If you are the kind of traveler that likes to keep your hands free so you can text or enjoy a cup of coffee while walking down the street or through the airport, then this bag is for you. The Ruigor Icon 81 Laptop Backpack is the perfect travel companion with the excellent reputation that always comes with Swiss quality products.
While I am personally not a big fan of backpacks (they make me hot and sweaty although this one has special padding to keep the bag from weighing down too much on you), I do like when they have special pockets for a laptop. This version can support a laptop as large as 15.6 inches in a padded pouch that keeps your valuables protected even if the bag is tossed around a bit. You can even add a tablet to the compartment because there is enough space.
Shoulder straps can be adjusted to perfectly fit your height and preferences for how tight you want the bag to be to your back. Even though the bag has a five year warranty, there is the bonus protection that the exterior fabric is water repellent in case you get caught in a sudden downpour.
Plentiful pockets provide ample storage for pens, paperwork, coins, keys, and passports. The way they were designed seems very well thought out; sometimes, I wonder why the pockets are so tight because if you put a pair of keys in there, it’s hard to fit anything else. It’s also intuitive so that you can reach in and grab things that you might need quickly (like keys or coins) without having to reorganize the entire bag and shuffle through things in public.
When you peel back the layers of this bag, you quickly realize that there are several pockets that act as files. It’s almost as if this is meant to be a briefcase that you wear on your back. It is perfect for staying organized when traveling for work or meetings, but also doubles as a great bag for leisure activities since the pockets are large. You can easily separate sports gear from valuable items to prevent things from getting damaged if you use this as a gym or hiking bag. I like how one of the interior pockets has a small chain connected to it for you to hang your keys or dangle a bag tag through the zipper opening with your contact information on it.
The company says that the bag was designed in ergonomic fashion to minimize any strain on your back and neck. As someone that often has back and neck pain, I did find that the weight was lower down my back and there was less of any strain or “pull” on my back and shoulders. That helps quite a bit when you have to walk long distances with a full load.
There’s a clever ear phone port where you can thread through ear buds that are connected to personal devices already inside your bag, which again helps to free your bag and keep your items safely tucked away. There are several external pockets for less valuable items, and there is a separate holder for a water bottle or umbrella. The polyester exterior is especially durable and can withstand minor bumps and scratches. I always find that can be tough when crammed into tight spaces like elevators and buses so that is reassuring.
The Ruigor Icon 81 Laptop Backpack suits many different occasions and works well whether dressed formally or more casually. It retails for $75 online although seems to be often on sale via many retailers. For the durability, convenient number of separate zippered pockets and contemporary style, this bag offers great value for money.