Better than expensive brand names and perfect for travelling the world!
I watched so many youtube videos before I found and purchased this one. I really didn't want to spend over $200 on a bag, but I felt like I should probably splurge, since I will be traveling a lot with it. I am trying to travel as light as possible because I would like to go just one bag so I have the freedom of travelling around without dragging a big carryon bag around. Well, this one is only 1.6lbs, which is lighter than almost all of the expensive backpacks I have seen reviewed. The way it's compartmentalized is perfect. I love the way it has the luggage style inside with plenty of room to pack flat or use packing cubes inside, and then a really nice size pocket besides that for snacks and tech etc, and the outer pocket which has plenty of room for things like folded hats, paperwork, travel cables, clothes lines, etc. (Don't keep passport in there since it's on the outside.) The middle pocket zips all the way around, which I like, so you can open it up as wide as you like (secure the zipper on the TOP of the bag, not the sides, for security) The straps and the back of it are padded and comfy. I haven't tested how waterproof it is and hope I don't have to lol. It is very sturdy cloth (?), though. I like to put pins on my backpacks, and it was hard to get the pin through the fabric. I probably defeated the purpose of the waterproofness by doing that, but that's ok because it was just on the outer pocket, plus, since it was so hard to push them through, I imagine it will be fine. The zippers are SO smooth. I can just pull it open. That's something that's super important to me, because I have a lot of pain in my hands and opening zippers is hard and painful for me. But the zipper also seems very sturdy. I'll be testing it out. I won't be stuffing it full and tight, though. The 80% rule is pretty good. Another good thing about the zippers is that they have holes big enough in the pull to be able to use the tiny biners to lock the zippers together. You could use a small lock if you wanted, too. I like that extra ability for security. Plus, it looks cool. :) Overall, it's a super great value! I'm so glad I found it. It's perfect in every way for me. It will easily carry everything I need for a trip anywhere, for as long as I want. One note: depending on the airline, it might be too large to be a personal item and might need to be put in the overhead bin (or god forbid, gate checked). I will try to get by with it, though! I think it will be a good size for buses in Mexico and not be needed to be thrown under the bus. We'll see and I will report back about these things. Read more