Monday, March 31, 2014

Dakine Section Wet/Dry Pack

Dakine Section Wet/Dry Pack, BlackDakine. The perfect brand for backpack. Really well designed and super strong. You can't go wrong with these backpacks.

The dakine section is perfect for day trip or a week long surf trip when you travel light to Bali or Fiji. 40 L is the right volume you need.

Bought this to replace the old version that had a wet bag that was not attached, so we an airline lost the wet bag. The new bag is large enough for wet suits, skin suits, towels, etc. the wet bag is integral to the backpack, so we can't lose it. There is also a small cooler in the bottom of the bag that's great for snacks and beverages. Lots of pouches and pockets for all your stuff. Really worth it if you swim, surf or go to the ocean a lot!

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Monster High Umbrella

Monster High UmbrellaJust FYI to all, $24.99 is wayyyy overpriced for this umbrella. You can get it from Toys R' Us for $9.99 and yes it is the same exact umbrella.

Item came in padded envelope but was luckily intact. Umbrella is from the Monster High theme which my younger daughters like very much. It is a functional umbrella that is about 30% smaller than a regular-sized umbrella that best fits/surrounds a small 6-8 YO child. The handle is made of a heavy type of painted plastic/wood material and is glued to the main umbrella shaft. The umbrella does not have a locking mechanism once extended/opened and uses a "tension"-type of lock where once it is opened, you extend the umbrella fully opened and it holds in place. My daughters have used it for school on rainy days, but is really suitable for "light" rainy days. This item is meant for younger kids and can withstand light/mild rain. If it is very windy with harder rain, I send my kids to school with more durable umbrellas. Otherwise, my kids like the novelty of this themed item and it does protect against light rain/low wind, but that is really all it probably can withstand. It is more of a "show" item but does cover them up. Overall, we are happy with the purchase.

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Daughter needed a smaller umbrella for a project and it worked out well. Actually I loved the umbrella. It was cool.

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My youngest daughter is into Monster High these days. She was so excited to see her umbrella to use to and from school, etc. Who would've known a young girl would want it to rain soon! haahaa! Thank you!

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Gregory Denali Pro 105 Mountaineering Pack

Gregory Denali Pro 105 Mountaineering PackAs a retired professional guide, I find this pack to be ruggedly constructed and designed for comfort. The zippers, seams, loops, fabric, all the essential materials, are designed to function well and take abuse without failing. The zippers flow easily and do not jam. The pack is designed for versatility with access from numerous locations. The top telescopes to a considerable height to accommodate increased volume. Smaller loads are easily cinched down by compression straps. The downside to all this is the seemingly endless number of straps hanging everywhere, resembling Medusa's head. I miss the big side pockets that used to be almost standard on all backpacks. Fortunately, one Osprey Crampon Pocket straps perfectly to each side of this pack, with the pair adding an extra 400 cubic inches of volume. The yoke system of this pack is superb. Weight is distributed to the top of the sacrum and the hip points by the well designed and very large padding in the waist system. Some believe the weight of the pack to be a disadvantage. This pack plus the Osprey pockets come in at around 9 pounds. I have put 40 pounds of gear into this pack for a 49 lb. total. I have put the same 40 pounds in a 5 lb pack (45 lb. total) and into a 4 lb. pack (44 lb. total) and the 49 lb. total of this pack is immensely more comfortable and easy to carry than the others. I am now close to 60 y.o. and the most I have put in this pack is about 70 lb. In my 20s, I carried as much as 120 lb in my old Synergy Works pack and I can tell that this pack would easily carry that much and in far more comfort. There are other great load haulers such as McHale and Mystery Ranch, but the M.R. weighs even more and both are extremely more expensive than the Denali Pro. For serious backpackers and Sherpa duties on up to medium rated rated world class mountaineering expeditions, this pack is as good as it gets.

As the previous reviewer did a very fine job of explaining many of the features of this FIVE STAR pack, I prefer to instead focus my review on the importance of sizing this pack correctly, which in my opinion, is absolutely crucial to your happiness. The pack itself comes in three sizes, the belt also comes in three sizes, and the adjust-a-cant system can be set at three different hip angles. While there are of course other fine adjustments to be made, these three main adjustments are the most crucial for a proper and comfortable fit.

First, the pack comes in small torsos 16 to 18 inches, medium torsos 18 to 20 inches, and large torsos 20 to 22 inches. These sizes relate to different overall pack storage amounts of 100, 106, and 115 liters. This is definitely not a case of you getting to choose your desired storage capacity. It is about correct torso sizing only. You must have your torso properly measured, either by a local backpacking professional, or by using the guidelines listed at numerous websites. An incorrect torso size, either too big or too small, will cause the pack to sit uncomfortably on your back and could also cause excess swing (movement up and down) and sway (movement side to side.) Both will cause at the least, discomfort, and at the worst, suffering when carrying heavy loads. In addition you will be wasting a fair amount of your energy. You absolutely must get your torso size correct!

Second, the hip belt comes in small, medium, and large. When you wrap the belt around your waist the padded portion should come to no closer than 4 inches from your belly button, 5 inches would be even better. (Hopefully, the dealer you go to will have more than one belt size for you to try.) If you don't have the proper distance from pads' end to navel, the pack's weight will not properly distribute around your hips and again, you will suffer. One size may not fit you for any length of time so you must be prepared to switch out the belt if you gain or loose weight. Personally, I have gone from a large to a medium, and am now going to switch to a small. Even if your dealer doesn't have your belt size, or you buy online here at Amazon.com, so you can't test different belt sizes, this is not a major issue, as you can order a new belt set directly from Gregory/Black Diamond Customer Service in Salt Lake City.

Third, the adjust-a-cant waist harness can be set at three different angles depending on the slope of your hips. In general, men will set it to the least or medium slope and women will set it to the medium or greatest slope. Try the cant at more than one angle so that you can get a better idea of which slope angle works best for your hips' slope.

It is true that the pack is loaded with straps everywhere. However, each set of straps serves a very different purpose and it should take no time at all to understand each strap's function. I use and appreciate every strap.

A nice feature of this pack is its removable top, which converts into a very roomy lumber day pack. It has its own belt with its own belt clasp set, or if you don't want to carry two clasp sets, you can remove the belt clasps from the pack itself and use them with the lumber pack. I usually carry a Marmot shoulder strap with me to provide extra stability and security when I use the lumbar pack by itself.

I don't know if it is still the case, since Gregory sold-out to Black Diamond, but in the past, the Denali Pro was the only major product in the Gregory line made in the United States. The quality of American workmanship (versus Asian workmanship, which is where all of their other packs are manufactured, the Philipines I think.) shows remarkably and this is another great plus with this pack. It is tough as nails!

After all of these years, this pack is still the be-all-end-all of expedition packs, a veritable tank. As the previous reviewer has very well pointed out, don't be put-off by the pack's seemingly high empty weight. There are darn good reasons why this pack is on the heavy side when empty. It is due to its outstanding quality, durability, features, and last but not least, its unrivalled ability to carry heavy loads comfortably.

This pack is somewhat expensive, but as far as I am concerned, it is worth its weight in gold. In fact, I consider the Gregory Denali Pro to be the gold standard in expedition backpacks.

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There are THREE critical things in backpacking :

1. Pack

2. Boots

3. Shelter

any one of these is not right, you simply will not be right, no matter how well everything else goes.

picking a backpack is first & foremost dependent upon your style ... if you are a trail burner, who joyously mocks others on the trail with comments such as "the lighter go farther!" then this definitely is NOT the pack for you. i'm not making a case for endurance packing or ultra-lightweight backpacking, because i enjoy both, having learned each style provides their own unique rewards.

back to real backpacking ... i'm talking about stuffing 2 weeks worth of supplies into your backpack, including shelter, clothing, cooking, food stored in bear canister, tools, rope, gloves, compass, water bottles/bladder, toiletries, water shoes ... i mean it ALL fits inside this bad boy !!!

the top portion of the pack detaches and functions as a day pack ... this is great, because it allows for day-long excursions from base camp, without having to bring your whole pack. i now dedicate that portion of the pack to my "survival gear", when i want to make a day trip i just disconnect that piece, grab some water, and i'm on my way. when teaching the boy scouts wilderness survival, they are only allowed to bring their "survival pack" ... they are always amazed what is inside my survival pack, including a mini sleeping bag from S.O.L. ... lets put it this way, i'm comfy, they're learning, and the detachable pack is what i use that makes that possible ... great little feature, use it well ;)

any good pack should be adjustable, and this pack definitely shines in this department. depending on how you stow your gear, where the weight is distributed, whether your gear has already been compressed or not, these factors all dictate different adjustments you should make to ensure the load is properly distributed to your body. compression straps everywhere allow for cinching your load, keeping it from swaying side to side or bobbing up & down when walking. ANY movement at all is BAD ... its going to tire you quicker, and many times leads to painful and unnecessary chafing/rubbing spots on your hips, back, shoulders, or neck.

buy the right size pack, bigger is not better, its just a size that is made for big guys in this case ... buy the pack that is SIZED for your body !!!

my northface superlight down sleeing bag fits perfectly in the sleeping bag compartment, and is easily accessible. my raingear fits nicely in the pack and is also easily available in the event of a sudden rain storm. the secret i have found to use this pack most effectively is dividing my gear up functionally (cooking, hygiene, clothes, etc.) and to use separate ditty bags to store those in. that way, instead of a pile of stuff falling out when opening my pack, out pops about 5-6 neat little storage bags all color coded for easy identification. an extra little tip, i use waterproof ditty bags that have a bladder on them ... when i'm going where the pack may fall into water, i actually inflate the bags before putting them into the backpack, to help create buoyancy ... and when i know i need as much space as possible for really long trips, i suck the air out of the ditty bags through the bladder valve, which helps maximize compression and reduce space required.

the shoulder straps feel like a couch, and the belt does not feel like a strap cutting into your skin, which is good because this pack is capable of carrying a 100 pound load. i don't get there any more, a heavy load for me is 80 pounds, or 90 pounds if bringing the camera gear for special occasions & scenery. and that is another excelling point of this pack, it can expand and contract very efficiently, so at the beginning of a trip it may be completely telescoped, but as you travel deeper into your trip, it easily collapses to maintain a proper fit on your torso.

the fabric, stitching, straps, and buckles are all top notch ... if you don't throw this pack around, and keep it clean and free of mildew, it could very well last you the rest of your backpacking career. this is my second one, and the first one lasted over 10 years of very heavy use as a scoutmaster. as an aside, i do NOT recommend this for boy scouts, because its really more pack than they will need at this point in their life. get a smaller pack, more suited for 1 week and weekend outings ... they will KNOW if/when they need this pack, because they will have been bitten by the bug ;)

i don't have a bad thing to say about this pack, even the price is fair for what you are getting, especially when compared to other packs that are maybe 1-2 pounds lighter, but so much more flimsy. amazon had this pack on sale for $386 when i bought it ... which is LESS than what i paid for my first one 10 years ago !!!

don't buy this as your first backpack ... buy it as your LAST backpack ... it REALLY is that good, and thats coming from a user with well over 2,000 trail miles wearing one of these on his back, NEVER complaining about the pack (just those darn switchbacks ;)

EDIT 12.10.12 a camera tripod fits perfectly where skis are normally stored on the backpack.

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I love this bag! Very comfortable.

It is perfect as expected.

If you love hiking, this is a dream bag.

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Skip Hop Zoo Luggage

Skip Hop Zoo LuggageMy five year old saw the other kids at the airport with roller luggage and wanted to retire the backpack for one. So she picked this one out and we just took it on a 14 day trip and it held up great. She was able to pack it full of her favorite toys, the side netted pocket was perfect for a bottle of water and easily stow it under the seat as carry on for easy access to fun. The handle comes out easily, rolls good and most importantly is easy to open for her. One thing to note the pull up handle does not extend up to "average" adult height so expect to carry it if your kid is not feeling like dealing with it but thats where the top handle and shoulder strap really help.

This suitcase is adorable. My grandson is 18 months and small for his age. He fell in love with this the minute he saw it. He pulled it all over the house, and then pushed it around. He literally would not put it down. He even turned it upside down so he could spin the wheels.

This suitcase has a cute face and is very well made and designed for a toddler.

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Everki Versa Premium Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag - Briefcase, Upto 17.3-Inch (EKB427BK17)

Everki Versa Premium Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag - Briefcase, Upto 17.3-InchI took a chance and ordered this bag. I received it today and am very pleased with the build quality. The workmanship of this bag is in line with the likes of Briggs and Riley and TUMI. The added benefit of this bag is all of the storage it offers. If you are a person who is constantly dealing with too many cords and no where to store them, this bag is a great solution. It even has an iPad compartment. There is literally a place to hold everything. Check out the video of the product on everki.com to see all of the features, it really helped me decide. I travel a lot for work and am looking forward to the checkpoint friendly feature. I travel next week and will update the review if I have any issues. One thing to be aware of. The computer compartment has corner guard protection. This will not be useful if you are using a smaller laptop. This product comes in two sizes, be sure to order the smaller size if you have a 16" or smaller laptop. Unfortunately do to this, I will be returning this size, but I have already ordered the smaller one and am anxiously awaiting its arrival in a few days.

First, some background. I travel on commuter rail over three hours every day, and my bag is essentially my mobile office. So the design and ergonomics of that bag are critical. Also, I'm frequently required to attend various meetings all over NYC, and I end up hauling this on the subway, buses, taxis, and of course walking all over. I also travel by air occasionally, although I haven't since purchasing this bag about a month ago.

So in that last month I've had plenty of opportunities to put this bag to the test. And in every respect, it's passed those tests. It took me about a week to get used to the new system, but since then I have been continually impressed by Everki's thoughtful layout, quality materials, and attention to detail.

The layout system is perfect for my situation. I can easily organize (and therefore locate) everything I need to function on the road. It's really quite impressive how much can fit in here. It can't accommodate large tupperware very easily, but everything else slides in perfectly: 17" laptop with extra battery, files, mouse and other computer peripherals, tablet, wallet, and all the odds and ends you need to make life on the road pleasant.

It's amazing what a difference quality materials make too. The exterior and interior materials are really attractive (love the orange interior), and all zippers and connections are smooth and solid. I was originally looking for an all-leather case, but honestly I find this just as attractive, and it certainly seems like it will hold up over the years much better. Even the handle is more comfortable that other cases I've owned.

Overall, this is a most impressive effort. I researched every bag on the market before choosing this one, and I believe that research paid off. Five well-earned stars.

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I purchased this as a replacement for a different brand bag, and I have to say, most laptop bags are fairly similar, with most of what you need.

What I like about this bag:

1. It is clearly quality craftmanship. It just looks and feels well made.

2. The checkpoint friendly isn't unique to this brand, but it definitely was one of my deciding factors. Plus it has a "strap" for putting over the handle of your luggage again, not unique to this brand, but part of the overall decision.

3. The pockets: there is space for everything. There are compartments galore. I have a pocket for every wire and dongle and device and add on. There is also separate space for the attache function, to hold pads and pens and papers.

4. It holds my laptop nice.

What I don't like:

1. It is heavy. Not surprising for a bag this side, but I had to find something to quibble over.

I know this doesn't seem like a glowing review, but I do give it 5 stars. We're talking about laptop bags, after all, it is hard to wax poetic. There is just "something" about this bag that makes it better than the others I have owned in the world of laptop bags, it is 5 stars.

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Disney Fairies Tinkerbell Mini Rolling Backpack Pink (12 Inch)

Disney Fairies Tinkerbell Mini Rolling Backpack PinkI recieved it with a tare in the front which was very upsetting because I couldn't get it away from my granddaughter to return it.

A while ago I bought a cars rolling backpack for my three year old son, and my one year old daughter always wants to play with it. So I decided to buy her this one so she can roll it around like her brother...but have her own. She loves it and for the price you can't go wrong. There was another one I was interested in, but it was like $35.00 and she will probably ruin it dragging it around so I decided to get this cheaper one instead. Glad I did. It's perfect. When she's older we can upgrade. Recommend this backpack for any tiny toddler.

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Love this toddler rolling backpack. Great for the airport! Very good price too. Bought it as a gift and plan to get another one for my little girl.

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Bazinga Embroidered Sling Pack - Red

Bazinga Embroidered Sling Pack - Red
  • Embroidered Logo on Red Sling Pack Bag
  • Durable, Sturdy 600 Denier Polyester Eco-Friendly Fabric
  • Audio Pocket with Headphone Exit Port
  • Sporty Honeycomb Texture on Contrasting Panel
  • Dimensions: 17"h x 13"w x 6"d, Roomy and Easy-to-Wear Gear Bag

I bought this bag to take on a trip to New York to a comic book convention and I got lots of nice comments on it. I do wish it was a little bigger inside to hold more items but otherwise it's very nice quality.

Hiker's Rucksack - Olive Drab

Hiker's Rucksack - Olive DrabThe bag looks great and is a nice olive color. After using the bag for the first day the handle on top broke off. The only thing I had in the bag was one book and headphones. I regret buying this bag.

Very good Product..very sturdy. Can even be machine washed and maintains it's shape..Also great as a school or over night bag

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A bit better than what I was originally going for, it's very sterdy and very good for sewing on patches, I recomend this as a school or scout bag.

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Extreme Pak Camo Backpack

Extreme Pak Camo BackpackPerfect for my son when we go on our day hikes. And I loved the price.. Very roomy and happy that it has drink pockets on he sides.

My son LOVED it! He loves camo and his old bag ripped and this one is sturdy and well made.

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Case Logic 16" Laptop Sleeve - Plaid

Case Logic ENST-116 15-16-Inch Laptop SleeveThe case fits my 15.6in hp pavilion g6. There is about 1in space between my laptop and the zipper opening when i put my laptop in. It does not bother me that much but some might not like the fact that the laptop moves because of the space.

pros: protects my laptop from scratches and kind of lessens the shock of bump force; fits my laptop okay, i like the design, its a bit rough but it gives you some kind of grip on it

cons: the cushion is not much so not for heavy protection mainly scratches and weak force bumps; there is a smell probably due to the neoprene but it slowly disappears( i have it for almost two weeks now)

i do recommend the product. there are different sellers so there might be different cases when it comes to the smell or maybe becuase the way it was packed, mine was wrapped in plastic and still had a tag attached to it.

Pretty nice and spongy. The zipper did not disappoint me. It was a little large height-wise for my computer and i didn't feel comfortable with that so i turned it inside out, sewed it smaller and now it's a really nice fit. A little inconvenient but I always have trouble buying carrying cases for such a wide-but-short screen.

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I ordered this case in the Plaid color but received a brown color which was bit of a disappointment.

It fit perfect on the sides but pretty loose around the top. (Toshiba 15.6")

Overall, it's ok for the price.

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The colors don't look bad at all, and the case is nicely textured.

Plenty of room to fit bot my 15.6 inch laptop and the power cord.

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I read the reviews on this product before purchasing it and decided to get it anyways because I have a fairly large laptop but when it arrived, I was shocked how large it actually was. Way to big and am returning it. Bummer because it is super cute but it doesn't do any good if my laptop is sliding around in it!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Cocoon CPG20BK GRID-IT Organizer, 15 x 9.5 Inch, Black

Cocoon CPG20BK GRID-IT Organizer, 15 x 9.5 Inch, BlackI purchased this along with the 12x8 version. Unlike the smaller one, the grid spacing on this one is much larger and hence you cannot fit the same sized products here. This was not readily apparent in the description. Also, the aspect ratio of this is a strange as it is wider than a typical laptop. Would not recommend this model but the 12x8 instead.

This is clever, handy and innovative. The product fills an organizational nitch. The product is sturdy, well thought-out and well constructed.

The straps are fabric-coated elastic with strands of (what feels like) uncoated rubber within the straps. The elastic, obviously, holds the items in place, but the rubber strands grip the items so they don't slide around or out. I switched the contents of a first aid kit onto a larger version of a GridIt and it not only helped me put to use a very flat, very vertical pocket of my briefcase that had been going to waste, but the contents of the FAK are now all immediately visible. My initial impressions are all favorable (and I have to say, you just have to admire the sheer creativity involved in this product.)

Concerns? I wonder how this elastic hold up over time? Hopefully it will hold it's stretch and not go the way of the band of the fat guys underpants!

Suggestions: The "grid" is only on one side of the panel. The "plain" side makes it easier to slide this in and out of the sleeve in my briefcase, but I envision other uses where it would be nice to have "The Grid" on BOTH sides of the panel (or maybe some velcro attachments on the "plain" side).

Kudos to a clever invention!

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This is the product that I have been looking forever. Notice how all your "stuff" in your backpack seems to collect at the bottom, creating a pear shaped mass on your back? Well this product distributes the volume in a vertical manner and is easy to slide in and out of any bag/briefcase.

The only issues so far are its weight, being a bit heavier than I think it needs to be, durability of the bands (untested so far) and the density of objects able to be accomodated are dependent on the shapes of the objects as the grid-it system has limited flexibility.

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I just bought two more of these, having bought the first two about a month ago. They are super for organizing all of the little stuff that will fall to the bottom of a briefcase or backpack. I have one in my laptop that just stores the various cords all of my devices on the go take, BUT I also use one in my briefcase to organize post-its, highlighter pens, extra pens, bulldog clips, staple remover, and other paraphernalia that goes to depositions or the courhouse with me. If you are like me and get frustrated when you know it's in the bag, but can't quickly find which of the numerous pockets you put it it, try one of these. All of the sizes are of identical quality, but just differ in the size and amount of stuff they can hold.

I do like the gray as opposed to the black because of all the black notebook cases, etc. I have. It does make things stand out quickly against the background.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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At first I wanted to get a case for my portable hard drive. I didn't want it sitting in the bottom of my bag. But for ten dollars more I purchased the Grid-It, and I am so glad I went with this instead. I've organized a bunch of iPod, iPad, and Macbook cables, and I have room to spare. I love the fact that if I find I don't have a need for something in the bag anymore, I just take it out and re-organize the Grid-It. So customizable, it's a shame I didn't find this sooner.

Amy Michelle Lexington Diaper Bag

Amy Michelle Lexington Diaper Bag, BlackI didn't order this from amazon, but love this bag so far. I will admit the baby isn't here yet so we haven't actually used it but this is number two for us and I like the style of it so much better than the bag we had for out first. It seems as though it will be big enough for all of our needs and I love that it has a zipper closure on top. Our other bag didn't and the contents would fall out and roll all over my car. Also love that it has a pocket meant just for mom's (or dad's) stuff. I will try to remember to update this when we actually start using it but it really is a very pretty bag and I can't wait to use it.

My granddaughter was the recipient of this bag and she has said more than once how much sheis enjoying it.

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So disappointing....the design is beautiful and it's truly a unique diaper bag which could also function as an everyday bag/purse. I did SO much research before finally deciding on this one. I wanted something I could put on my back if necessary but also carry like a tote and messenger which this does all 3. So I went to put it on my back as a backpack and it pinched my arm so hard I have a huge welt on the side of my arm...ouch! I'm not actually sure what pinched me...think it was just the straps moving on the back. But it was empty and now I am worried if I actually fill it up and try to throw it on my back that it will pinch me again. Just not sure that it's really meant well to be a backpack if that makes sense. The straps are flimsy and I can't see it holding a lot of weight comfortably and without pinching. As a messenger bag, it's cute and would be functional. Probably going to have to send it back b/c for $70 I really wanted something to use as a backpack. :(

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I actually use it for my work. I do Home care and it is perfect for carrying my gloves, dressings, paperwork, etc. works very well.

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While this is not the most glamorous bag it is very practical and offers great organization. It has plenty of room for my children's stuff as well as mine. It has just enough pockets to keep things well organized without having too many pockets so that I forget where I have put things. The straps are not the most comfortable for wearing long periods of time but the versatility of backpack and shoulder strap is great. I got the black bag and will have it monogrammed so that it doesn't look too boring. It will be a great bag well past the diapering days

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SwissGear LEGACY WA-7329-14F00 Carrying Case Backpack for 15.6 inches Notebook-Black WA-7329-14F00

SwissGear LEGACY WA-7329-14F00 Carrying Case Backpack for 15.6 inches Notebook-Black WA-7329-14F00The bag is just the right size and seems durable. The checkpoint-friendly feature means the bag opens like a clamshell and lies flat on an airport scanbelt. This is a super convenient timesaver for those of us who travel. It means one less thing I've to hunt down after the TSA scanning. Two things I think are neccesities, but were just skipped a cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap; a sleeve on the back near the bottom to slip the backpack onto a rolling luggage handle. There is a strap on the top for this purpose, but the backpack isn't secure when attached and moves off the luggage.

I bought this from Costco.com. Both the laptop and the separate folder compartments are a good size. The small pocket on top is great for keys, ipod, phone, etc. I like the side pockets for a water bottle and umbrella. It is fairly comfortable when fully loaded (heavy!). I travel a lot and the checkpoint friendly feature is a huge positive.

Cons -

Like another review, it would be nice to have a way to attach to a roller suitcase and a phone/ipod pouch on the strap.

It is a bit big to fit under some airline seats. (doesn't help that I fill it).

My main dislike is that the handle on top broke after I had it for about 4 months. I am working with Wenger on a replacement now. I hope they come through on the lifetime warranty.

******

Update-They came through with a new backpack. The process was very simple. I just needed to provide the product codes, receipt, several pictures of what was broken, $10 for shipping and fill out a questionnaire. Once I pal pal-ed them the money, it arrived about a week later. I didn' have to return the old one and be w/out. Very happy with their service.

I am mixed that I got the same one with the checkpoint friendly feature (plus) but think that the handle is a design flaw (minus) and will have to go through this again.

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Did lots of research before buying this one & thankfully the research has paid off with this bag. The quality & the make of the bag is simply awesome kudos to Swiss gear.

The best part of the bag is the laptop section where the padding is done very nicely & it fits my 15.6" 9 cell battery laptop very smoothly. All other sections of the bags are very well laid out & there is ample of space for files/books. The shoulder straps are also comfortable since at first I felt the bag itself might be heavy & along with all my stuff the shoulder straps would be a bit uncomfortable but it turned out to be pretty good.

I give a strong buy for this bag!!!

Read Best Reviews of SwissGear LEGACY WA-7329-14F00 Carrying Case Backpack for 15.6 inches Notebook-Black WA-7329-14F00 Here

I have traveled extensively with this bag, and it's holding up very well with very little wear compared to my old Dell bag. The tsa friendly laptop compartment makes the security hassle a little less painful. Plenty of compartments keep me organized, and I know exactly where everything is. Wonderful bag, if I had to buy a replacement, I would buy the same bag again.

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I think this bag is great. It's a lot easier on my back than the previous one I was carrying and I feel like my 15" mac book pro is safe and secure. The main drawback is I am very limited w/ the number of case books I can squeeze in along w/ binders. I'm working around it and figure I probably don't need to carry 3 case books on my back anyway. Also the little flap thing over the top of the laptop section is unnecessary and gets in the way. But it's a great purchase and I recommend.

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Adventure Time with Finn & Jake Furry JAKE Face CINCH BAG Sack Backpack

Adventure Time with Finn & Jake Furry JAKE Face CINCH BAG Sack Backpack
  • Adventure Time with Finn & Jake Furry JAKE Face CINCH BAG Sack Backpack
  • Approximately 13 inches wide by 18 inches tall

This sack pack is awesome for hiking because no matter how far up the mountain you are, you can see Jake's face beaming at you.

It holds all the things you need like water bottles, trail mix, camera, sunscreen, etc.

It also lightens up the mood! Wear this Jake furry face bag and instead of everyone grumbling about how much their feet hurt or how hot it is, everyone will be telling you how awesome your bag is.

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I, myself, do not like Adventure Time, but I had to get it for him. He will LOVE it. Good price, new, and awesome.

Briggs & Riley Verb Glide Backpack

Briggs & Riley  Verb Glide Backpack,Black,17x12.5x7 InchI've been using this Briggs & Riley backpack for a number of months now and have no complaints. I use it for my daily commute via public transit and have carried it on business trips as well.

It is very well made and designed. Looks appropriate for a business professional and not a "book bag" for a high school student. It is "classy".

It's not too big and not too small. Very comfortable to wear and it still looks brand new after months of use!

Well worth the price. I doubt if I'll need to replace it for years to come.

So I've been searching for a quality laptop backpack. I own a small business, do some traveling but not a great deal. Primary use will be to and from the office. This looked great so I ordered one. There was much I liked, but the things I didn't were too important to ignore.

First, the good stuff. The bag is beautifully made, great materials and quality construction. It's an elegant bag. If you want a pack that doesn't look like a student's backpack, this is a great choice. It really does look like a fine piece of luggage that just happens to sit on your back. I liked the organization features and the orange interior, as well. It rode reasonably comfortably on my back.

Now, the stuff I didn't like so well. First, I was very disappointed with the slot into which my laptop goes. The way it's designed, the velcro around the top does not cinch the laptop down. I have a 15" Macbook Pro and when the velcro top is fastened, there is about 4-5" of slack between the top of the laptop and the top of the strap when pulled taut. It should clasp lower down the panel than it does to create a snug fit. This is, in my opinion, a poor design. I don't want my laptop bouncing around with every step, and with this pack, it will.

Then, the zippered compartments don't unzip fully enough, so it can make it difficult to find things in the deep recesses of the bag.

I also don't like that I have to put a water bottle inside the bag itself. I'd be more comfortable with that if my laptop was completely enclosed in a separate compartment, but it's not. If the bottle leaks, Houston, we have a problem.

Also, the little feature on the front of the bag, this kind of grommeted compartment that sticks out on the front of the bag? It's made from some weird material that is a combination of stiff and flexible. With my bag, just having it at home and loading and unloading it a few times was enough to bend the top edge of that thing just enough that it was already starting to bug me, and I hadn't even used it yet.

If none of the things that bothered me bother you, you may love the bag. For me, it was just a non-starter. My top requirement is my laptop has to be held very securely, and this just didn't do it. I also felt that the padding on the sides was insufficient. If the bag fell out of an overhead compartment and landed on its side, I was not confident that the computer would not be dented.

I ended up getting a Tom Bihn Brain Bag and it's exactly what I was looking for. But it looks like a backpack. If you want something that looks like it's ready for the boardroom, but is still a backpack, this Briggs bag is a good choice if you can live with the issues above.

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I have been very happy with the Verb line from B&R. I also have the Fuse 20" carry on luggage and the Move business laptop case. I love my set much more now that I have the backpack. Even though this bag is the smaller version, you can fit a 15" wide laptop easily and possibly a second smaller laptop. There is lots of room and functional storage. There are dedicated pockets for a backup drive, cell phone, cables, and extra mags/paper files. There is even a dedicated pocket at the bottom of the bag to told your laptop power supply perfectly. Inside there is a zippable pocket to hold change/money so that it doesn't fall out. Padding for the laptop is good, but could have more on the bottom. The key clip comes in very handy while travelling, even to/from the office. There is a zipper at the rear bottom of the bag, so that you can insert the backpack onto your rollable carry on luggage arm handle, so this fits perfect with my Fuse luggage. Quite honestly the best backpack I've ever owned. Construction is great, design is very well thought out. Great job B&R!

Read Best Reviews of Briggs & Riley Verb Glide Backpack Here

Very practical and with lots of space. Price a bit high but I like their warranty.

Will recommend to others.

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I have had this backpack for over a year now. I travel a great deal I and needed a functional good looking pack that I could take into a client site. For the most part this fit the bill. However, after a couple of months the B&R badge came off the front. No big deal except it leaves two holes on the front which sort of spoils the look.

The big downside I have found though is the front slide pocket that was obviously designed for your cell phone. A really GREAT idea with one glaring problem, many phones do not fit, worse yet they get stuck. I have a Samsung Galaxy II. In a case it will not fit. With the case off it slips right in, but gets caught when you try to remove it which can be very embarrassing during a meeting. I own another B&R briefcase and my phone fits in there just fine so I am not sure why they made this one so small. It also needs the quick access boarding pass pocket that resides on many of their other bags.

All in all a great bag but these minor little annoyances keep me from giving it the fives stars it deserves. So, B&R, fix the flimsy badge, make the phone pocket a inch bigger and add the boarding pass pocket and you have a PERFECT pack.

Keen Harker 10 Small Field Messenger Bag

Keen Harker 10' Small Field 1007315 Messenger Bag,Graphite,One SizeLooks to be heavier material than it is.I have other, heavier bags that were cheaper.Not much structure.

Oh well, live and learn

Every other bag I have had for school/life has been too big; the only other options were always purses, which were often too small and never rugged enough. This is the perfect in between!

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8 - 10 inch Darkside of Spider Netbook Laptop Sleeve Slip Case Pouch Bag for Apple iPad 1 iPad 2 /

8 - 10 inch Darkside of Spider Netbook Laptop Sleeve Slip Case Pouch Bag for Apple iPad 1 iPad 2 / most of Acer ASUS Dell HP Sony ToshibaThis is perfect for my sons Sony Tablet and he is a huge fan of spiderman. Im glad I got the black because I was afraid if I got a lighter color it would get dirty fast. Im glad I went with this one

I bought tablets this year for the wife and kids and they like them a lot. This case pleased my gamer son.

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Kenneth Cole Reaction Back For Good - Laptop Backpack

Kenneth Cole Reaction Back For Good - Laptop BackpackI actually bought this backpack at a local store. I wanted to be able to see the backpacks in person before making my decision. I went to about three stores, and this is the backpack that best met my needs for laptop capacity and text books. At first I was pretty impressed, but within a week, one of the shoulder straps started coming apart. I used it throughout a semester of law school, which involved carrying heavy books and a laptop regularly. By the end of the semester, it didn't look like the bag was going to hold up for another one. I switched to a Timbuk 2 messenger back. The strap on the messenger bag looks a lot more durable than the shoulder straps on this backpack. If you never, or rarely, carry heavy stuff in this backpack and if you never just use one shoulder strap even for a few minutes, this backpack might hold up for a while. But if you really need the capacity that this bag is supposed to provide and you want to use the backpack regularly, you're better off finding something a lot more durable.

Bought for my adult son for his birthday. He picked it out and loves it. He carries it every day and it is holding up well.

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Jordan 365 Basks Print Back Pack

Jordan 365 Basks Print Back Packholds everything i need and is super swag :) for all you who are into Jordans i suggest you get one of these

Good backpack. A little plain but my little girl likes it so she takes it to school now. No complaints.

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Emily The Strange & The Black Cat Large Backpack 16" Black and Red Color New

Emily The Strange & The Black Cat Large Backpack 16' Black and Red Color NewThank For the back it is very nice and quiet. I uses a lot for the University , it is quiet and the color.

Emily and her family loved this bag. Emily does rock! It's a good size, sturdy and very attractive. Thank you

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Jordan Flight Sacky Style # 451880-104-OS

Jordan Flight Sacky Style # 451880-104-OSIt was made ver poorly, most of the bags are very heavy and I liked them very well but not this one at all. Even the strings were made very poorly to tighten up the top of the bag. I wish I would not have bought this item.

Medium Molle Assault Pack USMC Hiking Backpack Tan

Medium Molle Assault Pack USMC Hiking Backpack TanThis pack is very solid! In length and width, it is about the same size as the USMC Assault Pack. It has MOLLE's PALS webbing all over the pack so I can strap on any attachments that use MOLLE. There are three zipper compartments; the main one, the one on the front, and a smaller pouch at the very top. Inside the main compartment, there is a spot to hold a Camel Bak bladder. The strap buckles themselves are pretty rugged. I tried bending one of the ends on the male buckle and it feels very solid. The straps also come with the Velcro attachment to secure the extra strap when you roll it up (so you don't need tape to wrap them). Not sure how the zipper slider and zipper teeth will hold up. As a Marine, we are always in a hurry and tend to use the zipper rather harshly. I did a few quick zips and it feels pretty solid. Also, the whole pack is lined with double stitching. The actual material for the backpack is awesome! The coyote color is also very tactical looking. As far as the quality of materials compared to the USMC Assault Pack, I give it maybe 1 out of 10 stars lower in quality. This pack is very solid.

Remember that this pack is not a main pack. It is the size of a regular day pack, or comparable to the USMC Assault Pack.

I give this product a 9/10 and not 10/10 only because I am comparing it to the USMC Assault Pack the quality of the materials don't seem as strong and for Marines, rugged quality that can sustain a beating is essential. None-the-less, this is still a very solid pack and would bring on deployment!