Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I bought this product as well as a few other DayPack/TravelPack/LaptopPacks.
This was by far one of the most impressive.

I have had Outdoor Products before and they have always worked out well.
My last Outdoor Products Backpack has lasted 9 years and is still going. It has been to 16 countries and I don't know how many trips it has lasted through.

So when I was looking for a new backpack I looked for Outdoor Products.
This bag is a BEAST!
I rivals the North Face Surge.
I prefer the Surge, but only for 1 reason.
The Surge sits on your back better.
The Power Pack is better with its compartments and has more space, but if this pack is full and you are traveling a lot then it will not feel good on your back.
I am not sure why they only included a chest strap and no waist strap but this was a mistake.

Now I like this pack so much that I made my own waist strap, but still the North Face Surge feels better.

I need a backpack that can travel, and also be used for everyday use. This backpack is number 2 in terms of all backpacks I tried out, and that has been a lot.

It can carry a 17 inch MacBookPro and still carry a whole Camera System as well as some clothes.

Its Organizational compartments are better than any other backpack I tried.

when it fills up it is very wide and extends quite a bit. This puts a lot of pressure on the shoulders. If it just had more back support and a waist strap it would be number 1.

Until Outdoor Products does this, the North Face Surge is the better buy...although the North Dace is $40 more.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I had the original version of the Outdoor Products Power Pack (version 1) for years, and I loved it. After several years of extensive daily use, it started wearing out, so it was time to replace it. I was pleased that Outdoor Products now had a new version, the Power Pack 2.0, so I bought it.

Both the 1.0 and the 2.0 versions are huge laptop backpacks, with lots of pockets to store all sorts of things - functionally they are great backpacks.

But with my Power Pack 2.0, almost immediately I noticed one interior seam was coming apart, so I returned it. Hoping it was just one defective sample, I bought another one from a different store, this time from REI. Again I shortly noticed the same seam was coming apart on the second backpack, but I decided that since it was just on an interior pocket and it was relatively minor issue, that this time I would keep the backpack anyway. I was happy with the backpack for several months. But then after a few months, I noticed one of the shoulder straps was tearing in the spot where it connects to the top of the pack. So I returned the second backpack as well, and instead I bought a different brand.

So based on my experience, I believe the quality of the Outdoor Products Power Pack has declined.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I have kind of an obsession with computer backpacks. I've owned a number of them and spent countless hours looking at pictures and reading reviews. I've never been completely satisfied with a bag but I think that has ended. I happened across this Outdoor Products bag at an REI when shopping for other things. I couldn't believe it. Someone had finally made my perfect bag. In fact, it's perfecter, because it has features I never thought of.

What makes this bag so great?

- Pockets, pockets, pockets. This bag has tons of pockets. It has a large pocket organizer area with a mix of elastic and zippered pockets that are inside the bag. The pockets are labeled so you can remember where you stashed all of your little things. This is perfect. It also has 3 small zippered pockets around the exterior.

- The laptop compartment is isolated and padded. You don't want your laptop jostling around with all of the other stuff in your bag. You also want quick access to it as it's the thing you'll be pulling in and out all the time. And you don't want a big hemisphere zipper that goes all the way around the bag to get at it. And it has a removable padding insert so it will securely hold anything from a 13 to a 17 inch laptop. Again, a perfect solution.

- Sunglasses pocket

- Elastic mesh pouch for a water bottle

- Flat bottom so it is freestanding

- What they call a "quick stash pouch". This is the exterior, front flap you can see in the picture. This is an expandable area you could quickly toss something without fussing with the zippers.

- The back is well padded with channels for airflow.

- One of the coolest features and something I've never seen before is the "retractable check-in slider". This is a pocket running down the center of the back of the bag (against your back). Inside the pocket is a stiff, airline ticket sized wallet that holds a ticket and ID. The wallet has a loop to pull it out and is permanently attached to the bag with an elastic band. There is no risk of losing it or it being stolen. It's hard to describe but it is absolutely the best solution I've seen to what to do with the stuff you need to access when flying.

- There's also a "hidden" pocket on the back for valuables. It's actually the underside of the padding and is inaccessible while you are wearing the bag.

The only design flaw I've noticed is the elastic cell phone holder on the shoulder strap. It's a good idea to give you a spot to put the phone where you can reach it while wearing the bag. The problem is it's too high on the strap and hard to reach.

This bag is a hidden gem. I've never seen it mentioned the many times I've gone searching for the perfect bag. There are hardly any pictures or good information about it on the net. There's actually a cardboard product booklet attached to the bag that does a great job of highlighting it's features with pictures. It's too bad the company doesn't digitize this and make it accessible online. Outdoor Products' website has the tiniest pictures. Their marketing department gets a big fail. (BTW, the most detailed online review and pics you'll find if you google it is for an older version that's quite a bit different. Be sure to compare any pictures you find to the one here. It's easy to tell.)

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I am a train commuter very day to work. My laptop compartment is secure and padded and my laptop easily slips in and out. So many pockets I love it, espicially the passport pull pocket, I keep my train pass here for easy access. The sunglass pocket keeps my glasses safe and secure. I love the color selection and the facric.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I looked at alot of computer backpacks for a 30 day trip and so glad I bought this. There are useful smart compartments for everything. Laptop is very well protected. Very comfortable on the back and shoulders. I own the black one and it looks great. The way I had it stuffed it didnt fit great under the airplane seat in front of me, but it normally would. The pull out document holder for tickets, passports, etc is convenient feature. Got compliments on it from TSA people that were checking through my bag! Highly Recommend!

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I have worked in rough environments for years which requires a laptop with many peripherals. I have gone through some of the best laptop bags out there and this bag has met or exceeded all my needs. Favorite feature is the flight ticket holder and the lumbar support "hidden" pocket

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I looked at all the high end commuter backpacks that have huge fan boy populations but I could never see what the fuss was about, much less justify the high cost.

Then I took a look at REI's commuter backpacks and found this one in red. Holy smokes, it's like tech bag nirvana. I've had it a year now, used it every day, and I can honestly say it is the best business backpack you'll ever find.

First, the laptop area is perfect for my MacBook Pro. I wanted a bag that would prevent my laptop from hitting the ground through the backpack bottom, and this bag does the job. Your laptop slides right into a soft, fleecy pocket that shields it from scratches before it lands on a sturdy foam base that protects it nicely.

I don't have to wrestle my MacBook in or out of this bag and I don't need an additional case for it, either. Simplicity itself.

Next, I have a lot of gear I want to take with me without having it all jumbled together in one pocket. Lots of bags out there can organize it but they weigh a ton.

This bag has pockets galore and it's comparatively lightweight. Despite loading it up it is much, MUCH easier on my back and shoulders than my old Targus briefcase-style laptop bag.

And ooh la la, those pockets. There's a pocket for everything!

The pocket on the back near the bottom is secure and just right for a wallet. The pull-out document pocket on the upper back is ingenious for air travel.

The front stuff pocket is just right for quickie stashing of everything from an empty water bottle to eyeglasses case to magazine to whatever you want to quickly store without much effort.

There's a "forehead" pocket (top, front) meant for glasses but I use it for my cell phone because it protects it from scratches and keeps the phone accessible. (The actual cell phone pocket is on the back strap, and is too small for my LG enV.)

I use all the lower outside pockets to hold cords and cables -- making sure that I zip everything thoroughly closed before taking off. The inside pockets hold my digital camera, my iPod, my flash drives, pens, stapler, tape, datebook, even my toothbrush, paste and floss -- everything I need for my traveling office, and I can find what I need quickly.

I use this bag every day. I take it to the office. I take it on flights, too -- it's easy to pull my MacBook out for security, quick slide in and out AND then the backpack fits nicely under my seat.

I stuff it to the gills, too: fill both water bottle pockets with 32-ounce refillable Rubbermaid Chugs, a lunch in the front stuff pocket, my laptop, notebook, thin-profile scanner and digital camera, a few extra tools for gravestone exams... and I'm set for a day of walking cemeteries, libraries and county clerk offices.

My old Targus laptop bag was easily overstuffed and hurt like heck when I loaded it up but I can really overload this bag and still get around without shoulder issues. (Note: I'm 5' 8" and strong, maybe some petite gals out there would not be able to load this and carry it like I can, though.)

Now here's the part where you can tell it's a really REALLY great backpack. I may be gushing about the bag here, but I don't really talk about it in real life -- and yet one day my husband asked me where I got it because he wanted one, too.

He's used messenger bags and briefcase bags for his laptop for years, but he went to our local REI and got one of these in black. It goes with him to his office and on his many national and international business trips and now one of his coworkers just got one, too.

So if I had to point out imperfections, I'd say the cell phone pocket on the back is kind of small. The lowest front and side pockets can open up if you haven't closed them all the way, so watch out for that. And the divider pockets inside the main compartment tend to get in the way more often than they don't. But these are tiny little things when I consider how much I love this bag.

By the way: I can only pick one of the radio buttons for "Primary Use" which is a shame, because I use this bag for EVERYTHING: personal and business use.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I really researched the right backpack and it was a toss up between this backpack and the North Face Surge. I ended up with both and eventually ended up with the North Face Surge. That being said, I have owned a previous Outdoor Products backpack, and it has held up for 9 years of heavy use. I have traveled all over Europe, South America and Caribbean with it, and used it for business.
The Power Pack 2.0 is not only improved from the original Power Pack, but it is so efficient and well made you really can't go wrong with it. Also the price is great.
It has the BEST Laptop Slot and works with even my 17 inch MacBookPro.
Tons of space.
The only down side is that it sits a little bit harder on the back. The reason why is because it expands so far out, if the backpack is full it can not sit flat on the back.

I literally researched every backpack that you could use for Heavy Travel and Business. This and the North Face product are the BEST.
I would highly recommend.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

I almost didn't buy this due to the previously published negative reviews about it's poor construction. However, after carefully comparing this one to about 8 others, I couldn't see what they were talking about. Plus, it had more convenience features (especially the well-designed pockets) than any of the others. So I decided to buy it despite the durability concerns. After using this almost daily and heavily loaded (sometimes even TWO laptops, books, etc), I think it has held up quite well and I'm glad I chose this one.

Service and delivery comments:

I bought it from the Redmond store.

Comments about Outdoor Products Power Daypack 2.0:

This backpack has nearly every possible feature a commuter or traveler could want - many well organized pockets, great padding, etc. This is an organizer's dream come true.

The only drawback is the heavy weight - 4 pounds!

If you plan on carrying your entire office with you and don't mind the pack's weight, then this is a great choice. However if you are a weight conscious traveler and only take a laptop, then you may want to shop for a lighter backpack.