This is the best pack I have found. My husband and I like to travel light when flying (and let's face it, who doesn't these days?) and this backpack takes care of all of our needs, and more. With the outside pocket, tickets and ID are easy to locate, as is the Purell which is a staple for us. The bottom of the pack is big enough to fit even my husband's size 12 tennis shoes! Other packs have failed where this one succeeds in handling wear and tear, and being quite comfortable to carry on top of that. A best seller for a VERY good reason!
I bought this bag in 1993 (?) commuting to work/school in Harlem from outer Queens via two different bus transfers just to get to the subway to get to upper Manhattan. It kept my school books dry and, later, when I started work, it held my work shoes perfectly in the bottom zippered compartment while I walked in my sneakers through lower Manhattan in my skirt suit. I mean, I used this bag HEAVILY, dumping it on the subway floor, yanking it up to jump off at my stop, sliding it across the floor roughly when a seat suddenly became empty. The reinforced bottom is the highest quality and there is not one single tear, ripple in the fabric, all the zippers are extremely heavy duty and still work beautifully. When I married and vacationed in California and Hawaii (as well as many xcountry trips) it was my carry-on. It can hold so much! When I moved to New England, the bag had so much space with so many compartments it became my baby bag through two babies. I am now a soccer mom and lug around cleats and water bottles and changes of clothes, and, you guessed it, this is still my go-to piece. It doesn't look worn at all and I can't justify replacing it.Not that I would want to. The thick rubber handle (at least on the bag they made way back when) on the side is fantastic for looking a little more professional when carrying it and you can easily haul it around when it is time to use both hands and it becomes a backpack. The padded straps and lumbar strap are so comfortable that even I at 5'0" can haul it fully packed and heavy and it doesn't topple me over or leave my back strained after a long day walking all over NYC or running through airports.
The design hasn't changed (thankfully!) so it still looks fresh, current, and brand new. The use I have had out of this bag has made me a loyal customer for life. I buy pretty much everything that I need to last from LLBean.
I purchased it for my daughter. She brings 3 or more books for homework home on a daily basis. She plays volleyball and swims for the school team. Practices are right after school. She has to pack clothes, uniforms, shoes and a snack, in addition, to her books, notebooks, pencils, cellular phone and etc. The Turbo Pack is Fabulous it takes care of all her items. Last year she carried 3 packs and what a nightmare it was.
