What I would have wanted to know before buying the Ogio Commuter:1) When using this bag as a backpack, the dirt from the wheels gets all over your back because there is no wheel cover.
2) The front lower pocket (which is gusseted) only has one zipper. I didn't know how much I relied on being able to zip compartments from both sides until I got this bag. Stuff also has a tendency to fall out.
3) There aren't nearly enough compartments for me, especially in the front, though I'm sure others find it's sufficient for their needs.
4) The top outer pocket is flocked, which is a lovely touch; electronics don't get scratched by the bag, but if you put more than one item in there, they'll scratch each other up as you move around. It would be nice if this pocket were further divided so that a cell phone could go in one side and iPod/camera/other small electronic device could go in the other.
5) This is a bright Pepto Bismal-pink bag. The downside to this is I look like a dork rolling this thing down the street (because I use this for school as well as travel.) Upside is no one ever mistakes this rolling Pepto bag for theirs at the luggage carousel.
6) It is a pain in the butt to use. There's a fabric panel at the back that is held on by a one small piece of velcro on each of three sides. Behind this panel are the backpack straps that never really fit behind the panel unless they are arranged just so; as I roll the bag around, the ends of the straps sometimes drag on the ground.
7) It comes with a slim little cushion that goes into the bottom of the built-in laptop sleeve, which is padded and large enough for a 17" Macbook Pro; my 13.3" Macbook swims in this pocket but that's a minor quibble. I'm dismayed that without this cushion, there's very little shock absorbency for your computer if the bag isn't handled gently because the laptop sleeve goes all the way to the bottom of the bag. Big design flaw in my opinion.
What I like about the OGIO Commuter:
1) It's SPACIOUS. With the help of two packing cubes, I was able go on a week-long vacation with room to spare using this bag.
2) The telescoping T-handle is long enough for us medium height folks (I'm 5'8".) I'm the slightest bit annoyed that it's a little too wide and because the handle is rubberized, it catches on my clothes. It's also a little wobbly.
3) It's small enough to carry onto a plane, though it will not fit under seats.
4) Has a little key clip in the lower front pocket, which is surprisingly (one with a velcro cover) that don't hold very much, and a pen loop.
Overall, it's a decent, functional bag, but there are just too many design flaws for me. I would not buy this bag again.
**July 16, 2011**
I am even more sure now that I would not ever buy this bag again. The plastic/vinyl coating on the inside of this backpack is crumbling off and gets into/onto all my stuff. It's not just a bit here and there, there is a significant amount of vinyl that's coming off and it no longer offers any protection against the rain. The only thing the Ogio Commuter has going for it is its storage capacity. This is my second Ogio purchase and both have been major disappointments. Never again.
The only small negative I would point out is that the strap/handle at the top of the backpack, while holding up for the month, is not large, and I am not sure how long the stitching would hold up if one were to pick it up constantly. There are no other handles or straps except for the one on the top.
Update: March 21, 2012
Since purchasing this backpack in April 2010, I have used it as described above, i.e., now two trips to Europe. I also have taken the backpack on a couple of trips to Jamaica and to Cozumel, but in these instances its purpose was more for carrying on "stuff" onto the plane versus wheeling it around. On my recent trip to Jamaica, one of the wheels broke; it split down the middle into two halves of a wheel. This caused the backpack to roll much differently. On March 20 I called Ogio Customer Service about this and about repairing it. I was told that Ogio does not repair backpacks and does not even carry parts for them. The customer service agent did offer to connect me with the warranty service people at the company, but I declined her offer. I assumed that since the bag had been used for over two years and had been dragged over cobblestones in Europe off and on for a couple of these trips, normal wear and tear would apply and that it would not be covered by any warranty. I discount the trips to Jamaica and Cozumel (two trips to each country) because the only rolling in these cases was at airports, getting on and off planes, etc., i.e., no "rough work" involved.
What bothers me is that this was an $80+ backpack that worked for about two months, i.e., two one-month European trips. If I am asking too much of a backpack, then so be it. But for the wheel to break apart and to have no opportunity for the company to repair it leaves me searching and wondering. I have another trip coming up and will need a new backpack. I seriously wonder whether another Ogio is worth it.
Update March 26, 2012
In the past several days, I have communicated with Ogio's Warranty Department. I spoke with them at first by phone and then via several emails. After replying to their first email requesting some information about the bag, taking a couple of photos of the broken wheel, etc., Ogio agreed to replace the bag with a new one, which is a different model than the one I purchased originally. The main problem is that the replacement item is out of stock and will not be available until July. They will send me a new bag as soon as it is in stock. Unfortunately too, the replacement item is the only wheeled backpack sold currently by Ogio, so I had no other choice. But at least they took positive steps to deal with the situation.
0 comments:
Post a Comment