Wenger Ibex 17 inch Laptop Backpack, Men's and Women's Laptop Bag, Black/Gray/Blue

Way back in 2010 I had bought this book bag from another website for about $80 which was $10 cheaper than retail sites in my area. I do not like to change book bags every year for school. I would rather have one that is durable and lasts for the long haul and fits everything I need. So, since these bags are exactly the same I can tell you that it made it through my 9th-12th (2010-2014) grade career and then through four years of college. This is an amazing bag and works perfect for me. The computer pouch is a winner because it fits my 17” laptop and protects it.Now a few flaws this bag will see over the use of time:The self standing up feature will soon get worn out due to the weight of books bending the cardboard like shelf built in. No biggi. The next noticble thing is the load shocks. Haha you will have so much packed in that bag, you might as well scrap that idea. They are stretched to the max but I guess it does help if you got a hop in your walk. I don’t know, guess if you walk around with noting in the bag they would work great but you put about 3 good sized textbooks in there and a binder (by the way is a tight fit) those little shocks on the shoulder straps are screaming. Next will be the bottom corners. After setting it down and sliding it into place the corners get to be worn out drastically causing the threads to be exposed weakening the bottom. Along with this thank the external weight the bottom will begin to rip at the seam. Another spot that rips is around the support for the cable handel from grabbing the bag up with a super load over time (I had it all sewed up and worked fine for another couple years)! The cable handel which is a real eye catcher for people (they are like wow, is that a cable in there!?!) haha but again over many years the metal on the cable edges will become tarnished. The rubber/plastic handel covering the cable starts to break apart from the weight of picking the bag up loaded. The backing of this bag that is supposed to be bratheable... If you live in the South and the humidity is on 1000% you can for get it... I guess if air shot down your back as you walk it would be breathable. The bottom pad of the back which rests around the belt line I noticed that it can wear cotton shirts out from the rubbing of the material on softer cotton shirts (I just noticed the little lint balls forming on my shirts in that area). I’m talking t-shirts not dress. The little plastic caps on the end of the straps tend to get in the way. I still have them on mine but teachers really had a hard time on the tile floors in schools when they wouldn’t watch where they were stepping and they would slip up on them... none never fell thankfully but it scared them for sure. Growing older it will get caught in the door jam of cars so you will slam that door on it. Just got to watch that...The compartments: Laptop pitch is padded. The small puch where the cable handel is where I like to stick a charger and candies for class haha. Large compartment as covered earlier can become a tight fit. If it’s full of books and stuff it probably won’t fit that jacket you were wearing during the morning. A little shoving for effort may be an option though. Basically if you pack that main compartment the other 2 front ones become useless for books with great thickness. The medium sized pocket I kept napkins in (there’s a netted ziper pouch). The little pouch on the front was pens, pencils, highlighters, germ x, usb drive, extra erasers, extra led, and one of those t-98 something calculators. Never had a problem there. Always knew where everything was, you can find stuff in the dark if you organize it right.Bottom line I’ve have this bag going on 8 years now and counting. I got this for a back up for when my primary bag completely tells me it’s done. I am certain they are exactly the same bag and quality. Will buy again but I believe this will last a lifetime now that I am done with school and it will not be used daily. It will be used for over night stays for work and travel now.

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!!