I've used the Swiss backpack from ~4 years... but wanted to get something more professional looking. This one definitely looks the part but functionality is severely compromised...
Functionality is so compromised that you'd think this company's product developers have never used their own product or a backpack... more like something management dreamed up as features to make the bag not very usable.
The bag dimensions are huge, but looking inside the space utilization is not that great. The ton of holed-liners they have on the inside of almost every panel, snag on everything. There are no pen/pencil holder slots, the individual pockets are not sized for business cards or anything else functional... lipstick/chapstick and that's about it.
Waterbottle pocket: You can't even fit the tiniest airline water bottle and then you're expected to zipper it shut else it will fall out from one side or the other.
Vertical Pocket design on the back looks inviting as a quick-pocket... but it actually goes all the way to the bottom, so you can't really put anything there for quick access because it will end up to the bottom. The seam that you see in the picture just creates a bump on the inside, it's not to create another pocket and to avoid having all your stuff end up to the bottom.
I have bought & used TravelPro luggage for many years and have been very happy with the durability... but this backpack design let me down in a big way.
I really wanted to like this backpack and am sorry to have to return it. I need a professional looking backpack to carry my 17" laptop on business and I already have a Crew 8 suitcase to match. But, the back pack is just too bulky for me. Like one of the other reviewers said, it is well padded and doesn't squash down, so it sticks out quite a bit from your back. I'm a 60 year old woman and need something smaller. It is very nicely made and I'm sure would be great for a larger person or if you need to carry a lot in it.
Buy Travelpro Crew 8 Business Backpack Now
I purchased this for my business trips. I take three or four a month, I travel three to four weeks a month. This backpack has seen about 100,000 miles in the last four months. I highly recommend it for it's durability. I have to cram it under the seat in front of me and even with about 20 pounds of computer equipment and a small purse inside, the bag fits perfectly under the seat in front of me on regular coach seats and all of the first class seats.
I have bought TravelPro before and have been impressed with their durability but this back pack is exceeding those expectations.
Read Best Reviews of Travelpro Crew 8 Business Backpack Here
This backpack is very well made and is as tough as it looks. The zippers are heavy duty and there is storage galore. I decided to return this backpack because it is too thick overall with semi rigid sides. It doesn't crumple up into a thinner backpack as some might expect. It is almost like carrying a soft side suitcase on your back. If you understand that it semi rigid on the sides and you have a lot to carry, then you will not be disappointed. Plenty of padding for a 17 inch laptop.
Want Travelpro Crew 8 Business Backpack Discount?
On the outside the Backpack is very solid the zippers and stitching is great and the outside pockets are very useful.
However the stitching in the inside of some of the compartments seems a little flimsy and we'll see how it holds up. The Large size of the backpack makes me think that it will not fit under the seat of a small reginional jet but i have asked others and they say it fits fine
Pros
Built solid
looks great
self repairing zippers pulls
plenty of space and well thoughtout compartments
Strap to attach it to your lugguage
comfy shoulder straps
Cons
Size of the backpack
Tight sqeenz for a 15in laptop but fits
the nylon stitching in the folders compartment may not last
May not fit under the seat of some planes
this is a great backpack I will update this review as things change
Search for
Review of the Travelpro Crew 8 Business Laptop Backpack on youtube for my full review
I ordered this bag for my son to carry around his own water bottle and snacks while on our trip to Disney. It is the perfect size without being to bulky. It was large enough to hold a small lunch box, a water bottle, a small (99 cents) first aid box, and an emergency poncho.
