Wenger Synergy Laptop Backpack, Fits 16 Inch Laptop, Men's and Women's Laptop Bag, Black/Grey

This so far has been the best backpack I have ever purchased. And this particular brand of backpack has a small following at my local college. My friend had purchased the "pegasus" version of this backpack, which is intended for 17" laptops and is almost identical to this one. I really liked the design styles on the backpack. I appreciate when something I use every day is built with quality because the last thing I need is for it to break down. I like that the handle on the top of the bag is actually a steel cable that is bolted to the material of the bag. It's covered in a plastic sleeve and a padded handle so that it's also comfortable to lift the bag from that durable handle. That has to be the most durable handle I've ever seen. A steel cable is overkill, but I like overkill. There are pockets out the wazoo on this thing and I'm not sure if that's a bonus to you, but it's a bonus to me. Lets see if I can recount all the pockets. There's the back-most pocket which is intended for storing the laptop. There is a padded sleeve inside the backpack to which you slide your laptop into, you can then strap the laptop more securely into the sleeve using an elastic Velcro strap. This brings me to my first and only gripe about the backpack. An acquaintance of mine has an older model of this backpack and the strap for securing the laptop in the sleeve actually has a very durable plastic clip. This model uses Velcro instead of a clip. Personally I would prefer the clip since Velcro only has a limited lifetime and also likes to cling to dust and other debris, and that bothers me. Even still, I could care less. If the Velcro strap becomes a problem I'll just cut it off and do without. There is an additional mesh pocket in the rear-most laptop pocket which is seems like it's intended for pencils or something but I use it to store my full-size desktop mouse as well as a USB flash drive for use with my laptop. There is a small amount of extra room in that pocket which can be utilized for a small - medium folder or perhaps 1 large textbook or two small textbooks. It's really up to you. I use it to hold a single small textbook which I actually keep inside of a bubble-wrap envelope to protect the edges. The next pocket as you move forward is a very small ( yet cozy ) pocket. The fabric inside that pocket is a red color and it also appears padded. This pocket is intended for an mp3 player but since it's about 7 inches deep you could even put a small cdplayer in there with extra cd's. I mainly use this pocket to hold my business cards, I put them inside the small sleeve intended for the mp3 player. I also store various drugs in there for easy access (OTC). P.S. this pocket is usually very skinny when your backpack is filled to capacity since there's no room for it to expand. The next pocket as you move forward to the front of the bag is the main pocket. This pocket is massive and this is pretty much the only pocket you have for storing your school supplies other than that rearmost laptop pocket. There's a small padded flap in there that you can either put up ( to make the bag appear slimmer ) or put it down ( to widen the pocket and provide a more stable base to keep it from toppling over ) I personally cram my backpack to capacity so this flap is always down. I keep 4 1" folders in there and 3 small manilla envelops filled with paperwork. Those three together come to about 1/2 inch. And I still have room for a large textbook. If I were to put in a large textbook,( for example a biology textbook ) I would expect that this pocket would no longer be able to fit any more stuff. However inside this pocket there is a rather large mesh pocket. I have no idea what you're supposed to store in it. I leave it empty, and if your backpack was stuffed to capacity it probably wouldn't be of much use. But if your a slim backpack type student I'm sure you can make use of it for something. There is also a sleeve in the back of the main pocket which I use to hold my three manilla envelopes separate from the rest of the cavity. Moving forward from the main pocket there is a smaller sized ( cozy pocket ) I say it's cozy since I love sliding my hand into it and filling the smooth cold fabric which is thick so it appears padded. I'm not sure what you could store in this pocket. Some spare papers or another manilla envelope type object. It's a very thin pocket. More like a sleeve with a zipper top. I use this pocket to store additional drugs (OTC). Moving forward from that there's the "main utility/pencil/calculator" pouch. I'm not sure what to call it but that's where I keep my pencils erasers and whiteout. Inside of that pouch theres a zippered sleeve in which I keep my spare erasers, three-hole-punch-paper-reinforcing-stickers, and also all the warranty cards for the backpack. I use the mesh sleeve to hold my pencils and pens. (Note: there are no pencil sleeves. You know, the kind that hold like a single pencil or pen. Personally I'm kind of happy about that since I usually carry like 5 pens and two pencils.) The mesh sleeve is ideal for it since it provides room for about a dozen pen/pencils and they can all clip onto it and stay put very well. There's a clip in there you can use to store your keys, so they don't stab your leg through your inferior pocket. There's a couple of knife-holder pockets in here as well. One of them I use to store a utility-knife/needle-nose-plier. Another I use to store 4 of the fate dry-erase markers. Most the other tiny sleeves in there I leave empty since they seem to be meant for business/credit cards/ids and I don't need those since I have a wallet. P.S. this is a padded pocket as well. Moving forward one last time there's another smaller pocket which is also padded which I don't use for anything. Now on each side right and left there are two sleeve pockets. 1 zippered sleeve pocket and then over that one there's a mesh sleeve. I don't use the mesh sleeves for anything except sometimes those travel-size kleenix pouches. The zippered sleeve on the right I use to store my laptops charging cable. And the zippered sleeve on the left I use to store my Ti-84 Graphic calculator. So all in all there's 9 zippered pockets if you don't count the mesh ones and there are 11 zippered pockets if you do count the zippered mesh pockets. and many more than that if you count all the sleeves. I use to carry 2 backpacks. Now I carry 1 backpack! This purchase was extremely worth it for that reason alone. Padding out the wazoo. Pockets out the wazoo. Durable to last to... the wazoo. Highly recommended.

It stores my laptop and all of my accessories, with room to spare! It's well made, and rugged. I purchased one of these several years ago, and was impressed. So, when I needed another one, I hoped I could find another one; and when I found it, I gladly purchased it. I am glad I did.

I bought this backpack in February 2007 when I was in school doing my Masters. I needed a bag which can hold my 15.4" Vaio with extended battery (total weight ~ 6 lb), 1-2 textbooks and 1-2 notebooks. And also some stationary and all stuff. I did not have any other gadgets at that time. :( First Impression: - When I received this backpack I was completely amazed by the build quality. There are gazillion pockets and each of them are designed and placed very thoughtfully. - Separate compartment for laptops has sturdy pocket to protect the laptop and there is a small pocket to hold all the power cables of the laptop. The strap on the laptop pocket holds laptop securely in place. - The back side of the backpack is designed very well for the air ventilation when you are carrying it. The cushions on the back are so comforting and will never make you feel like you are carrying so much of weight. - The shoulder straps are fully adjustable and also has cushion on them. - The main compartment can hold a big (really big!!) book (or 2 medium books). It has a pocket to hold some loose papers or notebooks. - Then there are on big, one medium and one small compartment for stationary and stuff. In the medium compartment there are again a few pockets and compartments to keep things organized. - There are two side pockets to hold water bottles, coffee cups, etc. - Right beneath the handle of the bag there is one compartment for MP3 player or smartphone. You can leave your phone, player inside and run the headphones through the designated headphone hole. It was amazing thing in 2007 :) How I used it for over 5 years: - I was doing my masters when I bought this and my primary use of this was to carry books and laptop. - As I started using it, I realized how much this backpack can hold. After a few months I saw myself stuffing it with all kinds of things. On a typical school day you would find: Textbooks, laptop, a notebook, a lot of stationary (around 25 pens and pencils ;) ), 2 flash drives, a diary, a water bottle, a soda bottle, some snack (chips or something), hot chocolate powder and few other things. I can say this: If I were to lost in a jungle, I would easily survive few days there. You get the point. - My current use excludes some food items and textbooks but includes few other gadgets like tablet, hard drive, headphones, etc. - Overall after 5 years it's still going solid. This backpack is the sturdiest from every angle and at every inch of it. The zippers are same as they were in 2007. Not a single thread or anything has come off of the backpack. It looks as if I have just bought it. (Well I take care of my stuff pretty well so that counts too) Only thing I wish I could change: - The only thing I wish I could change is the look when I am carrying it. Because it's able to hold these many things, the backpack has a wide base. So that it stands on its base. So when I am carrying it, it won't look too cool like some other backpacks. It's simply designed that way so that one can stuff whatever is needed. So unless you are looking for a cool looking backpack this is the BESTEST backpack you will ever buy. Price: - When I was thinking of buying a good backpack I researched for 1-2 months and decided to buy this backpack. Then I watched its price for another 2 months and it never fluctuated a bit. I bought it for 60 bucks in 2007 and I was watching the price even all these years. It is always varying between 50 - 60. So trust me on this one. Price is not going to go down dramatically one morning even if it has a newer model. Conclusion: - If you are like me who needs a backpack which is solid in design, holds a small studio inside and lasts forever in commute, I have two words for you: BUY IT!!

I love this bag; it puts Batman's fancy little belt to shame. There is a lot of protective padding to prevent delicate equipment from being crushed and an easy-access zipped pouch on the very top for items that I take in and out a lot; such as my iPod, keychain, cordless mouse, etc. There are a lot of individual zipped pockets which allow me to store similar items separately, making them easier to find and requiring less digging through tangled cables. (Power cables in one, data cables in another, devices in another, etc) In the middle section there is expanded space for bulkier items, and also includes a separate open-top vertical slot for important papers or binders. The laptop pouch is snug and secured by a locking strap, with a soft material that will not scratch your computer, though you should take care not to let the laptop slide against the metal zipper when you insert it. In the past I had only used briefcase-style laptop bags, which became very heavy and uncomfortable when I i had to carry it around a lot, especially in airports when I have other things to carry. This bag is MUCH more comfortable to carry for extended periods and frees up your hands to carry other items. There is also a small locking strap that goes across your upper chest and really helps distribute the weight so that the bag is less likely to hurt your shoulders from extended usage. Worry not ladies, I'm pretty sure that the strap will lie comfortably above your breasts. The open-top webbed pouches on the sides are nice for storing bulky sturdier items such as a telescoping umbrella. I also just noticed the other day that there is a small rubber slit near the top for a headphone cable to poke through. The bag has the look and feel of excellent quality, and the stitching and zippers appear very strong and long-lasting. The material is rugged on the outside, but soft and padded on the inside. If you think you would prefer backpacks over briefcases for carrying your laptop, and don't want to spend a lot on a bag that you would be afraid to get dirty or that costs too much to replace, then this may be the bag for you. I also recommended this product to my IT manager, as an option for our mobile end-users.

I've been surfing for months off and on for a good combination computer + general use backpack. I never seemed to find the right combination of features I wanted. The ones that had all the cool pockets and extra storage areas I like were backpacking models that lacked the good, well-padded computer compartments I needed... and vice versa. This one has it all, and at a very attractive price. PROS: - Good pull straps. - Outside pockets mesh on the bottom on both sides for water bottles, etc. - Extra low-silhouette deep outside pockets molded into both sides. - Hidden, half-height red-lined storage compartment up top for those little things you need fast. - Solid, well-padded body-molded straps - Padded buffers across the waist and shoulder-blade areas for heavy loads - Loops on the straps for glasses, earbud cords etc. - Solid, well-padded computer compartment - Additional middle compartment for extra items -- that makes 4 main compartments (not counting the hidden half-height quick-draw one on the top) - Very sturdy carry handle wrapped around metal cord core - Fold-down semi-rigid "floor" in middle compartment to create expanded area for extra large loads - Lots of small, well-organized mesh pockets through-out to hold all those little items that end up rolling around in the bottom of most backpacks CONS - It's a little large -- top to bottom, you'll need it for a 15" monitor. Front to back, because you really have 4 main pockets (I'm used to 3). All of which is to say, someone really thought about this baby. I even think maybe the designer(s) wore it around and used it for awhile (which too often seems like it's not the case with other backpacks that look great on the wall but are a disaster once you try to put them on and use them). So why are you still reading this? Don't hesitate -- buy it! ====== UPDATED REVIEW So after living with this for a few weeks, I have some additional thoughts. Mostly on the CON side. I use my backpacks to haul around a lot of stuff, including for my grocery shopping. I'm used to a 3-packet backpack with a large roomy main compartment. That's not this backpack. The main compartment is so narrow it's not going to fit much more than something laptop size. The "big" compartment size-wise is the second one (with the little fold-down floor), which is roomy front-to-back but a) not large top-to-bottom or around the edges because it falls well on the backward sloping curve of the the backpack and b) a little awkward because if you fill it up with stuff it places all that weight away from you. I really wish they had offered the fold-down floor option on the main compartment, in case you had a lot of big stuff.

I read hundreds of reviews for backpacks for my MacBook Pro 15". I bought this one after a lot of thought and comparison shopping. I've had it since May of '07. I've used it for two week-long trips on planes and with lots of walking. I've used it for a 12-day conference on Stanford University's beautiful campus where I walked to every class/course and dining halls and events, etc. Typically I was carrying my laptop, a binder of papers, a notebook, pens, laptop charger, a sweater, calculator, ipod, phone, a few books, and some junk I carry around because I think I need to be like a boyscout and always be prepared for everything. Other than that, I've also used it to carry around my son's sports gear during a 2-day tournament along with things I needed to survive the 2-day event. COMFORT Incredibly comfortable. I hate carrying stuff around and yes, slung over one shoulder this thing is heavy. It's a big sturdy, well-crafted, back pack. It expands to atleast twice it's depth and holds a ton of stuff. BUT, once you actually put it on your back and fasten it and size it properly, it really doesn't feel heavy at all. I've walked miles and miles comfortably with it stuffed full. BUILD Very well built. I don't intend on taking care of it either but it still looks like it'll last years and years. Strong seams. Every place where rubber meets fabric and the zippers sewn in look made to withstand abuse and stress. It also held my laptop in place nicely. The laptop isn't position right against your back or on the outside layer so it has protection just by the nature of the laptop placement in addition to the padding provided. LOOK Looks like the pics. :) FILLABILITY Pack this thing full! I can put a 3-day weekend's worth of clothes, including extra shoes, and my toiletries (no bigger than 3 oz for flying!), a nice camera, hair dryer, etc. It has nice compartments for little things and bigger things. Has a cool mesh net zipped compartment for cables and such, and a special place for your mp3 player with a notch for your headphones. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Can a backpack have TOO MANY pockets? Obviously, Wenger doesn't think so! This bag has at least 14 distinct areas to hold your stuff: two zippered side pockets, two unzippered on top of those, one iPod holder, one laptop holder, two zippered mesh pouches, one folder holder, etc, etc... It's great! Now when I first got it, I was slightly annoyed that many of the pockets don't seem to be designed for specific things. I didn't see a very obvious place to put a couple of pencils, or a cell phone. But there are so many little mini-pockets in the front, I found enough room for everything without too much effort. I also love the iPod pouch, and use it every day. Other random observations: -This thing is rugged and well-built. -I carried it around through pouring rain for at least a half hour with no umbrella, and everything was dry when I opened it up (still, probably a good idea to add some protection if electronics are involved.) -The book compartment is large enough for me to hold all the textbooks I need for the day (being a student), and more. -The straps and back padding make it very comfortable. Well, there ya go. Another satisfied Synergy owner. 5/5 EDIT: It's been three years and this backpack looks as good as the day I got it! I did take it to the dry cleaners once, but other than that have done nothing special and it is still going strong. This backpack has been with me to China, Hong Kong and Thailand, but you'd never know by looking at it. I love this backpack, it's nearly indestructible!

So, I loved this backpack so much, that when after 4 years of rough treatment, abuse, and excessive load (I used it my junior & senior years of high school and freshman & sophomore years of college) the bottom finally started to tear, I replaced it with the same model. Howeverrrr, the new one is different. It has the same look and overall configuration, but there are some key differences: -The laptop compartment has a velcro strap instead of the clicky buckle thing. I think I like it better this way because it is easier to close it and the velcro strap is thicker and seems pretty durable. The velcro pad on it is pretty generous, too, to allow for a secure fastening. -The laptop compartment is now a bright red accent instead of grey. I like it! It makes it more colorful and fun. However, I'm a college student. If I weren't in school, I might be less pleased. However, a backpack is a faux pas for any professional (it is, don't argue), so... red all the way. -The mesh bottle pockets on the sides extend farther up the backpack now. This is a welcome upgrade to me, because with the old one I would occasionally have my drink fall out when I would take the backpack off or put it on quickly. A 20oz bottle now fits completely inside the mesh. -The zippers seem to be smoother, though this might just be because this one is new and my old one was, well, old. -The two side zipper pockets are now slanted at more of an angle, which means the zipper is longer -- meaning it makes these pockets much more accessible and useful. Before, I thought it was kind of hard to fit my hand down into them to get the things in them out. -The zipper for the main large compartment now extends about halfway, maybe three-quarters of the way down the sides. It ends maybe 2 or 3 inches above the bottom of the bag, as opposed to the old version which had zippers all the way to the bottom. It doesn't make a huge difference, but I think it does help keep the bag's structure when it is sitting down. Before, that flap would always flop open if there were things in the front pockets. So, I like this, but others might not. -The top pocket (the red-lined one with the iPod pocket) is a little wider now. I think I was pretty thorough about the changes. They're very noticeable if you owned the first version, but I view them as upgrades that enhance the functionality and practicality of the bag. It was already a great bag, but now it's even better.