I tend to review a lot of backpacks for the main intention of using them for travel.
These backpacks go through a lot with me when I travel overseas. From tackling on various elements, from hot to cold, rain or snow, from the tightest of spaces, to dirt, concrete, beach sand, you name it.
I’m also very selective when it comes to a backpack and have used luxury bags, big brand bags to gaming bags.
There are back packs I reviewed that have lasted but those who have failed me, not more on the compartment or the bag itself but the zipper. The zipper has been my caveat to many backpacks and if a backpack has the best protection but a terrible zipper, it doesn’t matter, it’ll ruin your experience, especially if you are thousands of miles away.
But I wanted to check out this backpack from SAMAZ Laptop Backpack. For one, I love the look of the all black and storage is always big for me, as long as it stays within the rules of airlines.
I’ve never heard of the company but I’m willing to test it out.
A big question that many people may wonder is if you can use this backpack for traveling overseas and can be used as a carryon. Most airlines require your carryon to be 22 x 14 x 9 max (45 linear inches). This backpack is 12 x 6.3 x 17.3 inches (35.6 linear inches), so it is carryon safe.
The backpack is made of PU Leather with polyester material and is water resistant.
From the front, you have two pockets. So, you can easily hold your smartphone or other things in this pocket, while the other front, you can keep a small towel, or in my case, I always keep a few important things like band-aids, moleskin (for long distance traveling, always prepare for blisters), etc.
Side pockets to hold my beverages is a must. And they have to be high not short and it passes my test of hold PET bottles or water bottles, including my thermos.
The top handle is anti-theft, I say this because it’s metal wired with a plastic covering on the top. I yanked on this hard to see if it would separate from the backpack and it didn’t, so another test passed.
Behind the mini pockets is the another large pocket. You can keep anything in here, pens, paper, books, clothing, smartphone, tablet, etc.
Behind that is the first major compartment in which you can store a lot more things and there are multiple pockets, pen holder, etc. So that’s great.
With the large pocket and the first major compartment, this is great, because when I’m traveling, I need to store things I purchased in there and sometimes in the morning, I need to stuff food, before I take the long train/bullet train to another location. I can always reach in there and grab what I need.
But what I don’t like is that it uses thin zippers, which can easily malfunction and break. I prefer thicker zippers on major compartments, which is important.
Behind those is the major compartment which is padded to keep a laptop and also has a built-in charging port and headset output port.
I like the compartments with the extra pockets, they are roomy and you can fit a lot.
The main compartment has a large zipper, which is very important for me. So, you have one thick zipper!
Whenever I travel, there are times where you need to check out early and you can leave your bags near the lobby. I typically bring luggage locks to make sure no one can break into the main compartments where your laptop or electronics are being stored. Having two zipper pulls with a hole to insert a luggage lock to keep those compartments locked is important in a backpack.
With this backpack, the first pocket and first compartment, I can line up the zippers and slide a mini luggage lock to keep the two pockets locked up.
As for the major compartment, there are two zippers, in which I can easily insert a luggage lock. That is a major plus!
As for the rear, you have padding on the back side center and the bottom. The bottom has a hidden zipper. I tend to keep towels in this rear pocket, as there are times where I need to sit on something (ie. sidewalk) as some locations overseas can have a large line. So, it helps to have a towel in this compartment. You can put other things in there as well.
There is also a luggage strap which is VERY IMPORTANT for me.
And you have adjustable straps. They are not as padded as other backpacks I have used, but they are slightly padded and a ring for sunglasses.
JUDGMENT CALL:
For the most part, I will definitely use this backpack for traveling. The fact that it is water resistant is a plus. The fact that it has a lot of storage and room is a plus. The stylish all black look, I absolutely dig that!
I don’t like the zippers for the first pocket and first compartment, as I believe backpack compartments should have dual zipper to insert luggage locks and thick zippers, especially if they are made for traveling. It does have a dual zipper and thick zipper for the main compartment.
I wish the straps had a bit more padding.
But overall,the SAMAZ Laptop Backpack is a good backpack. If it had the thicker zippers and dual zipper system like the primary compartment, this would have received 5 stars. But for now, I give it 4 stars overall!
