Booq is known for their high quality (and pricey) laptop bags & backpacks and the Boa Flow M does not disappoint. This is the finest laptop bag/backpack I have ever owned and I've only had it for a couple days. There is plenty of room & compartments for whatever you need to carry, the bottom front compartment will hold a DSLR with an attached 18-250MM lens comfortably. When you put something of this size in that compartment it will result in a large "hump" inside the main compartment, but you can still put a lot in there, take the camera out and collapse the "hump" (it has an adjustable velcro strap) and you have a fairly level setting inside the roomy main compartment which is lined with pockets along it's walls. The laptop compartment is nice and snug and protects the laptop extremely well. It will fit any sized MacBook and MacBook Pro laptop as advertised which was major buying point for me as I currently use a 15" MBP but and looking to upgrade to a 17" MBP at some point. Another great feature about this backpack is how comfortable it feels on your back, the engineering of this thing is incredible, plus while being big enough to carry whatever you need it's not so big that you will feel overwhelmed by it, it's "just right" in my opinion. The only thing I don't like about this backpack is that it will not stand up on it's own (with a modest compliment of equipment in it), you will have to lean it against something or let it lie flat.
Overall I would recommend this to anybody, yeah it's expensive but you get what you pay for and this bag is well worth the money.
School:
When I dropped 200 bucks on this backpack I was just planning on using it as a school textbook + 15" MBP carrier. When I received it the backpack was actually much larger than I expected, and I found the paddings inside the main compartment somewhat annoying for shoving in my textbooks and binders unless I opened the zippers all the way. It's a sizable backpack, but it's not ideal for throwing in 3 or more textbooks/binders. The backpack was bulky and the nondetachable waist straps got caught in the armrest whenever I sat the backpack on a desk chair. It worked but it was a bit too big for my daily school life.
Daily commute:
Then I used this backpack for daily subway commute with my laptop and a load of books. I realized the backpack is a lot more comfortable for long distance travel than I had expected. The only issues were 1) that the nondetachable waist straps fell through gaps when I threw the backpack onto the subway overhead compartment, making it difficult to pull the backpack out of the compartment at once when I needed to get off the subway 2) it was too bulky to stand inside crowded subways. It still got the job done whatever I would throw into the backpack there was not one time it came out damaged, and the backpack remained unstained and undamaged thanks to its solid construction. Also my back didn't sweat as much as I did with other backpacks of this size.
Urban backpacking trip:
I didn't realize how insanely well-built this thing was until I went on a 2-week solo trip all over Norway with it. I fit everything inside the backpack's padded main compartment, and I had to press on the backpack with my upper body to close the zipper. I don't have any pictures but in short, the backpack looked like it was about to explode. And by everything I mean: all of my clothes, my loyal 5D Mark II (the front camera compartment would do a good job of protecting an entry-level DSLR, but 5D Mark II with a 35mm f/2 ZE just didn't fit in snugly), a 100mm f/2 ZE lens, a filter kit, and a towel. One thing I learned (although nothing was damaged in the process) is that if the main compartment is full (as in, bulging out), other compartments will be affected quite a bit. For instance, in this 'about to explode' state I would not have been able to fit an entry-level DSLR into the front compartment. I threw the backpack in this 'about to explode' state into the airplane overhead compartment 11 times (the backpack fit inside every compartment I've tried except Dash 8-100) and checked it in once (nothing damaged, including my MBP 15"). I had a Manfrotto Compact tripod (1' 4") hanging onto the backpack left pocket with one foot the whole time, and once I sprinted with the front camera compartment wide open for 10 minutes (I had travel documents and passport in the thin layers inside the compartment), and nothing ever fell out of the backpack. The zippers are impressively well-built, since they never exploded on me no matter how much stuff I would fit under them. Also, even after two weeks of hectic travel, there were no dust stains or scratches on the backpack. The surface is does not absorb water. If I explored the rain forest with this that could be a different story, but for urban travelers this backpack should get the job done. Was it comfortable? Yes, I walked around with it on my back (total weight 18kg) for an entire day a few times one time and I never felt sore.
Who is this for?
Pro photographer? Probably not. it's extremely well-padded but there are no straps for large tripods nor are there dividers to prevent your lenses/cameras from crashing into each other inside the main compartment. As I said, the front compartment is not big enough to snugly fit any camera bigger than an entry-level DSLR. But if you're a traveler and photography happens to be one of your main pursuits I would say it would be a pretty good bet because 1) if you own an entry-level DSLR you can fit it in the front compartment and 2) if you have a big DSLR you can just throw it in the main compartment with clothes, books, or any objects that will not scratch your camera and lens. In this case I actually recommend getting a separate lens case.
Urban commuter? Yes, if you need to carry around a ton of stuff that needs shock protection. Not to mention your laptop in the laptop compartment, but also anything you throw into the main compartment. Just remember that there are no dividers although there is a thin layer at the back surface where you can slide in files, two Velcro pockets big enough to fit an iPhone or two, and a 5" deep open pocket on the front compartment side of the interior where you can fit in some gadgets. Two side pockets can each fit a 0.6L Sigg bottle, and the front compartment has 3 layers (1 big enough for a camera, 2 thin for more small gadgets, a boarding pass, or folded documents). The bottom compartment has room for an MagSafe charger and more. Just remember that the waist strap can get annoying.
Urban backpacker? Of course. It's pretty stylish for a bag of this size, it's super comfy, and there's no velcro pocket so it'll probably make pickpockets say "Pass." The waist strap could be a big plus in this case, although it's comfortable enough without it. And it doesn't get stained very easily. Just don't go wandering in the safari with this thing.
What could be better?
As I said already the waist strap can be annoying. But this is built for an urban backpacker so I can't really complain.
The top handle gives you a good grip when you're lifting the backpack with one hand, but there's no way to hang the backpack onto a hook like other backpacks (unless the hook is really big). A compromise for sleeker design but I think Booq could have figured something out here.
Putting on and taking off the backpack takes more than 5 seconds. But I think this is a worthy compromise because this is also the most comfy backpack I've ever used.
Boa Flow is the best backpack out there if you're looking for a way to carry all your stuff around cities with maximum protection. It also looks quite nice. I highly recommend this backpack.
Buy BFM-BLR: Boa Flow M Black Red Backpack (Fits 13-17 Mac) Now
Ok I've now had my Booq backpack for over 5 years and have used it everday (similar to this model but I think my model was discontinued). Traveling all over the country and to work everyday. 2 different Dell 17" laptops and now have a 15" Toshiba. This bag is definitely one of the best designed/built pieces of gear I've ever owned. Yes, they are more expensive but in this case, you get what you pay for as it lasts longer and is more comfortable. Highly recommended!
Read Best Reviews of BFM-BLR: Boa Flow M Black Red Backpack (Fits 13-17 Mac) Here
Booq gets the award for best quality backpack, and worst design. Its a good backpack, but two of the features make this a dealbreaker for me. First, the camera pocket is on the bottom of the bag. So if you bag is ever checked, or ever thrown, or anything, you will be extremely worried about the valuables in that bottom pocket, because they will hit the ground first. Second, some may think this is not a big deal, but I do: I need a water bottle pocket! Booq will not put a simple mesh pocket on their bags or backpacks for water bottles. If you ever travel, you know how important this is. Do this while travelling: stop walking, dig through your backpack, find your drink, take a drink, then put it back, then zip up backpack, then put back on your shoulders, then continue travelling. Or, here is an idea, have a mesh water bottle pocket on the side of the backpack for easy access! This bag is not designed well in my opinion.
Want BFM-BLR: Boa Flow M Black Red Backpack (Fits 13-17 Mac) Discount?
This bag is very comfortable to wear with ample back and shoulder support. The laptop and camera pockets are very well padded. The stitching and fabric appear to be of high quality. There are more than enough pockets and compartments, but the back pocket stands out as uniquely engineered with a flap that opens upwards. This is surprisingly effective. The handle is padded (thank you!) and the overall design looks attractive and professional.
I love it, it's not too small and not too big and the fabric it's soft, I love the Army colour, I love this bag
