Incase Icon Review

Likes

Several of our testing crew loved this bag's layout. It has two large main compartments filled with sleeves, zippered pockets, and open space. The packing options with the Incase Icon are endless.

Nearly all of our testers liked the Icon's shoulder straps, particularly their thickness and density.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

A close up of the Icon's fleece-line laptop sleeve.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The sleeve is roomy enough to fit most laptops, but the fleece keeps the device for sliding around.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The Icon's shoulder straps are standard in terms of construction, but what did stand out was the thickness of their padding.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The horseshoe collar fits nicely around the neck and shoulders. We were a little skeptical at first, but quickly realized this design does offer a great degree of comfort.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Dislikes

The shoulder straps on the Incase Icon are narrow. Some of our testers said they sit a little snug on larger bodies. So if you have broader shoulders, you may not like how this pack fits. Some of our testers also felt this bag's organizational structure was a little over-engineered, saying that there were so many pockets, they often had trouble remembering where they had stored some of their items.

Showing how the Icon might fit a little tighter around the neck and shoulders of larger-bodied users.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Our testers with larger shoulders felt that the tops of their shoulder didn't fit perfectly into the form of the straps.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

On smaller bodies, the Incase sometimes rides a little lower off the shoulders, but we still felt it was comfortable and distributed weight well.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The pack itself is large and roomy, allowing it to fit nicely on most body types.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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The Icon wasn't as water-resistant as we anticipated. After our at-home spray tests, we detected water on the interior of the bag. We don't think this is a deal-breaker, but a heavy rainstorm could cause problems for the Incase.

Testing our Icon's grit. We showered it in the sink for one minute to see how it repelled water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Dousing the zippers. They are usually a pack's weakest link.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Following the testing, the interior of the Icon was not completely drenched, but it did take on more water than we had hoped.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

The Incase Icon offers a good amount of packing volume (23 liters), but as we mentioned, much of it is divided into smaller pockets and pouches, which limits the amount of larger things you can fit in the bag and may feel overdone to some. If you need more open space to pack a greater variety of items, take a look at The North Face Recon or Osprey Nebula 32, which both offer more space and have a sportier vibe. If you like a sleek aesthetic, the Peak Design Everyday offers customizable organization with velcro dividers (originally meant for camera gear). The Lenovo Legion Armored has the largest capacity of the bags we tested, and has a “just-right” level of organization for packing tech.