Like laptops, bags come in all shapes and sizes from full-on backpacks to shoulder bags and everything in between. Our booq Daypack review takes a look at a smaller daypack style backpack that should fit most 15.4″ Mac and 15.6″ PC laptops. Read on to see what we thought!
Specifications
The booq Daypack has the following features and specifications:
- Tough and rugged everyday pack for any Mac/PC and your stuff
- Water-repellent exterior
- Breathable air mesh back-padding increases comfort and allows heat to escape
- YKK zippers
- Convenient expandable snap-button side pockets
- Genuine leather straps
- Terralinq Lost-and-Found service included
- Fits 12-15″ Mac, 15.6″ PC
- Exterior: Ballistic Nylon
- Interior: Polyester
- Exterior: 420 x 310 x 152 mm (16.5 x 12.2 x 6 in)
- Interior: 380 x 280 x 38 mm (15 x 11 x 1.5 in)
- Weight: 0.8 kg (1.7 lbs)
What’s in the box
- booq Daypack
- Five-year warranty
Design
Unlike other backpacks which can house a 15.6″ laptop, the booq Daypack actually has a smaller looking design and actually doesn’t look like it could hold a laptop of that size. As mentioned in the specifications above, the backpack is 16.5″ high, 12.2″ wide, and 6″ in depth. Starting with the front of the backpack, there is a 7.5″ zipper covered by a flap. This opens up a thin, red, soft polyester lined sleeve-like pouch about 9.5″ deep. Inside this pouch is a detachable keychain for easy storage and access to your keys.
On the outside of this pouch, towards the bottom right, is a small red tag with the booq logo on it. On either side of the front of the backpack is a pouch with an open top and a snap near the back of the backpack. These pouches are also just under 9.5″ deep and when unsnapped are perfect for carrying a water bottle or the like.
Towards the front of the pouch is a zipper which unzips up the side of the backpack, around the back, and down the opposite side to open the main compartment. As such, the top backpack flap opens towards the front of the backpack which can make it a bit awkward for someone else to open while you’re wearing it. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your personal perspective. It’s good in that it’s harder for someone to try and open your backpack and steal your valuables. On the other hand, if you’re using it as a daypack for a trip to a theme park or something, it can be a bit difficult for someone else in your party to open it and remove a needed item.
On that note, the inside of the backpack is pretty spacious and lined with red fabric. Located along the back portion is a laptop sleeve with a strap to hold your laptop in place. It’s just under 14″ deep and should hold most 15.6″ laptops fine. Anything under that size and you’ll have no issues whatsoever with carrying your laptop here. On the front of this sleeve/pouch is a smaller one which is more than suitable for tablets or other items with three pen/pencil sleeves to the right of that. The rest of the main compartment is one open compartment. Finally, on the front portion of the inside is another smaller zippered pouch underneath a mesh pouch on the inside of the top flap.
The back of the backpack is nicely padded with a breathable air-mesh and is comfortable when wearing. The shoulder straps don’t have any extra padding but are very sturdy feeling. The shoulder straps are adjustable by way of a leather strap on the bottom of each one. At the top of the back is a nylon loop/handle for carrying the Daypack with one hand. A red tag with the booq logo and name is located near the bottom of the right strap. Finally, near the top of the backpack is a barcode and identification number which can be registered at booq’s terralinq.com. More on that in the Protection section.
Each of the YYK zippers on the outside and inside of the backpack also have a small leather tab on it for easier grasping to open and close them. Overall, the construction of the backpack is solid and the stitching looks and feels to be solid as well.
Our review sample came in black and red, with black being the main exterior colour and, as mentioned, the red being the main interior colour. The backpack is also available in black/tan (plaid interior), clay/canvas plaid, navy/red plaid, seafoam/aqua, blue/aqua, and gray/red. While some colours are only available on their website (linked below), other colour combinations are only available on Amazon.
Protection
Of course, a good laptop backpack should provide protection. The booq Daypack is nicely padded on the back, as well as offers ample side and bottom padding which should protect your laptop and other valuables from jostling and most bumps. I wouldn’t go tossing this off of a balcony or forget it on the roof of your car, but for normal daily use and commuting it should protect your devices just fine.
In addition to physical protection, each booq backpack also comes with a barcode and serial number which you can register at booq’s terralinq.com. If you lose your backpack, whoever finds it can report it at Terralinq and they will then contact you with the finder’s information.
Price/Value
With an MSRP of $80USD, the booq Daypack is pretty reasonably priced. If you’re not picky about colour, you can snag one of these from as low as $67.42 USD at the time of this review. In addition, the Terralinq service and five-year warranty add value as well.
Wrap-up
The booq Daypack is a sleek looking backpack with surprisingly large interior storage space suitable for laptops and other devices up to 15.6″ in size. It is well constructed, sturdy, water-resistant, and comfortable to wear.
