I’ve described one among Waterfield’s earlier backpacks as a mini-Tardis, because it carries far more inside than you’d ever anticipate from the compact type issue, and that’s much more true of the newest Shinjuku Backpack.
It appears to be like like a slim backpack appropriate for a MacBook, charger, and some different bits and items, however the beautifully-organized format means it’s surprisingly capacious …
Look & really feel
The bag is constituted of waxed canvas, a tricky and extremely waterproof cloth, with leather-based side-panels and accents. It’s obtainable in a selection of brown or navy, alongside unwaxed canvas choices in black or inexperienced.
Waxed canvas appears to be a type of supplies that has in some way transitioned from the purely utilitarian to the trendy previously few years. Whereas leather-based is at all times my past love with regards to baggage, this mixture of the 2 supplies works rather well, giving it a ruggedly fashionable look.
As with the Tuck Backpack, this can be a bag I’d fortunately take to an necessary assembly or upmarket restaurant, although I see it as higher suited to a leather-based jacket than a swimsuit.
I’ll get to the specifics, but it surely has the entire small touches and high quality really feel I’ve come to anticipate of the San Francisco-based firm.
Dimensions, capability, and format
The bag is 17 inches excessive by 10 inches broad by 5 inches deep, and has a complete capability of 16 liters.
Inside, there’s a rear padded laptop computer part, which holds something as much as the 16-inch MacBook Professional, and a separate padded iPad slot, which comfortably accommodates a 13-inch iPad with Magic Keyboard.
There’s an inside elasticated water bottle holder, which is versatile sufficient to accommodate something from a journey mug to a 1-liter thermos. In the event you’re not utilizing this, it’s simply pushed to the facet, taking on no house.
Additionally on the inside is a zipped safety pocket appropriate for a passport, pockets, and money.
The remainder of the inside has sufficient house for a sweater and books, or just about anything you may carry round when utilizing it as a day bag – and will additionally function a weekend bag should you journey mild. In the event you don’t, then there’s a rear baggage strap to slip it over the deal with of a roller-bag (please, all bag makers, do that as commonplace – it’s such a small factor that makes such an enormous distinction).
Transferring to the surface, there are two zipped pockets, the highest one with two increasing slots, the underside with one accent slot and two pen slots. Both pocket comfortably accommodates an iPhone 16 Professional Max, whereas the pockets are perfect for issues like charging bricks, transportable SSDs, and powerbanks.
There are additionally two slimline facet pockets. These aren’t sufficiently big for an insulated espresso cup – that should go within the inside slot – however you’ll be able to carry a small umbrella on one facet and a small water bottle on the opposite. When not in use, they fold flat, so don’t get in the way in which.
In use
For me the largest advantage of this bag is the truth that you’ll be able to carry lots whereas sustaining a slim profile. Backpacks could be a legal responsibility on public transit, and should you take them off they are often awkward to carry whereas additionally holding a hand free for a grab-rail. However at 5 inches deep, it doesn’t get in anybody’s method.
That’s not coincidence: the corporate says the identify was “impressed by the world’s busiest transit hub in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district.”
The laptop computer padding is reassuring, and the truth that each MacBook and iPad are on the within, closest to your again, means I by no means needed to be involved about both system getting bashed by anybody round me.
The inside is lined with a really reflective gold-colored materials, which is now just about an ordinary function of premium baggage. It’s supposed to bounce ambient mild across the inside to make it as straightforward as potential to see the contents of the bag, and it by no means ceases to amaze me what an enormous distinction this makes.
All zippers are YKK ones. This can be a Japanese firm famend for long-lasting, dependable, waterproof zippers, and in all the various years I’ve been utilizing baggage fitted with these I’ve by no means as soon as had one catch or fail. The zippers have twin pulls for the principle part, letting you select between them assembly within the center for essentially the most handy entry, or bringing them down to at least one facet for max safety in crowded locations.
Pricing and conclusions
As I’ve famous earlier than, Waterfield’s baggage aren’t low cost, and the Shinjuku Backpack is not any exception, coming in at $329. However as I’ve additionally stated beforehand, the supplies, workmanship, and designs all stay as much as the requirements you’d anticipate of a premium US-made bag in this sort of worth bracket.
As a self-confessed bagaholic, I’ve been utilizing a number of of the corporate’s baggage for 5 or 6 years now, and so they have all stood the check of time. In the event you’re on the lookout for a compact backpack that doubles as a second cabin bag and combines stunning capability with rugged beauty, this could possibly be the one for you.
The Waterfield Shinjuku Backpack is obtainable from the corporate’s web site in 4 finishes, every priced at $329.
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