Kenneth Cole Reaction Brooklyn Commuter Backpack Slim 16" Laptop Computer & Tablet Anti-Theft RFID Business, Work, , & Travel Bookbag, Charcoal Polyester

This may be the holy grail of backpacks. I've been searching for some time. I give it 5 stars despite it not being total perfection. I'm an average sized lady who commutes daily by bus. I also plan on using this for air travel. I got the gray bag. My must have criteria (and love!): -Great price. Got a good deal at around $50 (similar bags run around $80+ ) -TSA screening "clam shell" design" You simply unzip and fold the bag out in half and the laptop side is now flat and separated from the rest of the bag contents and can pass it through TSA screening without removing the laptop from the bag. Coolest invention ever! Too bad you still have to pull out your damn liquids. Some day... -The big fat soft and comfy grab handle on top- Great for carrying your bag down the bus aisle so you don't smack the crap out of your fellow bus passengers heads and shoulders wearing your backpack and turning about. (I hate when that happens... Getting smacked by people's backpacks. Be courteous, darn it! Take it off your back when you get on the bus/train/airplane, people!) -Luggage handle pass through strap thingy for your wheeled bag handle. Additional love: -Great pocket organization- Your usual stuff, pens, cards, etc. but well thought out and placed. Also the pockets don't assume you have a tiny cell phone that you don't have in a case. They are wide, so can hold any variety of things. I use the tablet pocket for bigger things like my LG bluetooth headset.... Wow, I just found two more pockets I didn't see before while writing this review. -Special pockets- Hidden pocket on the inside of the luggage handle pass through strap, great for wallet or passport as it sits against your back when wearing. Take that, pick-pocketers! Bwha ha ha! Pockets that are revealed when you open the "clam shell" for TSA screening where you can quick stow your passport and boarding pass or valuables. They have zips, so items stay secured. For general commuting to work, I keep my computer accessories, like flash drive, headphones, gemalto token, etc. here. -Back of backpack is padded, which is nice. -It stands up on it's own. Which makes that top grab handle even lovelier. Grab and go! Don't love: -The grey pin dot kind of makes my eyes go wonky. -Overall, boring to look at. Looks like a typical, boring backpack. Not stylish. Meh. I suppose though it is in line with the Reaction men's bags look. -Wish it was slightly lighter in color, true charcoal color. It's really dark gray, closer to black. (I'm so sick of black backpacks. Bleh.) Maybe a textile-like design vs. the teeny eye-crossing dots would be cooler. But alas. I will definitely have to put some kind of easy to identify tag on it if I use it for travel so someone doesn't mistake it for theirs. -Wish the "cargo" section was a little bigger/fatter. This is the big main area. I carry a lot to commute. Lunch, heels, hat, scarf, a book to read and maybe some knitting for the commute. It's pretty slim which I guess is great for folks who don't carry a lot. But for me, it's a tight fit. Which leads to... -The zippers can be kind of sticky if you have the bag packed really full. But they are still zippable one handed. -The "fabric" inside of the sections make an odd rustling plastic bag sound. Weird and kind of creepy. It hasn't alarmed my cats, so that's good. I can't speak to weather proof or anything like that as I just received it and have only used it for one work day. It's just I thought it was so great I couldn't wait to review it. I also haven't tried to put in a water bottle. I see the pocket. It's stretchy and also has some ventilation which would also be good for umbrellas too, but I live in Seattle and only tourists use umbrellas here. Not sure what the side pocket on the other side is even for. It unzips and is long and skinny. Huh. This backpack rocks. You should get it.

I've been using this backpack for a about a month now at work. It has the perfect organization. The front pocket works well for pens/pencils, office items, keys, an iPad, and a folder holding documents. The middle section is larger and is where I store a lunch box and umbrella with plenty room for more if needed.(Like an extra pair of shoes). The rear pocket is perfect for a laptop. The top pocket for a pair of sunglasses. The sidepocket I don't use but would be large enough for sunglasses, a phone, or any other item of similar size. When traveling on flights the middle pocket holds 2-3 days worth of clothes and a pair of shoes. The quick access zip lets me send it through security without removing my laptop (Huge +) and the bag slides neatly over a carry-on. All around the backpack works perfect for professional use as a regular day pack at the office and for short business trips. This weekend I am using it to travel and I'm not going to bring a carry-on. Just this bag is enough for a quick weekend trip. Looks very nice. Very sturdy. No complaints so far.

I bought this backpack 8 years ago and it's in a surprisingly great shape. I don't use it daily but I go carry it regularly. It has gone through months of traveling (great for TSA), multiple washes, regular day to day carry on long trips. Very spacious and compartmentalized. Favorite features: - Compartmentalization! Has a TSA easy access for laptop with proper cushion and front pockets, best part, these pockets don't interfere with the main compartment because the sewing is separate for each one - Strong zippers and handles. I've loaded it with up to 65 pounds, about to burst, and zippers are just fine. Can't emphasize enough on how strong the zippers are - Shoulder straps are strong. It has a tiny tear on one of them for ove a year and its still holding strong - Back cushion is still cushioned which allows room for breathing - Color hasn't worn out after numerous hand and machine washes "Would like" features: - More cushion on the shoulder straps and add a chest strap for better weight distribution. I bought a separate cushioned shoulder and chest straps - Just 1 TSA compartment, it has 2 and the second one its just noise, can't really use for much storage - Full open main compartment - Water resistant, at least the bottom - More color options

Overall this is a really great bag. I had originally been using a Samsonite Xenon 3.0 (also purchased from Amazon) and that bag was terrific but ended up being just a little small for the work supplies I need to carry with me daily. This bag is larger and the clamshell design is really helpful when traveling. The main compartment, specifically, accommodates my equipment and marketing supplies better than the Xenon 3.0 and the interior compartments are more functional—specifically in the small front pocket where you store pens and quick-grab items. I also love that—like the Xenon—it will stand upright on its own and it doesn’t have to be “propped up” when you set it down like so many other laptop bags and backpacks. It is comfortable to wear and the slightly larger size fits well and feels well on my back. Seems to be very well constructed and I have not had any of the issues with the zippers or with it not being constructed well like some people have posted. Arrived with all new tags and appeared as it would if purchased in a department store (though it did appear to be re-wrapped in the plastic sleeve, but that’s not a big deal). Price was excellent. The reason I gave this bag for stars instead of five is that the silhouette of the bag is a little more ho-hum than the Xenon (but it’s still nice looking) and also, depending on what you put in the interior compartments it makes the exterior of the bag look lumpy or awkward when everything is all zipped up. In terms of quality, size, and professional appearance, this is a really great bag. As a frame of reference, I work in medical sales and I am frequently in hospitals and doctors offices, so I need a bag that is really functional but also looks appropriate whether I’m wearing scrubs or a suit. I’ve received lots of compliments on this backpack from coworkers and also from patients and doctors that it doesn’t look like a “gym bag” but it looks more comfortable to carry than a briefcase or bulky shoulder bag.

I seriously love this bag. Not only does it look cool and sleek (true to Kenneth Cole form), but it has a very nice amount of space without being bulky at all. It is very comfortable too and as long as you distribute the weight evenly (which is very easy to do with this bag - it sort of encourages that by design) - then it's great for commuting/walking around. It does have an RFID protected chamber as well in the front, and plenty of sections to put stuff like a tablet, phone, key ring clip, etc. The Pin Dot Charcoal pattern is cool and I think will hold up well over time in not showing dirt etc from travel. It fits under an airline seat very well. By far though, my favorite feature of the bag is the the EZ Scan chamber. This is VERY handy in saving you some time on the TSA security cattle line - just unzip and go without needing to take out your laptop, put it in the plastic bin etc and so on. I have a Macbook Pro 15" and it fits in there really well - it could easily accommodate something larger. If you have been searching for a "grown up" backpack, this one is definitely a good choice. Buying it here on Amazon will save you some money too as I saw this same bag for $30 more at a brick and mortar store. **Edited to add: In the almost 2 years I have owned this bag, I have taken it on many trips all over the US and Canada and it STILL looks fantastic and it is still holding up good as new with no issues and does not look nearly as well used as it has been. One of the top/front zipped areas I have discovered is a perfect place to safely store your sunglasses as it's got a softer cloth lining which will keep them from scratching. Still think this bag is a great value for your money and would continue to recommend!

This bag has come in handy doubling as a computer transport bag with accessories and carry on luggage. I don’t take a computer traveling so I use the back compartments for slim things like a folded rain shell. It almost has too many zippered compartments as I end up hunting for things. I can confirm that it will fit under seat on an airbus 320 though you may have to turn it sideways. It will also fit under the seat of an airbus 330 economy class but not premium economy as AA calls it. It can be a tight fit if you put a lot of clothes in the larger compartment. The shoulder straps and back padding are both comfortable.

The bag is great for what I wanted - a smart bag I can take on work trips and can have attached to my carry-on suitcase - but when travelling for personal use, the backpack doesn't really allow you to pack much in. There are a LOT of pockets and zips but as a result each pocket is very small and doesn't allow you to put much in it - a case in point would be the second zip pocket behind the straps that serves zero purpose when you could have made the main chamber larger.

I agree with most of the positive comments posted by others. Can easily fit 3-4 days of casual clothes, plus toiletries, electronics etc despite its modest size. Some have complained a bit about the zippers, they are *fine*, it's not their fault if you completely overstuff the bag. The eyeglass compartment at the top doubles as a battery recharge "slot" - just put your phone charger in it and snake out the cable. The sunglasses holder in the right shoulder strap is a bit hard to reach but whatever. Great organization and pockets. Not one but TWO clamshell compartments, plus the laptop slot! Compact and looks good. It's billed as a "commuter" bag, and it's fine for that but it's also a good weekender if you aren't packing your mother-in-law inside it.