Eagle Creek Travel Gear Universal Traveler Backpack RFID, Slate Blue, One Size

I'm a 5' 10.5" tall guy who weighs 150 pounds. I really like the fit of this bag. It's lightweight and small if you need it to be, but it can also expand to hold tons of stuff too. (Check out videos on YouTube. They are helpful.)Main reasons I love this bag:-Luggage pass-through for attaching it to a luggage suitcase handle-Padded laptop slot-Hip and chest straps-Lightweight-Water bottle holder-Stylish-Water resistant materialThere are more features, but these were key ones for me.I actually bought both this bag (older style/model) and the newer model and I REALLY prefer this older model a lot better, mostly due to its style. (Otherwise, they are quite similar.) I prefer the materials used on the exterior of this bag. It's just a personal preference, but I think they look so much better. The black exterior is ACTUALLY black, unlike the weird navy/blackish looking stuff with a pattern in it on the newer model of this backpack, which is really unattractive to me.I do wish both bags had a very thin medium sized pocket to put loose paperwork on the outside, but I've made do just fine with all of the other excellent features of this bag. I was comparing it to a Samsonite backpack with some similar features but lacking several as well, and ultimately am much happier with this bag. That Samsonite one was much heavier and bulkier with a small and awkward water bottle holder. And also, the luggage pass-through seemed really flimsy compared to this huge and sturdy slot that this bag has.

A very good, roomy pack. I looked only at packs that fit over my rolling luggage when I didn't want it on my back. Victorinox Big Ben, Briggs Clamshell, and Hartman all make an excellent product, but they were stiff and, although well suited for business needs, were too compartmentalized, possess a high profile and are too rigid for my travel needs. Tumi backpacks, also excellent, were either too small or too segmented. I wanted something with a large central pocket, soft so that it looked less imposing when walking around, with with some organizational features like a key chain, small pockets for electonics and penholders. I also wanted something that looked good in the city, but would handle a hike. This backpack is well made, well designed, and opens for TSA inspection of a laptop without removal. I don't carry a laptop, but overseas, even an IPad is inspected. The price is $150-300 less then the other packs. The only negatives are 1) the anterior organizing pocket extends down the entire length of the pack allowing things to get lost in the bottom, and 2) the pad across the back is too narrow to completely hold tight the backpack against the luggage handles, the pack flops away from the handles. I worry that the torque on the pad will eventually rip it away. I have used Eagle Creek for years and have nothing but good to say about the brand.

I liked nothing about this bag. It was extremely uncomfortable as a female. the straps don't have padding all the way down, and are thinner than expected. The bag really is as small as it looks. It might be okay for a carry on, that only has your laptop, charger, and magazines but not much else. the laptop part doesn't zip and unfold as easily, pretty, or flawlessly as the picture, or reviews say. If you unzip it with the laptop inside the laptop almost falls away from the rest of the bag. Not good. Also, the laptop sleeve is the zipper part that is on your back. I don't know about other people but that is hard feeling against my back. It WAS NOT worth the $140. I think that price is strictly for the guard protection, but the pocket is so tiny, and in such a bad spot, I know I wouldn't even use it. I was very excited about the straps that go across the waist and chest. As a female who is 5'7 it did not hit in the right places, at all. The hip does not adjust up or down like the chest straps do.With a laptop in the bag, even though it has its own pocket, there wasn't room for ANYTHING more than my 1 inch binder. That was it, nothing else could fitOne last thing, the zippers are "safety" zippers, which really means that they have fabric covering the zippers. Yes, it does make it harder for a thief to get your stuff, but it also makes it way harder and annoying to try and get your own stuff out of the bag without having to deal with folding back the stupid fabric along the entire bag, and then folding it back! They are metal so that's good, I guess. If the straps would have worked the way I was expecting, and the laptop zipper wasn't so clumsy, I probably would have kept it. I don't think I would have been happen, but I would have at least kept it.

Seems a little cheaper than my previous eagle creek gear. I think Velcro was used a little too liberally. The Velcro on the inside front pocket is quite annoying as it sticks to the inside lining.In terms of durability, It seems like it will hold up. I have high expectations for eagle creek, so it might take a few years to test the durability. I have taken it on two international journeys so far. I lived in India for two months and I commuted to work everyday with this back pack. It is the perfect size back pack in that it is small enough for daily activities, but it is also big enough to pack with all my electronic gear for longer journeys.Durability is the main reason I bought eagle creek. My last backpack lasted through 8 years of everyday use. This backpack's construction is lighter weight than my previous backpack, so we will see if it holds up.