WANDRD Nimbus 18 Review

What sets the WANDRD Nimbus 18 apart is its rugged exterior shell that is flexible enough to collapse for storage. This makes it ideal for packing into your checked luggage for later use or for shoving it under the seat in front of you before takeoff.

Comfort and Fit

We found the WANDRD Nimbus 18 to be a little snug on larger bodies or broader shoulders, but overall we loved this pack's comfortable design and feel it will work for most body types.

The Nimbus has two well-padded shoulder straps complete with load lifter cinches to keep the weight of the bag closer to your body. We hand-measured their width at 2.5 inches with about a half inch of quality padding. Likewise, the back panel of this bag has three well-placed pads, two at the shoulder and one at the base of the bag. All three pads are about one inch in depth, offering a reasonably comfy ride for even the heaviest of payloads. The Nimbus also has a nice sternum strap, which secures the bag against the body. This is great for hustling through the subway or riding a bike or scooter.

We liked the solid padding. It runs the full length of both shoulder straps.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The two upper pads are large and fluffy. They allow the Nimbus to comfortably ride against the upper back.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The bottom pad is just as thick and fluffy. It sits nicely against the middle or lower back, depending on your height.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved how both shoulder straps are both covered in daisy chains. This is an excellent feature for fastening sunscreen or other quick-grab items.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Both shoulder straps also have load-lifers. These straps allow the user to angle the pack closer to or farther away from the back and shoulders in order to find a perfect balance. This is particularly helpful if the pack is heavier than normal.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We liked this pack's easy-clip sternum strap.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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We loved its three well-placed grab handles (one top, two side). They make for easier movement in grab-and-go situations. In particular, either side handle allows it to be carried like a briefcase, giving the Nimbus additional carrying options, which we liked. During our first tests, we instantly noticed the ergonomic shape of the shoulder straps. They curve outward at the bottom, which provides for a more comfortable fit near the rib cage, armpits, and sides of the body.

Laptop Protection

We liked the overall protective features this bag brings to the table. We gave it above-average scores for many reasons, including its ability to fend off precipitation.

We doused the Nimbus with sink water and were impressed with its water-resistant shell and zippers. As mentioned, this bag's exterior zippers are reverse-coil, meaning they're turned inward instead of out, which makes them a little more protective against rain, snow, dust, or dirt, and provides a cleaner overall look.

Placing a section of industrial paper towel into the Nimbus. It helped us to detect even the slightest amount of water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Dousing the front of the Nimbus with water. Its rubberized shell did an excellent job of repelling water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Spraying water directly at the Nimbus's main zippers.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Removing the paper towel. It was completely dry.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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We liked this pack's dedicated laptop compartment. It rests directly against the back panel, so it sits right against the user's shoulders. The sleeve also offers padding across its bottom, which protects the laptop when placing the pack down onto hard surfaces. What we loved most about this compartment is that its sole purpose is to carry a laptop. The sleeve is narrow, so it fits securely around the laptop, and it has its own zippered entrance.

Lastly, we loved that the Nimbus has a metal spine, which adds to its overall structure and protective nature. This solid piece of aluminum runs down the center of the bag. Even better, it's complemented by a large plastic back panel that shores up the entire structure of the bag.

Storage and Organization

The Nimbus touts a wide-open organizational structure, which some of our testers loved, but not all of them. In the end, we agreed on slightly above-average scores for this metric, but it really depends on how you like to pack.

If you like a fair amount of freedom when packing your things, you'll love this model's storage system. Basically, it's just one large, open compartment — fill it as you see fit. This was a great option for travelling, but sometimes we didn't like having to dig around to find things. The WANDRD Nimbus 18 offers four exterior pockets, which include two stellar water-bottle pouches (some of the best we've seen). It also has a secret pocket on the back of the pack that conceals wallets, passports, or other small valuables. This pocket is so inconspicuous that you almost can't see it.

The Nimbus's water-bottle pouches are on a totally different level. They can hold just about any size container.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Unzipping this pack's secret pocket.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The pocket is just about as wide as the entire pack, so it's large enough to fit several items at the same time.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Ease of Use

We awarded the Nimbus solid marks for this metric. Things like its carrying options, grab-and-go design, and ease of cleaning were key factors in our decision.

We loved this bag's exterior fabric. Its durable and coated with a rubbery shell, making it scuff-resistant and super easy to wipe down or deep clean. We also found the Nimbus a breeze to grab and sling onto our backs. Everything about this pack is simple and makes sense. The only negative we noted was the exterior zippers. Their reverse-coil design makes them a little more stubborn.

Versatility

We loved the look of this bag as much as we loved its ability to fit the needs of most people. Its stand-out feature is its sleek modern vibe.

Our testers found the WANDRD Nimbus 18 to be quite versatile, because it's great for work or school. Not only can it carry a laptop and other essentials, but its large main compartment is ideal for stashing extra clothing for a quick business flight, or gym clothes for a quick workout after work or class. We wish the Nimbus was available in more colors, but we also like its few conservative palette options. Our favorite way to use this pack was as an airline personal item. It's a perfect blend of luggage and backpack.

The Nimbus is a great pack to have for the city. Its style looks right at home, but it also provides the projection you need if you walk a lot or take public transportation.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

However, the Nimbus also knows how to play. It often doubled as our go-to bag for day adventures while traveling.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Should You Buy the WANDRD Nimbus 18?

If you travel a lot and are looking for a sturdy personal item that can securely stow your laptop, the WANDRD Nimbus 18 is an excellent choice. We love how the manufacturer effectively blended the best features of a briefcase, backpack, and luggage. And this pack isn't just for travel. We think it works well for the daily commute as well as for countless trips across campus. The Nimbus has a solid design and many convenient features that make it a winner. However, its smaller size and lack of organizational features may be a deal breaker for some.

What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

The Nomatic Navigator 15 is a step up from the Nimbus in most ways (including price). It offers a more protective shell, sturdier construction, and several additional security features. It also costs more. The Troubadour Apex Backpack also has a wide-open design, but with a classier flair that fits in well in most office settings. Lastly, if want to know which pack we liked the very best, it's the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe.