The Ridge Commuter Weatherproof [Review]

The Ridge updated the Commuter Weatherproof Backpack in late 2022, making a few tweaks to the design. In a world where tech is moving away from USB-A, the Ridge has decided to eliminate the built-in USB charging port and instead provide a dedicated internal power bank pocket to charge your devices regardless of your connection. This review is of the updated version without the USB port.

Who is The Ridge Commuter Backpack for?

• Work/Commuting: The Ridge Commuter is a great daily laptop backpack, with the most pockets we have seen in a bag of this size. If daily organization is important to you, this is the bag for you.

• Student: If you are a student who carries a laptop or tablet instead of books, we recommend this backpack for its great tech organization. Its weatherproof design also makes it a reliable option for carrying your important items during rainy days on campus.

• Travel by air: The compact size of the Ridge Commuter makes it a great personal item backpack for flights and a capable daypack for when you arrive at your destination. It has pockets for travel essentials like a your tech, snacks, headphones and a secret pocket for a passport.

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The Rundown

What we like

• Lots and lots of pockets for organization

• Slim, compact design is perfect for a daily laptop backpack

• Highly water resistant construction

• Hidden RFID-blocking compartment is perfect for keeping valuables secure

What we don’t like

• Water bottle pocket is on the smaller side and is limited to slim bottles

• No false bottom in laptop compartment

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 6” inches

• Capacity: 20L

• Materials: 900D Nylon Shell, YKK Aquagaurd Zippers

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 16”

• Tablet Sleeve: None

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Materials and Construction

The Ridge Commuter Backpack is called "weatherproof" - which just a fancy way of saying that the bag very water-resistant thanks to its water resistant nylon construction and YKK Aquaguard zippers.

Although the materials are highly water-resistant, this backpack is not truly waterproof. The Ridge uses regular stitching instead of taped or welded waterproof seams, so there is still a chance for water to sneak in if the bag were ever caught in a torrential downpour. It also goes without saying that The Ridge Commuter cannot be submerged in water.

The back panel and shoulder straps are great for a 20 liter bag. The shoulder straps are padded and include an adjustable (but not removable) chest strap for weight distribution when the backpack gets heavy. The back panel is made with one solid piece of padded foam and does a good job at adding structure to the backpack while being comfortable when the bag is full.

Overall, the construction of The Ridge Commuter is solid. The zippers are smooth, and nothing feels cheap. The weatherproof construction is a huge plus for a daily commuting backpack. In fact, the overall construction quality and the pocket variety (which we will get to in a second) are the Commuter's biggest strengths.

Pockets and Compartments

What sets The Ridge Commuter apart from other laptop backpacks is its "dual access" to the main compartment. This means that you can enter the main compartment from a zipper that opens like a regular backpack as well as from a secondary zipper that allows you full lay-flat access to the inside, so you can access all of its pockets.

Using The Ridge Commuter as a clamshell backpack allows you to access all of the pockets that line the main compartment as well as gives you an easy way to pack and unpack clothing while traveling. For everyday carry, going through the primary zipper will be the quickest way to access most items. We appreciate that The Ridge gave us a choice.

The inside of the main compartment is filled with a variety of pockets for all of your daily carry. It includes mesh zippered pockets for larger items, a special power bank pocket, and even a few slip pockets for pens.

On the outside of the backpack, you'll find a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket with a flap lid and a single water bottle pocket. It's important to note that this water bottle pocket is on the smaller side and just barely fits a 32 oz bottle (so you know). On the front of the backpack there are two additional large semi-hidden zippered pockets on the front panel.

Finally, we have the 16-inch laptop compartment that features special shock-resistant quilted padding for protection. We love the padding, but where is the false bottom to protect the laptop from floor drops? Unfortunately, this is a small detail that The Ridge has missed.

The Secret Compartments

The Ridge Commuter has a couple of secret compartments that are security-oriented. The first is the back panel pocket that spans across the width of the back panel. What makes this pocket special is that it is lined with RFID-blocking material for an added layer of protection against digital theft. It's the perfect place to stash important items like a passport, credit cards, and cash.

The second secret compartment is located against the wall of the main compartment, and it's a tiny little velcro pocket to fit a GPS tracking device like an Apple Airtag or Tile device. This pocket blends into the wall of the backpack nicely, and most people won't even notice it's there unless they look very, very closely.

Pssst: Are you looking for a backpack with hidden pockets? Check out our Best Backpacks with Secret Compartments buying guide.

What Fits Inside?

Although the Ridge Commuter gives you 20 liters of packing room, once all the internal pockets are packed it starts to feel like a small 20 liters. You can fit bulkier items inside the main compartment like a few large notebooks, binders, and books. Or, you can pack a change of clothing for an overnight stay, but you won’t be able to pack clothing and the notebooks all at once.

Final Thoughts

Where the Ridge Commuter shines is with its amazing array of pockets for organization and robust water-resistant construction that will give you some serious peace of mind on rainy days.

Is the Ridge Commuter worth it? Yes, if you value organization and a compact design over wide open packing space.

This is a slim 20L backpack that prioritizes packing smaller daily or travel items over big, bulky items. If you need to pack a change of clothes, lunch, camera gear, and a jacket just in case you get cold later, then look elsewhere.

But, if you are a tech-focused student (i.e. have ditched the textbooks for PDFs), travel light, or need a way to carry your laptop and important work items, then this backpack is for you.

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