Urban Ex Backpack 30L

My Chrome Ivan/Sultan (the biggest rolltop backpack) was having problems with the inner waterproof liner crumbling and flaking everywhere, so I decided to go to this. The material is actually quite thin compared to my old Chrome backpack, but in many ways, the construction and fit and finish appears higher quality than my old "made in USA" Chrome backpack. It's smaller than my old bag, but so far it's been good. I don't miss the velcro on my old bag. The buckle closure seems to work better anyhow and doesn't snag things. I like that there is a waterproof coating on the very bottom of the bag, so when I place it down, it does not absorb liquid. Due to the thinness of the material, I'm wondering how long it will last, but so far, everything seems to be working well, and it has been comfortable on my back, much more comfortable than my old Chrome backpack. I'm petite, 5'1" and change maybe, and there's something about the way the back of this is made that just makes it sit better on my back. My old backpack tended to sit funny and poke me in my back or backside with its lumpiness. This bag is basically one big waterproof sack. There is a single organizer panel on the inside that can hold your laptop, a couple pens, a wallet, some keys, and perhaps some extra pads for easy access. The rest of it is free open space. There is a single outside pocket with a waterproof zipper, and I put my extra post-it notes in it. My wallet is the long kind with a wristlet strap so it can't fit in…

The backpack offers volume for a lot of things to put in there, especially when carrying with open top. In contrast to the previous version, many features were improved, e.g., the weldings on the bottom, or the buckle at the shoulder straps.

However, some good features were lost from the predecessor. The backpack itself has no sufficient structural shape which leads to a sack-like shape when it is empty or filled with only some items. The lack of structural support also causes drag to the front side of the bag so that the folded lid tends to open. This was way much better in the previous version. Also, the width-to-height ratio is too high, so the backpack is way too broad giving it an over-bold look and making it difficult to move in the metro or narrow passages.