Nomatic Backpack [Review]

The Nomatic Backpack is easily one of our favorite backpacks for work and daily laptop carry, thanks to its incredible organization. It manages to pack pockets into just about every square inch of its interior compartments, giving you maximum organization for your daily essentials while maintaining a sleek, professional exterior.

In this Nomatic Backpack review, we explore what makes this backpack stand out from its competition so you can decide if it is the ultra-sleek, water-resistant, more-pockets-than-you'll-know-what-to-do-with backpack that you've been looking for.

Video Review

The Rundown

What we like

• Insane amount of pockets. Some of the best organization we have seen yet.

• Expanding main compartment when you need more room (20-24L)

• Protective laptop and tablet sleeves thanks to generous false bottom

• Great water resistant protection thanks to tarpaulin material and water resistant YKK zippers.

What we don’t like

• Because of the pockets, the main compartment doesn’t leave a lot of wide open space for packing bulkier items. Will have to expand backpack to pack something like a lunch or a change of clothes.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19” x 13” x 5.75” inches

• Capacity: 20L (24L expanded)

• Weight: 4 lbs

• Materials: Tarpaulin, YKK zippers

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 16”

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 13”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Materials and Construction

The Nomatic Backpack really shines with its choice of construction materials. The exterior is made with highly water-resistant tarpaulin, and the exterior compartments are equipped with water-resistant YKK zippers for peace of mind during rainy-day commutes. Inside you are met with a robust liner fabric and quality mesh for the pockets. Everything about this backpack just feels like great quality.

The back panel and shoulder straps are also thoughtfully constructed and Nomatic seems to have done everything right in terms of comfort. The back panel consists of two separate foam panels with a generous air channel in between for ventilation. The shoulder straps are padded, but not too thick and bulky, giving you a sleeker appearance when worn.

Pockets and Compartments

The Nomatic Backpack can be divided into two major compartments: the front organizer compartment and the main compartment. The front organizer compartment is home to a bunch of smaller mesh pockets, pockets for pens, and a variety of zippered pockets, including a fairly large RFID-blocking pocket with a lockable zipper.

The main compartment is where the bulk of your storage will live, and it is home to what we call a “tech station” that includes a 16-inch laptop sleeve, a separate tablet sleeve, and slip pockets designed specifically for a keyboard, mouse, and other tech accessories. We found that the tablet sleeve can fit any device up to 13 inches, allowing you to use the Nomatic as a two-laptop backpack if needed.

Another great feature is that the laptop and tablet sleeves ‘float’ on the inside of the main compartment, giving you a generous false bottom to protect your devices from bumps and drops. The main compartment also has some cool features, such as a hardcase pocket for your sunglasses and a pocket that hides away a retractable leash for your keys.

On the exterior of the Nomatic Backpack, you’ll find two magnetic water bottle pockets that collapse against the bag for a cleaner look when not in use. These water bottle pockets are nice and stretchy and can accommodate wider 32 oz bottles just fine.

Nomatic also manages to include a secret compartment behind the back panel in the rear of the backpack. This pocket is just large enough to fit a passport and stays completely hidden when the bag is worn.

Expandable and Convertible

The Nomatic Backpack is both expandable and convertible. The shoulder straps can be tucked into the back panel, allowing you to carry the Nomatic Backpack like a briefcase when needed and a the expandable main compartment goes from 20 liters to 24 liters in seconds thanks to a wrap-around zipper.

We found that when compressed, the amount of wide-open packing space is limited, especially when the internal pockets are packed. We could fit 3-4 notebooks, binders, and books before running out of packing room. When expanded to 24 liters, we could fit an additional jacket inside.

It's safe to say that the Nomatic Backpack prioritizes organization of items over wide-open packing space. So, if you need to carry lots of bulky gear like camera equipment, shoes, or a lunchbox, then you may find the Nomatic a bit limiting, especially when compared to other expanding backpacks that expand north of 10 liters of packing room compared to the Nomatic's 4 liters. Although we wouldn't choose the Nomatic Backpack specifically for its expandability, it is a nice feature to have.

Final Thoughts

The Nomatic Backpack is best suited for professionals looking for a sleek backpack for work that can function as a 'mobile office' on work trips. In addition to being a great travel sidekick on flights, it really thrives as a daily driver where organization is key.

Overall, there's not much we don't like about this backpack. The pockets are plenty, the style is sleek, and the water-resistant materials are solid. However, there may not be much leftover space inside the bag once you fill up all the pockets. With that said, if you tend to carry bulkier items like shoes, a lunch box, and books and notebooks, you may find the the Nomatic to be lacking in open packing room. But if you're looking for a sleek way to keep yourself organized during the workweek, the Nomatic Backpack is the perfect choice. It shines as a backpack for professionals who need a reliable work bag for their essentials.

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WANDRD PRVKE [Review]

If you're looking for a backpack that can do it all, you'll be hard-pressed to find one more versatile than the WANDRD PRVKE. It's a camera bag, travel pack, and daily laptop backpack all-in-one, thanks to its modular interior that allows you to configure your carry how you want to. The rolltop design also makes it an expandable backpack, giving you more packing room when you need it. Plus, the PRVKE comes in three different sizes (21L, 31L, and 41L) so you can find the perfect size and fit.

A special feature of the WANDRD PRVKE is its dual main compartment access, which allows you to enter the backpack through the rolltop as well as through a rear zipper for full clamshell access to your gear. From the rear, you'll have access to all the smaller pockets inside the main compartment, as well as the padded laptop and tablet sleeves.

If you're a photographer, you can add a WANDRD camera cube to turn the PRVKE into a fully functional camera bag that's just as thoughtfully designed as its rivals. You'll have special pockets for photography accessories like SD cards, and a side window allows for quick-draw access to your camera.

If you're not a photographer, the PRVKE works just as well as a travel or daily backpack. The dual-access main compartment makes it super easy to pack and unpack clothing and daily carry, and the waterproof materials and weather-resistant zippers come in handy on rainy commutes to work or school. The bag also features daily carry essentials like a place to stash your keys, sunglasses, and water bottle. This bag really doesn't miss a beat!

What we like

• Modular interior that let’s you partition the inside to different packing zones

• Dual access entry to the main compartment (rolltop and clamshell zipper)

• Lots of low-key and hidden exterior pockets for quick access to essentials

• Highly water resistant design - weatherproof zippers and waterproof tarpaulin exterior

What we don’t like

• Pockets inside the main compartment are geared towards small camera accessories. We wish there were larger internal pockets there for stuff like external hard drives or large laptop power bricks.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 17” x 11” x 6.5” inches

• Capacity: 21L (available in 31L & 41L)

• Weight: 2.8 lbs

• Materials: Waterproof Tarpaulin, 1680D Ballistic Nylon, weather resistant zippers

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 14” Macbook Pro

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 12.9” iPad Pro

Where to buy

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Knack Convertible Duffel [Review]

Convertible. Expandable. Great organization. This is the Knack Convertible Duffel in a nutshell.

Inside the main compartment of the Knack Convertible Duffel you are greeted with lots of pockets to organize your tech and travel items. A fleece lined zippered pocket protects glasses and tech from scratches while another fleece lined slip pocket gives you a safe spot for a tablet. One of the more interesting design choices are the small elastic bands that allow you to attach pens, charging cables and smaller accessories. Unlike traditional pockets, these elastic bands take up little room when not in use.

Knack goes above and beyond with designing their travel bags around airline size requirements so that you can stay compliant no matter how you decide to carry the the bag. The packing area of the Convertible Duffel starts compressed at 24 liters which is enough room to pack for a weekend while keeping the bag small enough to store under most airplane seats. 

The expanded 40 liters allows you to pack for around of week of travel while still falling under most airline carry on size requirements. To put the Convertible Duffel’s size into context, 40 liters is around the same capacity of many carry-on rolling luggage.

Switching between duffel and backpack on the Knack Convertible Duffel is one of the simplest mechanisms we’ve seen in a convertible backpack yet. Knack uses a combination metal D-rings and a simple clip mechanism on their shoulder straps. There is no fidgeting with complicated locks or special straps like with other convertibles. The shoulder straps can be tucked into a special zippered pocket on the back panel when it’s time for duffel carry and the entire process takes seconds and can be done easily on the fly.

Despite its unassuming appearance there are a few sneaky pockets on the exterior of the Convertible Duffel that aren’t obvious at first glance. The first is an internal water bottle pocket that safeguards your drinking bottle from contaminants while providing a cleaner profile. 

Against the back panel is where you’ll find an external 15-inch laptop compartment. Our one gripe with the Knack Convertible Duffle is that although the main compartment includes a zipper that be locked with a TSA lock, the laptop compartment does not. In an ideal world we would be able to lock down both compartments.

After all is said and done the Knack Convertible Duffel is a beast of a travel bag with some great features that just aren’t found in other travel backpacks. It’s versatile enough that it really might be the only travel bag you’ll need. We recommend it for frequent flyers or business travelers who need a bag they can count on for short and long trips alike.

What we like

• Clean minimalist design with tons of hidden features

• Great internal pocket placement for organization

• One-bag - expandable and convertible design makes the Convertible Duffle incredibly versatile

• Anti-microbial treatment on inside lining to help combat smells

What we don’t like

• Laptop compartment does not have lockable zippers

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19” x 13” x 5” (19” x 13” x 9” expanded)

• Capacity: 24L (40L expanded)

• Weight: 2lbs 9oz

• Materials: 420D high-density nylon, anti-microbial 150D polyester lining

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 15”

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 13”

Where to buy

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Targus Work+ Expandable Daypack 32L

The Targus Work+ Expandable Daypack offers a one-bag solution for work, school, gym and travel thanks to a creative design made to adapt to different situations.

The main compartment opens wide with a near-clamshell zipper design that gives you access to multiple pockets for daily organization. In the rear you’ll find a separate padded laptop compartment for devices up to 16-inches while a large bottom compartment for shoes or laundry allows you to separate the yucky from your daily carry.

Targus also adds some clever travel features into the Work+ design such as lockable zippers in the main and laptop compartments and side and front handles for easy grabbing when using overhead compartments on planes and trains. Another great travel feature is the trolley sleeve in the back panel so that you can attach the Work+ to your rolling luggage.

As for gripes, there is no secondary padded sleeve for a tablet. Also, your main organizer pockets for pens and smaller items is located in the back of the main compartment which makes these items a little cumbersome to reach when the main compartment is packed full. We would have liked to have seen a separate compartment altogether for these organizer pockets. But these are just minor complaints amongst an overwhelmingly positive impression of such a thoughtfully designed and versatile backpack.

Truth be told there are a lot of features on the Targus Work+ Expandable Daypack that just work. Targus includes a good variety of pockets throughout the backpack both internally and externally. Our favorite is the sneaky front panel pocket that stays relatively hidden. 

The side water bottle pockets are also a slam dunk since they are made of incredibly stretchy material and can fit larger bottles. We were able to fit in a 32L Nalgene bottle and a Blender Bottle with and they stayed nice and snug inside the pockets.

What we like

• Awesome expandable design that gives you a roomy bag when you need it and a slimmer bag on light days.

• Great travel features that makes life easy on trips (luggage sleeve, handles, lockable zippers)

• Stretchy water bottle pockets can fit larger bottles (like a 32oz Nalgene)

• Sleek design that would look great at as a daily work backpack

What we don’t like

• No secondary padded sleeve for tablet

• Organizer pockets are in the back of the main compartment making them a little cumbersome to access when the bag is fully packed. We wish there was a separate organizer/admin compartment.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20.46” (H) x 12.9” (W) x 7.67” (D)

• Capacity: 32L (when expanded)

• Weight: 2.64lbs

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 16”

• Tablet Sleeve: None

Where to buy

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Knack Pack Series 2

The Knack Series 2 expandable backpack is the newest update to the best selling Knack Pack - a daily backpack that expands into an ultra-functional travel pack.

With the Series 2, Knack has managed to keep the best parts of the original Knack Pack and add killer features such as more internal organization, improved security and a brand new streamlined look.

What sets the Knack Pack Series 2 apart from other hybrid bags is that it doesn’t compromise on daily carry features. Inside you’ll find a generous main compartment that is separate from the travel compartment, a new front internal organizer compartment and separate laptop compartment. We love how the expandable travel compartment is out of the way until you need it.

What we like

• Top-notch materials like the full grain napa leather give this backpack a premium, and dare we say luxurious, feel.

• For an expandable backpack the Knack Series 2 is surprisingly lightweight. When compressed, it’s about the size of a regular 24L daily backpack with little extra bulk.

• Amazing pocket variety for both everyday and travel items. The daily main compartment is separate from the expandable travel compartment for a true convertible backpack experience.

What we DON’T like

• We love the hidden side water pocket but unfortunately you will be limited to only storing slimmer bottles. Wider bottles, like a 32oz Nalgene bottle or larger Yeti tumbler, will not fit.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19"H x 12"W x 4.5"D (unexpanded)

• Capacity: 24L-35L

• Material: Water resistant 420D Nylon or Polyester Ottoman Fabric. Full grain Napa leather touch points.

• Weight: 3lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

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Nomatic Travel Pack

The Nomatic Travel Pack is a great option for anyone who wants a smaller weekender backpack for short trips. At a 30 liter max capacity, it’s the perfect size for one or two nights away. Features like a TSA-friendly laptop compartment and roller bag sleeve make it ideal for airport carry.

Nomatic also does a great job with its generous pocket and compartment placement. Not only do you have essential pockets like an RFID safe pocket and a top pocket for sunglasses or a wallet, but you also have a generous front compartment with tons of organizers for smaller items. It’s a great way to keep you organized no matter how busy your travels.

What we like

• Lifetime warranty

• Lots of pockets and great organization options for smaller items.

• Can be carried as a backpack or briefcase.

• Awesome magnetic water bottle pocket keeps the bag’s profile clean and professional when not in use.

What we don’t like

• It’s heavy - at over 4 lbs the backpack gets heavy quick when filled to capacity.

• Great as a travel bag but impractical to use as a daily backpack. It’s a bit too bulky and heavy (see above) to use as a work backpack.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18.5” H x 12” W x 9.5" D

• Weight: 4.16 lbs

• Volume: 20-30L (expandable)

• Materials:  Polyester with PVC coated water resistant fabric on the front

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

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