So, I have received all four backpacks I mentioned from Amazon, and I’ve had a few days to move my “stuff” from one backpack to the next, so could compare weight, comfort, and appearance with me wearing it (and sitting on the floor by itself), etc. Interestingly, the most important factor for me as I’m moving away from the big, bulky SwissGear ScanSmart Laptop Bag, was to get a smaller, lighter, and more compact bag. So I really thought the two compact versions of these backpacks would be the winners and I’d be choosing between them.
Instead, I quickly realized that the compact versions were a few inches smaller in every dimension, but did not weigh noticeably differently, and they provided less room, fewer pockets, less rigidity, and in general were worse in every way. The full-sized Nomatic Navigator and the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack were superior all the way around compared to their respective “mini-me” versions, in my opinion. So, now I’m down to two. This is where it gets challenging.
I REALLY like both full-sized backpacks A LOT! They are still very compact, compared to what I’m used to, they each weigh only a little over 2 pounds each (completely empty), and they have very slim profiles when viewed from the side, yet there’s a lot more space inside of both of them once you open them up.
The Navigator has the advantage of maybe a few better-placed and sized pockets. I particularly like the one on top (good for a pair of glasses, or my little things like my Beats Fit Pro, nasal spray, pill bottles, etc.) and the sort of secret one on the front of it (where there’s a nylon strap with a snap to easily attach my key ring and Apple AirTag), AND I can put my wallet, passport, and a few small, flat items that I want easy access to. I also love how the water bottle holder can be zipped inside of the bag and hidden when not in use, so it looks like there are no water bottle holders, unless I want to use it.
In contrast, the Apex has TWO water bottle pockets (one on each side) which feel much more durable and reliable than the one on the Navigator. Also, I often like to carry two bottles of water with me instead of one. While it does not have that open pocket on top for storing my small things, it does have a flat pocket on the top of the front side of the backpack, and this still fits everything just as easily. I do like the position a little better on the Navigator, but it almost doesn’t matter. The back section, where the laptop and iPad are stored, is pretty similar on each of them, and they both offer dedicated pockets for each device, keeping them separated from one another. Also, if I put the backpack in front of my nightstand next to my bed, the material is rigid enough so each bag sits perfectly upright and the material does not flop over. This makes it much easier for me to access the USB-C ports on my devices for charging than it was with my SwissGear bag.
In the end, it’s kind of a toss-up between the Navigator and the Apex. Functionally, they’re both so much better than what I used to have, that I’d be thrilled with either one. It comes down to aesthetics and price. I think the Apex looks a little nicer and higher-end than the Navigator, but that’s subjective. Meanwhile, the prices are almost identical: $245 for the Apex, $249.99 for the Navigator.
I haven’t made the final judgment yet, but I’m leaning toward sticking with the Apex for now. Does anyone else have any opinions about this? Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these bags?
I’m usually looking at sub £50