Sterkmann Expandable Flight Approved Carry on Backpack/Rucksack for Men/Overnight Weekender for Travel & Business/Waterproof/Fits 15" Laptop/with Packing Cube, Shoe Pouch & Laundry Bag (30L)

I bought this backpack mainly for work. I work remotely and travel a lot to various locations by both car and train. I've bought numerous bags in the past but decided to spend a little more this time based on the reviews I'd read and I've not been disappointed. I've owned the bag for about a month, used it as a day bag but also expanded the middle and used it for a day and overnight bag travelling on the train. The build quality is excellent. The bag is waterproof - I got soaked but the rain beaded on the outside of the bag and the zips kept the water out. The bag is very well designed inside and out with plenty of space for my laptop, cables, paperwork etc. I also like the small secret pockets on either side closest to you back - useful for hiding things away. The 2 bottle holders on the outside are good too; I use one for a 600ml metal water bottle and the other for a large Thermos travel coffee cup. They both fit fine. The pack cube, shoe bag and laundry bag are very good quality and I've made good use of all three. Overall a fantastic product.Updated review Dec 23: I've continued to really enjoy using this bag but unfortunately about 6 months ago both of the waterproof zips failed within a week of each other making the bag unusable. It lasted for just under 3 1/2 years which I think is good based on usage. I'm now looking for a replacement.

I like bags. A lot. To the extent that my other half thinks I might have a problem. I have owned many different backpacks and funded kickstarter campaigns in search for the perfect backpack.I looked for something that was a cross between the Nomatic backpack and the Standard Daily backpack and when I saw the 30L Sterkmann bag, I was shocked it was not well advertised at all. If you look at the features and the shape, the functionality - it almost looks like all the design cues were taken from the Nomatic Travel backpack. This is not a bad thing as the Nomatic was designed with functionality and form in mind.The Sterkmann has been my daily bag ever since. I have used it for holidaying and work alike. It has a great laptop pouch which is padded (and you can pretty much keep another laptop in the iPad sleeve which i have done). It has great hidden storage behind the back pouch which is awesome for keeping valuables. The back straps can be hidden for a low profile business briefcase look and I have found this to be very useful when commuting so that the straps don't get in the way. The side handles are also extremely sturdy - I must have had two laptops and several days worth of clothes + a lunchbox in my backpack and it has survived the weight. The expandable nature of the backpack is also a fantastic feature. by expanding it, you can open it in the middle of the backpack and open it like a briefcase - another great feature of packing for a holiday. I have used the bag in the rain - and yes it is definitely waterproof. Although it doesn't seem to list YKK zippers (as many know as the best in class), they appear to use something that is quite similar.Some reviews notice that the zips are a bit sticky at first - but this is to be expected given its waterproof nature and the fact that they have more rubber than normal zips. It seemed to get better as I used it more. There are also two water bottle holders on either side of the backpack and it will happily carry a metal water bottle which is around 500ml. Some people have commented they struggle to get a good sized water bottle in - well if you're not carrying a massive 1ltr or 750ml bottle, it will fit.The top opening spot is massively similar to Nomatic backpacks. A lot of new Kickstarter campaigns you will find this sort of feature being increasingly popular. I can put my toiletries at the top whilst travelling and you can access it with ease at the security scan. The extra box packing cubes are also a great addition - a shoe bag along, laundry bag and compressable packing cube. I have found the compression cube to be slightly heavier than I would expect (compared to the great Muji ones), but it functions well. What I have found is that the leather zip pulls have added an extra sense of premium to the backpack. Fantastic workmanship.Overall the backpack is comfortable to wear. It is slightly heavier than some backpacks I have been used to, presumably due to its premium material and overall structure. It is probably the only thing I would consider changing about the backpack - the weight. However despite this, I will enjoy using this backpack for years to come.

I initially purchased a Sterkmann backpack about a year ago, drawn to its attractive design. While it seemed functional at first, I quickly encountered significant issues. After several months of daily use, the zipper on my first bag became faulty and impossible to repair.Assuming this was a one-time occurrence, I replaced the backpack. Unfortunately, the same problem arose with the second one within a few months. The zipper broke, rendering the backpack completely unusable.To make matters worse, there was no customer service available to address these issues. The company's website is inactive, and their Facebook page is abandoned. It's clear that Sterkmann is aware of the recurring problems with their backpacks but has chosen to ignore them and continue selling their defective products.I strongly advise potential buyers to avoid Sterkmann backpacks. Their poor quality and lack of customer support make them a highly unsatisfactory purchase.

Had this bag just over a week and it's really great quality and a manageable size for day to day commuting but also as 3 to 4 day foreign travel laptop bag. The material feels quite premium and decent quality zips and lining.There are lots of places to put things and it easily handles my 15 inch Dell Inspiron. It also has a nice touch where you can tuck away the shoulder straps in a back panel so you can carry it like a briefcase into a meeting.Having travelled a lot with a trolley and a laptop bag this fits the bill for a decent all in one.One comment I would make is with a big laptop and all the peripherals and your clothes it does feel quite heavy. But with a smaller laptop or tablet only this may be better.

A great bag. It fits loads. Laptop (HP ZBook Studio x360) and iPad Pro 12.9, plus cables, plus enough room for notes or clothes for a night away.Good build quality, waterproof zips, small reflective patch but otherwise understated and nice shape. Great padding and fold away straps. Handles on top and side are strong and very useful. Nice expansion size too.Inside pockets are padded (laptop/iPad) or netted and zipped. A good range and places to store most things. Also tow inside pockets with open tops suited to a phone or battery back-up.Only downside are the bottle holders. Too small even for a small bottle of water (height is fine, diameter will not fit.Still a great pack and great value!