Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Dakine Women's Prom Laptop Backpack
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Premium 17" Notebook Laptop Flip Sleeve Pouch Case - Black / Red + Free DreamBargains Neckstrap / L
Now measured with a tape measure, my laptop is 16 1/4" wide. The inside measure (with tape measure) of the case is only 15" wide, not 17" as the product seems to imply.This is case is product very good, and gift send from me that promises. I like and recommend. André RamosI ordered this because the price was pretty decent. There are similar products for cheaper on this site but this was the cheapest that I found in a horizontal position. 1) I know the color says red but I expected hot pink since that is actually the color in the picture. 2) I should've read the case size in the description because my 17 in. computer fits tightly in this item; I was surprised to get it in. I suggest that if you get this, you get this for a smaller sized laptop because it honestly shouldn't be worth the trouble.
However, I do like that the slee/ case is reversible (black w/ red rim or red w/ black rim) and I am guessing it can be turned to a carrying case with the free cord. The fabric is soft, almost slippery but it has a nice sheerness to it. I hope this product lasts.We run a small IT Consulting company and while my husband is not a big Apple fan, we do have a client that uses entirely OSX so someone in the company needs to be running a Mac and that someone is me... I have to admit, after a few turbulent weeks of a rather steep learning curve over 4 years ago, I became a Mac Snob. So, when my husband went to upgrade me by finding me a used 17", which for some unknown reason you can no longer buy new, I had to upgrade my sleeve as well.
The 17" Flip Sleeve Pouch was a nice change from trying to stuff a laptop into the kinds with only the small flap at the end. The MacBook slips in nicely from the top opening and is secured with Velcro and not a zipper which I prefer since zippers tend to lean toward scratching and malfunctions. It is well designed and a safe new home for my MacBook.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Deuter Giga Office Day Pack
After looking at backpacks online and in shops for weeks, I picked this one and haven't been disappointed.
The reasons I bought this over other laptop backpacks:
great, super defensive laptop compartment that fits pretty much any laptop (I use a 15.4" Macbook Pro will fit 17" laptops as well)
two water bottle/misc pockets
two compression straps on each side
heavy duty zippers (I would be shocked if they break!)
extremely comfortable shoulder straps and good load management. All around solid construction.
a variety of internal organization
That said, this is not my all-purpose travel backpack. For that, I use a pack that has a little more raw capacity. This is more compartmentalized and work-oriented than I generally prefer for weekend trips sans laptop. Plus, I don't want to beat it up in plain old transit I want to keep this thing around for work for a while to come!
Recommended.I use this backpack for my job as a home health nurse, and I LOVE it! I bought it to replace the AWFUL roller bag that is standard issue in my company because I quickly got tired of trying to steer the roller bag.
The Giga Office has all the pockets I need! One for my laptop and a folder for a few papers I most commonly need, one for not often used and/or clean medical supplies, one for frequently used supplies (blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, etc, and even a little pocket for me to stash my keys, wallet, and pens when I go in to see a patient! Plus the mesh pockets on the side are perfect! I have my CPR mask kit in one and a pump bottle of hand sanitizer in the other!
It's a great bag. Definitely durable and really comfortable to wear with nicely padded straps! I highly recommend it.
Buy Deuter Giga Office Day Pack Now
Exterior bag is a bit small, but mildly water-proof and is very useful for packing raincoats. The notebook segment provides excellent protection. Feels light on the shoulder, and cool on the back with the frame. Additional pocket inside keeps document from wriggling. Hand-carry holder at the top is cleverly designed so that it doesn't deform the bag. Excellent overall.Read Best Reviews of Deuter Giga Office Day Pack Here
This backpack is very good. Its a little bit expensive, but the price reflects its quality. It has many compartments including one for laptop which offers a lot of protection. It isn't the lightest backpack out there but that's because it is made out of good material. Its practical for school, office, and traveling. I believe this backpack will last for a very long time!Want Deuter Giga Office Day Pack Discount?
I have been using this backpack at work for a few years now and I love it. I use it almost every day for EDC (Every Day Carry) use. This is a great mobile office bag and does exactly what it says, it's a giga-office! I found this gem at a backpacking / hiking store and needed something specifically for work. I am so glad I found it, the great thing is that when I have my suff in it it stands upright without falling over. I have taken this pack as my 2nd carry-on on many airplane flights. I am sometimes in the office, in a factory or out on the road.My only complaint is the smallest pocket does not zip down all the way to access some of the flaps and other pockets which can be difficult to reach. They should make the zippers an inch or two longer on the sides of the small compartment. I still give it 5 stars becuase I have another backpack that unzips fully, and then all your stuff falls out! The zippers work great and are very smooth, snag-freee and have "storm flaps" that cover them. When using in hot weather, the venting works pretty good. The fabric seems tough and medium duty. This is a high quality bag for the price, I have seen many in the same price range that are not as good or not very well made. I own 4-5 backpacks for various activities and this one works awesome for the office. This is a great backpack for everyday use in an urban / office envirenment.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Drawstring Backpack Tote Bag with Mesh Pocket and Cellphone Holder
I think I will be using this for years to come.
Buy Drawstring Backpack Tote Bag with Mesh Pocket and Cellphone Holder Now
Thursday, July 10, 2014
J World Castle
Monday, June 30, 2014
Designer Sleeves 15-Inch Starry Night Laptop Case (15DS-STARN)
Buy Designer Sleeves 15-Inch Starry Night Laptop Case (15DS-STARN) Now
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Light Weight Drawstring Tote and Backpack in One in Natural
Buy Light Weight Drawstring Tote and Backpack in One in Natural Now
My daughter ordered this for a lightweight gym bag and she loves it. It's not too small or big and is very light weight. Item arrived quickly and was an excellent price.Read Best Reviews of Light Weight Drawstring Tote and Backpack in One in Natural Here
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Mizuno Drawstring Sackpack
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Alchemy Goods Original Messenger Bag, Made from Recycled Bike Tubes
I personally own the entire range of Alchemy goods bags (haversack,urban,pike,pine, and now messenger) and at first was like do I really need a another large bag?
Oh yes I DID!
Am I glad I chose to purchase this one,
Ok first of all the bag is ridiculously visible with the reflective taping adorning the entire shell of the bag making it ultra noticeable at night and even in the day as the sun catches the reflective coating, So for bikers, skateboarders, or even motorcyclists it adds a additional layer of protection.
One thing not mentioned often are the two handy side pouches on the outside of the bag, at first i was like oh god no exterior zip pouch where am i going to put my water and phone, i was excited to find these slots, they're ideally placed and hold your items securely,
The interior is voluminous with 2 pouches that can hold a 7 inch tablet, or even a small book. I personally use this bag as a travel bag and for carryon luggage, it meets airline guidelines and I can fit about 2-3 days worth of clothes, toiletries, etc into it. Even for school it can hold all your massive biology and chem textbooks and still have room. Add in a key hook + pen slots, and a 17 inch laptop divider and you have a great work bag.
The interior Zip pocket under the flap is big enough to hold a galaxy note and keeps things secure and out of sight, a nice protective feature.
The double seatbelt strap is really nice and comfortable, a pretty cool addition
Plus like all alchemy goods bags it's waterproof, what other bag can say that, i have massive disrespect for water resistant bags because inevitably they will leak water in and damage your belongings, that will NOT happen with a alchemy goods bag.
This bag is a beast and super durable,
I love it and totally recommend it!Have had this messenger bag six months now and very happy with its performance. Bag is large and holds all that I need it for for work, including my biking garment bag. Multiple pockets are enough to keep my big and small items separate, and my 15" laptop fits great. I do keep my laptop in a padded "InCase" holder (always have) and thus can't comment on padding.
Sliding strap does work to provide extra support while riding. Large stripes are very visible and make me feel better as I often bike before the sun comes up. There are side pockets on the ends of the bag where I can add a few extras, but I find that only one of them can really hold a regular sized water bottle.
I was worried the tubes would not be very protective, but have found that they are very durable. I've gotten the bag caught on corners of tables, screw-ends, and misc parts of the bike and thought I'd find a little tear in the rubber, but that hasn't happened in six months of everyday use.
Compared the bag with the Timbuk2 messenger bags when deciding what kind of bag to get and found the Timbuk2 ratings less than comforting. So went with this bag and very happy that I did, especially with the recycled factor and USA made...glad to keep my dollars local.
Very much appreciate the key hook...
Buy Alchemy Goods Original Messenger Bag, Made from Recycled Bike Tubes Now
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
17 inch K-Cliffs Polyester School Backpack/ Outdoor Backpack/ Hiking Backpack with Reflective Strip
My son is rough with his backpacks and he swings his all over the place and I know he has thrown it a few times...The bag is as nice from when I brought it for him. Very Nice!!
My daughter got the Purple bag and she loves it. I had to buy it as a replacement from a cheap backpack that fell apart in 4 days.
I hope they last thoughout the year.I purchased this backpack to use for hiking and my outdoor activities. The fabric is very durable and I appreciated all of the pockets for my stuff. The padded shoulder straps were put to the test and really came through; I was able to walk comfortably for hours and enjoy my leisure time. My teenager got his hands on it and tried it out, and really liked it. The price is so affordable I will be able to get one for him too. Love the color selection. Good vendor, good quality, great service...a keeper!I purchased this backpack because of the reflective strip on the back. I decided on the black backpack, but the so called "reflective strip" was not reflective at all. I tested the reflective strip by placing the backpack in one of my bedrooms, no lights on, almost completely blacked out, and shined a flashlight on it with the results showing no hint of reflective properties on this backpack at all. Otherwise the backpack seems to be of quality material and has a good amount of compartments available throughout. I am still disappointed at the strip not being reflective because I am going to use it for my rides on my motorcycle. I resorted to having a reflective belt being wrapped around the backpack for easier visibility for other motorists on the road.
-In short, good quality material, plenty of spacious compartments, but no reflective strip. This was misleading during my decision to purchase it.This is a great back pack. The zippers appear to work well and will be very durable. I recommend the product.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Tumi Luggage Alpha Bravo Yuma Slim Briefcase
The handles on this brief are more comfortable than on earlier alpha bravo briefs. The shoulder strap also has a much more comfortable shoulder pad than previous briefs. It took a minute to figure out how to unhook the strap but I suppose this change was to add a little security to the bag (so it isn't so easy to unhook the strap intentionally or unintentionally).
The ID tag is kind of in an inconvenient place. I like the metal hook you can use for the tag, but the tag itself gets in the way of opening/closing the front pockets. Even so I really like this brief!Love the color and the quality. Matches luggage. Pockets are many and well organized. I love the close handles too.
Buy Tumi Luggage Alpha Bravo Yuma Slim Briefcase Now
This brief is very roomy and durable! I have both my 15" laptop and iPad with brookstone keyboard leather case in it. They both fit nicely with room to spare for power plugs and wireless mouse.Read Best Reviews of Tumi Luggage Alpha Bravo Yuma Slim Briefcase Here
Super brief from Tumi. Only issue is that the shoulder strap pad slips very easily. Otherwise their are plenty of pockets for easy organization and storage. Ipad compartment a real plus.Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Travelpro Luggage Crew 9 Business Backpack
First impression of the Travelpro is that it is a big backpack, packed with intuitive design features for the business traveler. True to Travelpro form, this backpack is made from the highest quality materials and should withstand years and years of use. It is comfortable to carry and the ventilated padding on the shoulder straps and back of the pack should add to its comfort during extended periods of wear. The TP has plenty of pockets for all your needs: phone, cables, chargers, sunglasses, MP3 player, water bottle, you name it. One of my favorite features of the TP, where the SG misses the mark, is its attached keychain holder. When I travel, I want a consistent, safe storage area for my car keys. The TP has a built-in clip that holds your keys inside the front pocket. The SG has a key ring, but no such clip, an important distinction.
The best design of this bag, of course, is the separate padded laptop storage area which includes a strap to tightly secure your laptop in place. This pocket is big enough to accommodate even the largest laptops. As you're going through airport security you simply unzip the backpack, laying down the laptop area separate from the rest of the bag (and most importantly, the cables). This allows you to leave your laptop in your bag for a much smoother and more efficient screening process. I love this feature. It is by no means exclusive to the TP; but no matter which laptop backpack you buy, it should have this design (as many now do). The main storage compartment of this bag is extremely large. It will hold a folio, full-size headphones, book, notebook, cables etc., with room to spare. There is also an internal, well-protected tablet storage pocket opposite of the laptop.
Another great feature of the TP is the strap on the outside of the bag, across the back, that attaches to the two-post telescoping handle of your carry-on bag. You simply slide the strap over the top of the handle and down so that your backpack rests snuggly on top of your bag. The SG has no such straps or form of attachment. This was a deal-breaker for me. Backpacks are comfortable to wear, but I also want the option of taking it off, attaching it to, and pulling it with my carry-on. It is also important to note that the TP sits up squarely when placed on the floor. The bag has great balance, a large flat bottom surface and will not fall over. The SG sits well, but does have the common backpack "slouch" and lacks the stability of the TP. And the TP includes an external, zipper-collapsible water bottle sleeve that will hold standard sized 16-20 oz. plastic water bottles.
The SwissGear and Travelpro are virtually identical in their form, functionality and quality of build. The TP overall is a more professional, less casual backpack and is constructed of slightly higher quality materials. The TP also costs twice as much as the SG. The three reasons I chose the Travelpro over the SwissGear are as follows: 1.) I prefer the TP's more refined styling and superior build quality; 2.) the TP includes a built-in keychain clip; 3.) the TP has a strap to attach to your carry-on luggage.
Pros
• Large backpack capable of holding all of your travel gear and electronics
• Top notch construction and materials used
• Elegant, refined look appropriate for business and personal use
• TSA approved laptop compartment allows you to keep your laptop IN your bag as you go through the airport screening process
• Includes built-in strap to attach to any two-post carry-on luggage telescoping handle
Cons
• This bag may be too large for some people's uses
• This bag may not be casual enough (i.e. college students) for some people's uses
• Has a higher price point without reaching the "designer stratosphere" of cost
• Only comes in two colors: black and grey, which may be a deterrent to some
Final thoughts: Both the SwissGear and Travelpro are excellent laptop backpacks. Both are of similar size and function. The SwissGear is a "casual first" backpack that is appropriate for business use, whereas the Travelpro is a "business first" backpack that also functions extremely well for personal use.This is my first backpack for work. I've always used a Tumi laptop bag (it was a hand me down) for the past five years. The last couple of plane trips I noticed that the bag was getting heavy and was very uncomfortable. I knew of a few other people who had transitioned to a backpack, so I figured I would give it a try. My goal was to have a backpack that was checkpoint friendly, wasn't too big and looked somewhat professional for business travel. I did a ton of research on Amazon and a number of other sites and had narrowed down my decision to the Everki Versa Premium. They had good reviews for the most part and their site had a ton of info, including great photos and a video as well. I was a tad concerned though about a few of the reviews on it that claimed less than stellar build quality when it came to the straps. On top of that I was leaving for a trip in a few days and I really wanted to have a new backpack, but the Everki was out of stock on Amazon. My search continued and I finally came across the Travelpro Crew 9. Sadly, no one site really had any good photos or info on the Travelpro (not ever their own site) and there were also limited reviews (4) on Amazon. I had a Travelpro carry on some years ago and knew they had great design and build quality. Also, the Travelpro was also close to $90 cheaper than the Everki. So Travelpro it was! The Crew 9 arrived the other day and I took to the task of taking my current laptop bag and transferring everything into the Crew 9. The Crew 9 swallowed up everything I kept in my bag has a ton of room to spare. The front compartment has enough pockets and slots to hold business cards, passport, pens, etc.. It also has a hook to secure your keys. The second compartment from the front has a compartment to hold an iPod and also has an exit hole on top to run your earbuds/headphones through. This compartment is large enough to house my Bose headset and case. The third compartment has two organizer slots that will nicely hold some folders, books, etc.. also it has enough room to use the space for clothing and toiletries for an overnight trip. It could also comfortably handle a sweater, sweat shirt or light jacket. The fourth and most rearward compartment is for your laptop and tablet. The Velcro strap that holds the laptop in has a ton of gripping strength. The compartment is well padded and should be able to handle a decent drop without your laptop getting destroyed. Additionally its nice to have a slot for my iPad too (although i wish the slot was able to be secured to keep your tablet from moving around too much). Other great features: The straps are well padded and feel comfortable with a full load of items in the pack, there is exterior zippered section that allows for a water bottle and two smaller zippered sections that are great places to store tissues, etc... All in all, this is a great high end professional looking backpack for a reasonable price.
Buy Travelpro Luggage Crew 9 Business Backpack Now
When I bought this I hoped the comment about easy check through was true and it is...zip open lay it down and it goes right through x-ray, zip it back up and you're on your way. Not to mention all of the little storage compartments, this bag is well layed out for the business person.Read Best Reviews of Travelpro Luggage Crew 9 Business Backpack Here
Our son walks or bikes to work, and this backpack is much better than the more casual one he was using before.Want Travelpro Luggage Crew 9 Business Backpack Discount?
This backpack feels sturdy and is very comfortable to wear.There is a special section marked for tablets/netbooks, but no removable pouch is included to carry the device out for seperate screening.
I would actually like to go one size up if Travelpro offered it.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
ecogear BG-3423 Black Rhino 2 bag- Black
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
The North Face Women's Isabella
Buy The North Face Women's Isabella Now
It was exactly what I wanted. Great quality and the perfect price. Lots of roomy pockets and plenty of space.Read Best Reviews of The North Face Women's Isabella Here
This is a perfect pack for a woman's frame. I shopped around for months before purchasing this pack. It has tons of room and lots of pockets. It has a bonus waist strap and also one for the chest so secure and compact, you hardly know it's on!Want The North Face Women's Isabella Discount?
I bought The North Face Women's Isabella Premiere Purple/Baroque Purple backpack for my granddaughter. She is happy, and I am happy.The backpack was delivered promptly.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Trendy Reversable Black & Red Neoprene Notebook Laptop Sleeve Cover Case for 13.3 Inch Acer Asus De
11 11 more words required in this review to post itThe sleeve fits okay in my Mac 13" just little bit tight.
It is a good protection agaisnt scrtaches when you put your lap into your back pack.
Since it's not sealed it wont protect it from water spills or heavy dust
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Timbuk2 Wingman Suitcase
I ordered both the small and medium to inspect them in person and compare the sizes. I came to the following conclusion:
Medium: May fit under the seat if it is not fully loaded, but when fully loaded will likely only fit in the overhead bin.
Small: Will easily fit under the seat, even when full loaded.
I decided to go with the small based on this observation and returned the medium. The small will fit a decent amount of folded clothes in the main compartment and I can even squeeze a pair of shoes in there (men's size 11), but this reduces the amount of space available in the side pockets. The laptop compartment is fairly large, even on the small, and I'm able to fit a 14" Dell Latitude with extended battery (13.9" x 10.3" x 1.3") easily.
I can only really find two cons, which aren't a big deal to me, but may be for others:
As other reviews have mentioned, the laptop compartment is hard to zip if the cinch straps inside the main compartment are pulled tight. This problem is worse when there are very few clothes, since the strap will be cinched tighter. When I have it loaded with a large amount of clothes, it's not really a problem.
There is no water bottle holder. One could easily fit on the side opposite the main zippers (and I'm considering adding one), so I don't see why it wasn't included.
Overall, this a very quality bag and will last a very long time. I was able to purchase it on sale and I'm not sure I'd be willing to pay full price, but if you can find it discounted I think it's worth it.I took this on a 3-week trip to Italy and carried it on airplanes, boats, and trains, as my only luggage. It held up really well and fit all of my stuff (although I did laundry during the trip), including shoes and souveniers. I mostly carried it backpack-style. If you want to travel light, this backpack is very lightweight and pretty roomy. I definitely recommend it.
Buy Timbuk2 Wingman Suitcase Now
I fly twice a week for work, and frequently find myself stuck on the smaller regional jets that some airlines have fallen in love with. The overhead bins on many of these planes will not accommodate even a smaller "rollaboard" suitcase. My Eagle Creek rollaboard JUST MISSES fitting into a CRJ900 overhead by 3/4" because of its lower rigid frame, so I'm forced to gate-check it. The Timbuk2 Wingman (Medium) has the same length-by-width footprint as my rollaboard (21" by 14"), and fits into the small overhead bins! No need to gate-check my bag and wait 10-15 minutes in the jetway for the bag to be unloaded and brought up!I was also very pleased to find that if you use the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes (which I do) to organize your packing, the Wingman nicely fits a pair of the full sized Cubes as a layer. So, it can easily hold 4 full Pack It Cubes (2 per layer) or 2 Cubes and the larger Eagle Creek Folder (I have the 18" folder but the 20" should fit as well) with some room to spare.
For me, the backpack straps complete the package. I had to stand in customs lines on my first trip with this bag, and never experienced any fatigue, where I'm sure I would have wanted to set the bag down if I'd used the included shoulder strap.
The computer pocket is huge, but I have to admit I won't put my Macbook Pro 13" in there without the additional protection of a sleeve. I'm using the Timbuk2 Quickie. It fits in the pocket, and I just pull it out before tossing the Wingman bag into the overhead.
Time and travel will tell how durable this bag is. My wife has owned some other Timbuk2 bags that she carries 20 pounds of books and paperwork in. With a lifetime guarantee, I'm certainly willing to see how well this bag stands up to life on tho road.
Read Best Reviews of Timbuk2 Wingman Suitcase Here
This is a very lightweight, portable option to a wheel aboard carry on. I wish it was an inch or two thicker to be closer to the max carry on size but it serves my purposes well. The first time I used this was on a 12 day trip to Europe where we were taking trains from city to city and I didn't want to be dragging my luggage on the subway. This was my only bag in addition to a small shoulder bag. I fit 6 days worth of clothes in here plus my toiletries and a few miscellaneous items.The bottom pocket is great for a spare pair of shoes or dirty laundry since it has a flexible divider. The top pocket is great for your 3-1-1 liquids bag for quick access going through security. The small front pocket is great for stashing boarding passes or a thin guide book or a stocking cap and gloves. The back pocket which is designed for a laptop is also great for all your important paperwork for your trip since if you wear this as a backpack that side is inaccessible to pickpockets. The mesh pocket in the flap when you open the main compartment is good for small items like socks and underwear. The straps in the main compartment help keep everything from sliding around when cinched tight.
I have only carried this as a backpack and my one suggestion is to add a sternum strap for comfort which you can buy on Amazon or elsewhere from the manufacturer. Using a packing folder organizer in it helps add structure but isn't necessary. I removed the shoulder strap for carrying it as a messenger bag and use that on a different bag. I have used this on a half dozen trips and its great for anywhere from a weekend to a week if you're a light packer. I even fit it under the seat on a smaller plane that didn't have dividers between the underseat area in front of my husband and I. The small size would probably be better for that purpose but I don't really need two of these.
For trips where a roller bag is inconvenient or too big, this is my go to bag now.This bag was great for a trip with the kids. As a Dad I'm always carrying something besides my stuff. Being able to use this as a backpack while still having the organizational features of luggage was great. I always had 2 hands available and the bag didn't flop around like a messenger bag would have. This is not a real backpack however. If your thinking about hiking the appalachian trail with this thing you'll be sorry. Its comfortable enough to get you through the airport but its not a super long distance hauler. To be fair I don't think it could be. Most real backpacks of this size have some sort of frame and weigh twice as much which would not be an advantage on a plane. I normally travel very light. I don't bring more than 4 days of clothing as I always find a way to clean them. Having said that this bag swallowed this easily. I didn't bring a suit or a change of shoes which would have filled more of this bag. The suit also would have needed some protection or at least the dry cleaning bag as it might wrinkle. I found the internal straps very helpful in keeping the clothes compact and less lumpy. I also got the packing cube which is helpful. The bag fit very easily on all the planes and the messenger strap did double duty replacing a cheap strap on a soft sided cooler during the trip. All and all if you travel light and need both hands to manage other stuff and want to get through airports quickly this bag is perfect. If I still traveled a lot for business I might use this bag. I always found the wheeled bags would fall over or be difficult to get around in a crowd. It was nice not to be trailing a rolling bag. I just don't know if it would wrinkle your suit.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Dakine 23-Litre Lark Pack
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
VG Pindar Edition Durable Messenger Shoulder Bag Case with Felt Canvas Mouse Pad for HP 17.3-Inch L
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Dakine Laptop Sleeve Pack-Large
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Briggs & Riley Verb Live Large Backpack
I've had bags where I've simply not used over 50% of the pockets because they serve no useful process. Not here. Every pocket has proven functionality.
Moreover, the ergonomics of the bag are fantastic. I transferred all the items from my previous bag into the Verb Live and was convinced I must have somehow lost something in the transition. The Briggs & Riley felt like a much lighter load. It's due to the way the bag is perched on your back. Instead of dragging your shoulders back, the weight is expertly distributed throughout the length of the bag. It's an elegant technical achievement by the design team.I bought this backpack just before I started my MBA program and it is in immaculate condition now, over 2 years later. Some might consider it expensive, but it is truly the best laptop backpack out there if you need a lot of space.
First of all, it has a padded laptop pouch immediately against the inside (against your back) which comfortably fit my 17" MacBook Pro. This was a key feature for me; most laptop bags don't fit a 17" and even if they do, it is a tight squeeze. The padding seems really good but I am paranoid and keep my machine in a neoprene sleeve as well and it still slides in and out of the laptop pouch in the backpack very easily.
Second, there remains an amazing amount of storage in the main compartment even after putting in your laptop on the other side of the divided pouch. I frequently carried a few hundred pages in various folders of handouts and readings to and from class with no problems. Sometimes I squeezed in a 500+ page textbook. You will likely exceed your carrying capacity before you exceed the space.
Final point on the main compartment: two nice half-depth elasticized pockets for sundries that you don't want to dig around for on the bottom of the backpack. I rarely use these, but sometimes I travel with my daughter and throw her ipod in one of them and it is a breeze to pull it out on the plane without digging deep in the pack.
There is also a middle compartment which is somewhat more shallow (still easily fits 8 1/2 x 11 paper) which is also subdivided into three vertical areas with lightly-padded dividers. In my case, it was a great place to put loose papers and/or magazines for flights. Also great for receipts or even ipad or kindle.
Just when you thought it was over...three more compartments to go!
The bottom compartment is amazingly spacious. I kept my power brick (admittedly the Mac has a comparatively small one), iPhone charger (cable plus wall plug), two USB cables, two ethernet cables (one standard 6 ft and one compact spring-loaded one), and my bluetooth headset wall charger inside it and still had room to spare. Plus the layout is perfect because it is like a large rectangle when you fully unzip it it is easy to find everything.
There is also what I consider the "utility" compartment on the most outside layer. I fit half a dozen pens, 50 or so business cards, a few key DVDs and CDs, mints, gum, advil, a couple of USB sticks, and a couple of other sundries all in this pouch without any feeling of being cramped. It has half a dozen little compartments and pouches within it to let you organize however you want.
Last but not least, there is the tiny outermost pocket which I never used but which appears to be designed for an iPod or something else tiny (I never used it because it doesn't seem quite padded enough).
Oh, and just for bonus, there is the headphone pass-through space from one of the interior pockets, the phone pouch on the strap, and even the unzippable side drink pocket. This is essentially the perfect backpack!
Lest you think I am an employee of the company or something, there is one drawback I have to point out:
The placement of the phone pocket on the shoulder strap is terrible. I have an iPhone and the pouch is exactly where the middle of the curve of the strap should be over my right shoulder. This isn't just slightly wrong; it is very wrong even moving it 3 or 4 inches further up the strap would still put it right where the strap is trying to curve, which means there is this really uncomfortable lump if you try and put the phone in the designated pouch. If they moved it down like 5" then it would be on the straight part of the strap and easy to put in and out as well as being comfortable. As it is, I am even afraid that continued use could crack my phone eventually.
One final note on quality: I have used this constantly for two years and it remains immaculate. I flew to NY with it 5 times and have at least another 10 flights elsewhere with it. It has been under seats, overhead, my kids have stepped on it, and I have used it daily to work for this entire time. There is not a single frayed thread, stuck zipper, tear or even blemish on it.
If you can possibly buy this backpack, do it!
Buy Briggs & Riley Verb Live Large Backpack Now
I work at a luggage store that sells this laptop bookbag, and even at its high price, it is still our best seller. And the reason is once someone checks out this bag, all the other bags just look worthless and never quite as functional. I am in college, and the front pocket with file divider fits most of my books. I use public transportation, so the pocket on the shoulder straps is great for quickly tucking my phone or keys away quickly.I don't really use the headphone hole, I don't think anyone really uses that, but when I travel domestically, I'm glad my iPod has a spot for it. The orange interior is awesome, and the lite weight material helps with extra stress on the shoulders. So basically, yea it's a lot of money for a bag, but then again, it's a LOT of bag.
Read Best Reviews of Briggs & Riley Verb Live Large Backpack Here
I'm 6'5" and this is the first business backpack I've found that fits me properly. It is unusually tall, and then it uses the length to provide extra space. The cords pocket at the bottom is particularly useful.Interestingly, the pack also fits my 5' 7" daughter well. Somehow, the straps adjust, and she found it very comfortable when I tried it on her.
I really like the style of the bag. It combines a classic look with some contrasting stitching, color on the zipper pulls and an orange lining. I think it comes off with more style than most bags without calling for attention. Much nicer than my Samsonite Meridian.
Living with the pack is great. It stands up with or without my laptop, and it holds water bottles, food, a change of clothes and whatever else I need. We'll see about durability, but the lifetime guarantee is promising.
Want Briggs & Riley Verb Live Large Backpack Discount?
I have to admit I'm surprised by all the 5-star reviews. Compared to the $89, 4yo Wenger SwissGear pack that I just replaced, the Briggs & Riley is a bit of a letdown.I find it very difficult to store odd-sized objects, such as my Bose headphones, in this pack. It seems to have been designed to only hold flat objects. Sure, there are 2 pockets in the bottom of the main compartment, but those are small and extremely hard to reach if I have books or notepads in there along with my laptop. If you put any odd-shaped items in either of the 2 main compartments, it creates pressure on the adjacent compartments, giving the whole thing an unsightly bulge.
Speaking of notepads the 2nd main compartment, which seems to be intended for notepads and file folders, is nowhere near deep enough. Sure, it'll hold a few pieces of paper, but anything bigger, like a top-bound tablet or manila folder, makes it hard to close the zipper. You're pretty much stuck putting that stuff in with the laptop, which as I mentioned above makes the inside pockets hard to access. I almost never use the middle compartment because of this.
Finally the quality. Good thing it has a lifetime warranty, because I'm going to need it. The top handle, which I use to pick up and set down the bag when I'm not carrying it by the arm straps, is already starting to pull loose after 3 months. I carried the SwissGear around by the handle all the time, and it still works great, after 4+ years.
In conclusion, I feel like this bag was designed more for form than for function. It looks nice (empty), but is awkward to store and retrieve items, and the quality is disappointing.

