Troubadour Apex Backpack 4.0 Review

Likes

Where do we start? There was a lot we loved about this bag. Some of our favorite things were its fashionable accents. Things like leather zipper pulls (even on the interior zippers), leather accents, integrated luggage sleeve, and a protective laptop compartment. One of our favorite things was the overall design of the Troubadour. Every component of this bag is integrated or concealed, giving it a polished, seamless, fashionably understated appearance. Nothing about the Troubadour feels overdone or out of place in an office setting.

We loved the leather zipper pulls and top panel.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The bottom pad doubles as a pass-through strap for luggage. We liked this integrated features because it gives the pack a cleaner appearance.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Stretchy drop pockets with leather finger tabs -- a nice touch.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The grab handle is accented with leather, giving the Troubadour an elevated look.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We liked that the laptop sleeve is lined with suede-like material. This is softer on the device, but also holds it in place.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The laptop sleeve is compact, which keeps the device snuggly in place. We also loved that the sleeve sits in its own zippered compartment against the back of the bag.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The Troubadour has a sleek appearance, thanks to hidden zippers and stitching.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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We liked how well the Apex Backpack 4.0 fit on all of our testers. This pack is a little larger than some, and its shoulder straps and back panel are soft, pliable, and accommodating to nearly every body type.

Dislikes

The Troubadour lacks a sternum strap. It can be purchased separately; however, for the price, we felt a detachable strap should be included with the purchase. This pack also didn't perform as well as we hoped in our at-home spray tests. The Troubadour has waterproof zippers and a dense weatherproof shell, but some water was able to seep its way into our bag.

Showing the Troubadour's waterproof zippers.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We sprayed our Troubadour for one minute, making sure to hit every inch.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Overall, it repelled water well, but we were surprised to see that some water made its way to the interior.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Additionally, its two exterior water-bottle pouches are fully enclosed at the bottom, so they tend to collect and hold onto water. This could be remedied with a small drip hole at the bottom of each pouch. We realize that being caught in a serious rainstorm is rare, but we still wanted to share our findings.

What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

We don't have many backpacks in our lineup that compare with the classy appearance of the Troubadour. It really does have a style of its own. The Everlane The ReNew Transit also has a flair for fashion, and comes at a much more wallet-friendly price, but its laptop protection and organizational features are not as robust. We absolutely love the clean lines and quality of the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe. Likewise, the Nomatic Navigator 15 also has its own sleek look.