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Super Speedy Summary Review

This backpack is for someone that wants a bag for work and commuting that will keep the laptop dry and have enough room for a change of clothes if you cycle to work or hit the gym at lunchtime. This pack is also well enough designed for a day backpacking on the trails and s well thought out its also perfect for airport hand luggage.

Its big wins are how rugged and waterproof it is, the waterproof rubberised zips and loads of different waterproof pouches for gear are great. It has easy straps to change its size from a huge 30L handluggage airport bag down to a small light laptop bag for work or on your bike. It comes with literally every feature I’ve ever seen on a backpack, two huge side water bottles, straps to mount a sleeping bag or tent or both on the outside, adjustable chest and shoulder straps and daisy chain loops for customising and attaching extra gear.

Purchase $169

Main Detailed Review

I have too many backpacks. Ones for running, ones for hiking, a bag for University for my Laptop and small race packs for trail running so its great to see a luxury contender from Topo that may well do it all.

What Topo Designs have done is create a pack that is tough enough for the trails, stylish enough for Campus and Waterproof enough to put my laptop in without crossing my chest and praying if its raining that day.

1000D Fabric

The pack itself is made from hard wearing 1000D fabric which reminds me of my Cordura Diving suit. This rugged material is very difficult to tear, is abrasion resistant, and the water-repellent finish adds an extra layer of protection.

Waterproof Zips and Pouches

The zips on this are located down the back of the rear of the pack. They allow access to an internal yellow sleeve on one side that has little sub pockets so you could store maps, wallet , paperwork or toiletries in one side.

The other rear vertical zip gives you instant side access to the main compartment which would make it super easy to slide your laptop in and out or get to some items quickly. The zips are also rubberised and waterproof to help keep things dry inside the bag.

There is another zip pouch on the top of the bag too.

Water Bottle Side Pouches

There are side pouches on each side for water bottles. They are HUGE side pouches. I actually found I could get my water bottle AND food inside and they have a toggle draw chord at the top to help stow things away tightly.

Adjustable Bag Size

There are 4 straps and clips on the side of the bag so you can easily decrease the volume of the bag when you are carrying less and also tighten to whatever load you are carrying so things don’t bounce around too much.

Pimp Your Bag

We are all different shapes and sizes so I like bags that allow you to adjust various bits for fit. We also change shape depending on how many layers we are wearing outside and also I find I need to adjust a bag depending on whether its full or not.

The bag has chest straps and clips that cen be really easily moved up and down to adjust to suit you, and above the shoulders are two pull tabs to tighten and shorten the shoulder straps, I find pulling these tighter makes the bag fill more firm against my back and pulls the weight slightly higher. I like having the straps on the shoulders tight when the bag is heavier as it seems to make things more comfortable.

There is also an optional waist strap too, but if you get the chest strap positioned right I’m not convinced you’ll need unless you are carrying some serious weight.

No More Rummaging in the Dark

Its yellow ! The inside is yellow ! Most bags I have are black and dark inside. This means when you are rummaging around inside you can never find anything. By making the inside of the bag bright yellow it makes funding gear much much easier. There is also a sleeve inside for your camelback hydration if you want to a small hole for the drinking hose to route out through.

Gripes

Build quality and features often comes with added weight. The pack remains competitive at 32 oz and feel likes its built like a tank. I would change a couple of features, Id make the rubberized zips yellow so they are easy to find in the dark and Id put a zip pouch on the chest straps to hold a Cell Phone and another water bottle pouch on the front straps so I can drink on the go without being a T Rex trying to reach behind.

Closest Contenders

With a 30L capacity I’d say the closest contender is the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35. They are a similar price, but the Ultimate Direction bag is stripped down and half the weight and geared for running, whereas the Mountain Pack is more of a high spec luxury pack for all occasions. Think Dune Buggy versus Mercedes SUV.

Verdict

I tried one in Black and loved it but it also comes in a range of other colors too including red, silver and charcoal.

All in all this is a very understated but superbly designed and made backpack. It walks a very carefully thought out line between being practical for trails and hard wearing, with features for the airport and campus too. Its a bag for all occasions. Its packed with features and has loads of pockets and places to keep everything just where you want it.

Purchase $169

Want to Buy it ?

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Purchase $169

FEATURES

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• Large main compartment
• Flap top with G-hook buckle closure
• Drawstring cinch closure to main compartment
• Internal sleeve fits most 15″ laptops
• Internal zippered security pocket
• Zippered top flap pocket
• Deep side water bottle pockets with cinch closure
• Large vertical exterior zippered pocket with organization panel
• Large vertical exterior zippered access to main compartment Hydration/headphone port
• Vertical daisy chain webbing
  Adjustable ice axe loops
  Side and bottom compression straps
  Top carry handle
  Contoured padded spacer mesh shoulder straps
  Breathable mesh back panel
  Sternum strap and removable waist strap
  Padded base
  Heavy-duty plastic hardware
  Oversized waterproof YKK zippers

SPECS

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Materials: 1000D exterior, 210D coated pack cloth liner

Dimensions: 11.5″w x 19″h x 7″d

Volume: 1830 cu. in. / 30 L

Weight: 34.4oz

Made in Vietnam

About Topo Designs

Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen had always been interested in not only spending time outside, but also in the gear needed to get out. They found themselves wishing there was a company offering a lineup a bit more like the gear they grew up using—classic styling, functionality, durability and a clear connection with the brand behind the product. So in 2008, Jedd bought a sewing machine and began concepting, designing, and sewing packs in his Fort Collins basement, while Mark set out around Denver and the front range looking for resources and partners needed to build those designs.

They were lucky enough to find local Colorado folks that were just getting started like them and were willing to build companies together, and worked with them to produce Topo Designs’ initial offering of products, continuing to work with them to this day.

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