OGIORenegade Backpack (Renegade , Black), Large

I use my bag constantly (work commuting, gym, grocery runs (walking or on my bike), carry-on for 30-40 plane trips a year), and have tried several the past few years, and then researched heavily, including wirecutter, and then ordered and tried out several finalists and returned all but one. And man, it was close.I was torn between this and the LL Bean Quad, and alternated them for a few weeks. Broke my heart to return this, because I love so much about it, and for many it would be the right choice, but I decided I loved the Quad more. (Incidentally, wirecutter recommended a similar LL Bean model as best, but I upgraded, for more size and more pockets.)I usually start with pros, but since I returned this product, I'll go right to the reasons why:1. Heavy: At 3.5 pounds, this is the heaviest of my finalists by far, more than a pound heavier than similar bags, including the Quad. (I tried some ultra-light bags 2 pounds less.) I pack a lot, and often have the bag all day, and want to keep as light as possible, and an extra pound starting weight is a big minus.2. Size: this is a hearty size, but about 5 liters less than the 35L Quad. That's about 15% less capacity--not massive, but enough to tip the scale for me.3. No waist strap! This was really the dealbreaker for me, and seems insane. It was the only highly-rated bag I even considered without one. What were they thinking? It DOES have chest strap, which is great in some situations (especially on a bike), but that's nearly always the add-on AFTER the waist strap. This is mostly an issue if you're loading up heavy, and/or for long. The waist strap makes a huge difference in shifting much of the weight from your shoulders to hips. When the shoulder straps start digging into your muscles up there, you will really curse it not being loaded onto your waist.(Also: this bag was about 50% more expensive than the Quad (LL Bean constantly has it reduced from the list price, and then another 20% to join their email list). This was not a huge factor for me, because I decided I've wasted so much on getting inferior bags, and use it so much, I'd pay to get the best solution. It may be a big factor for others.If those are not big concerns, this might be the bag for you.Pros (SO many)1. Spacious (compared to most)2. Great materials, feels solid, and good reviews all around on lasting.3. Soooooo many pockets and great organization! This is a big deal for me, especially on plane travel, where I like to pack all sorts of things that I can get to quickly when I get there, and also which I can pull out quickly while boarding the plane to keep what I need in my seat (book, laptop, water bottle, pen, sometimes notes, snacks, sometimes pills), while stashing the bag in the overhead. This bag actually slightly exceed the Quad. They have a similar number of external zippable compartments (around 10!) but so many I have found it hard to keep track of which is which--(amazing problem to have)--and this one has them in a more systematic layout.4. Great fit, great feel, smart ventilation system, etc. Stands up by itself, at least to start. (Not flopping over makes a big difference in loading it up. Note that many bags stand up at first, but that doesn't last. Some don't stand up day 1.)5. So many extras. There is a hardened small area where you can stash your glasses, sunglasses, phone etc, without them getting crushed or scratched. (Not really necessary for phone--huge for glasses.) The separate laptop zipped area in back is incredible. (This was nearly a deciding factor over the Quad, which also has this feature, but it's has a slightly smaller opening, which doesn't quite fit my 15" Macbook Air. This one zips from above, so it CAN slide in to the same sized space.)I also liked a unique feature: nearly all top bags have water holders on both sides, which is great, because I always need one, but never two, so one is wasted. This bag offers that, but zippable top, so it can easily work as a bottle holder, or another compartment for keys, pills, various small things. Very versatile!In terms of design features, this bag and the Quad were really evenly matched. The Quad has two fleece-lined smallish compartments for phones and whatnot, that are REALLY nice--way nicer than this--but doesn't have the hardened area. There are lots of little design features where this and the Quad rival each other, each a little better on one than the next, but both superb.I would limit the finalists to these 2 bags, and then depending on your priorities, pick one. (Or try both.)

Excellent Bag, Holds a Ton & Easily Organized. I replaced. 2016 Northface Bigshot and I loved that bag but it wore out and my wife made me replace it because it got holes. I’m in technology and haul a full size MacBook Pro (newer m1 series - with a hard shell cover on it) and it fits fine in the laptop section. I also have a cable organizer bag that fits in the main compartment. A notebook and a 2 year old iPad Pro with keyboard fits fine in the tablet section. I love the organization and set up of the bad and really love the glasses hard compartment on the top. When I fly for conferences it’s very comfortable to load out as a carry on and doesn’t hear my back or make my back sweat. It also fits under the plane seat in front of me. Overall 10 out of 10 in my book. Liked it so much I naught my wife one. Great quality and job OGIO. Excellent daily commuter bag. Only opportunity for improvement is making the top entry part of the water bottle holder elastic with a draw string. I use a grayle bottle/filter for travel and it fits but it’s hard to do one handed while it’s on your back because the entry doesn’t have any give to it.

I have had more than 20 backpacks over the years, and I have wanted this one for a very long time. I was always apprehensive to buy it because of the price. If you are on the fence about buying this backpack, just do it. I wish I had bought it years ago.ProsThe material is very tough, but it doesn't make the bag inflexible.The top handle is strong and well padded.The pockets on the sides are very handy for chargers and cables, but large enough for lots of things.The one side pocket that opens up into a water bottle holder is very well designed, and I love the elastic strap that you can put over the top of the water bottle to keep it in place.The arm straps are strong, well padded, and curved in a way that it stays on your shoulders betterNeutralThe RSS laptop area provides great protection for your laptop, but makes it difficult to get the laptop in and out of the pocket due to the limited opening at the top.ConsThe arm straps are shorter than I'm used to with other backpacks. Even when extended all the way, it is difficult to get the backpack over a medium-weight jacket.It would be nice if there were a few more elastic or zippered pockets in the front two compartments

Only had it a couple of weeks, so I can't speak to long-term durability.Very well-organized laptop pack. Description says a small 17" laptop will fit, but my 17" (1 3/16" thick) engineering workstation fits, albeit snugly. Well-padded laptop compartment.Lots of external pockets for everything I need. Cavernous compartment for files, notebooks etc. My portable 17" monitor just fits in there, along with my notepad, several file folders, an umbrella and my rain shell.I am a consultant and travel every week. There is plenty of room for all the devices and cables that I need. Pockets are designed so that the pack is low-profile and will fit under any seat in any aircraft.Customer service is fantastic. I accidentally broke off my sternum strap, so I called to get a replacement...they replaced the entire laptop case!Very comfortable fully loaded on my back with plenty of padding and comfortable shoulder straps. Sternum strap is highly adjustable and slides up and down on a rail.I'm 6', 200 pounds and I have the shoulder straps adjusted at the full length. Anyone larger might need to extend those straps.If you like to carry a water bottle, it doesn't accommodate them well. I just put mine in the main compartment.