Yorepek Travel Extra Large Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Yorepek Travel Extra Large | |||||
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Awards | Best for High Capacity | Best Value for a Great Laptop Backpack | Best Laptop Backpack on a Tight Budget | ||
Price | $40 List $27.99 at Amazon | $109.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $99.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $40 List $21.99 at Amazon | $49 List $29.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A pack with a lot of storage capacity and enough pockets for all kinds of tech and accessories | Large volume, top-notch organization, good structure, and a massive laptop compartment ensure this pack is well-loved by travelers and daily commuters | A pack that can withstand wet and windy weather with plenty of storage capacity for the daily essentials | An inexpensive and versatile backpack with unique features and a touch of style | A feature-laden option that does the trick for a low price, but there are better inexpensive options in our lineup |
Rating Categories | Yorepek Travel Extr... | The North Face Recon | The North Face Bore... | Matein Travel | Tzowla Travel |
Laptop Protection (30%) | |||||
Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
Storage (20%) | |||||
Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
Versatility (10%) | |||||
Specs | Yorepek Travel Extr... | The North Face Recon | The North Face Bore... | Matein Travel | Tzowla Travel |
Compatible Laptop Size | 17" | 16" | 15" | 15.6" | 15.6" |
Volume | 50 L | 30 L | 28 L | 28 L | Unspecified |
Number of Compartments | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Number of Large Pockets | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Number of Small Pockets | 4 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 5 |
External Side Pockets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
External Water Bottle Holder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Additional Features | Key clip | Key clip, removable webbing hip belt, sternum strap, reflective material, daisy chains | Key clip, removable webbing hip belt, sternum strap, reflective material | Key clip | Key clip |
Weight | 2.2 lb | 2.5 lb | 2.0 lb | 1.7 lb | 1.8 lb |
Dimensions | 18.0" x 13.5" x 6.5" | 19.5" x 13.0" x 7.0" | 19.5" x 12.0" x 6.5" | 18.0" x 12.0" x 7.8" | 19.3" x 11.8" x 5.4" |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This bag features a massive 50L capacity with three large compartments for packing clothing, shoes, toiletries, food, and travel accessories. It also incorporates four smaller pockets for daily essentials like earbuds, pens, keys, and water bottles.
Performance Comparison
Laptop Protection
This bag has a dedicated laptop sleeve within the backmost pocket, which closes easily and securely with a Velcro strap. Though the soft back and bottom of the pack don't provide the most robust protection of all the packs we tested, we never had any issues with laptop security. The padding between pockets and the other gear we regularly stowed in the pack was more than enough to protect our computer.
The zippers of the laptop pocket also come with loops for a mini travel lock if you want extra theft protection. One of our favorite features is the two-sided compression straps. They can cinch down around the top of a tall water bottle so that it doesn't inadvertently fall out if you are, say, running through an airport terminal. They also have the added benefit of preventing the back laptop pocket from opening and dumping its contents if you accidentally forget to close it all the way.
In terms of water resistance, we were pleasantly surprised by the performance of this pack. Though the fabric doesn't bead exceptionally well, it is thick enough that the contents stay dry in moderate rain.
The weak point of this water resistance is the zippers. There are no storm flaps, and the teeth are quite large, so water eventually penetrates them in heavy or prolonged rain exposure. Having said that, we never experienced any catastrophes during testing, just the underside of a few slightly damp zippers. Our only caution is to consider the position of any precious loose files or paper folders in case the skies do fully open up.
Comfort and Fit
The Yorepek is reasonably comfortable, given its exceptional capacity. It has extra cushioning on the back pad at each corner, and this foam is light and airy enough to offer a degree of breathability. Recognizing that this pack can hold a lot of stuff, the shoulder straps are extra wide, effectively distributing the load across a larger area and protecting the wearer from sore shoulders under typical loads.
The only downside is that because this pack can fit so much gear, even the wider shoulder straps won't prevent you from feeling the weight of its contents. So if you pack it to the max, especially with heavy items, don't be surprised if this pack quickly becomes less comfortable than advertised.
Storage
Storage is where this pack really shines. At 50 liters, it has the largest total capacity of any model we tested. It can easily hold a laptop, charger, tablet, and additional accessories in the backmost compartment. For daily work, the middle compartment is perfect for storing your lunch, a jacket, and everyday items like a small umbrella.
For multi-day travel, we were able to stuff this pocket with five days' worth of clothing, a pair of dress shoes, and our toiletries. The third large compartment is perfect for larger accessories like noise-canceling headphones. There are also four smaller pockets — two on the front that can hold earbuds, pens, and other office supplies, and two on the sides for an umbrella or skinny water bottle — plus two more mesh water bottle pockets on each side. Our only concern about the Yorepek's storage is that it might be too much for most typical days. We were often tempted to carry extra items we wouldn't typically take just to fill up all that empty space.
Ease of Use
The Yorepek is also really easy to use. Testers commented on the smoothness of the zipper pull and that there is no additional fabric for them to catch on. The handle at the top is a rugged rubber overlay, and the wheeled suitcase adapter strap at the back means you can attach it to your favorite carry-on luggage, making it a great accessory for even longer trips.
The two front compartments offer easy access to the small items we always have on hand, like earbuds and a phone charger. It's technically possible to clip a bike helmet to the red loop at the front, if you really need to keep your hands free, though it doesn't hold your helmet tightly, allowing it to instead dangle freely behind you.
There are also a few tech features on this pack. But frankly, they aren't well-designed enough to be particularly useful. The first is an external-facing USB port if you want to charge devices through the pack without actually taking your solar charger out of the pack. There is also a feeder hole for wired headphones, which is a bit outdated as a feature.
Versatility
There's no way around it: this is a bulky bag. It is squat and deep, so it sticks out from your body, especially when fully loaded. Its size makes it a little unwieldy, especially for folks with a smaller torso.
It definitely has more of a middle-manager, functional-business vibe than one that says “cool” or “trendsetting.” However, it is undoubtedly practical, and its benefits far outweigh any shortcomings in terms of style.
Should You Buy the Yorepek Travel Extra Large?
The Yorepek Travel pack is a nice option for those who need added capacity. We love it for multi-day work trips, air travel, or any situation when minimizing the number of bags is critical. It does a great job of protecting your laptop with its integrated, padded sleeve, includes plenty of space for other electronics, and offers enough carrying capacity for pretty much anything else you might want to bring along. Though it's certainly not the most stylish model in this category, its functionality is exceptional, and its price is reasonable.
What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?
For an office-ready pack with less capacity but a little more style and higher quality, the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe is our favorite all-around model, though much more expensive. For budget-conscious commuters, the Matein Travel is not nearly as large as the Yorepek, but it comes at a very low cost, and we think it looks better, too. The North Face Recon strikes a happy medium with an above-average capacity, excellent comfort and functionality, and a price that is well worth the investment to anyone looking for a long-term travel buddy.