High Sierra Swerve Backpack

I spent a LOT of time searching for the perfect backpack online so it's only fair that I give a very detailed review of the one I finally ended up getting... -There are two large pockets that can fit things like textbooks and folders. -The pocket closest to the back is the main pocket, it's the one with the laptop pouch, which fits my 13" macbook just fine (it should also hold pretty much any other laptop as far as I can tell). The main pocket actually has two different zippers- one of them runs along the very top of the backpack (though not all the way down the sides like the other zipper) and is for easy access to the laptop pouch, though it's actually the easier of the two zippers to open, so if I need to grab something that isn't my organic chemistry behemoth of a textbook out of the main pocket, I just use the "laptop" zipper. -The small pocket at the top of the backpack dangles inside the main pocket. I mainly use it for sunglasses, my phone, and other smaller things that I don't want to get squished. -The second large pocket holds slightly less that the main pocket, though they are about the same size (And did I mention they're TALL? All my textbooks just sink down into the pockets). -There's a third pocket that's medium-sized. This is the one that has a pouch within it for an mp3 player along with a little opening thing for headphones. The pocket itself is a little awkwardly-sized (not big enough for a large notebook, but very deep), but it's a good place for holding smaller textbooks, novels, your lunch, etc. -The front pocket... I'm not even sure how to describe it. There are a ton of little pockets and zippered pouches inside it, along with one largish pocket behind all of the little ones. I use it mainly for my calculator, bus schedule, bike lights, gum, etc. There are little pouches for pencils, something that looks like it's for a cell phone, and a removable key fob (and if you care to know, there happens to be a zippered pouch that is perfect for feminine products). Other things: -The zippers for the two main pockets both have that little bit of fabric covering them (For aesthetic purposes? No idea), which makes them slightly more difficult to open, though the two front pocket zippers and the laptop zipper do not have that covering, and are much easier to open. -There are actually two water bottle pouches, one on each side. There's also a little mesh pouch on the sleeve that you can put your phone in, though it's a bit hard to get your phone in and out of and it definitely would not fit anything larger than a normal cell phone, so no iphones or androids. -There are straps on each side of the backpack that you can tighten to make the pack look skinnier, which is nice when you're a 5'4" girl and don't want your backpack to dwarf you any more than it already does (it IS a pretty large backpack if you're not extremely tall). The backpack just by itself is slightly heavier than ones I've had before it, but that's not really surprising considering how big it is. -The padded mesh on the straps and back feel a little coarse, so I'm trying to be careful when I put the backpack on and take it off so it doesn't pill my shirts. -I got the amazon/ash/black one. I was a little worried that it would be a sort of swamp green, but it's actually a somewhat brighter green than the picture suggests, which I was delighted about. Still completely gender neutral, though, and overall it's a good-looking backpack that will hopefully last me through my never-ending higher education.

I purchased this backpack for extensive general everyday and weekend use (aka my "man purse"). I carry my gym clothes and other miscellaneous gear to and from work every day - which involves daily repetitive usage of the zippers and pockets. I also use it for travelling and weekend trips, sometimes with large (heavy) loads - and can be VERY tough on a backpack in general. In the past I owned a North Face (Recon) pack - which at almost 6 years old was dated in design though not falling apart. This pack seems on par with the quality of the North Face pack, as far as materials go - and at less than half the price. The design is PERFECT for travelling (with three *separate* large compartments, as well as lots of cool little stash spots). Perfect, nay -IDEAL- for organization on a 3-day+ trip. The feel of the pack is solid, and very well made. The zippers, a crucial fail point on cheap packs, are thick-toothed and burly! The laptop pouch is great, and easy to access in line at aiport security via it's own special zipper right above the straps. It is also WELL padded, including the bottom (where it rightly has the thickest padding) The carrying handle on top is a dream - padded and comfortable. I often carry my pack using that handle, so it's nice to see it becoming standard on many packs these days. I initially wondered why the water bottle pouches (2) did not have cinch straps at the top like North Face does - but in actual usage I actually prefer them like this. I tend to use the side pockets for quick-access storage, and these flush-mount pouches are superior to the loose, floppy North Face design. They are deep as well, so they hold tall bottles WAY better, as well as a bunch of random stuff when I want to quickly dump things somewhere when on the go. The very top small storage pouch is awesome and PERFECTLY designed - when I go to lunch I can dip right in for my wallet and keys without having to dig around or even move the bag at all - brilliant. Perfect for "ready access" items. The front "organizer" pouch has a killer little Velcro "phone pocket" in it (this is better for storing smallish items like lip balm, coins and extra batteries rather than a phone) - the rest of the organizer area is pretty "meh" like most organizers in backpacks. Things tend to just get thrown into that front pocket. I find the side (water bottle) pouches better to drop a phone into (it's easier to hear it ring too). The shoulder straps are the best I have ever used on a daypack. The High Sierra "integrated suspension system" WORKS (I was very doubtful). This thing feels like a dream on the back. Also, a really cool feature is that the bottom straps have stopper clips on them to prevent that annoying "run through" where a strap comes out of the fastener and hangs free. How is this the first pack I have ever seen this on?? These stopper clips also have super handy "pullin' holes" where you can tighten them with one finger, another incredibly innovative design that took me by surprise. High Sierra has hit a home run with this pack as far as I am concerned, and obviously I am very anal about my backpack performance and specs (it literally goes EVERYWHERE I go, in all conditions, with all types of loads). I appreciated the very detailed reviews of various packs when I started looking for a new one, so I hope others of like mind find this of interest! Side note: Several reviewers expressed concern over "that extra fabric covering the two main zippers". These are rain flaps which help prevent water intrusion through the zipper. I guess only `backpack idiot savants' like me know that. Yes they can get in the way sometimes, but you'll be very glad it's there during a downpour - they make a big difference. I paid 39.00 (with free Prime shipping 2-day delivery - black/black model) - and boy does this seem like one hell of a deal! UPDATE: I have discovered that the laptop pouch also doubles as an amazing beer cooler. I can easily fit 3 bottles (more possibly) in there, along with my gel icepack. It's essentially *AS GOOD* as any softsided cooler, and found it kept my drinks cold and safe all night. Sweet!! Also, I have to re-state this, the little "stash pouch" (on top) for ready-access stuff like keys and wallet, is perhaps the best single innovation I have ever seen on a pack. NO MORE digging around in other pockets for my keys & such! At concerts, it has proven to be a godsend when I am slightly inebriated. Not to mention at work when I need to grab my keys and run, I don't even need to move my pack. ***UPDATE - TEN MONTHS LATER*** The pack still looks brand new! It has been to two multi-day camping music festivals, a week in New Orleans on foot, several day hikes, 7 concerts, MANY weekend trips, MANY beach trips, and DAILY use back and forth to my office (where it is often used to courier my Amazon purchases home). If there is a known punishment that humans can inflict upon a helpless backpack, verily - I have delivered it unto this High Sierra! Is the fabric made of a futuristic, impenetrable teflon-adamantium fibre? Are the zippers forged from molten eagle talons? Was the design itself created by a 13-year-old boy with Asperger's living in the Ukraine and enhanced with gamma rays? I DON'T KNOW!! But it is one hell of a pack!

Very attractive with lots of space, but not very functional (at least for me). Pros >Very attractive (I purchased the B/W plaid) >Very spacious >Very many pockets >Very protective laptop pocket Cons >~2-3lb hard insert between back padding and laptop area really adds weight >Non removable buckle in main compartment gets in the way of everything and designed just so, that you cannot slide anything in the back (going to cut off if keeping it) >Most pockets are too deep for use with most small things you need pockets for (cellphones, ipods, pens, etc.) >Only accessible shallow pocket is made with really cheap non-reinforced polyester >VERY rough material used for shoulder/neck area, DO NOT WEAR WITH TANK-TOP (otherwise, expect serious rug burn where-ever there is contact

I'd really hoped this was going to be an awesome bag. It is nice bag. the straps are comfortable and it's pretty easy to carry. however, it feels like there's no space. the barrier between the main compartments is just onelayer of thin fabric which means everything from the back compartment pushes into the front and vice vera. So whenever I want to take books out or put them in. I have to push all the other stuff out of my way. This is super annoying because I haul alot of books and will have the backpack jammed to capcity. To have to move everythign around just to slide one book back in is frustrating. One major reason, I got this pack was because I wanted to have the extra space of two main compartments. The space is there but it's not very functional. I like the bag but I find myself wondering if it was really worth it. It works but I wouldn't give it five stars.