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- Verified Buyer
I've had my eye on this backpack for quite a while, so when it finally went on sale I couldn't help but to buy it!Prior to buying this backpack, I'd been looking for a sort of all-arounder, something that I could use to transport my MacBook Pro and some other portable tech when I travel or to throw in a change of clothes and some toiletries for a spontaneous overnight trip. In other words, I wanted a backpack that wasn't enormous but would be large enough to use for the type of things you'd have in a carry-on bag when you board an airplane.This bag not only fit the bill, it's even BETTER than I expected. For starters, its size is absolutely perfect. Again, it's just right for a laptop and a few books or to throw in a change of clothes for the gym or an overnight trip. But if you need to transport more stuff than that, this bag is made in such a way that it can accommodate far more than just the things I needed it for. A college student could easily fit all his or her books in this backpack and still have room for other things. Although I haven't put the bag to the test, I imagine I could probably fit the same amount of clothing into this bag as I can my small Samsonite suitcase due to how the bag can expand.It's also really comfortable to wear. The straps are very well padded and there's even padding on the backside of the backpack so that the contents of the bag aren't pushed up against your back and causing discomfort. If you've ever used a poorly-made backpack, you've probably experienced how the thin material with which their made allows the contents of those backpacks to almost poke through the material and poke you in the back; however, this won't be a problem with this High Sierra Fat Boy. Not only does the padding ensure that none of the bag's content can poke through, but it provides a layer of cushioning against the weight of the backpack. This means that even if you have a lot of heavy items in the backpack, the padding will ensure that you're not uncomfortable while wearing the bag.While I'm not usually fond of a bag that has a million unnecessary compartments, I feel like this bag's compartments are actually very well-planned. As you'd hope, the main compartment takes up the majority of the storage space while a handful of other compartments provide separate storage for more delicate or smaller items that could get lost or broken in transit; specifically, things like headphones, charging bricks and cables, tablet computers, portable hard drives, and other small devices have their own designated spaces in padded slots that are extremely secure. If you ever use this bag when traveling, you can take comfort in the fact that these separate padded compartments are keeping your belongings very safe and organized.And did I mention that this bag is exceptionally handsome? Of course, not everyone is going to like the "Electric Geo/Charcoal/Tropic Teal" color/pattern combination that I chose, but High Sierra currently offers 44 different color and pattern combinations for this bag at the time of my review. I would be extremely shocked if this impressive selection didn't offer numerous choices for even the most selective of tastes. I, myself, found it hard to choose between the one I purchased and three other options that I really, really liked: Pool/Mercury/Sunburst, Faze/Mercury, and Moss/Mercury. In the end, I went with a more vibrant design that looks even better in person than it does in the photo.I've seen lesser-quality backpacks go for several times the price of this High Sierra backpack. In hindsight, I could've paid the full retail value of this bag and I would've felt like I'd gotten great bang for buck. In fact, if another company was producing this same bag, you could expect to pay no less than $50 for it, probably closer to $75 or more. The fact that I was able to get this well-made, spacious, comfortable bag for about a quarter of that price is astounding. I really couldn't be happier about this bag. I will surely be buying from High Sierra for all my device-transporting needs and will probably be looking at the bags they have available for Christmas gifts this holiday season.Don't hesitate to ask any questions, I would be happy to answer them. Also, stay tuned for photos.When I was looking for my new backpack I had three major qualities in mind;1) It needed to be big enough to hold all my schoolwork and extras2) It needed to be well made and sturdy3) It needed to look goodOn all three points this bag is fantastic! I did quite a bit of research before buying, and some of the comments I'd heard about it being too small made me nervous. I'd also noticed many of the reviewers were speaking on behalf of their young children, so even if they said it was a big bag there's a significant difference between what's big for a kindergartener and what's big for me! Thankfully, as a senior in college planning for grad school and archaeological field work in the future, I am very very pleased with the size of this bag. I carry my MacBook laptop with me, two paperback books, an over-sized marker case, a sketch book, a notebook, a folder, my knitting, my laptop charger, my ipod, my keys and my phone with me every day, and most days I will end up adding a jacket, a text book, or some library books etc. etc. I have yet to have any problems making anything fit! The pockets make it easy to sort (and I'm terrible at sorting!) And I can keep the need-to-access things like keys and my wallet in the outermost pocket for very easy access. I love the cell phone holder on the strap. I've had a backpack with one before but I found it to be too small and inconvenient, but on this bag the little pocket for my phone is perfect. It would NOT work for a smart phone or an iPhone though, I don't think.In regards to the sturdiness of the bag, It seems to be very well made. True, I have only been wearing it for two weeks at this point but my other two bags, a Ful and a no-name brand I got in Ireland, felt cheap. They fell apart quickly and I was literally using backpacks full of holes by the time I got rid of them. This backpack feels double stitched and made of a sturdy material though. It would take a lot to snag it and there's no cotton cloth, which I have had my fingers rip right through when I pull my bag around or maneuver it. I'm not gentle with my backpacks at all, but I don't think that'll be a problem with this one!In terms of looks, I got the charcoal and chartreuse bag, and it's got fun bright colors without being childish. It stands out in the campus center so I haven't had any problem with mixing my bag up with someone else's. And I like wearing it, it's fun to have a bag that goes with the colors you like!The only critique I have is that, when I've word short sleeves with it, the way the straps curve out at the bottom means they are running into and scraping against the insides of my arms. It's pretty uncomfortable, but it does seem to be fading now that I've had the bag a little while. Straps take some time to break in, usually, so I'm giving the bag the benefit of the doubt for the moment on that feature.All in all, after half a month of daily operation including night classes, marathon viewings, overnight packing and of course the daily grind, this thing has performed well beyond expectations at a price that is almost unheard of. I really recommend it to college students who need a reasonable amount of space and a bag that's not going to fall apart by the end of the year!Compre está otra High Sierra ya que la primera es una mochila de acampar enorme, perfecta para acampar pero no muy practica para el día a día, la segunda fue destinada para pasear con mis perros y guardar sus heces y otras cosas, así que ahora tiene un olor que no me hace muy popular en la playa que digamos. Así que compre una más, sigo comprando está marca ya que las dos primeras lo único que los años de servicio les han dejado han sido manchas, no se les han hecho agujeros, ni se han rasgado ni mucho menos roto sin importar lo que transporte en ellas, ni por los terrenos que transitemos. Este modelo hasta el momento parece tener la misma excelente calidad en materiales y el excelente diseño. Cuenta con un compartimiento para una tablet aunque yo la estoy ocupando más para la playa y paseos. Es muy amplia cabe con facilidad mis tenis, una toalla, sandalias, go pro, lentes, etc, etc, etc. La recomiendo ampliamente.Llevo ya un año usando esta mochila y no se le ha roto nada. Cargo la laptop de 15.6" del trabajo todos los dias, ademas de celular, diadema, audifonos, mouse inalambrico, cargador, cable de red, botella de agua, pasta y cepillo dental, plumas y ya ni me acuerdo que mas. Todo cabe sin problemas. El unico pero que le pongo es que no tiene, como muchas otras mochilas, proteccion en la parte de abajo para la laptop, pero eso se soluciona facilmente poniendo un pedazo de tela doblado o cualquier cosa que amortigue un posbile golpe, en el fondo de la mochila.El mes pasado estuve 1 semana en Perú y me sirvió tanto como equipaje de mano durante los vuelos y ya en Cusco y Machu Picchu como bolsa de mano. El color es muy lindo, tiene muchos compartimientos, podía llevar mi bote de agua sin problema más cosas que iba comprando en el camino así como sueters ligeros. El material es muy resistente y la verdad estoy muy feliz con la compra. Llegó en el tiempo estimado y en mi caso superó mis expectativas. La recomiendo ampliamente.esta bien hecha, los materiales solidos, tela de buena calidad.me dejo un poco decepcionado el hecho que el espacio para guardar la laptop fuera tan reducido y solo tenga proteccion al frente.me explico, la parte frontal si es acolchonada, pero la parte trasera no. tampoco la parte de abajo.al poner la computadora ahi, te das cuenta que no la protegera realmente.no es la primera backpack que tengo de esta marca, pero este modelo en particular no es recomendable para laptops.de ahi en mas pefecta.Great bag for my son. Very strong and I like the bright colours for use as a kid's bag. Just one thing to note is that it is quite big for younger kids, but would work fine for kids around 10 years old and up, and great for adults.
