Samsonite Tectonic PFT Laptop Backpack, Black/Red, 17-Inch

***UPDATE*** I've updated my review at the bottom of the original review. ************ Let me start off by saying, from what I understand the straps and part of the backpack that meets your back is the back of the bag and where the logo is where everyone can see it is the front. This terminology may prevent any misunderstandings in the review. If you're only looking for a list of Pros and Cons, see the end of my review. I ordered this backpack in replacement of the Adidas Ridgemont backpack because the Ridgemot started giving me some pretty heavy chaffing because it didn't keep it's shape and the bottom rubbed up against my back. Before all of this I was on a quest to find a backpack to replace my work backpack and to take with me when my band plays out of state. So I made a list of my requirements in order from most important to least important: -very large capacity (at least 2000 cubic inches) so I could fit a laptop, portable charger, tablet, cords, practice pad with one pair of drum sticks (I play drums in the band), clothes, towel, and shaving kit and still have room for anything else. -zippers that could support a suitcase lock. -suspension system to make it easier on my back. -very durable with a well built handle on the top. -laptop and tablet pockets. -decent price:size ratio. -loops on the front or on the straps to clip my IEM case to. -pocket on the side for a water bottle or other beverage. -various sub pockets and holders for accessories (cords, pens, etc). -NO WHEELS. I don't need wheels on my backpack. That's why they have straps. I did tons of research before deciding on this particular backpack. I watched video reviews, I looked up sizes and pictures wherever I could find the information. Here's a list of backpacks I considered and why my final decision was this pack: - Targus Demolition (I read reviews about the handle on this pack breaking off. With as much stuff as I plan to put in the backpack, this was not acceptable and there were also not enough large pockets) - Targus Drifter II (there were not enough dual zippers for me to secure this backpack with luggage locks and make sure all of my stuff would be locked up and there wasn't enough space to hold everything I wanted it to hold.) - Oakley Kitchen Sink (The name of this backpack drew me to it, but there's really not enough space in this pack for what I need it for and the price for such a small capacity backpack was ridiculous. pretty much paying for unnecessary latches.) - Ogio Renegade RSS (Once again, not enough dual zippers for all the pockets, so I couldn't secure it with luggage locks) - Swissgear Scansmart (not enough room in the backpack and the laptop pocket was inconvenient for my use.) - Thule Crossover (Too many 1 zipper compartments and not enough space for the price.) - Jansport Odessey (Looked like there wasn't much there for strap suspension.) - The North Face Router (There was no cushion or padding on the handle on top. Just a strap that looked not so durable.) -Adidas Ridgemont (my decision came down to the Adidas Ridgemont and the Samsonite Luggage Tectonic when I ruled out the others. I ended up getting the Ridgemont at first but like I said earlier, it didn't hold it's shape, the sound it made when you move it was much like what it would sound like moving a large tarp, there weren't enough pockets and I had to return it.) After all consideration and returning the Adidas Ridgemont backpack, I got the Samsonite Luggage Tectonic backpack, and when it arrived I noticed the pros and cons immediately. Here's what I found. Pros: - LIFETIME WARRANTY. (this is huge to have on a backpack to ensure it lasts you as long as possible). - tons of pockets to keep most of my accessories in. - well designed shoulder suspension. - dual zippers on most pockets and loops for luggage locks at the end of each zipper. - 2 side pockets for a bottled beverage. - laptop and tablet pocket. - loops on the front and on the straps. - padded, mesh back for good airflow. - very good quality of material and zippers with a very tough feeling handle on top. Cons: - Space. Apparently 2200 square inches is not enough to hold everything I need to carry in this. There's a huge flaw that no one has pointed out in any review I've read for this backpack. The pocket at the top is for headphones as you can see in the pictures. but the pocket doesn't have it's own space on the bag, but instead takes up space in the large middle compartment making it difficult to pack clothes or a shaving kit. -There's not a convenient pocket for a laptop cord. I use the pocket in the tech gear compartment for usb cords, tools, and an external battery. So my laptop cord gets put in one of the side pockets meant for bottles, unsecured and out there for anyone to just grab. Here's a list of what I have fit in this backpack: Electronics: Jackery Giant external battery, 15" laptop, 10.1" tablet, 5 usb cords in different lengths, D/C to A/C converter, AC usb charger, headphones, external portable hard drive, 3 various computer cables for work, and my in ear monitors are clipped to a loop on the front. Tools: screwdriver, a straight razor, Snap-it pocket knife, Leatherman Multitool, 3 drum keys. Office supplies: Journal notebook, Merch count notebook, 5 pens, post it notes, sharpies, and a small roll of duct tape. Yes that's a lot of stuff. But I have yet to even try to fit clothing and a shaving kit in this thing and it's almost jam packed to the brim. I'd also like to note that I have an 8.5x11 grid it organizer. Since it doesn't fit in the tech compartment and will only fit in the middle compartment, I took all my cords and gadgets out of it and put them in the front tech compartment so I would have more room for clothes. All in all, I think I'll keep looking for something better and return this backpack when I find something that meets my needs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated in the comments section below. ***UPDATE*** I ended up keeping this backpack and taking it with me to a show in Houston that my band played, just to see if I could make it work since I couldn't find much in comparison and time was running out. After some major rearranging, I decided there were a few things, I could leave at home when going out of town. Here is what I was able to fit in this pack: 2 sharpies, 2 pens, Gridit organizer with usb cords, hootoo portable router, hard drive, external charging battery, laptop, tablet, one set of clothes (shorts, underwear, shirt, 2 pairs of socks), knife, screwdriver, Leatherman multitool, over the ear headphones, sun glasses, keys, drum keys, IEMs, laptop charging cord, AC USB charger, DC inverter, standard sized shaving kit, 5X7 spiral notebook, and a bluetooth keyboard/case for my tablet. I ended up leaving my journal at home because it was taking up way too much space, and I put the roll of duct tape in the merch box with the tshirts. All in all, I made this backpack work, and ended up really enjoying it. I increased the stars to 5 due to the great experience I had with this bag. I still had a little bit of wiggle room left with all the gear I put in this bag. I just needed to do some rearranging and everything eventually worked out. I recommend this bag to anyone looking for a good quality pack to travel with and I hope my review helps.

I have examined quite a few bacpacks from various manufacturers both outdoor and urban types and I must say I am totally impressed with the quality and design of this item. I am a very selective and picky person who will scrutinize an item very thoroughly before commenting on it.The value of this backpack is without equal in the marketplace and I can honestly say it is the nicest backpack I have ever seen in my life especially for the price.After looking around I have determined that Samsonite makes the best bags on the market not Swiss Gear or the north face that is a misconception. The materials and construction are first rate with a level of attention to detail that you don't see anymore despite the fact that it is assembled in China I guess that is inescapable these days (Could be made in Taiwan which has better quality control than the mainland factories). This pack will last a long time with excellent durability great design means excellent functionality for all you will need it to do it even stands up on it's own which won me over right away. The quality of this bag belies the modest cost on Amazon making it quite easily one of the best buys I have ever seen in any category.Straps and back also very comfortable PFT laptop storage is a smart idea keeps your device secure and immobilized for protection. I guess you will have to see for yourself I am confident you will reach the same conclusion.

Very good!

I've had this pack for a few months now. I wanted to wait before I reviewed it so I could be absolutely sure about its attributes, I'd hate to have to revise later on. I live in a large metro area and ride the mass transit system, so this pack is my office, suitcase and grocery bag. The good: - Construction quality is everything you could hope for. In that regard, it is outstanding. - There's a pocket for everything although some may require some use before loosening up enough to become convenient. - Material has so far been impressively resistant to wet weather. It's not waterproof but it does well. - The padded pockets inside are cushioned well enough so you won't have to worry about banging electronic devices around - Handles and straps are made/reinforced with very thick nylon, it's tough - Easy to adjust straps - Can hold a good 3 days worth of basic clothing (see below for flip side of this) - Stands upright on its own when loaded - The quick access pocket at the top of the center compartment is pretty neat - For security, discreet nylon loops are located at the end of each zipper for padlocking - It looks great - It'll carry your laptop, tablet, kindle, office supplies, lunch and thermos all at once with no problem - You'll be surprised how much it can hold The bad: - You'll be disappointed how much it CAN'T hold - Can hold a good 3 days worth of basic clothing BUT NOT MUCH ELSE- If you need to pack a pair of shoes, forget it - Getting everything you need into this pack is very much like playing Tetris - It is impossible to get it to stand upright when empty - If you put anything on the innermost pocket (against the back) and the edges of it don't reach the back pads, all comfort disappears - The angle the straps are attached on sucks. This pack causes me some notable shoulder fatigue, even when empty. I've never experienced this with any pack before. If you're hoping they're attached at an offset angle that will provide wearer comfort, you're out of luck - The quick access pocket at the top of the center compartment flops around loosely and gets in your way constantly Conclusion: The first time I put this pack on, I hated it. I was instantly filled with regret for having purchased it. I gave serious consideration to putting it right back in the box for return. I'm glad I didn't. This pack has grown on me in many ways that I very much appreciate. It took some getting used to but I can't imagine my life with anything else now. Despite the drawbacks I listed above, I do really like it quite a bit. It has met and/or exceeded many of my needs. It's not perfect. It is a good value for the money.

I purchased this backpack 2-3 years ago in preparation for college, since I needed a solid bag to bring my laptop to and from school in. After 3 school years of wear (I'm rather rough with my backpacks), multiple flights and car trips both domestic and international, and even hiking, this bag has stayed in fantastic, almost pristine shape. I have an 18 inch Lenovo laptop that I carry in this bag all the time, and it fits snugly. I also carry around 2-3 large notebooks, a PS Vita with a rather large case, over-ear headphones, an art tablet, and a small other tablet. Even with all of this in the bag, it doesn't feel too bulky and even has more space to spare for more books. The first compartment has a resizeable laptop sleeve that can be adjusted to fit almost any computer snugly, and can even fit a fat PS3, if you're so inclined. The laptop section is also TSA checkpoint friendly, which can come in handy if you plan on traveling with this bag at all. The main compartment is the largest, and has a small pocket for a folder or something similar on the inside. This pocket is BIG if you need it to be, I can fit a large textbook and 2-3 5 subject notebooks in it and still have space on the sides for a pencil case and a Vita. My only complaint about this whole bag is that the headphone pocket can be a tad awkwardly positioned with books in the main compartment, so I've taken to just putting my laptop charger in that pocket. The next smaller pocket has two sleeves for tablets or small folders, and this is where I keep my art tablet and regular tablet. The interior of one of the sleeves is even a nice softer material to help protect the screen of any device put in it. The rest of this pocket has nice spots for pencils and other school supplies, but as I have a pencil case, I've never used them much. The outermost pocket is also a tablet pocket, but I've never used it because it just makes more sense to put a tablet in the more protected inner pocket. This is probably the best construction I've ever seen in a backpack, and even after 3 years, there isn't the smallest sign of damage anywhere at all. The shoulder and back pads are nicely comfortable, and I'd ABSOLUTELY suggest this backpack to anyone looking for a long term bag for their laptop. If this thing ever falls apart, I'm buying a new one right away. Edit, 5 years since purchase- It has been a good 5 years with this backpack, but after years of being stretched by my barely small enough laptop, the zippers and stitching on the top corners of the bag are too damaged to keep using it. Were it not for the size of my laptop, there would only be a very small amount of damage on the bag, and it would likely still be good for another 5 years. So instead of looking for a new model, I bought another of this same model, and I'm looking forward to the next 5 years with it

I'd done a lot of shopping around before deciding on this backpack. Last year I bought my son a Samsonite one - different version than this though. He's so tough on his backpacks and that one has held up fantastically - not even a thread out of place yet. I got this one to replace my Mono Case backpack that just started falling apart after 2 years ($180 backpack). When this one arrived I knew I'd be happy whit it and after a couple of weeks of use I certainly am. There are lots of zippered compartments (you can see them in the pictures, I won't go into hyper detail here) but the best one is at the very top. Where they show you can put a headset in, I use that for all of my smaller items like my glasses, iphone cables, chargers, and much more. it's very convenient at the top and has very soft linings in there to keep everything protected. Much larger utility pocket than any other backpack I've checked out. You can easily fit 2 large laptops into this pack, but there's only one adjustable slot for them. This slot is HIGHLY adjustable though, for both width and height, to keep your laptop very snug without any chance of it rattling around in there. Another laptop can go into the same pocket it just won't be as snug. The straps are cushioned and shaped nicely, very comfortable. The adjustable pull straps are also not very long so you won't have to tie them in a knot or wrap them around anything, they can hang just fine. This bag is roomy, has great compartments, is very comfortable and seems like it's going to stand up for a very long time. -D

Wow, I never thought I would like a bag this much. It's so well designed. I'm a service and IT technician by trade, so I carry tools, notebooks, and a bulky laptop wherever I go. I needed something I could cram everything I might need into for a service call, without hurting my back. If I could use it for personal travel, so much the better. Wearing and Carrying: There's a fair bit of padding built into the bag and straps, which means it sits nice and snugly against your back. The padding is vented and breathable, though, so it doesn't leave you sweaty when you're walking around the city with it. The bag itself is well balanced, so even when it's stuffed completely full the weight is distributed nicely across your back. (Regrettably, the only thing that pulls it slightly off balance, for me at least, is placing a full water bottle in one of the bottle holders). I know it's terrible for your back, but wearing it with just one strap is also pretty comfortable and balanced. Notably, this is the first bag I've had which hasn't left me with red bruise-marks on my shoulder when it's heavy and I'm only wearing one strap. Laptop section: My old work laptop is a 14" HP Elitebook 8440p (13.2" x 9.3" x 1.2" - but a bit chunkier with the extended battery on it), and thanks to the adjustable "Perfect Fit" laptop holder, it fits perfectly and feels very well protected - the laptop section is snug and padded, and the entire exterior of the bag is also protecting it. But, once that's in place, I can also fit a second laptop into the same section (though I do put it in a neoprene sleeve, because it's nowhere near as protected as the main bit). When I'm travelling for pleasure, the work laptop comes out and I adjust the "perfect fit" thingy to fit my 15" Macbook Pro in there exactly. I don't feel the need to place it in a sleeve to protect it, either. (I wouldn't want to go out of my way to drop it though - the bottom FEELS thick and well-constructed, but... still, I can distinctly feel the outline of my laptop through it). Stuff-a-bility: I keep keys, screwdrivers and sharp tools in the second-from-front section. They've never once pierced, cut or scratched the inside. I also keep a 7" tablet behind them in the tablet section, beside a 2.5" hard drive and my Nintendo 3DS XL, and not only does it all fit well, nothing's ever been hurt by the sharp bits. The headphone section is great - I can fit some nice studio headphones in there, but I don't travel with them, so I just keep my glasses case there. Service manuals, notebooks and a plethora of cables go in the middle. And I still have room to fit the parts I need for service in. Travel: Going through x-ray (e.g. at the airport) is a breeze, you just undo the zippers and lie it flat. For some reason, this greatly amused and impressed a security guard last time I had to have this scanned. There's also an elastic strap on the back to hold it on top of a wheelie suitcase/carry-on case. The handle is well balanced, reinforced, and solidly padded - so you can effortlessly lift it, even when it's loaded up. Of note is that when lifting the handle, even if every compartment has been unzipped, nothing falls out - they seem to have mounted it in just the right spot. (Unless you've pulled the zippers down completely to lie it flat for Xray, of course...). When I'm travelling, I empty it out and carry just the bare essentials. Despite absolutely stuffing it full for my normal work day, I find that it compacts back down really well. Generally, just the thin laptop, a book, my keys, a sweater, and some gum for the plane. Because of how everything opens from the top, when it's in the overhead lockers on the plane I can access every single compartment in it (and slip my laptop out) without lifting it down. This also means that when I'm on-site visiting a client with this, I'm able to open everything and access any tool or part I want without having to flop open the whole bag and dig through it - it's SO accessible. Overall: It's a fantastic bag, really tough and well-built. I didn't think I'd get anywhere near the level of use out of it as I do, but it's been great. Notes: - The first couple of times I used this, the straps seemed to stretch out and break in a bit. That made me nervous at first, and I thought I'd overloaded it and damaged the strap's stitching or something. However, it's been nearly a year since I got it, and I carry it every day - and I've had no issues whatsoever. - The biggest pain with this bag is going through a Bag Check with security - there's so many compartments to open.

The quality on this backpack is so poor. My first lasted three weeks. The shoulder strap broke causing my computer to crash to the floor. It was replaced with my second backpack. In 45 days one of the black plastic ovals holding the little straps on the front of the backpack broke and ripped my finger open. Right now I have it covered with duct tape. So in 60 days I have gone through two backpacks. This is the part that really bothers me. I emailed Samsonite on the web site two weeks ago with all of this information. I received the following a computer generated email "This email confirms we received your message. We will contact you shortly if your message requires a response." I guess having my finger ripped open and two backpacks destroyed in 60 days does not necessitate a response because two weeks later, I have not heard back from Samsonite. Poor quality product, even poorer customer service. Edit to update. My bag has been sent to a repair shop. Samsonite will not cover the repair. So, I am out the cost of the bag, medical costs, extended warranty costs and if I want the damaged bag back, I have to pay for shipping. What a joke of a company and a warranty.

通勤用に使用しています。軽く、耐久性もあり、袋がたくさんついており、1ℓの水筒も弁当箱も衣類も全て入り、リュックなので両手も空き、重くない，優れものです。

Fast global delivery. Thanks, Amazon for this. From Samsonite, one should expect the highest level of quality and it fulfills those expectations. Robust build quality. Yet to use it, but I am sure, it will be good.

I've thrown this bag inside the car because I was in a hurry it holds up pretty good. Using it daily and so far it is nothing but great. I love that it feels tight from the outside and when you open it has lots of rooms inside. I have 2 laptops, an ipad and a headset inside and they are all secured.

Es una excelente mochila y súper amplia. Resistente, bonita y cómoda.

Encantado con esta mochila, muy resistente, le cabe de todo, la laptop se acomoda excelente y se siente bien protegida, muy recomendada.