Bag Week Review: Timbuk2 Swig Backpack

I chose this bag because it’s a bit smaller than the other ones I tested this week and it could be good for a younger person or a svelte, slim lady/man about town. It is a fairly standard backpack but is nicely outfitted with a number of useful features including, but not limited to, a bottle opener, a side zipper to access your laptop, a bottle opener, and a bottle opener.

I’m starting to love bags with bottle openers.

Timbuk2 Swig Backpack

Type: Backpack
Dimensions: 12″ x 17” x 5”
Pockets: Three inside pockets, one for a laptop, one zippered outside pocket, another slip-in pocket.
Features: Bottle opener, side zipper for laptop access
MSRP: $89
Product Page

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Style
Made of rip-stop nylon, the Swig is a handsome, weatherproof backpack that comes in multiple colors. At $89 it’s a bit pricey but it’s a solid bag and did I mention it had a bottle opener on it? It comes in multiple bold colors.

Who is it for?
This bag is for smaller folks, to be sure. It’s a smaller backpack, on par with your standard Jansport, but the quality is higher and you have more padding and features (see “bottle opener”, ibid.). A standard laptop will fit into the laptop cosy and it has some excellent expandability for overnight items. Rather than say it’s “for girls,” I’ll say it’s smaller than I’d like.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m11h81AzkpQ]

Do you want it?
At $89, the Swig is a mid- to high-end alternative to the high-end standard bookbag. However, Timbuk2 is known for quality so I’m loath not to recommend it to students on the run or folks who just want to carry a laptop and a few other things. If you’re a big, round fellow like me, this is a bit small. Otherwise, give it a go.

Product Page

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Bag Week 2011 reviews.