When I first started looking I really liked this thing and all the features, but since I wanted it for when I ride my motorcycle I've experienced the downsides of the bag. I wish my experience were more positive, specially since I paid almost $80 for a backpack, but the features are all good-natured however they seem to have fallen flat.When it was delivered it didn't have the attached key fob piece inside the front compartment, but I didn't think that made a big difference so I thought I'd try it out. The "fits most 15" laptops" claim is pushing it a bit. The 'hidden' compartment for the laptops has the same curve as the top outside of the bag, but is a smaller diameter, which means my 14" Toshiba felt as if it barely fit. Having the built-in rain cover is nice, but it creates some annoying lumps at the bottom of the bag which means a non-flat surface for books and laptops to rest on. I thought about taking it out to refold it, but I could tell it was so rigid I didn't want to even mess with it. The cell phone pocket looks like it would fit one of the old Nokia's, but I didn't even try to put my Droid in it as I knew there was no chance it's not very wide of a pocket. The side pockets might be able to fit a small 16oz. water bottle, but not much bigger. The biggest thing was that the chest strap broke on me the first day I tried to ride with it. I need that chest strap to help keep the weight spread evenly on the shoulders and it's not sewn onto the shoulder straps, it has a small piece that will let it slide up and down. It didn't take much pressure to make it pop off. I could try to put it back on, but I'd rather have my $80 back and keep riding with my rucksack. I can also see how the other person mentioned their buttons popped off. The way they're attached is really good, but potentially loose.
If you just want a nice backpack with great features for commuting to school or work by car, foot, or metro, this would be great. When I ride my bike I need to pack whatever bag I'm using pretty full, and this just doesn't seem to fit my needs, which is sad cause I thought it would give me what I needed.
Side-note: the description for this bag is vague (mentions olive in the title but black pic and describes it as black). I contacted STM and just so you know the model number ending in -1 is Olive and -3 is the black one. The title is correct in this case.
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This is a great computer bag. It has plenty of room to carry extras. It has plenty of padding for protection. Also, if you must carry it in the rain, it has a rain cover built in on the bottom of the bag. Just pull it out of the compartment and stretch it over the bag.... neat.Read Best Reviews of STM Bags Convoy Medium Here
I got the black one, back when it was $45 bucks. I took it through college and I beat the living hell out of this thing. It routinely carried my 16" laptop (said only up to 15"), 400+ page heavy text books, my food for the day, a hoodie, and my tech gadgets and cords.This one day, I was having a bad day at college. Stuff was just going down hill all day. I locked my keys in my car, so I set down my backpack and dealt with that. I ended up running my backpack over with my car. Like I said... it was just a bad day. The pack survive without a scuff, but my Cheetos were crushed. Luckily, I had forgotten my laptop that day as well... *oi.*
I was only able to use the built-in rain poncho thing once. It worked, but what am I supposed to do with the thing when its wet? Stuff the wet covering back in the bottom? That's unpractical, it will soak through the bottom and get my stuff wet. It doesn't go back in that easily. Also, when I have some weight in the pack, maybe it's just me, but the shoulder straps cut off the blood circulation to my arms. I can't wear the full pack for more than 10min. without having to put my thumbs between my shoulders and the straps. The tops of the shoulder straps need to be wider and softer or something maybe. (I do carry a lot of stuff. lol.) Another thing; the iPad Org Board thing it comes with is pointless for me.
I love the two pockets on the sides, they hold 2 water bottles very nicely. There are literally pockets for everything! The zippers and snaps are mega industrial too.
Oh yea, let me tell you this one; the so called 'hidden' laptop compartment, must work very well indeed. The darn thing got me in trouble at the airport because I emptied out my pack before I went through baggage check, and I, myself, forgot to take the laptop out of the hidden part, because it was hidden! They sent it through the x-ray conveyer and were not to happy about that. Good or Bad? I don't know.
Anyways, this pack is super convenient for day trips and vacations. The downside is that my wife won't be seen with me wearing it, because she thinks it makes me look homeless...
...so I still have the backpack after about 2 years. It's still as tough as it ever was, and I'm quite happy that I purchase it. I have since stopped toting around my laptop and got myself an iPod Touch and downsized my pack to the "Mossimo Supply Co. Maya Twill Backpack Olive" backpack from Target, which this new pack is nice and stylish, but keeps ripping at the seems, unlike my reliable STM pack.
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I jsut got this bag today and its pretty slick. The pull out rain cover is awesome and pretty snug, and there is a tuck away waist belt in the back lining. Its also pretty rugged, the laptop portion (the large back one) is lined with what feels like plastic sheets, the rigid kind, so that makes me feel pretty good when i put computer or xbox stuff in there.only thing though is it says the laptop thing is hidden... well it sorta is but don't count on someone going through your bag and missing it. Its pretty obvious where it is, but it can kinda tuck away under the zipper flap. Other than that the pads are thick and its an overall rigid construction. thanks stm.
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