I am not a huge backpack person, but there are times when it is essential if you need your hands to use a smartphone or carry another bag. It is common to find most backpacks to be rather small, but the Tortuga Homebase backpack was surprisingly large. I really liked how there was a protective pocket for a laptop as large as 15 inches or a tablet as big as 9.7 inches.
Firstly, I noticed that the slightly shiny exterior of the bag was both durable and weather-resistant (it’s actually made from sail cloth). So often, the bag’s fabrics mean that if you walk in the rain or have to check a bag at the airport that might be exposed to the elements, all of the contents get soaked, too. This lightweight bag saves you from that thanks to material similar to that of a raincoat. I also appreciated how the back straps were padded to release some of the pressure from your shoulders. According to Tortuga, they eventually conform to your body shape after repeated use of the bag, which is pretty cool unless you plan to share the bag with someone else.
This bag is supposed to be lighter and slimmer than its sibling, the Tortuga Outbreaker. As an overpacker that continues to accumulate things along the way, the interior pockets provided plenty of storage space. The straps could be tucked away if you prefer to carry the bag like a briefcase from the top handle, which is also convenient for hanging it on the wall.
Inside the bag are numerous pockets to tuck away things like keys, pens, coins, and passports. This helps to keep everything organized inside. I did notice that the outside material can scratch up easily if it gets snagged on corners or metal hooks, but while it frays, it is difficulty to puncture the bag completely.
As one of the lightest backpacks I have ever tried, I give this one two thumb up. It retails for $245 on the Tortuga website.