Constructed from ballistic nylon with genuine leather accents making it smart, stylish and comfortable. It’s also unique in having room for two (maybe three) laptops. Add in a 35L capacity – plenty for a few days – excellent build quality and some must-have designs that thrive and are hard to resist.
Waterfield Air Travel Backpack: Design and Features
As its name suggests, the Air Travel Backpack is all about air travel. Part of the Waterfield Air Collection along with air carrier (Opens in a new tab)And the air duffel (Opens in a new tab) And the air box (Opens in a new tab)It measures 22.5″ x 16″ x 7.5″ / 57.2 x 40.6 x 19mm and 3.9lbs / 1.76kg when empty, which is fine for the US though a little too high for the UK’s overall limit of 56cm. Practically speaking, if you keep it on your back when UK travelers check in should Be well.
It has full-grain leather handles on the top and side – in this case gorgeous chocolate (black, blue and crimson also available).
(Photo credit: T3)
Like all travel backpacks, when placed on its back, the Air Travel Backpack opens like a regular travel bag, making it much easier to pack than a regular backpack. Inside are two pairs of compression straps and a gold-tone nylon lining that makes it easy to find items. On the cover there are three basic pockets for storing toiletries and cables, although one of them is large enough for A4 documents.
On the outside of the bag, there are two side-accessible pockets, one for a paperback and one for keys (there is a sewn key leash). On the top of the bag there is a deep, discreet zip pocket for storing the passport.
The spine of a suitcase contains something you rarely see on wheeled luggage or suitcases; Stretchy bag can take a large 3.5 inch diameter water bottle. This is very useful when traveling. It is flexible so that it lays flat when not in use.
Inside the rear business section of the bag are two faux-fur lined areas for a 14-inch laptop and tablet (or another 14-inch laptop) while opposite pockets for documents, batteries, headphones and some pen loops. Again here, we find the same gorgeous gold-tone nylon liner that’s also found in the main walk-in closet.
(Photo credit: T3)
Waterfield Air Travel Backpack: Performance and Comfort
The problem with many suitcases is that they sag when not fully packed. Like its competitors, the Air Travel Backpack lacks the body of a suitcase, but its main garment compartment at least offers slightly cushioned sides that help give it some shape even when not fully packed. It’s a fairly shallow section, but big enough for short trips (and if you’re washing clothes, trips of almost any length). Our only complaint is that the cool gold lining can do with a few zip pockets and pouches around the perimeter to store things like coins, keys, and other sundries.
The back office section is adorable. The ability to easily access a laptop, a set of A4 documents, or a portable battery without going anywhere near yesterday’s soiled underwear is welcome, but that’s the sheer amount of stuff you can get here. We traveled with a 13-inch Macbook Pro and an iPad in the Air Travel Backpack very easily, but really, we could fit two laptops in the fur-lined sleeves in the lid and one in the side bag. This is not typical of a travel backpack nor the waterproof and lockable zippers, which can be clipped together using a small carabiner sewn into the bag.
(Photo credit: T3)
What Waterfield did with the shoulder straps is very unusual and very clever. While many manufacturers strive to make backpack straps thicker, padded and therefore more comfortable, the ones on the Air Travel Backpack are compact, basic, and totally overlooked. There is also no messy belt at the hip. With a full, heavy package, we had no problem with flimsy straps, although the sternum straps – which can fit in four different places – proved really important for ultimate comfort.
What we loved most about the straps is that there are no ridiculous hanging ropes and that the straps themselves easily tuck away to maintain the Air Travel Backpack’s sleek, streamlined, and professional look that many travel backpacks fail to do. If you want to pick up the bag with one of the two handles, you can pretend that the Air Travel Backpack isn’t a backpack at all.
(Photo credit: T3)
Waterfield Air Travel Backpack: Verdict
Who is the Air Travel Backpack really for? It’s certainly expensive, and there’s a clear focus on good looks, easy access to technology, and simple security. Although we can happily go on week-long trips anywhere with the Air Travel Backpack, it’s specially designed for those of us who travel a lot for two or three business nights. Our only minor concern for UK travelers is its 57cm height (British Airways limit is 56cm for hand luggage).
Can you live out of your backpack for air travel for days on end? surely. Can you get off the plane straight for a business meeting with the Air Travel Backpack? definitely. It may have a hefty price tag but such a beautiful product must have great appeal.
Buy the Waterfield Air Travel Backpack (Opens in a new tab) today.