NOMATIC Travel Pack - 20L Water Resistant Laptop Bag - TSA-Ready Expandable Black Backpack

As the title states, I hesitated to purchase this bag because of its price tag. It was just really hard to swallow. I needed a commuter bag that could carry my work gear as well as my workout gear so that I didn’t have to carry multiple bags. One that was also water repellent since it’d be out in the rain often. It hasn’t disappointed and I’m so glad I pulled the trigger on it. It easily carries my 15” laptop, mouse, chargers, portable monitor, training shoes, gym clothes, supplements, and my lunch. Now, I did have to try several different ways to pack it into I found what worked. It’s a tight fit, but it ask fits and I love it. Quality is amazing. It’s comfortable to carry for a long period of time. Great bag.

Years ago, I realized that life is much better and it is totally worth it to get the best quality that there is for the things that I use everyday of my life. My backpack fits into that category. I use it everyday. But, somehow this item had slipped past my radar. Without thinking much of it, I found myself frustrated day after day with the biggest piece of crap backpack known to man.It wasn't balanced right. When I would throw it over one shoulder, it would always want to slide down onto my arm. The strap was angled wrong or positioned wrong or something...maybe it was because the material was slick. I don't know what the problem was I just know that it just wasn't right and it was super annoying. I was always carrying my water bottle in my hand because there wasn't a good place for it in my backpack. It wasn't designed to protect my laptop well. Sometimes, when I would set it down, I could hear my laptop make a thump sound as it hit the ground. So, I put a small hand towell in the bottom to provide some cushion. Sometimes, I needed to carry more stuff than what would fit and I was often frustrated that it wouldn't carry more.Finally, one day back in November (8 months ago) while on vacation, I happened to read a blog post by Timothy Ferriss in which he mentioned how happy he was with his innovative new Everyday Backpack by Huckberry. That's when it hit me and I had this epiphany "dude...you should get a better backpack!" When the thought hit me, I realized how much I hated mine and was willing to pay practically anything for something better.I reviewed the one Tim recommended by Huckberry but I wasn't convinced that it was the right style for me. So, I continued shopping. I literally spent hours and hours shopping online. I read reviews and zoomed in on the photos. There are SO many backpacks! I narrowed the list down to a half dozen or so but I just couldn't tell which was best. It was so hard to tell by looking at the photos. How could I know by looking at a photo if it was going to slide off my shoulder? Finally, I was like "dude...you're on vacation in one of the most beautiful places in the world with your family and you've wasted the whole morning shopping for a backpack. This is stupid." So, I decided to do something I have never done before. I ordered them all! I decided to try them out, keep the best, and return all the rest.I spent $1,400 on backpacks!! Since it was near Christmas time, all of them had a return policy that gave me till January 31 to return the item. So, I used each one for a week and then I would retire it and try another. Switching all my crap from one backpack to the next each time was a real pain. And, trying to remember where I put everything so I could find it when I needed it was a hassle. But, boy was it worth it because that's how I discovered this Nomatic backpack.When I first saw the Nomatic backpack online, I didn't really think this would be the one for me. I spent $394 on the Huckeberry one alone and, for that price, I really expected that one to be the best quality and my clear favorite.But, after using the Nomatic for a week, I had a real, real hard time switching to the next one. You've never seen a person more excited about a backpack in your life. I spent the money on all these backpacks so I was determined to follow my plan and try a new one each week; I wanted to give each one a fair shake. But, it was a bit painful because, after using the Nomatic, nothing else was even close. I just couldn't wait to finish my test and go back to the Nomatic.At the end of my trial period, I finally boxed up the backpacks and sent them all back except the Nomatic. I've been using the Nomatic for 6 months now and I truly can't say enough about how much I love it. I literally comment to my wife all the time about how much I love this backpack. The amount of joy it brings me is really out of whack. I don't know how to explain it. The only thing I can figure is that, perhaps, it's because of the immense frustration that I felt daily (without really realizing it) from my old crappy backpack that makes me appreciate this one so much.Every time I grab it and throw it over my shoulder, I just feel great. It never slides off. It's SO much more comfortable to carry than all the others. The material is high quality and it's just designed right.Side by side, this Nomatic looks 10 times sexier than all the others. Sometimes, when I go to church (not that I'm trying to look sexy at church...just sayin), I slide the shoulder straps into the convenient slot and carry it like a briefcase and it looks cool. But, more important that the appearance, I love that it is so functional.I love that my two large, 32-ounce water bottles fit perfectly in the sides (now my hands are free! What a concept!). These bottles wouldn't fit in most of the other backpacks I tried.I love the way it holds my iPad Pro and my MacBook Pro. It protects them both very well and they're both easily accessible. It's water proof too so I feel better knowing that my electronics and other things are going to be safe and dry.I really LOVE that it is expandable to 30L when I need to carry more stuff. LOVE THAT! I can't say enough about this. Before, it seemed like I was always out and about when I needed more space. Like, if I bought something unexpected while traveling. There I was...carrying bags in my hands because the items wouldn't fit in my backpack. Now, I just unzip my Nomatic to expand it and throw my stuff into my backpack to free my hands. Woohoo! Wonderful!When I was shopping and purchasing all these backpacks, I wasn't sure what size to get. I ordered two from Huckberry, the 20L and the 30L, and I was torn because, on the one hand, 90% of the time, I only need a small backpack but sometimes, when I need more space, I really need more space! This one solves the problem. Huckberry has one that expands from 20L to 30L but it's garbage. They use snaps to expand it instead of zippers and they're terrible. One side would often unsnap unexpectedly and then it was this lopsided mess. And, it just seemed bulky where the Nomatic does not. It's super compact when you need it to be and it's super expansive when you need more room. Love it!I love the hidden pouch for stuffing cash when I'm traveling. No more worrying about someone behind me unzipping a pouch in a foreign country and getting my stuff when I'm not looking.You wouldn't think of this but there are all kinds of different zipper styles and some work better than others. In my old backpack, it took two hands to work the zippers...especially around the bends. They would bind, get caught on the cloth, and just didn't work well. Getting in and out of the thing was a pain. The zippers on the Nomatic ROCK! And, the material is firm enough that I can easily open and close it with one hand. It's a small thing that makes a huge difference. It's SO much better now.I got the compression bag, a tech pouch, and a bag for toiletries to go with it and I absolutely love having the different, removable compartments. Now, when I need something, instead of digging through it and rummaging around like a woman looking for her keys in her purse, I just grab my tech pouch out of my backpack and boom...I'm there! I grab the "wash pouch" that I got from Huckberry when I need my toothbrush and badabing! Too cool!I got a battery pack to charge my cell phone when I'm traveling. There's a side pouch for this that is a super convenient place to store it so it's out of the way most of the time but accessible when you need it.Oh...one of the other things I really love about the Nomatic is that you can unzip it completely on three sides and open it like a suit case to pack it or get to all your stuff. With my last backpack, there was this small opening at the top and I was always digging around trying to find stuff in the bottom. Sometimes, I would practically need a flashlight to find stuff. So stupid! The Nomatic, on the other hand, is so smart!I haven't used the waist band yet because I haven't needed it but I really like knowing that I have it if I want it. Most of the other backpacks don't have a waist band. I've been on quite a few high adventure backpack trips with the scouts and I know what a big difference this makes. It takes all the pressure off your shoulders and puts the weight on your hips which is so much better.Well, now I've gone and wasted even more time on backpacks on a Saturday morning writing this long review. I normally don't write reviews but my son is leaving to serve a two year mission for our church and he needs a good backpack. When I came here to buy another Nomatic, I noticed some of the 1-star reviews and I was shocked. I read many of them and it's such a shame. There's always going to be some defect here or when stuff gets manufactured in a factory. That's to be expected. But, these negative reviews really do this product and the general public a disservice. If these negative reviews discourage someone from trying this backpack, it's really sad because those people will be missing out on the best backpack on the planet. Literally, I use this backpack multiple times each day and I feel a surge of joy each time I interact with it. I can't say enough about how much better it is than every other backpack available. If you use a backpack frequently, it's totally worth the price. You're gonna love the Nomatic.

When I got this bag I honestly thought there was NO WAY 3-days worth of clothes and my computer stuff was going to fit in it, but then I found the magical expanding zippers!! This bag makes me feel like a million bucks when I roll into meetings right off the plane.I ordered this bag a few months ago and wanted to take it on a few work trips before I left a review. This is a spendy bag (for me) and wanted to really test it out and give my feedback for others like me.For years I’ve been traveling with my free OGIO company bag... the ones that have like a billion pockets and look like a giant ball when filled all the way. I’d use it on like 90% of my business trips because I could fit 2-3 days worth of clothes and my laptop and stuff in it and not need to take another carry on. Well, my wife started making fun of me and saying I didn’t look very professional, and honestly, I was embarrassed when I had to go to meetings right from the airport.The only negatives for me are the sunglasses box... which was neat that it came with one, but bag real estate is at a premium for me and the case is just too bulky, so it never gets used. Also, I appreciate all the little pockets and hidden pockets, but I really don’t know what people would use them all for. The magnetic pockets are also cool, but I can really only fit like a basic water bottle in it and not my reusable one. But really that’s it for the negative stuff... basically, this bag is too innovative for a traveler like me.All in all, yes, this is a more expensive bag, but if you are a traveling professional, that wants to make good first impressions without sacrificing usability, than is is a GREAT bag. Quality wise I know I’ll be using it for years to come... unless I get fired...