Filed under: Accessories, Reviews
Brenthaven: The best computer backpack I've ever seen
The TUAW gang have been searching for great holiday gift ideas and I think I've found one that's been right under my nose for five years. When I bought my brand new PowerBook G4 17" in 2004, I splurged and bought a Brenthaven backpack for it. Back then it cost a good deal more than the usual backpack -- around $75 -- but I thought it would be worth it since I lugged around my PowerBook nearly every day and it looked like the Brenthaven provided better padding than the competition.
Since then, the backpack has housed a succession of three 17" PowerBooks and MacBook Pros under very heavy use. The amazing part is that outside of being a bit dusty, it's in just as good shape as the day I bought it. No frayed stitching, no stuck zippers, no torn dividers. There is no sign of wear and/or tear whatsoever. And if there was, or ever will be, all Brenthaven bags come with a lifetime warranty.
The backpack is wonderfully designed for protection, storage, and utility. Being made of ballistic nylon it's nearly indestructible, but the design is what really sells it for me. The main section that holds the computer contains a sleeve, attached to the bag by velcro, that's extremely well padded and can be used outside of the bag if you wish. There are three file dividers, and six pockets to hold most anything. In front of that is another compartment with two large netted pockets, pen holders, and another four more pockets of varying size. Between these compartments is a deep open pocket to let you store and retrieve items quickly.
On the front are three more zippered compartments. One on top is small but quite deep, the second covers the front of the backpack vertically, and the third is on the bottom where you can store power supplies and cables.
All of the pockets and compartments are more capacious than they seem. I've often been surprised at just how much stuff I can fit into the bag.
The backpack is perfectly weighted and quite comfortable to carry for long periods of time which is important to me since my back has seen better days.
The picture in this post is of my bag, which I'm sure is discontinued, but can still be found at Amazon.com. The current line of Brenthaven backpacks are designed a bit differently and can get very expensive, with one as high as US $149.99! But if you are looking to buy one MacBook/Pro backpack for the rest of your life, or want to gift a friend with maybe not the fanciest looking, but by far the finest crafted backpack I've ever used, look no further.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Cowboy_X said 4:18PM on 11-10-2009
this post is evidence of how wildly subjective laptop bags are
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Andy said 5:20PM on 11-08-2009
I bought a Brenthaven Trek a few months ago, and let me say it's the best bag I've ever owned. It's extremely well made and the pocket layouts are very intuitive. Definitely recommend it.
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gittenlucky said 5:23PM on 11-08-2009
Nice to know... My current Columbia bag has lasted about 4 years without problems. I like things with lifetime warranty, so my next bag will probably one of these, or an LL Bean bag.
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snugs said 5:30PM on 11-08-2009
Now this is what product reviews should be like! Does this mark a return to the TUAW posts of yore? If so, welcome back, and please stay a while!
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Jules Stoop said 5:45PM on 11-08-2009
I have one of these as well, also about 5 years of pretty heavy use, and I have the exact same experience with it. As yours is, mine is also still basically like new. Only the price was different. Here in the Netherlands it retailed for about € 200,- back then. But still more than worth the money, imo.
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gfs said 5:48PM on 11-08-2009
David,
amazing.
I bought exactly the same backpack, at exactly the same time as you, for exactly the same piece of equipment.
Just like you, I have been in a progressive state of amazement, that this bag just never seems to show any signs of wear and tear. It is of an extraordinary quality.
Honestly, it still looks like new. It has a nice sheen and no signs of thread wear at all. A wipe with a damp sponge is about all it ever gets.
I would (and do) recommend it strongly to anyone.
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john.madden said 5:55PM on 11-08-2009
I agree that Brenthaven makes a fabulous product. I have been carrying around my 17" Macbook Pro in one of their Trek backpacks for going the last year. Couldn't be happier. It's kept my laptop safe and secure and has enough space for overnight trips without additional bags. And it's built to last: even compared to non-computer backpacks, the quality tops any I've ever owned.
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Justin K said 5:57PM on 11-08-2009
I have to totally agree with this post. I have a slightly smaller Brenthaven bag than what is pictured. I purchased it in 2003, and I use it constantly for personal use, work travel, and even world travel. This thing takes abuse and asks for more. And my computer has never been damaged while inside the bag. I don't even think twice about using this backpack on my motorcycle because I don't have the slightest fear that it isn't up to the task. I do triple check to make sure all the zippers are closed, though!
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ZaphodB said 6:01PM on 11-08-2009
alright TUAW now do me a favor and review Crumplers The Belly XL.
http://www.laptopstuff.co.uk/p/Crumpler_The_Belly_Laptop_Backpack.htm
I'm carrying this with me in public transport day in day out for roughly 3 years now. Its just perfect for me.
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Joanna D said 6:05PM on 11-08-2009
I don't understand why people buy those sleeve things for their laptops when they can get a good bag with a proper cushioned pocket instead.
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d-man said 6:09PM on 11-08-2009
$75? I had a The North Face Recon, $100, 2 yrs, before suffering enough wear to replace, and now I have a The North Face Surge, also $100; I tried to avoid another The North Face after my experience with the Recon and was looking mostly at Timbuk2 but the feature set was perfect. I guess you don't always get what you pay for. I'll definitely look at these guys in another two years when I will likely replace the Surge.
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sporobolus said 6:14PM on 11-08-2009
like many "computer backpacks", Brenthaven's have no waistbelt at all, meaning all the weight is on your shoulders; after you do that for a few years, the benefits of a better suspension system will be obvious; why manufacturers don't include waistbelts baffles me because if people were avoiding them for style reasons, they wouldn't buy such nerdy looking backpacks anyway ...
what i do is buy good hiking packs and put a Brenthaven sleeve inside; that gives me the best of both worlds, the good protection of Brenthaven as well as the great comfort, durability, lighter weight and flexibility of good outdoor gear; plus it's a little less obvious that i'm carrying a computer
my current favorites: i can fit my 13" MacBook Pro, a small DSLR, lunch, a jacket and more into the ultralight Gregory ISO; i used the even smaller Gregory Miwok for the same gear for a week in Paris, but had to trade the Brenthaven sleeve for a less-protective REI model
when i was carrying a 15" MacBook Pro every day i used a Granite Gear Vapor Day (which is still my go-to bag for 13" plus more gear); the fantastically supportive waistbelt on this model is fairly bulky, however
there are many other options; i'm just a happy customer of the above
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billchase2 said 6:34PM on 11-08-2009
I've got the same bag. Bought it for my 17" PowerBook back in February of 2006. It's gone through a couple of laptops as well and is still in pretty good condition. The zipper at the top is starting to come loose (stitching is giving away), but other than that it's perfect. I highly recommend it!
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Polarbear said 6:38PM on 11-08-2009
Such an ugly bag for a beautiful computer...
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infodriveway said 6:49PM on 11-08-2009
They’re a Bellingham company.
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Matthew Blest said 6:51PM on 11-08-2009
I'd recommend Booq Bags, I've got a Python and a Viper case, I wouldn't want to put my 17" Macbook Pro in anything else. Very well made and lots of pockets.
http://www.booqbags.com/
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doug said 9:23AM on 11-09-2009
I second Booq bag. I have the same thing for my MacBook Pro 17. Outstanding product.
Steve Burling said 6:54PM on 11-08-2009
I'm now 8+ years into a Tom Bihn Brain Bag with a Brain Cell laptop sleeve. I've been known to stuff a second laptop and a projector into that bag, or to use it for my entire carry-on when traveling. The bag has a fantastic suspension system, including a good waist belt that can take a lot of the load off my shoulders, and also provided great stability when I was commuting by bike. I'd by another one in a minute if this one ever wore out, but it looks like it's going to out-last me.
I did once manage to slam one of the waist belt buckles in the car door and break it, but the nice folks at Tom Bihn replaced it promptly (and at no charge).
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lex-tuaw said 12:09AM on 11-09-2009
tom bihn - port angeles. I've had it since 1999? i've worn it daily for many of those years. it's made airline trips from SF to montreal, and commuting to work (caltrain, muni, stcum/metro). Nothing has broken on it and it looks as good as the day I bought it. The zippers are quality. It has a belt for waist and one between shoulder pads. The bag cinches down small or you can unhook it for a weekend worth of clothes. awesome bag. the only notable mark of wear is at the bottom of the back but i'm sure it still has a few years left.
it looks like it's been renamed brain bag, but now you can choose colors other than black. http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0104
THJ said 1:01AM on 11-09-2009
Aaargh, can't take it anymore. Every time there is a post about laptop bags someone mentions Tom Bihn. Finally broke down and ordered an Empire Builder to replace my slowly unraveling BBP. Hope it lives up to the hype.