MAXPEDITION Entity 27 CCW-Enabled Laptop Backpack 27L (Charcoal)

I upgrade to this from a Maxpedition Falcon II because I wanted to move away from that "tacticool" look. I've used this backpack for about 5 months now and I can confidently say I don't think backpacks can get any better. There are a couple of complaints I've seen in the reviews and I wanted to address those:1 - The side pockets are zippered at an awkward angle. This is backpack is designed for concealed carry. There are handles on the side of the backpack so you can sling it to the front of you body without having to fully take it off your back and still have one strap around one of your arms. These side pockets are designed to be accessed from that type of "carry". People don't seem to realize this.2. The water bottle holders on the outside of the pack suck. Agreed. BUT - they also included INTERNAL water bottle holders that work perfectly and can even accommodate a 32 oz nalgene bottle. I only use the external "water bottle" pockets for quick access, flat items like gum or whatever.3. - There is no outside pocket. I don't see this an an issue as there is ample organization options in the main compartment that I can access as easily as if there were an outside pocket. Plus if you use the internal water bottle pockets, then you can drop stuff in those outside pockets if you really need them that available. Also the two main compartments have an option for TSA locks. Less "unsecure" pockets = a potentially more secure bag.Overall, I can tell a lot of love went into designing all this backpack. I was a huge Maxpedition fan before. After experiencing the quality and attention to detail on this pack I'll never buy a backpack from any other brand. Worth every cent.

The entity 27L fits my daily needs without looking tactical. I tend to carry it only using one shoulder strap. Fits 15.5 laptop in laptop sleeve w/power pack and cord all in the laptop area. It will fit Nalgene 32oz bottle but you can't have the pocket behind it stuffed, I store folding knife in that pocket an ear buds. The other pocket i carry cell phone charger, power pack w/cables, pens, markers, in the outside pocket I carry id badge and tie it to side handle, able to scan it without taking it off my shoulder. Inside the main I carry couple folders, lunch bag, multi tool, fixed blade, small umbrella, plenty of room left, put my keys inside pocket. In the picture Nalgene 32oz fits no problem the other pocket packed with stuff fits thermos travel mug but tight fit.Now it would be nice if they put a zipper on the side pockets so they could be expandable like on Entity crossbody bag. I also had the 23L bag and felt it was to small for my needs the 27 is perfect for daily routine and travel.The CCW is not lockable, the zippers are somewhat hidden and compartment rest against back but plenty of padding. As with anything and being responsible I wouldn't leave it unattended if you have CCW in it, locking it in main pack doesn't stop someone from taking pack and it's only a zipper.

Great build quality

I bought the 27L and have not been disappointed so far. As others have noted, one of the big, important selling features of Maxpedition's Entity line of bags is that they don't have that overwrought, tactical look. Only those familiar with the Maxpedition brand (or those that own one) would probably be able to readily identify it as an urban-camouflaged tactical/ready/go bag. And that's a good thing! The last thing anyone wants is to standout like someone wearing a Sunday bonnet at a biker bar. The charcoal color is slightly darker than the product image and I count this as a positive in its favor. In general, it's a good modern looking bag with plenty of storage and features. It's not a big deal that it doesn't have a hook and loop panel on the outside for all my clever, funny morale patches.Apart from its overall appearance, the 27L offers a lot in the way of storage, organization and other well-thought options and features. All of the external zippers have handy, comfortable ergonomic finger loops for opening and closing each section (the internal zippers do not). And while I have experienced some difficulty with the smooth operation of the main compartment zippers (they can be a little clunky), I largely chalk that up to this being a new bag that hasn't yet been broken in. Here's hoping this improves with time and continued use.The bag is divided into several sections: the main and laptop compartments, the left and right -side compartments, the CCW compartment (with removable divider), the trolly pass-through, belt pass-through, and shoulder straps. Each section is reviewed below because looking exclusively at pictures doesn't always tell you the whole story and everyone's use and opinions are always going to be subjective.MAIN COMPARTMENT: This is the outermost section of the bag. Its flap is tapered and, upon opening, the flap is held in place by two sturdy internal retaining straps that can be easily be unclipped and detached for full compartment access. Keeping the retaining straps clipped and in place allows for accessibility to the compartment without having the contents potentially spilling out of the bag. On the inside of this compartment's flap, you'll find a small zippered compartment near the top that has a strap and latch (good for attaching a key ring) inside. Below the small zippered compartment is a nice, soft, fuzzy section that extends all the way down to the bottom of the flap. Here, additional hook and loop storage products (organizers, morale patches) can be attached. I currently have a beefy pocket organizer stored in the main space while I wait for other orders to be received.On the left and right walls of the main compartment are deep side pockets large enough to hold (for size reference) a 21oz Hydroflask or a collapsable umbrella) on each side.The back wall has two main sections: an upper, zippered section (large enough to hold eyeglasses case or large external battery charger and cables); and a lower open pocket area with a zippered front pocket. Both the lower pocket and fronted zipper pocket are large enough to store maps. I currently store my laptop's power cables here.LAPTOP COMPARTMENT: This compartment lies between the user's back and the main compartment. It fits my 15" laptop (inside its padded protective case) comfortably. There's a little space along the sides, but not so much that the laptop is going to bounce around from side-to-side. And while the laptop doesn't fill up all the space here, there is room to store cables, etc. if one wants. The zipper for this compartment doesn't open all the way to the bottom of the bag and that's a good thing. Who would risk having a $500-$2000 laptop slip out? No one in their right mind, that's who. One need only open the bag enough to slip a laptop in or out.SIDE COMPARTMENTS: There are zippered compartments along the left and right sides of the bag. They are the mirrored opposites of each other and feature the same organizing sections and pockets. Each side compartment has a zipper pocket on the inside of the flap, large enough to hold, for example, two stacked 6" mobile phones and still have room for cables. On the inside of the compartment is a large open pocket (big enough for approximately three packs of playing cards) fronted by two smaller open pockets (each large enough to hold two lighters each or a standard-sized prescription bottle each). The side compartments open toward the user's back, making it easily accessible to the user and not-so-easy for people who might want to sneak a peak from behind. On the outside of each side compartment is an open pocket large enough for carrying a 12 - 16oz water bottle. My 21oz Hydroflask only fits 1/2 way into these pockets. I imagine it wouldn't fit at all if I had more thing stored inside these compartments.CCW COMPARTMENT: Whether you conceal carry a firearm or store something else here, the ccw compartment (which can be remain separated into two compartments by leaving the hook and loop divider in place) are accessed from either side via their respective zippers. Overall, this space is large enough for four adult human hands. Don't read into that. I'm not some psycho collecting human hands, I'm just giving you another arbitrary size comparison. I'm sure it would equally fit a decent caliber firearm, several knives, large bags of gummi bears... Whatever floats your boat.TROLLY PASS-THROUGH: This compartment lies between the padding that goes immediately against the user's back and the CCW compartment. This section appears to be sufficient for its intended used, though, as of this writing, remains untested. I had hoped the trolly came with it, but oh well... Not super important for my needs at the moment.STRAPS, PADDING, and BELT: Overall, the straps and padding used throughout this bag are sturdy, comfortable, and seemingly well made -whether the back padding, laptop compartment, or the shoulder straps -it's all clearly well-thought and planned. My only complaint (if I were to call it that) is that the removable belt (which is held in place via hook-and-loop) can take some fumbling around with to detach. The belt section is adequate for slipping the belt through, but detaching can be a struggle because the space is too small for human hands. If you have tiny doll hands, this may not be an issue for you at all.When packed, the bag feels very well balanced. Unlike my tactical bag, I don't feel a dramatic shift in my center of gravity and wearing it for an extended time has not caused me any noticable pain or discomfort. Sudden changes in body position do not leave me feeling like I'm going to lose balance or randomly fall backward.This feels like a good, sturdy, well-made bag. It has plenty of storage, is well organized, and is comfortable to wear for everyday use. My initial impressions tell me that this was a very good investment and I expect it to last significantly longer than any of the other bags I have ever owned.TLDR; DO IT! Also, scroll back up and read.