeve. After we did our drop test to evaluate the durability, the padding did a good job of protecting the laptop, but there isn&#;t padding at the bottom of the bag which had us questioning how much protection the backpack offers. Even when it was completely packed, the padded straps were comfortable to wear, and the back had more padding for added comfort.
The Details: 19 x 13 x 5.5 inches | 22 liters | 1.8 pounds | Cotton, PVC, polyester | 14.5-inch laptop pocket
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Style
Paravel Alta Via Backpack
PHOTO: Paravel
Why We Love It
This compact yet spacious backpack is accented with vegan leather, made from recycled water bottles, and can be monogrammed.
What to Consider
The vegan leather accents will likely require more care to keep in good shape.
Whether you&#;re a minimalist or an over packer, this backpack from Paravel can do it all. Although it has a compact and sleek shape, it somehow manages to host a sneaky amount of space for larger, bulkier items like jackets, water bottles, laptops, tablets, and toiletry bags &#; just to name a few. The backpack is stocked with plenty of organizational features. There&#;s a padded breathable mesh back with a zippered pocket; a trolley pass-through sleeve; an exterior mesh side pocket for a water bottle; a front exterior zippered pocket; and multiple interior pockets, including a padded pocket that can store laptops and tablets up to 16 inches.
We especially loved how travelers can monogram the backpack with up to three foil letters, because nothing screams quiet luxury like personalization. The backpack, which is made from recycled water bottles and is water resistant both inside and out, is accented with recycled vegan leather and recycled zippers. While we appreciated these little touches, the vegan leather will likely require more time and care to keep in good shape.
The Details: 17.7 x 12.4 x 6.3 inches | 17-liter capacity | 2.09 pounds | Recycled vegan leather and zippers | 16-inch laptop pocket | Water-resistant exterior and interior
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
The 5 Best Laptop Backpacks of - The New York Times
Photo: Connie Park
If you prefer a more-polished-looking backpack&#;think modern-briefcase vibes&#;the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack is a terrific choice. It&#;s smart enough for the boardroom, yet it still offers all the convenience and comfort of a backpack.
It&#;s elegant and beautifully made. The Apex is our most expensive pick, but its style and quality justify its hefty price tag. The backpack&#;s substantial, recycled polyester body is both durable and refined, and vegan-leather trims add extra polish. It has a tailored, softly geometric shape that remains streamlined when full, and it doesn&#;t collapse when empty.
The sturdily-crafted Apex keeps your cargo safe in inclement weather. Its body is coated with a fluorocarbon-free waterproofing treatment, and the smoothly operating zippers are set in a waterproof tape for additional protection.
It&#;s surprisingly ergonomic. Plush, ventilated back panels and contoured memory-foam shoulder straps&#;unusual in such an elegant, non-technical-looking backpack&#;make the Apex a pleasure to carry. The padding feels soft and luxurious, even with heavier loads.
The flexible top handle is lined with neoprene on its underside, so the bag is comfortable to carry by hand&#;a particularly nice feature for commuters on crowded buses or trains. And a luggage pass-through sleeve does a great job of stabilizing the bag on the handle of a rolling suitcase.
When the Apex isn&#;t very full, however, its substantial structure and padding can make it feel, in the words of one tester, &#;like a lot of backpack.&#;
Sophisticated details, such as vegan-leather trim and waterproof zippers, elevate the form and function of the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack.
Photo: Connie Park
The Apex 3.0 is comfortable to carry, thanks to its contoured memory-foam shoulder straps and plush, ventilated back panels.
Photo: Connie Park
The Apex 3.0&#;s main compartment has plenty of interior organization for your tech and office essentials, while the rear dedicated laptop compartment can fit a computer up to 17 inches.
Photo: Connie Park
Sophisticated details, such as vegan-leather trim and waterproof zippers, elevate the form and function of the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack.
Photo: Connie Park
It&#;s thoughtfully organized, inside and out. The backpack&#;s main compartment is roomy enough to fit larger items, and it includes an organizer panel with several slip pockets, zip pouches, and pen holders. Sitting closest to your back, the 17-inch laptop compartment is comfortably padded and has an extra sleeve for stashing a tablet. On the bag&#;s exterior, a deep-but-flat front-zip pocket and two spacious water-bottle pockets offer accessible storage.
An expandable pocket, tucked into the left shoulder strap, is designed for items you&#;ll want to grab quickly, such as a wallet, , or ID badge. In practice, we didn&#;t find it all that functional; it&#;s uncomfortable to stash an iPhone right against your shoulder, and when the pocket is expanded, the bag looks less sleek. This pocket is one of the new features that Troubadour added to the Apex for the updated 3.0 model, and though we don&#;t think it provides much function, you don&#;t have to use it if you don&#;t like it, and it&#;s otherwise harmless.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- This backpack&#;s structure, padding, and size can make it feel bulky, especially if you&#;re not carrying much.
- The bag has a zippered pocket on its left strap for stashing go-to items, like a , but its placement isn&#;t very comfortable for carrying a (or any other rigid, rectangular object).
Dimensions: 19 by 12.5 by 6 inches
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Capacity: 25 liters
Maximum laptop size: 17 inches
Warranty: Troubadour guarantees its products for five years against manufacturing faults.
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