Nomatic Navigator 15 Review

The Nomatic Navigator 15 is defined by its muscle. It's built to protect and made to last. What we loved most is its brawn doesn't translate into a ton of bulk.

Comfort and Fit

Its pleasant oval shape and noteworthy padding combine to produce one of the comfiest packs in our lineup. We loved the feel and fit of the Nomatic Navigator 15 enough to give it solid scores for this metric.

First-rate shoulder straps and an excellent back panel are this bag's claim to fame when it comes to comfort. The 2.5-inch wide straps are curved to fit the contours of the body.

This pack's half-inch back padding is soft and pliable. We loved how well it cushioned our shoulder blades and lower back. The padding is raised, so it creates channels that allow for good air flow. We don't think it gets any better.

Both large and small testers agreed, the Navigator fits most body types; however, this pack's structure is more rigid. It doesn't flex or bend very well, so it may feel a little tight on broader shoulders. We liked the adjustable sternum strap, an ideal feature for transportation modes that involve more than just walking (bikes, motorcycles, scooters, etc.).

The Nomatic hugs securely around the shoulders and back, making it easier to take alternative forms of transportation.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Locking in our sternum strap. This small connection is key to securing the Nomatic well against the shoulders. It makes riding a bike or other activities easier because the pack stays in place while you move.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Laptop Protection

Very few of the models on our list scored as high as the Nomatic Navigator 15. From head to toe, this backpack is the real deal, and is as close as you can come to being a hardshell haven for your laptop or other electronics and valuables.

The thing we loved the most about the designated laptop sleeve is that it has a generous false bottom (dead space between the sleeve and the bottom of the bag). This means your laptop or tablet is completely suspended. This reduces the potential for damage if this bag is accidentally dropped. Likewise, if you happen to plop the Nomatic down a little too hard on a desk, step, or table, chances are your electronics won't even feel it.

Weatherproofed zippers are a key protective feature of the Nomatic. They provide an excellent barrier against rain, snow, dust, and dirt. Our testing crew drowned the Nomatic with sink water and not a drop penetrated this case. In addition to great zippers, this pack is shielded by super dense, 840-denier, ballistic nylon, which is inherently tough, scuff-resistant, and reasonably waterproof.

Showing the design of the Nomatic's waterproof zippers. The zipper teeth hide behind a protective membrane, which helps keep water from passing through zipper teeth and onto your stuff.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Placing a paper towel into the main compartment in order to detect water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Spraying the exterior of the main compartment.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Directly spraying the zippers to see how they hold up.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Following the spray test, the paper towel was still dry.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Both the laptop and main compartments have dual, interlocking zipper pulls. A great feature that helps prevent wandering hands from making their way to your valuables. We also loved that the Nomatic sports an RFID-Safe interior pocket. This is a great way to protect things like contactless credit cards and passports.

We loved the Nomatic's sturdy zipper pulls. Small cables attach them to the zipper heads.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

A close up of how the zipper pulls interlock to help keep unwanted hands away.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved the RFID zippered pouch. It's a perfect place for credit cards, key fobs, or anything else that can transmit. The pocket is lined with signal-blocking material that keeps hackers from scanning their frequencies.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Storage and Organization

The Nomatic Navigator 15 is brimming with cool pockets and special storage features. There seems to be a place for just about everything.

Right out of the box, we spent nearly an hour exploring our Navigator 15. This thing is covered in zippers, straps, pockets, and pouches. Our testing crew loved its detachable exterior cargo straps and hideaway water-bottle holder.

There's also a fleece-line soft pouch for eyewear and phones, a secret pocket for wallets or other valuables, and several stretchy drop-in pouches in the main compartment. The Navigator has a 15L capacity. For everyday office gear, this feels like a good size that won't tempt you to overload. However, it is on the smaller side, but one of its coolest features is that it can expand up to 20L. So no problem if you need to carry extra clothes for an after-work yoga class or gym session.

Ease of Use

Multiple carrying options, a simplistic design, and the ability to be nimble and quick on the go earned the Nomatic Navigator 15 a score just slightly above average for this metric.

The Nomatic is a traditional backpack; however, we loved its three additional grab handles. Each is large, easy to grasp, and comfortable, allowing this pack to be carried from the top or from the sides (like a briefcase).

The protective design of this bag's weatherproof zippers makes them a little more stubborn. They just don't glide as well, but we think the trade-off of keeping our stuff dry is worth it. The Nomatic also doesn't easily fold down flat, so it's harder to pack, collapse, or stow. However, overall, we felt it traveled well on planes, trains, and buses. It's also stain-resistant and very easy to wipe down if it gets dirty.

Versatility

We feel the Nomatic Navigator 15 is slightly in its own lane when it comes to price and style.

This is a uniquely styled bag that has only one color option, but we think it shines when it comes to its ability to please both office workers and students. Not all of our testers loved its style, but we feel that this bag's open design and overall function allow it to be easily incorporated into most routines without making a splash. Additionally, many of our jetsetters made this bag their personal item and loved it. On the whole, the Nomatic is compartmentalized but still very wide open, allowing it to adapt to the different packing styles of the average user.

Should You Buy the Nomatic Navigator 15?

If you have the extra dinero, we think the Nomatic Navigator 15 is an excellent purchase. This pack is extremely well-made and could last you a decade or more if you take good care of it. Every inch of this bag is solid, offering tons of packing features, including a stellar laptop compartment that offers top-notch protection for your tech. We think some people won't like the stiffness of this bag's shell, but other than that, there's not much we didn't love. The elephant in the room is that it's $100+ more expensive than other top-performing backpacks. Does it offer $100 worth of better performance? We're not sure. But if you like the look of the Nomatic, and don't mind the price tag, we think you'll love its function.

What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

If you want the rugged performance in the sleek-looking shell of the Nomatic but prefer a multi-carry briefcase-style, the Aer Tech Brief won't disappoint. We also loved the toughness of the Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L, which has a similar design without the hardshell feel. Our favorite backpack overall is the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe, which punches above its price when it comes to comfort and laptop protection.