Sterkmann Expandable Carry-on Backpack for Men Overnight Weekender for Travel & Business Waterproof Fits 15" Laptop Airplane Approved Carry on Bag Packing Cube, Shoe & Laundry Bag (20L-30L Capacity)

I have been searching for the perfect bag for minimal one-bag travel. This is either the one, or pretty close. In any case, I love it. It is just as sleek as it appears, but I will focus mostly on the practical aspects. This bag's dimensions are very close to Spirit Airline's (current) personal bag size of 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Technically, this bag is half an inch longer, 1.6 inches narrower, and 1 inch deeper than Spirit regulations. I had no problem taking it on a Spirit flight, although it didn't quite fit under the aisle seat as it was a bit wider than the space there. I had fully packed the width of it, so perhaps I could pack differently next time and see if it works any better. I have been working on downsizing travel items (toiletry containers, etc.), taking fewer items, and rolling clothing into compressible packing cubes that I then smoosh down further with the compression zipper. A packing cube is pretty much a necessity to fit more than a couple pieces of clothing into a bag like this, but it worked really well, especially since a great compressible packing cube was included. While I didn't order this for the free accessories, it turns out that Sterkmann's compressible packing cube was just what I needed. (I have been looking for smaller and thinner packing cubes. This one has 2 sides for packing, and that handy compression zipper, all in a smaller footprint than you often find. I love it and have already been in contact with Sterkmann to see about ordering another of their packing cubes, available through their site). A nice shoe bag and laundry bag were also included, although I didn't use them. I looked at different videos online before purchasing, and found the layout of the bag somewhat confusing until I bought it. This is a clamshell-style bag that opens like a suitcase instead of loading it from the top. If you set the bag with the backpack straps down on a table, the top zippers allow access to the main compartment. The lid that you unzip has a couple flat mesh zipped compartments in it. In this main compartment, I put my packing cube with all the clothing I took for a weekend, a smallish toiletry kit, an extra pair of lightweight shoes, and a flat first aid kit. The next zipper opens a shallow pouch at the top of the bag, which is lined to hold sunglasses and perhaps a pair of earbuds. It's not a big space, but it's handy. Skipping ahead to the zipper closest to the backpack straps--this compartment is where your laptop goes. There's a padded pocket next to the back panel that fits a 15" laptop or a 13" tablet, according to the Sterkmann site. This won't fit a heavy gaming laptop, but it worked just fine for an older MacBook Air. The padded laptop pocket has another thin attached pocket; this was handy for a folder where I keep travel documents (rental car, car parking coupon, etc.). A velcro tab goes over both to hold in the laptop. On the other side of this zippered area is another flat divided pocket, a vertical elastic strap which could hold pens or other items, and an attached key leash. Behind the backpack straps, there are vertical zip pockets on each side for a passport or something that you want to keep close to you. There are also expandable water bottle pockets on each side but they're fairly small. It would be nice if these expanded more. The backpack straps seemed comfortable, although I used them only to sling the bag over one shoulder at the airport. I did try out the sternum strap and it worked well. No hip belt, but it's probably not necessary for a bag this size. One of the backpack straps has an elastic loop that could be used for sunglasses; the other strap has a small vertical pocket behind the strap that could be used for something like a tissue (there is no way to close this pocket). I personally would like to see a phone pocket on the strap, but so far, this is a rare feature that backpack manufacturers have not included. Against your back there's a padded mesh panel that is loosely attached to the back of the pack, allowing the pack to slide over a suitcase handle. Even better, there are 2 snaps (one at top left and one at top right) where the backpack straps can be tucked away to check the bag (or maybe to make it easier to slide under the seat on a Spirit flight). There's one more zipper at the center, which is nearly invisible, which runs around the bag's sides and top. When unzipped, the bag expands; another zipper gives access to a sort of secret compartment between the main compartment and the laptop area if you need more depth for packing souvenirs. Just a couple of other things. The top handle is nicely padded and comfy. It's easy to grab since it sticks out a bit. There are also handles on both sides -- these are tucked into the water bottle compartment and don't stick out at all, so the bag stays nice and slim. The bag does seem to stay upright on its own which is nice. There is a reflective piece toward the bottom of the bag, but it's not easy to see on my bag since it's kind of tucked in at the seam--maybe after I use it a bit the bag will loosen up and it will be more visible. The bag is just a little heavier than you would expect. As for the zipper, it's unique--it looks like it would be waterproof or at least water resistant. I would definitely recommend using a zipper-lubricating product such as Star Brite --I just applied it with my fingers. Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014489WM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 In the past year, I've purchased an Osprey bag, a Kathmandu bag, and this one. They all have their uses, but I think I'll probably use this one the most. I did add colored Osprey-style zipper pulls to distinguish the compartments, since it's not always easy to tell them apart at a glance. Just a couple suggestions for a future version: Consider a light color for the lining. My Kathmandu bag has a nice bright green lining that makes it really easy to find what you're looking for in low-light conditions; the Osprey has an orange exterior. Another thing I'd suggest is turning the laptop space into a vertical zipped compartment instead of having it zip around 3 sides. The Kathmandu has this and it's perfect to unload a laptop when going through security, it doesn't take up unnecessary space, and it shaves a tiny bit of weight off the pack. Overall though, this is a great bag with several features that are beyond what you would expect in a bag this size, and at this price point. I would recommend this bag if you're willing to pack light. You can fit a weekend's worth of regular clothes if you are selective, roll them up tight, and limit toiletries, or pack for a month in Europe if you pack just a few rewearable items (such as merino) and wash clothing as necessary.

This review is for the 30L version of the backpack. It is literally the most well thought out, highest quality travel backpack I have ever owned. I am a 5'10 and this backpack is the perfect balance of sleekness/compact, but with PLENTY of space for all of your things. The bag comes with dedicated compartments for your travel items as well as your professional equipment (laptops etc). Highlights: -The bag doubles as a work backpack/light travel bag. There is a zipper which will literally transform the bag to a bag for luggage or a bag for just your laptop/work things. -There are dedicated compartments included with the bag: laundry bag (for dirty clothes), shoe bag (pair of dress shoes/spare shoes), packing cube (toiletries, undergarments, PJs, casual wear, caps, belts, anything. -In addition to the dedicated compartments (which can be zipped away to a space in the bag), there is another compartment for your clothes (dress shirts, dresses, pants, jeans etc.). The design is impeccable and FUNCTIONAL and forces you to pack light (huge plus!). -Plenty of zippers for things in all compartments of the bag (charging cables, combs, you name it). -Dedicated compartment for work things (15/13 in laptop sleeves. This is literally the perfect bag I could ask for. It helps you organize your luggage, it helps you pack light, it has the compartments one needs to separate their travel items, and it has a dedicated professional compartment for work things. When you aren't traveling, you can zip away the extra space and use it as a laptop bag. The bag is perfect for light travelers with about 1 week's worth of luggage. If traveling for longer than a week you will probably need to bring another bag. 5/5 for high quality material, well thought out design, and incredible value for the money. I couldn't recommend this bag more for you!

I really haven’t seen that many reviews for this backpack and how I came about this was I was just searching Nomantic backpacks just to do a little research on what the hype is about and the Sterkmann backpack showed up in the search. Nomantic backpacks cost about $250 to $300 and this came ups for $99. It had lots of good feedback - often compared to the more expensive Nomantic backpack so I went ahead and took a chance and ordered one. My first impressions when this first came in was WOW - this thing is pretty big. The bag is supposedly 20L but expands out to 30L and it weighs a good 3-4lbs empty on it’s own. However - I believe the weight is justified because the materials used are of great quality. The bag feels like it can take a beating in the long term and it is water proofed thanks to the eco polyester coating. The shoulder straps are very well made and comfortable to use. I’ve been using Thule backpacks for years and I think these straps are on par with that which is a good thing. What I do like is the top handle. Unlike most backpacks this part is very well re-inforced and not thin like most backpacks where it cuts into your hand especially when are packing heavy. Another nice addition is that you have handles on both sides of the bag so you can either pick it up with both hands or use as a briefcase on any side. You can also tuck the straps under the back so it looks more like a briefcase. The bag can stand on it’s own which is always nice when you have this set down on the ground at the airport so it doesn’t fall flat on the floor. At the top of the bag, there is a small soft pocket to put in glasses, wallet, change, or whatever. And on both sides there are elastic pockets for water bottles to stay hydrated on the go. The cool thing is that this is a double sided backpack. One side for clothes, and the other side for tech. Let’s first take a look at the side for clothes. Sterkmann includes a packing cube, a shoe bag AND a laundry bag which is really nice making this a pretty complete travel backpack. You have quite a bit of space to pack your clothes for at least 3-4 days and possibly even more depending on what and how you pack. I’m generally a very light packer so I could probably push 5 days to a week on this thing. Flip this over and look at the tech side. You have pockets for your laptop, tablet, and more cables and accessories. I am able to pack: - MacBook Pro 16 inch - iPad Pro - More cables, accessories, chargers, etc - Nintendo Switch What’s great is that this will fit under an airline seat on both Spirit and Frontier and pass for a personal item in most situations so you can save yourself from paying carry-on or check-in luggage fees. As a day bag or work bag, even when un-expanded this bag is a bit on the large side - again depending on what you do and what you take. I wouldn’t use this for work days and to take into meetings unless I have to pack a projector, carry a lot of gear for that day but that’s extremely rare. Overall this is an excellent bag for someone who travels a lot, especially those who do more than an overnight trip. At $99 I think it’s a great value and a great alternative to carrying larger or separate luggage for those short trips.

Bought this backpack to replace my ECBC Hercules that I used for 2-3 years. I thought that backpack was great but this pack is just amazing. The main things I personally look for in a backpack are storage space, organization, ease of access to often used items, space for 2 large bottles on the outside (I usually carry water and coffee) and something that is relatively good looking. This pack checks all the boxes. I thought I was compromising when I bought the pack as it isn't advertised that it has 2 outside water bottle pockets. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the bag in the mail. The bag is quite sturdy and has the look and feel of a more expensive pack. It looks great. Very clean design but hides tons of pockets and pouches on the inside. I love the black exterior and the interior blue lining. I carry A LOT of tech, including my laptop, iPad, portable charger, cables, books, pens, pencils, notebooks, medications, paperwork, toiletries, and noise cancelling headphones to name a few. The pack easily accommodates all of it. I use the pack unexpanded as that is enough space when I use it daily for work. Expanding the pack was another nice perk about the pack that I didn't realize I needed till I got the pack. I travel every so often and having the extra space lets me throw in a couple clothing changing without having to bring another bag. Just before I bought this bag I got the similar sized eBags one and I absolutely hated it. It was way too clunky, looked hideous, and didn't provide the storage I expected from it. Had to return it as it was definitely not worth the money. This bag is PERFECT. For me and what I use it for at least. Your mileage may vary. It is a great buy for the price! By far the best backpack that I have ever owned. Looks like most of their products are made quite well and highly underrated. Looking to get that gorgeous tech pouch they make next.

This bag is pretty beast, light weight, and fun. It’s a perfect tech bag for school or classy for work. As far as travel you can get away with it being an overnighter but I found if you are gone for more than 3 days it gets tight. Don’t plan on buying souvenirs :) The extension works well but it splits the expansion down the middle so packing it to capacity isn’t very easy. Overall great bag. If you want to travel for a long time back like Gandhi

Got this yesterday and here are my first impressions: PROS: 1. Love the fabric on the front. Feels nice and looks nice! Plus, I poured a little water on it and it's water resistant to small spills. (Can't vouch for a strong rain or storm, but small spills are totally manageable) 2. Bag feels durable after 45 minutes of fiddling with it and checking it out. 3. Dimensions fit Frontier Airlines ridiculously small standards for "personal" items which must be easily stored under the seat in front of you unless you want to pay an outrageous fee for the overhead bin storage. 4. The expandable section is great and allowed me to easily test pack for 2-5 days of travel for fall-like (40-60F) weather clothing. Warmer weather would allow me to pack for 5-7 days. Colder weather and I could easily pack for 2-3 days. 5. The shoe, laundry and compression bags are a nice added touch. I'll most likely use them at least initially to see how they work. 6. The "pleather" or whatever it is actually feels really nice and doesn't look cheap. Plus, it's water resistant. 7. The backpack handle is really comfortable and has lots of cushion. 8. Comfortable to wear initially but time and use will ultimately tell. 9. Waaaay less expensive than Nomatic! This is HUGE and can't be overstated! I loved the Nomatic concept and design but it's over $250! This bag is virtually the same and is appropriately priced at $89. SUPER happy I got it! 10. Mesh pocket in the computer section easily fits a Kindle Reader or 6" x 8.5" book or notebook. The zippered panel on the opposite side does as well (but wouldn't recommend filling both areas with books at the same time as it's too bulky that way.) 11. I've got an old Zenbook laptop and it easily fits. Although, I don't recommend too many rigid things (iPad + laptop + books + Kindle Reader + notebook) in this area as they have potential to push on each other and add significant weight & bulk. 1 iPad, 1 book and 1 kindle reader (or notebook) are an easy fit though. 12. Lifetime Warranty! Can't beat that! 13. I'm a fan of dark grey so the color is lovely to me. 14. The zippers are water resistant so even with a small spill, your stuff is protected in there. CONS: 1. Side water bottle pockets are a bit snug initially but still easily fit the average size water bottle, nalgene, etc. I expect they will become a bit more loose with use. 2. Zippers are a little hard to use initially due to the way the bag is shipped (kinda difficult to explain, but you'll see what I mean when you take it out of the bag it comes in...the front area is smushed down to make it smaller for shipping). Once I got them started and left the bag zipped and upright for 24 hours they became easier and easier to use. 3. One zipper (the one that allows expansion) is still a small challenge because it snags a little on the seam where to fabrics come together. Give it a little extra tug and it still works or go slow and kind of push the fabric underneath down and it'll open just fine. Not at all a deal breaker. 4. The briefcase handle isn't as comfortable but that's not how I intend on carrying it for long periods so that's not too bad. 5. Wish the zippers had the little circle rings that allowed a lock to be added. They're currently just zippers with a faux leather pull tab. The pros by far outweigh the cons and even the cons aren't deal breakers. Super happy I found this and got one. So far, definitely recommend!

I bought this backpack back in October of 2019. WIth very minimal use just going to and from work, opening it twice in the morning to load/unload and then in the evening to unload it, the main zipper for the front compartment failed on the corner. Now the bag will not fully close on one side. Overall the bag appears well made and very thought out, however the durability of a zipper is a major failure point to use the bag properly ongoing. Other than that, the onny other issue I have is the watter bottle pockets are too small and not very deep so your bottle will just fall out . THey have a lifetime warrany on thier prodicts and I have submitted a claim, but I see too many other people have not been getting responses back from this company so they may be out of business. If they stand up to their product I will change the review. I really wanted to buy their carry on bag but at this point if they cannot stand behind thier product I cannot buy anyhtign else from them. Fingers cross!

I can not praise this bag enough. Quality, look, space every thing is up to the mark. It has so many organizing pockets which makes it easy to keep stuff in place. Look of this bag is really classy and professional. The best quality is, it is extendable. It can be used as day bag/2-3 days trip bag. It easily fits my 15 inch laptop, 2-3 books, lunch box, bottle, jacket and what not.. I traveled for 2 days trip with the same bag. And it does not look bulky at all. I am very lean and 5'6 height and I was bit reluctance to have this bag, but it it very slim looking bag which not at all look awkward on me. So I am very very happy.

This laptop was everything I was looking for. It's chic and very practical. Quality for the money is excellent! The overall design and shape, the pockets, internal compartments are all very well thought of. I highly recommend it for both daily usage and short travels. Great product.

Muy contento por su versatilidad y su modelo extensible.

I have this bag for almost 3 years. I have nothing negative to say about it, it's as perfect as it gets. The build quality is excellent for the price point, and has held up perfectly. Notice that I have managed to scratch the front a little, but it's not very visible. The fact that it stays upright even with uneven loading (eg just a laptop on the back) is very useful and works reliably. It can expand to be a fine backpack for a 2 day trip, comes with a packing cube, and two other bags, and enough pockets to organize everything. I cannot believe how good it is for its price.

I bought this backpack mainly for work. I work remotely and travel a lot to various locations by both car and train. I've bought numerous bags in the past but decided to spend a little more this time based on the reviews I'd read and I've not been disappointed. I've owned the bag for about a month, used it as a day bag but also expanded the middle and used it for a day and overnight bag travelling on the train. The build quality is excellent. The bag is waterproof - I got soaked but the rain beaded on the outside of the bag and the zips kept the water out. The bag is very well designed inside and out with plenty of space for my laptop, cables, paperwork etc. I also like the small secret pockets on either side closest to you back - useful for hiding things away. The 2 bottle holders on the outside are good too; I use one for a 600ml metal water bottle and the other for a large Thermos travel coffee cup. They both fit fine. The pack cube, shoe bag and laundry bag are very good quality and I've made good use of all three. Overall a fantastic product. Updated review Dec 23: I've continued to really enjoy using this bag but unfortunately about 6 months ago both of the waterproof zips failed within a week of each other making the bag unusable. It lasted for just under 3 1/2 years which I think is good based on usage. I'm now looking for a replacement.

Ce sac est tour simplement parfait ! Je voyage énormément et je cherchais un sac pratique mais qui reste chic. Il est léger et très solide.