[Review] SLAPPA Velocity Pro Matrix backpack (lots of pics)

[Review] SLAPPA Velocity Pro Matrix backpack, with lots of pics



Intro


I ordered this bag from Amazon.com, as the price there was $10 cheaper than on the official manufacturer website (slappa.com). It ended up being $87.47 with my free 2-day delivery through Amazon Prime for students. It was shipped the same day and literally arrived in 2 days with UPS. For those interested, it seems the exact model is SL-LP-26 for 17" version, and SL-LP-26C for 15.4" version. The link where I found that info is no longer working (I just googled "SL-LP-26C").

The bag comes in a huge box (the size of a box for a desktop computer), and upon opening, the plastic bag informs of you of variety of deadly dangers that might occur while handling it (I think it's some kind of a stupid law in the US as I see these kind of things all the time). Maybe, given all the "dangers" I should have just packed it back and returned it at this point? Surely not what a customer with a good mental health wants to see first. Anyhow, I gather my courage and this is what eventually comes out:




I'll give some idea how it all looks like going from the layer that's closest to your back when you're carrying it (Layer 1), up to the last outside section (Layer 5). The person on the pics will be me, and I'm ~180cm tall and weigh ~73-75kg so I'm not really that big; I wear everything "S" size in the US . Main thing to keep in mind about this backpack is it's form factor. When viewed from the *side*, it's pretty tall (up-down) and deep (back-forward), but not too wide (left-right). First thing that definitely pops out is really the superb build and material quality that was used. I've used Swissgear 15" backpack before and this one is in a whole new category when it comes to this. Simply amazing, outside very sturdy, inside very soft and comfy/snuggy. Another thing I..... khm..... notice is the small rubber SLAPPA logo on the floor. Since it had a layer of glue on the back, I assumed it's supposed to be stuck on the backpack. After a minute of figuring it out I think I found where I guess it goes - shown with a white arrow on the last picture above. However, honestly, if I hadn't found it on the floor, I'd never figure it was missing. I assume I can just superglue it back.




Review


First let's start with some general pics. Here's the bag fully loaded with all kinds of groceries:



...in winter clothing:



... regular clothing:



Empty bag (it looks almost exactly the same when lightly loaded) with regular clothes:



Layer 1. Back of the bag and detachable mp3 player/phone case.



The first compartment touching your back is what they call "stay cool" compartment. It does have some thermal isolation but since it's touching your back you might not want to put drinks there if the backpack is loaded. The little pouch is really convenient. Again great quality Velcro sticky cover and it has a metal attachment that you can use to take off and clamp wherever you want to put it, like jeans pocket.


Layer 2. Laptop compartment + extra compartment for books and such. Let's be honest here. You want to buy this bag because you have the giant 17" beast that you want to be safe when you're traveling. Surely you're wondering how Alienware m17x fits:




Yeah, looks good enough for me, the laptop compartment cover will cover nicely without pushing it. However, this is not ideal. The very corners of the laptop remain unprotected unless you put something there. As you close the backpack you will realize there is no additional padding for the two laptop corners. I don't find it a big deal, but it's something you want to keep in mind if your baby is in there. Btw, flipping the laptop won't solve it. For the designer, I suggest making extra little strip of whatever the material of the padding is, with 2 Velcro on each end - it will stick really great on their soft material. For the user, put some cushions there if you're worried.


Layer 3. This is the compartment in the middle of bag. Even if it doesn't look like that on the photo, it actually has quite a bit of space, but as I already mentioned, it's mostly the vertical space that you can use. I felt it's more than enough for me as I don't carry anything nearly as gigantic that wouldn't fit there. When I fully load this compartment, it's all groceries.




Layer 4. When you open the zipper (annotated white) you unveil another set of compartments where you can put small things like pens, wallet and there's a keychain hook.




This is what I would call a minor design flaw. If this was imagined to be a "fast access" department (and pen and keychain compartments would point in that direction), why does the zipper start on the bottom?! I found it inconvenient to go all the way down, open the entire thing almost all the way so I can access this. And then the entire cover will hang in the air, which will just look and feel very awkward if you have more stuff in the cover. Besides, none of the smaller compartments are that deep. I propose 2 solutions: 1. adding another zipper, like you have on EVERY other outer compartment (and this is the one where it would be useful the most), or 2. seal the bottom and make the zipper start from the side. Try getting your keys out of it every day and you'll see what I mean. It's not a big deal, as the Layer 5 can be used for that - it's just it doesn't have any small compartments. I don't care but other people might.


Layer 5. This is not a very deep compartment, but as everything else, it has a soft cushioned material on the inside and this is where you can keep stuff that you want to be able to take out fast. As seen on the photo, my wallet is there. My keys are in my jeans.




Bottom padding. Soft and thick. Great protection.





Conclusions


+: Outstanding build and material quality, beats Swissgear. Great design. Extremely comfortable and seems also extremely durable. Unless literally fully loaded, it's not very wide (when looked from the side), so you won't bang into other people if you walk and turn close to them.
―: Some minor design quirks: mainly the accessibility of what I call here "Layer 4" compartments (see text) and the unprotected corners when you put m17x inside.

Despite the minuses, I love the backpack and would highly recommend it. I'd give it 9/10.




Extra links

Same pics as above but in a little higher resolution: http://picasaweb.google.com/102478564919307889103/SLAPPAVelocityPROMatrixBackpack#

Official SLAPPA review: http://www.slappa.com/Videos/velocity_player.html

Official NBR review of the Spyder version: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4413

 

Great review.

How thick is the padding for the notebook compartment?

 

Thanks! It's pretty thick - around 1 cm (~1/2 inch).

 

This is a great review, I already said this but great pictures and great material !!!

 

Good review and interesting looking backpack.

A question about the padding in the laptop compartment. There appears to be a built-in sleeve. Your laptop sticks up above this. Is there any padding to prevent damage to the corners of the laptop?

 

Thanks. As I mentioned in the text, there isn't.

Of course you can put something on your own, but still I wish the compartment was a little different, to cover the corners.

 

EDIT; sorry reread and answered for myself. love this bag

 

I own this bag as well and I agree with everything said.


You receive the Tree_Burner stamp of approval.

jk. Great review.