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Tech backpack recommendations?

Question

Hi guys. I'm new to this sub, and as you can guess, I'm looking to get a new backpack. I'm a soon-to-graduate computer science major, so I'm looking for something small and clean and with lots of functionality. I've been using the Incase Icon Lite for about 6 years or so now, and although it's a sturdy little guy, it's finally starting to show wear and tear, and I want to get something that makes up for everything the Icon Lite lacks.

I want something that is basically a mobile workstation, where I can fit anything I need for a day's worth of coding and still have room for "just in case" things like an umbrella, water bottle, band-aids, etc. But not too big. I'm not going hiking or camping with this (or ever).

My current top pick is the Nomatic backpack 14L, even if it is a little outside my budget. I'm obsessed with the sheer amount of pockets and compartments it has, and its ability to expand if I really need more space. If anyone has used that backpack, I'd love to hear how it held up to your expectations. And if anyone knows any other similar backpacks that they think can top it, I'm all ears.

Budget: $200-250 USD

My EDC (for reference):

  • Wallet/keys

  • 14" laptop + charger

  • 12.9" iPad + charger

  • Several pens/pencils + eraser

  • A few dongles/cables just in case

  • Medium-size sketchbook

  • Collapsible umbrella

Things I want to add to my EDC (and would like dedicated pockets for):

  • Band-aids

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Travel mouse

  • Multitool

Requirements:

  • Have a good laptop pouch

  • Sleek, modern look

  • Small enough to not stick out too much

  • Able to hold its own in the rain

  • Dedicated water bottle pocket

  • Have many pockets to hold little gadgets and gizmos (cables, pens, tablet, chargers, battery, mouse, wallet, etc.)

Would be nice:

  • Totally waterproof

  • Dedicated tablet pouch that fits 12.9" iPad Pro + apple pencil

  • More than one "main pouch"

  • Expandable

  • Pockets that are easily accessible when wearing on back

  • Cheaper

Thanks in advance!

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This sounds a lot like an Alpha One Niner Whitley to me:

https://www.alphaoneniner.com/collections/bags-cases/products/whitley

Clamshell with two zipper pockets inside the main compartment, a full-size admin pocket with many small pockets and a quick-grab pocket on the front. Two external water bottle pockets and both laptop and tablet slots.

Not totally waterproof, and the X-Pac version is probably better for water resistance than the Cordura version (I have it in 500D).

I wrote a review of it over in r/ManyBaggers here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/comments/17d52zv/yet_another_alpha_one_niner_whitley_review/

The Aer Tech Pack 2 should be an option. It should be on sale come Black Friday. It reportly has good waterproofing. https://aersf.com/collections/backpacks/products/tech-pack-2?country=US

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The Linustechtips one should be good from what i've heard

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https://stuartandlau.com/products/the-capstone-backpack-black

Just picked one of these up. Beautiful bags!

Lenovo Legion Armoured II Backpack. It fits almost all your requirements except for the iPad Pro unless you use the compartment for the keyboard.

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I use these built to last and the organization is brilliant https://www.magma-bags.de/solid-blaze-pack-80

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Wait for black Friday deals on the nomatic last year that pack was 120 I believe

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