Douchebags The Backpack review

Douchebags The Backpack review

We recently received a couple of Douchebags backpacks to review and test out, including this The Backpack, the smaller of two pro-level media bags.

These were for us to trial while we were out working our day-to-days in the mountain bike media world. We were promised practical and hard-wearing backpacks. Read on to find out what we thought of Douchebags’ The Backpack.

First things first, you should know The Backpack doesn’t come cheap. One-hundred-and-eighty-nine euros is a fair chunk of money. But is it worth it? In our opinion and after six-or-so months of daily use, yes.

A backpack would have to be pretty amazing to justify costing nearly €200, so what’s The Backpack got that Another Backpack perhaps doesn’t have?

Here are some features we like:

PU (artificial) leather exterior that deflects light rain
Plenty of very sturdy straps with metal buckles for storage
Well protected and easy to slide in computer storage
Nice deep storage on the top of the bag. We stash stationary, cables, etc. in here
Strong full-open zip on three sides — so the entire front of the bag flaps open for simple access
Zipped mesh pockets on the reverse of the front flap for storage
Douchebags’ ‘CIA’ camera insert fits inside
It holds its shape and is protective but light thanks to its Rib Cage construction
It’s comfy to wear even when fully loaded

To be clear, this isn’t a pack for action sports photography. For getting out on the trail, Douchebags’ The Backpack Pro has similar features but it is a little bigger and has a decent waist strap that secures it well in place.

The Backpack is, however, great for roaming journalists and media types like us.

It’s got roomy, secure storage. A strong, protective build. It’s comfortable to wear for long treks to the next spot. It’s a practical shape that fits nicely into luggage compartments and smaller spaces. And it takes a good beating — we’ve been wearing it and using it daily to store stuff for over six months and there isn’t a thread, zip or pocket out of place.

The trouble with reviewing a faultless product is… well, what else do you say? There’s little to criticise (apart from the cost). What doesn’t it have or do, then? Some simple removable section separators (as the CIA insert adds) for the main pocket would be nice. Some simple external stash pockets might be good, although to be honest, the main top pocket is so big and accessible that might not be necessary. It doesn’t have chest or waist straps, but then it isn’t really aimed at sports usage.

If you think we are not being critical enough, know this: Douchebags’ The Backpack has a four-point-nine-star rating from over 500 customer reviews. People ‘Totally love it’, which we fully understand. The few gripes that exist are related to laptop size (check yours fits as it isn’t a massive pocket) and that the zippers are a bit stiff/slow.

As a side-note, The Backpack can also be linked up to other Douchebags products using the Hook-Up system. This is a way of connecting smaller packs like this to the company’s holdalls so that the weight of the pack is carried through the wheels on any of Douchebags’ roller bags.

Verdict

Overall, we recommend this pack for day-to-day office and freelance media work and travel.

Check it out on the Douchebags website

DOUCHEBAGS THE BACKPACK SPECS

Available in five colours (we got black)
Douchebags Hook-up compatible
Top pocket
Side straps
Bottle pocket
Fully openable main compartment
Inside mesh pockets
Compatible with The CIA
Separate laptop pocket – fits a 15” MacBook Pro & the new MacBook Pro 16″
Material:
Main material: Polyester 600D
Lining: Polyester 200D
Measurements:
Length: 47 cm
Width: 29 cm
Depth: 15 cm
Weight: 1 kg
Volume: 21L
Price: €189