Wenger Backpacks

I was sceptical about finding a bag that would hold my MSI GX660 BEAST of a gaming laptop (not 17" but thicker than just about every other laptop, so I needed the space). I needed something that would also hold a lot of other stuff - camera, change of clothes, jacket, mp3 player, documents, food etc. I almost opted for a Lowepro bag, but felt they were too heavy on the camera emphasis. I own a digital SLR, but really needed a space that wasn't exclusively for an SLR, but lots of other things too. This bag seemed like a slightly less pricey, and slightly more ideal solution, so I took the plunge and bought it. Within minutes of opening the package I realised this was going to be IDEAL for my needs. A good size, about a million pockets, but more importantly, a decent bit of non-specific storage space for things like a small SLR bag, a jacket, documents etc - you get the idea. I'm doing a lot of travelling at the moment, and this is pretty much perfect. It's super-robust, stands up on its own quite nicely, so no awkward leaning or weight distribution due to the laptop being heavy. It's comfortable on my back, and the straps are very good - despite not looking like great straps in the pictures I had seen, they are excellent - this was one of the other areas I was worried about, since I think straps are often overlooked - but not to worry these things are ON IT! I don't have any quibbles as of yet - it's all been perfect so far. Space for everything, comfortable, not crazy-bulky either. I'd highly recommend this if you've got a big or thick laptop, but need additional space for other items too (not just a couple of cables and an mp3 player!)

Its been 4 years since I got this bag, and it is still with me, and I can say this was the best laptop bag I ever bought. Back then I didn't buy this bag reading any reviews. At that time I was simply looking for a 17" laptop bag and Swissgear was a good brand. It is unbelievable how long this bag has lasted and still doesn't look that ragged or used, and believe me I have abused this bag a lot - with rain, dusty winds and quite some travel. The build quality is really good and its ergonomics makes it quite comfortable on your shoulders to carry around when heavy. I had always been a bit scared carrying my laptop in a bag while it was raining, but this bag has never let me down. My papers, hard drives, chargers, adapters, cards etc have always been fine. It has plenty of space inside and the numerous pockets on the sides, including an easy zip pocket outside and a one on the inside, provides ample space for all those business travelers who need to keep documents, stationary, laptop and even a few clothes etc and the different pockets provide for easy sorting. It is quite handy even for those bag packing trips, since it does stretch out enough. The only problem has been the little cellphone pocket on the left strap. The elastic of the pocket didn't hold out very well and now it doesn't hold the phone tight enough to avoid spilling it out all the time. A small strap might have helped. All in all it was really worth the money.

I needed a backpack that would hold my laptop and its accompanying stuff, as well as various stuff that one needs during a trip. I was impressed by the numerous positive reviews of the Wenger backpacks and decided to give it a go. All I can say is that it was an excellent choice. The backpack is very sturdy, it has lots of storage space and most important it is easy and comfortable to carry, even when fully loaded. My current laptop (a 15-inch Dell XPS) fits very well and it seems that it there is space to fit a larger one (which might be the case for me quite soon, as I intent to get a new 17-inch laptop). It also seems to provide quite good protection for the laptop with all these padded areas around it. I've been using it for about 6 months, have made a few trips, mostly by plane, and the backpack is as new - no signs of wear. The zippers work without problem. It's size is not a problem; granted, it's not a small backpack, but still it looks smaller than it actually is. Furthermore, it fits to the overhead compartments in the planes (Boeing 717 and 737, Airbus 319 and 320) without a problem. Things I didn't like: When I put the laptop charger in the net pocket on the top of the last compartment (the one that holds the laptop), it seems to not leave enough space on the top pocket (next to the handlebar). If you put enough stuff in one of the front compartments, then the next compartment is quite cramped. All in all, it is a good backpack and I am happy that I got it. If only I could remember where I put my stuff - I need a map to find my things in those countless pockets. UPDATE: after more than a year having this backpack I do not regret buying it in the first place. It still is in excellent condition, even though I've used it in numerous trips/travels. Highly recommended and I'd surely buy another product from this manufacturer if needed.

This is very simply the best laptop bag in the world. I have owned 2 of them; 1 for about 5 years. I only bought a replacement because I was in fear it could be discontinued by the manufacturer and replaced by something inferior. Crazy I know, but I really doubt Swiss-gear will be able to live up to this one. OK.. so why is it so great. (1) It can, if you could carry it, hold not 1, or 2, but 3 laptops and an Ipad comfortably. (2) It has so many pockets, one reviewer actually wrote that after he puts stuff in the bag, the thing denies it's in there. (3) The handle is reinforced with steel; I don't think any other laptop bag has this feature. (4) Underneath the backpack is some kind of hard plastic - so you can put it down anywhere (5) It's practically waterproof. I've been out with it in the rain, gotten soaked, and returned to find all its contents dry as the sahara at mid-day. (6) Its strap is extremely comfortable. Now, to prove I have not been paid by Wenger, there are a few niggling issues. (A) The backpack is slightly heavy when empty, but in Wenger's defence I guess that is because the materials it's build with are so durable. (B) The bag does not have an across the chest clickable strap. I don't understand how Wenger could have omitted this. I use to have an older Swiss-gear bag and it did have this feature. (C) As the bag probably was released before the Ipad became the fashion item it is today, it doesn't have a snuggly designated Ipad pouch. However, the above issues are things you would't even notice unless you have loads of backpacks (unfortunately I do). Buy this bag if you need something that will last for a long time. It's carried my last 5 laptops... and I'm probably going to pass this on to my 5 year old when he is 16... but just the older one, I will keep the new one I've just bought and use it on my first Mars holiday.

I had been planning on buying this for some time as I use a rucksack for overnight gear on my regular trips to London on business (much easier to get around than with those trolley-cases). This did not disappoint - it has a feeling of quality, with at least a dozen pockets and little holders for various items. It really does stand up on its own, even when it is fairly well packed, thanks to the firm base. There are 4 sizeable pockets, that hold a fair bit of gear, but I do not find it quite as big as I expected. I can get a change of clothing in, if carefully distributed, but there is not much spare space as there was in my old Gelert sack (which did not have the same quality build). I can fit my 17" Toshiba laptop in (just - but that is all that is needed), but I don't use it for that purpose. It has shock-absorbers on the straps which are comfortable when moderately loaded, but when heavy, it can weigh heavily on the back and does not have the weight distribution of a more technical ruck sack (eg Berghaus). But if you are looking for a sturdy, good-looking, long lasting bag for commuting or travelling (that doesn't involve long distance walking), you could do a lot worse than this.

Don't let the price put you off. This is one fantastic bag. It is tough, stylish, spacious and comfortable no matter what the weight. It has been designed really well. The shoulder straps are padded and back are padded with a special foam that allows comfort and allows the easy passage of air so sweat evaporates easily when things get heated. There is plenty of space for your stuff. It has a 23 litre capacity, and the bag itself isn't too big. It can easily fit a 17 inch laptop into the laptop compartment or 2 15 inch ones and the laptop compartment is also padded for safety. The backpack also has a self standing mechanism which means no matter how much weight you put in, it will never fall over if you put it on the floor or on any flat surface. There are 2 compartments on each side for water bottles which can easily store a pringles pack each or a 2 litre bottle each. There is a specialised compartment for stationary as well. All in all four different compartments for different stuff. In conclusion, every single part of this bag has been specially engineered from the zips to the padding for the laptop to the reinforced strap capable of handling any weight to the stitching for the straps capable of handling any weight. This is a very highly recommended buy and is worth every penny.

I had my previous one of these for several years and used it daily. Excellent product, very well designed and ample space for everything you could need for a couple of nights away. Ideal for use on domestic flights or other journeys and the addition on this updated bag of straps to attach this to the handle of a roll along case, make it ideal for longer trips where you may need to have a back pack for day use and to leave your case at the hotel. The red pocket near the top is brilliant for access and to keep all those items you may just need to quickly access when travelling like documents, headphones etc I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product and it arrived quickly after ordering through Amazon

Although expensive this is an excellent product. I wanted a backpack in which I could carry my tablet PC safely, overnight clothees and sponge bag, iPod, mobile, paper, chargers, files, and an assortment of "office stuff" (pens, rulers, sissors, post-it notes, etc). This is it. The problem with it is that you can put so much into it it's heavy and hard to put onto one's back (I'm well into my 60s so maybe ..... Although it isn't overly large in height and width, when loaded it is quite deep front to back so much so that it won't go on the floor between the back seat and back of the front seat in a car. It is very well made and this shows. It has a lovely feature whereby the base is stiffened so that it will stand up ALL THE TIME. And if you want to squash it flat when empty, the stiffner can be folded up. Inside, it not only has the 4 main pockets ranging in size, all with double zips, it has 3 more external pockets for smaller items such as iPod/MP3, but also 2 webbed pockets for fluid bottles. Inside there are numerous internal pockets, some zipped. I've lost countless things inside!! I have been away for a few days with a 50mm lever-arch file, tablet PC, 3 mags and a book, my Kindle, Ordnance Survey maps and a London A-Z, a change of clothing including trousers and shirt, night attire, sponge bag, A4 filofax, "office stuff", 2 wine bottles and a few plastic tumblers, water bottle, chargers for mobile, iPod and 10.1-inch Tablet, tea bags, and still bought and packed a few odds and ends whilst away. It is easy to carry although if well loaded the straps seem to constrain my chest when walking. Nothing too bad though. I haven't tested its waterproofing ability although I have had it out in rain and there was no sign of fabric or zips leaking. Tesco have a token offer on Wenger gear at the moment including a trolley case which we're looking at and a backpack, although not this model. Final words - go for it. John