I normally hate traveling for work; juggling a computer, work files, ebook reader, etc. is a pain. However, now that I’ve been trying the Mobile Edge Evo Backpack for a few weeks, I wish I traveled more often so I could use a bag like this!
My first impression of the Evo backpack was that it was a complete beast of a bag. It seemed physically large, but when I put it on it didn’t feel as big. Part of that is how structured the bag is; this is not a bag that appears smaller when it is empty. On the other hand, stuffing it to the brim didn’t make it appear huge either. And the padded pack and straps made it incredibly comfortable to keep either on both shoulders or just slung over one side. It did tower over my normal shoulder bag though!
What really made the Evo stand out is the sheer number of pockets and organizing areas it has. I counted 5 zippered pockets on the outside, and an additional 2 mesh outside and 2 smaller divided pockets inside the front lower pocket. There’s also a hidden pocket for a water bottle on one side. The pockets are a mix of shallow ones (perfect for storing quick grab items like a boarding pass) and deeper ones for your wallet, keys, etc.
Inside is where the serious organizing starts. There’s a large padded area for a laptop, which fits up to a 15 inch computer. My 10 inch netbook swims in it a little bit, but there’s plenty of room for the charger as well the computer, or my netbook inside another sleeve. Along the outside of the padded area are two little stash pockets and a large zippered mesh pocket for more storage. On the opposite side is organizer heaven (if you are OCD like me and like every possible item to have a home.) There are slots for pens, business cards, a small hard drive, even flash drives! There’s also a big slash pocket behind the organizer panel that is the perfect size for an ebook reader. Both my Kindle and the nook I’m reviewing fit perfectly in that spot. And no backpack is complete without some form of headphones management, so there’s yet another pocket with a small headphones hole to feed the wires and keep you from being tangled.
Just in case you think that’s the extent of the pockets, there’s also two mesh pockets on each of the shoulder straps. The straps themselves are very padded, with a slight contour that makes them very comfortable on your shoulders. I generally don’t love wearing backpacks for long periods of time, but these straps fit so well that after a bit you forget you even have the pack on! The padding along the back helps as well. It not only makes the Evo more comfortable, it adds some breathing room so on a hot day the backpack isn’t smashed up against your body trapping heat. And as an added bonus, it also means your laptop has an extra bit of padding, so if you’re wearing the straps loosely and there’s some bounce you aren’t slamming into your notebook repeatedly.
While using this backpack, it really did amaze me how much I could fit into it without it feeling overstuffed. I fit my netbook, a nook, my kindle, a change of clothes, a water bottle, and a paper book all in the pack, and it didn’t look like it was bursting. Best of all, because of all the various pockets (and the sturdy construction) getting in and out of the bag was super easy. I didn’t feel like I was carrying half my office on my back, and nothing seemed impossible to find. In fact, having all the inner pockets meant everything had a place, and it was a simple matter to reach in, grab what I needed, and keep moving.
So clearly, I loved this backpack. The only minor flaw I found was that it could have used a waist or chest strap for extra support on your back. Otherwise it was comfortable, fit an astounding amount of stuff, had plenty of pockets, but didn’t feel overly large. If you travel often, and carry a small office with you, this backpack is a must-have!
Now that I’ve sung the praises of the Evo backpack, you’re probably all set to get one! Well, before you whip out your wallet, here’s your chance to win one! Just leave a comment below sharing what you carry on a regular basis, and why this backpack would make your life easier! You have until midnight on Saturday, July 24th, so get to commenting!
(If you’re entering this giveaway using Facebook connect, you MUST have your Facebook page set to accept messages from non-friends so we can contact you through your page if you are the winner. If you are unsure how to set your privacy settings to allow this, feel free to contact us for assistance or read facebook’s instructions here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/privacy/explanation.php)
The Mobile Edge EVO Backpack is regularly $79.99, though it is currently on sale for $67.99. You can get it directly from Mobile Edge (if you don’t win our contest!)
What I liked:
-Incredibly comfortable straps and back.
-Tons of pockets.
-Roomy computer pocket and main compartment.
What I didn’t like:
-No chest/waist strap
-No keyring hook amidst all the organizer options.
