Backpack that sacrifices "Style" OVER Function
Written: Nov 14 '07 (Updated Nov 19 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Strong material. Straps comfortable.
Cons: Pockets very poorly designed, heavy, unbalanced, ridiculous kangaroo styled pocket
The Bottom Line: Should have returned this and gotten my money back.
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| del-1's Full Review: Ogio Metroid Backpack |
I've owned several backpacks and after my recent Eddie Bauer backpack was falling apart I decided it was time to purchase a new one. I've seen that many newer backs appeared to be quite stylish and also served multipurposes from carrying books and papers to actual usefulness for traveling or hiking.
I owned an Ogio duffel bag that was extremely well designed and know several friends with Ogio products that were happy. I, therefore decided to go with a topline Ogio backpack. Unfortunately the bag designer favored what they thought was style over true functionality for this product.
Basics
* The bag is available in Bone Gold, Black, Indigo, and Fire.
* Dimensions: 20"h x 13"w x 13.5"d
* Weight 3.25 lbs
* Capacity 2250 Cubic Inches
* Starting at the back is a pocket about 7 inches high and 6 inches wide with two zippers that completely open it from the top to the bottom of the pocket. There is fabric running along the bottom 3 inches that allow this pocket to "hinge" out.
* Inside this pocket is one open pocket across the full width and about 6 inches high. A zippered pocket is in front of the open pocket that is the full width and about 5 inches high. In front of this is a 4 inch velcro flap covered pocket, 3 pen/pencil holders, and one small business card pocket. There is a key clip strap.
* This whole pocket assembly has semi elastic fabric attaching it to the rest of the bag forming a kangaroo type pouch.
* There is another zippered larger pocket in front of the above described pockets that contains two dividers that creates 3 sections. This area of the backpack could carry papers/books up to 9" x 12".
* Above this pocket is a fleece lined pocket sort of ovalish in shaped that will hold an mp3 player or other audio device. There is a passthrough audio port for headphones.
* On the sides are four oddly shaped pockets. The two trapezoidal shaped bottom ones are wider from front to back and slightly taller in front (~4" tall) and less so in back (~3" tall).The pocket curves with the bag so long items placed in the pockets will bend. The zippers run completely over the back and the top. The pocket is closed with the zipper at the top front and open with the zipper at the back bottom. (Bad design! See CONS below) The top two pockets, rhomboid in shape, are taller (~4.5") than wide (~3.5"). The zipper runs around nearly completely along three sides at the back, top, and front. (Again, bad design!)
* In front of all this is the main central pocket of the backpack. It is very large. It runs the full height of the bag ~20" high and about 5 inches in depth. The two zippers run 3/4ths down the side and over the entire top.
* The laptop compartment is found on the right side in front of the main compartment. The zipper only runs along the side and does not go along the full length but rather approximately nearly only 15". It is approximately 2.5" deep and probably 17" tall. It is padded on the side that would be on your back when wearing the backpack as well as the opposite side facing the main backpack area.
* The straps are fully padded for about 15" inches and are adujustable. There is an adjustable chest strap that can adjust the diameter as well as the height location. There is a handle between the two shoulder straps at the top.
Pros
+ Strong durable material.
+ Strong zippers
+ Nice audio pocket
+ Roomy
Cons
- NEARLY ALL the pockets are poorly designed!
- Unzipping the pockets in the direction meant to be opened results in things falling out!
- The ODDLY shaped pockets do not easily hold a laptop power brick. The mouse doesn't slip in nicely to the top pockets.
- The kangaroo pocket leads to a sloppy looking backpack when it hangs open with the weight of items in the most posterior pocket area. Over time this is going to stretch out permanently and always be hanging like a hinged drawer.
- The laptop is meant to hold laptops up to 15" but the zipper isn't easily opened to the bottom due to the design and my Dell laptop needs to be placed in diagonally at first and the laptop can get scratched by the zippers.
- Overall pretty heavy once your items are placed in the bag. The area for file folders and papers is low and far in the back. For the techies or engineers, basically the lever arm from your center of gravity is increased and makes for more difficult carrying of the backpack.
- In this era, a cell phone quick access pocket should be standard on bags. This backpack doesn't have one.
- Also, another useful item found on today's backpack is a waterbottle carrying elastic pouch. No such thing on this backpack.
Bottom Line
I usually think Ogio products are well designed but unfortunately I am very disappointed in the design of this backpack especially for the price. I probably should have returned it when I could have but didn't really form my full opinion till it was too late. My advice to you: Find a different backpack!
Ogio's page: http://www.ogio.com/product.php?product=440
Price paid: $75 in 2006 (not sure if there are design changes for 2007)
Note: Although not a backpack, I rate the Ogio 2006 Corp City Corp Messenger bag much higher!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
del-1
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Opinionated guru on computers, electronics, technology... But, all said & done, "Trust no-one!"
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