A few months ago, I realized that my daily backpack was literally falling apart. The main zipper was broken and the outer shell was looking worn and ragged. I began to feel a bit embarrassed walking around with it, so I knew I would have to replace it fast!

The Hunt For a New Backpack

Searching the Internet, I looked at countless possible replacements, but none really met the specifications that I was looking for, such as capacity and style. Furthermore, all the local sporting goods and outdoor shops also had decent selections to look through, but none seemed to carry high quality backpacks that were made for carrying laptops.

After almost giving up on my search for a new bag, I suddenly remembered an old friend of mine who used to boast about the brand Arcteryx. Arcteryx (Arc’teryx) is a Canadian outdoor apparel and sporting goods company. They have been known for years as producers of high quality technical gear. In fact, their backpacks are currently the gear of choice for the United States Marine Corps.

I remembered that this friend had bought an Arcteryx jacket and was immensely proud of its quality and construction. Excited by this lead, I quickly brought up the Arcteryx website and realized they had a line of backpacks that perfectly fit my needs!

The Arc’teryx Blade Series Backpack

As an urban commuter, I was looking for a backpack with a simple exterior – no frills, hooks, loops or other gimmicks that can get caught up when rushing through crowds of people and turn stalls. The Arcteryx Blade backpack has this in mind and features a minimalist outer shell that balances form and function perfectly.

Main Features

The Arcteryx Blade has a rectangular form and enough of a rigid structure to retain its boxy shape; this is important when transporting delicate items, such as a laptop. The backpack is accessed through various zippered pockets and features a dedicated slot for a laptop. The laptop compartment is ingenious, and is designed for easy access through an opening on the right side of the bag. Inside this compartment is a harness contraption that ensures spacing on all sides of the laptop, so even if the bag is dropped, there is a buffer surrounding it. This is by far the best laptop bag I have ever owned!

Each inside compartment features a cool looking liner, which contrasts sharply with the bag’s exterior. My Arcteryx Blade 24 has a black shell and an eye-catching neon green on the inside – but it’s a subtle effect, as the pockets and compartments are mostly slits that don’t open up very wide. Still, this flash of style is much appreciated.

The straps on the backpack are pretty basic, but again, they fit the minimalist design of the bag. On the back of the backpack is firm padding, which makes the bag comfortable to wear when transporting a heavy load and also provides enhanced protection for the laptop you may be carrying. The back of the bag also features a large Arcyteryx logo and a cool little zippered pocket near the bottom back of the bag; it’s almost like a secret compartment!

Review Conclusion

After several months of use, the Arcteryx Blade backpack still looks fairly new and nothing has broken thus far. My last bag lasted almost 4 years, so this one has a ways to go before I can give it my final stamp of approval. But so far, it has been a pleasure to use and I would recommend it to any urban commuter, student or person who is looking for a laptop backpack. Arcteryx gear generally costs more than other brands, but I think with their Blade series bags the you are definitely getting what you pay for.