Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry Review - Minimalist Backpack for Work and Play
In this Topologie backpack review we explore the Satchel Backpack Dry - a clean and minimalist work backpack with an impressive waterproof design.
Topologie has a lot to offer in the world of work backpacks. Their leading example is the Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry, a unisex backpack that takes its inspiration from classic trekking bags and business satchels. The end result is a modern backpack with much to offer in terms of pocket placement and weather resistance.
We recently did a hands-on review of the Topologie Haul backpack - a water resistant backpack tote with a generous 22 liter compartment. The Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry takes a different route by streamlining the outside for a more minimalist design and a smaller carrying capacity of 15 liters. What we get is a modern work backpack that has everything you need for a full day of carry in a sophisticated profile.
In this Topologie review we are going to get hands-on with the Satchel and explore it’s waterproofness, carry capacity and comfort.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 15L
Dimensions: 16.5 x 10.8 x 4.7 inches
Materials: Polyurethane-coated 600D Polyester, Polyurethane-coated poly-canvas, PU
Padded sleeve for laptop up to 15”
Internal water bottle pocket
Hidden back pocket (for phone/passport/wallet)
Video Review
Materials and Construction
The Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry is made out of a combination of water resistant and waterproof materials. The body itself is made out of polyurethane-coated 600D Polyester and poly-canvas. Although these materials are not completely waterproof they are water resistant thanks to their polyurethane coating. This means water will form beads on contact and roll off the fabric before it gets the chance to soak in.
The top lid is made out of waterproof PU. It’s a thick material with a rubbery texture. This design allows the backpack to be protected in rain and snow as moisture hits the top of the backpack when worn.
You can also see this waterproof PU used in the front backpack detail and shoulder straps. The PU on the shoulder straps acts as a waterproof barrier to prevent the shoulder strap padding from getting too soaked and uncomfortable if you were ever to be caught in the rain.
On the back of the backpack is where you will find a hidden zipper pocket. Topologie was thoughtful enough to add a water resistant zipper to this pocket.
If you look closely you can see that the zipper itself is covered by PU “lips” that prevent water from soaking through the zipper on contact. It’s important to note that this zipper is not waterproof, but the PU does prevent water from soaking into the zipper on contact.
Pockets and Compartments
As mentioned above, the only exterior pocket is a hidden back pocket that is large enough for items like a phone or passport. Other then this pocket Topologie has opted to contain all other pockets and compartments on the inside of the bag.
To gain access to the main compartment you will have to undo the front metal utility hook. Underneath the lid you’ll find two magnetic closures that help keep the lid in place.
Inside is where you will find a plastic key clip, 15” laptop sleeve, separate document sleeve and three smaller slip pockets for organizing personal items.
What is lacking are the usual specific organization pockets for small items like pens and business cards. But the included smaller slip pockets can be used for these items without issue.
The document sleeve is a welcomed addition. Since the laptop sleeve and document sleeve rest against the back panel it does a good job at keeping your business papers safe and prevents them from being damaged when carrying. This is the “work satchel” part of the backpack that works quite well.
The last pocket on the inside of the main compartment is a water bottle pocket located on the one side. This gives a water bottle or umbrella it’s own spot so it’s not just floating around inside the backpack.
The one con we found is with the laptop sleeve itself. Anyone who is rougher with their backpacks and are worried about laptop protection may be disappointed by the lack of padding on the laptop sleeve.
Carry Capacity
What fits inside the Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry?
The backpack has an internal carrying capacity of 15 liters which is a great size for a commuter or work backpack where you just need to carry daily essentials like a laptop, tablet, business papers and a few personal items.
To give you an idea of what fits inside, you can carry:
Laptop
Tablet
Water Bottle
Sweater
Room to spare for additional small items such as large headphones
You could also fit two 1-inch binders and a large textbook with room to spare for your laptop and smaller items inside the slip pockets.
As you can tell the 15 liter capacity isn’t enough for the Satchel to be used as a travel backpack but it’s great for urban commuting and to carry a few daily essentials.
Fit and Comfort
One design element we appreciate about the Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry is that it is unisex and can be worn by just about anyone. This is mostly due to its small/medium size and shoulder strap placement.
The backpack measures in at 16.5” (L) x 10.8” (W) x 4.7” (D) and the shoulder straps are a little over 4 inches apart. This shoulder strap placement is a nice middle ground for people with both broad and narrow shoulders.
The shoulder straps are adjustable using metal buckles. Much like a belt, you can adjust the length of the shoulder straps via the punched hole placements on the shoulder straps. This allows the shoulder straps to stay in place once adjusted but they don’t provide the same fine tuning you would normally get from a plastic adjuster seen in most other backpacks.
The shoulder straps are also padded. It’s not very thick padding but the bag itself can only hold 15 liters worth of stuff. So even when the backpack is full it never really gets that heavy.
The back panel padding is also on the thinner side but it’s padded enough to still be comfortable. Part of that reason is how the inside compartments are designed. The back panel shares the same padding as the laptop sleeve. So you have your laptop or documents resting against your back. This design prevents objects from poking into your back when wearing the Satchel and helps give it an attractive flat profile.
Overall the backpack is very comfortable when worn. The shoulder straps and back panel are padded enough to provide a comfortable experience when the backpack is fully loaded with heavier items like books and a laptop.
For a commuter or work backpack this is all you really need in terms of comfort features. Because of its size it would have been overkill to add more straps or padding since 15 liters is already a modest carrying capacity.
Final Thoughts
Overall the Topologie Satchel Backpack Dry provides a good and comfortable carry experience and we do recommend it if you are on the hunt for a slim, modern and minimalist backpack for work, weekends or commuting.
Its waterproof and water resistant materials makes it a great choice for daily commuters who want the added waterproof protection during sudden rain showers. The satchel-inspired design also ensures it won’t look out of place in an office or more professional settings.
Where to buy: Topologie
Topologie Haul Backpack Review - A Modern Backpack Tote
We review the Topologie Haul backpack - a unique convertible backpack tote that pays homage to the early rock climbers and alpinists.
Topologie is an interesting brand.
Inspired by rock climbing gear, Topologie’s designs are modern yet feature enough outdoor elements to make the bags unique in both form and function. You can see the rock climbing inspiration in small design details like the use of climbing cord as zipper pulls and outdoor inspired grab handles and trim while focusing on an overall clean aesthetic that rivals those of more popular minimalist bag makers.
This backpack review will focus on the Topologie Haul backpack - a unisex convertible backpack tote that blends climbing haul bag elements with a clean urban carry design. Let’s take a closer look and explore the Topologie Haul’s finer details.
Features at a glance
Capacity: 22L
Dimensions: 17.3” (H) x 12.99” (L) x 5.9” (W)
Materials: Water repellent washed Nylon Taslon with PU coating, Polyester Pongee lining and splashproof zippers
Padded sleeve for laptop up to 15”
Internal water bottle pocket
Available in Navy, Black and Green colors
Pockets and Carry
Let’s start with a quick review of the Haul backpack’s pockets and carry features.
The Topologie Haul has a generous carrying capacity of 22 liters thanks to its large main compartment and smaller pockets sprinkled throughout the design.
What fits inside?
The main compartment measures 16.5” inches in height and is large enough to carry multiple large textbooks and binders. It’s also large enough to use as an overnight or gym bag by comfortably accommodating 1 change of clothing and a pair of shoes.
Inside the main compartment is where you’ll find the laptop sleeve that can comfortably fit a laptop or tablet up to 15-inches.
Inside the Topologie Haul - laptop sleeve
As an everyday carry backpack for work, school or commuting the laptop sleeve will be perfect for most people who just need to separate their laptop from the rest of the contents inside the bag.
What the Topologie Haul laptop sleeve is lacking however is thick padding and a false bottom. A false bottom creates a gap underneath the laptop sleeve to prevent the laptop from hitting the ground if it were to ever be dropped. The lack of a false bottom is worth considering if you are rough with your backpacks and are concerned about extra laptop protection.
Inside the Topologie Haul - internal water bottle pocket
Besides the laptop sleeve, the only other pocket inside the main compartment is a water bottle pocket/umbrella pocket. What’s interesting about this pocket is that it can be easily accessed through a side zipper. This side zipper goes straight into the main compartment to allow you to access the water bottle pocket or things at the bottom of the bag without having to open up the main compartment zipper from the top. It’s a smart design feature that Topologie does really well.
Topologie Haul backpack - side zipper access to main compartment
On the outside of the bag you have two zipper pockets. The first zipper pocket can be found on the front of the Haul backpack.
The front pocket is a large open pocket with no organizers inside. An idea for improvement would be for Topologie to add some organizers to this pocket for extra small items like pens, charging cables, lip balm and other personal effects.
The second zippered pocket can be found on the back of the backpack underneath the shoulder straps. This allows for safe storage of smaller items like a phone, passport or wallet.
When it comes to pockets and organizers the Topologie Haul backpack offers great options for secure carry of small and large items alike. Our only complaint is the positioning of the water bottle pocket. The way it’s currently positioned results in awkward carry of large books and binders. This could be prevented by moving the pocket to the other side of the main compartment.
Water bottle pocket placement makes it difficult to store larger items like books
What we really like about the Topologie Haul is it’s overall simplicity. The Haul will not overwhelm you with an array of hidden pockets and compartments that would make the bag feel over-engineered when used. Simplicity is a theme that runs throughout the Haul’s design and pocket placement - which translates into an intuitive everyday backpack that feels as practical as it is stylish.
Comfort Rundown
One of the Topologie Haul’s best feature is it’s ability to be converted from a backpack to a single hand tote bag. This is possible thanks to two nylon clips that allows you to stow away the shoulder straps behind the back panel.
Easy conversion from backpack to tote bag
When it comes to comfort - the back panel and shoulder straps are decently padded with the shoulder straps measuring in at a little over 2 inches in width. The Haul’s comfort is due in part to the backpack’s wide tubular body that does a great job at distributing weight on your back and shoulders. The Topologie Haul is also incredibly light which adds positively to the overall comfort and carry experience.
Although the Topologie Haul is a unisex backpack it seems better suited for people with smaller frames and shoulders. The gap between the shoulder straps is about 3 inches apart which is great for anyone with smaller frames but can be a bit uncomfortable for people with broader shoulders. If you are most comfortable wearing men’s backpacks that feature wider shoulder strap than you might want to reconsider if the Topologie Haul can offer a comfortable fit.
Materials and Construction
According to Topologie’s official specifications the Haul built from:
Body: Washed Nylon Taslon with splashproof PU coating
Lining: Polyester Pongee fabric
Zipper: Splashproof zippers
Hardware: Duraflex nylon buckles (shoulder strap clips)
All of the materials are incredibly lightweight which add to the backpack’s comfort as touched on before. Like most lightweight backpacks, the Haul itself is not structured (outside of the foam back panel) giving it a casual look that we associate with many nylon bags.
Splashproof Materials and Zippers
One feature Topologie emphasizes is that the Haul is “splashproof.” Let’s see if we can shed more light on that.
The Topologie Haul features “splashproof” PU coating on the outside materials which makes it water repellent. Essentially, you can pour water on the backpack and it would form beads and run off before it got a chance to soak into the bag.
The zippers are also advertised as “splashproof” which deserves some clarity. The zippers used on the Haul include these small rubber lips that cover the actual zipper teeth underneath and gives water a chance to roll off before getting a chance at soaking through.
It’s important to note that these zippers are not waterproof but water resistant. They do a much better job at preventing water from getting into the backpack than your average zippers but water can still get in if these zippers become soaked.
How does this translate to real life? Well, you can wear the Topologie Haul during a light rain or snow but it may not stay dry if you were ever to get stuck in a heavy downpour.
This backpack isn’t for your if you are specifically looking for a waterproof backpack for college or work but it does a better job than most at protecting you from light rains and splashes. For most people a water repellent backpack will be enough protection for daily carry.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to overall design and function the Topologie Haul is an impressive daily carry backpack tote with lots to offer. Its urban design is sleek enough to wear to the office yet roomy enough to use as a school, travel or gym backpack. Its versatility is actually one of its biggest selling points.
The only cons we could find was a lack of organizers for smaller items and the placement of the water bottle pocket inside the main compartment. But these things can be overlooked thanks to the Haul’s intuitive pocket design and clever features like side access to the main compartment and hidden pocket beneath the shoulder straps.
Not many brands can manage to incorporate rock climbing aesthetics into a minimalist bag and the results so far have been impressive. The Haul backpack is unique yet unmistakingly modern and we are excited to see what else Topologie has to offer in the world of carry.
