PADDED PAK'R

As advertised

I love this backpack! This is labeled a man's backpack, but it is definitely unisex. Mine is black denim, which is a nice dark grey. I actually bought this bag 2.5 years ago during my study abroad in London. Lots of the UK students around me were wearing this, and it was the first time I'd ever seen this brand. As I needed a new backpack, I bought one for myself on the UK Amazon website for £30, which was approximately $38 at the time. So seeing this bag for $50 is a bit 'woah' but also understandable because of the shipping. Is it still worth it at $50? Absolutely.This bag is as basic as it gets. There are two compartments - the large one for your laptop, books, papers, etc, and the front pocket for smaller items - and nothing else. The back of the large inside compartment is slightly padded, but there's no actual pocket for your laptop, and there's no extra pockets for pencils, no clips for your keys, nada. So why do I think this bag is worth it?Well, for one, I haven't bought a new backpack since I got this one - and I used to go through a backpack every semester. I wish I were joking! I am not careful with my things at all - I throw my bags around, set them on the ground, spill things on and in it, and stuff them to the seams. I always had issues with bags ripping at the shoulder straps and along the outer seam because I would stuff the bag so much, I had trouble closing the zipper. Herschel, Jansport, North Face - it didn't matter what brand I got. After six months, I needed a new one.So to go from buying two backpacks a year to having bought none in the past two years, I am absolutely amazed. I checked the bag this morning, and there are still no ripped seams, no holes, nothing that would indicate how long I've had this bag for. The only issue I have currently is that material on the shoulder straps is starting to flake and crack where it rubs against my body - and that is practically a non-issue for me since you can't even see it when you're wearing the bag! This thing is well-built and made to last.For your reference, on a daily basis I carry - large pocket: Dell XPS 15 laptop and case, wireless mouse, charger - pencil case - a two-inch binder - Zojirushi water bottle - small umbrella. Small pocket: Fossil zip wallet - keys - phone - earbuds - small makeup pouch. And there's still room to spare! I can fit in a college textbook when I'm tired of lugging it around, spare change of clothes and shoes, or my switch in its carrying case (for downtime between classes). This bag may look small, but don't let its size fool you. At 24L, it can carry a lot! If stuffed to the seams, the bag will look like a puffy pillow, but otherwise the backpack is not bulky at all.Also something to note - this bag is very slightly water resistant. Light rain will bead up and roll off the bag. But this bag is absolutely NOT WATERPROOF - anything heavier than a shower will soak the bag (like every other non-waterproof bag).Don't like branding? Just take scissors and cut off the patch! A basic bag at its finest. When you first get this bag, the straps may be very stiff. The backpack will literally raise off your shoulders if you wear it without anything inside the bag. This is an easy fix - just place your heaviest books into the book and hang it by the shoulder straps overnight. You may have to repeat this 2-3 times. The straps should bend easily then.If you want something fancy, look elsewhere. This is a nice, sturdy backpack with no bells or whistles. I'll definitely buy a new one when my current Eastpak breaks apart!