ecogear Ocean Backpack

I like it. I'm picky so there are certain things that bug me. Here's a pro/con list to make things clearer:

PROS

-Waterproof

-Spacious

-Durable

-Well Constructed

-Good zippers

-Good pockets

-Fair Design

-Looks nice

-The separators for pens & other items are good (not too many, but just enough)

-There is a clip for keys inside the smaller front pocket & it makes getting my keys out a lot easier than digging for them! (but I have to take bag off completely to do so)

CONS

-Mesh gets caught in zippers

-Front mesh pocket is too small to fit my smart phone & I bought it for that reason

-Both sets of zippers on front look the same & because of the rounded design it is confusing which is which & I often open the wrong one.

-When open you cannot grab the bag and move it across a room really fast because everything (and I mean everything) will fall out.

-There is no barrier from the main compartment to the straps on the inside, meaning anything you spill, like granola, for example, will pour into the interior of the straps & probably never come out.

-Not much fits in the little side pockets.

-It's difficult to get things in & out while keeping bag on one shoulder. I have to take it off completely.

-It needs a back strap/waist strap. It might just be me but I bought this in hopes of using a backpack that eased the agony of lower back pain but most bags with back straps are too big to begin with. I thought the ergonomic design on this Ecogear bag would help but it hasn't made much difference from other backpacks I've had. Even small bags need straps (removable is fine)

-Due to shape envelopes or folders bigger than 8x11 tend to get bent at corners.

I'm not getting rid of it. So far it's the better or even best of what I can find in my price range. Like I said, I am picky, and I've searched for several years & bought many bags that I regret. So I'm trying to give this one a chance & be patient until I adjust. We shall see...

*Update: April 2013. I can't figure out which pouch I'm opening because the zippers look the same, and it often hurts my back. I need a waist strap. I get angry that it has to be closed to even pick up or else everything falls out. My phone was too big for the little mesh pocket on the strap, but my Metrocard falls out of it. I admit I am super picky and have a very bad back (sciatica), but this bag makes me angry. I wish I had returned it.

I was looking for a backpack that needn't hold a computer in which I could throw a camera, sunglasses, and few small electronics or books. This is the bag. It is light, comfortable, and provides ample pockets for storing items separately.

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