SLAPPA M.A.S.K. Customizable Backpack Review Discussion

For several years now, companies like Dell have offered customers the ability to personalize their computers the way they like. Each order is customizable both internally and externally, with users able to pick out colors and artwork alongside processors and memory. Enter SLAPPA's new M.A.S.K. system, which promises to bring that level of customization to your notebook's bag. Read on for our review.

Read the full content of this Article: SLAPPA M.A.S.K. Customizable Backpack Review

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J.R. thanks for the review. One thing I wanted to point out is that we will have on our site shortly, the ability to place an order for individual faces and individual art-inserts. Also, we're now developing new faces and new art-inserts for this backpack, and will be further implementing this new patent-pending M.A.S.K. technology to other new models we'll soon introduce.

Glad to see you liked the M.A.S.K. backpack--we put 2 years into this and implemented loads of suggestions from customers--nice to see the listening paid off!

Dom @ SLAPPA

 

Thanks for the review. Though I do have a question, how water resistant are these backpacks?

Not that it would matter too much since I just bought myself a High Five Backpack. (I actually preferred KOA's design, but you mentioned that the KOA is on the bulkier side of things, which seem to be consistent to what I have found out about the backpack).

@SLAPPADom: Could you please provide backpack faces that have less flamboyant art on them please? I love how practical the backpack is, and the customization is great, though I rather not attract too much attention to myself while wearing the backpack. (I am a low key kinda guy)

Either way, I can't wait to get my order.

 

It's a great looking and I like the pockets arrangement but what's gonna happen when u start running ? Wonder why I'm asking - the back and the front sections are holding on zippers ONLY ! Trash...

 

actually that is a good question, and I forgot to ask about that. I didn't see any "waist strap" on the backpack, so is there any mechanism built into the backpack that will help secure the backpack while I am running?

thanks

 

Thanks for the questions.

As for water resistance, the combination of the outer Ballistix 1680D nylon + the super cush padding throughout the entire bag + the inner ripstop lining, you will not experience water seepage.

With regards to what will happen when you start running my initial reaction is, where are you running with a laptop + gear + clothes on your back? I guess you're thinking you're chasing down a flight in an airport??...only the face of the bag is attached by a 360 degrees, #10 zipper (IE where it is completely removable from the body). The rear compartment for gear (which is airport fast-scan ready) is part of the main body. The face isn't coming off the bag even it you run the NY marathon with it.

Makes me think of a great offer....If you (or anyone else) wants to run the NY marathon with the M.A.S.K. on your back let us know and we'll sponsor you for the run.

Thanks for a great idea!!

Dom @ SLAPPA

 

Thanks for the info Dom.

I can't speak for others, but I am one of those weirdo that have a weird view on things. You'd be surprised to hear the kind of things that I pack in my backpacks to make them heavier when I run or walk...

My weirdness aside, things like waist straps are good for not only running, but IMO they provide extra stability and support (which means I can put more stuff in the backpack ) while moving or just standing still.

As for the marathon, I hope someone here takes you up on the offer. It sounds very tempting to me, but marathon would be counter-productive to my training right now.

On a final note, I'd love to see the new faces, are there any that has more subdued art on them? I am wondering if I should've waited a little to place my order.

 

I have friends that run marathons...

 

lethial the new faces will be out in Q4 of this year and you'll be able to simply pop them onto your existing bag. We're not going to bring the artwork to the outer (face)...but we do have more art inserts coming (also Q4).

Clutch PM me.

Dom @ SLAPPA

 

@ SLAPPA ,

Mate, the design is not that genuine - those zippers are the only think that handle the sections from wide opening. If there was a strap or something from the handle to the front side the bag would worth buying it, otherwise a short run (even if not running but being stuffed with gadgets and so on) can finish with all things on the ground but only the notebook being safe in the back pocket. This is a thing that can't be denied.

 

I think you need to see the bag before you make such certain commentary. Think about your luggage, does it come apart at the zippers?

We have spent 2 years of testing and using this backpack, and it has proven the bag is extremely strong and stable.

Thanks

Dom @ SLAPPA

 

I'll be purchasing one within the next month or so. I've never looked forward to owning a backpack like this before!

 

I purchased one! So far everything looks amazing! More info and pic on it later

 

let us know how it fits the g73! Also how does it compare to the backpack provided by asus?

 

Ahh good point, I'll most forgot that I had the asus bookbag , I'll you guys know!

 

It's a lot nicer than the stock ASUS backpack, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the ASUS one is nice enough, especially since it's free, but it's a different class.

@SLAPPA - Excellent. Good to see that my one big complaint will soon be obviated.

 

Wow, Just got my Slappa MASK today M.A.S.K. KOA Custom BackPack and I cant say enough about this bag. I was able to fit -- An Asus G73JH 17 inch Notebook, an Ipad, Power Brick for Asus, Panasonic Camera, Archos 5, 4 Chargers, a PSP and its car and wall charger, A Golf GPS, A Letherman, A Knife, A large screw Driver, A small set of laptop screwdrivers, A Box Cutter, A flash memory usb Reader, A sony DVD Burner, 2 Power Supply Testers, 2 Windows 7 CD's in slim cases, and an Astro Audio System with AS40 Headphones and the Mix Amp and all its cables. Way To Go Slappa!!

 

Just got the backpack too. It is indeed very well constructed. I was surprised that it was actually smaller in bulkiness than my old backpack, which doesn't carry nearly as much stuff.

Oh and the bag that the backpack came with is pretty awesome too! I now have something sturdy to carry other misc stuff.

 

Any chance someone can post a pic with the G73 inside just to see how it fits?

 

In case someone tries to steal your G73?

 

Yup, my review will be up later to night with A LOT of pictures! I just don't know when I will finish . I'll leave post to link it to my thread ...

EDIT: Finished with the review! Heres the link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/480080-slappa-m-s-k-koa-bag-review-g73jh.html#post6198600

 

Thanks for the review! Not that I needed it to make the purchase. But thanks to your review I am now happier about my decision to go with the "High Five." I really much prefer the less bulkiness.

 

Ahh, a "High Five" purchaser! If you can, could you post some pictures of the face? I would like to see the how different it is from the "KOA" as there is no good pictures of it. And thanks for the comment !

 

Will do, when I get home from work late tonight. I might not get to post them until later though. And I won't be doing a extensive review like you did, since I am lazy and my Elitebook 8740w is not here yet.

 

lol, sounds good! I'll look forward to it .

 

I read the review Si3, nice job. But to me this backpack falls down where nearly all others do too and thats the actual laptop cocoon/pocket. This bag is £139 in the uk, thats a whole lotta money for a bag that doesn't encase the whole of the laptop properly. To have the top corners sticking out like that, to be rubbed on the inside of the zipper is very poor IMO. It would be such an easy fix too, a hapeth of tar and all that.

 

I've recently received my MASK High Five backpack.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied. Some key points:

- this thing is a lot larger than I imagined. Extremely roomy. I'm using it to carry a 15.6" Latitude E6510 and the laptop leaves some room in the laptop pouch. It seems it would be perfect for a 16" laptop, as some 17" users are reporting that their laptops fit a bit too snugly.

- the backpack is made of relatively thick material, and it shows in its weight. Heavy duty zippers, large Velcro pads...It's built to last.

- A lot of neat pockets and compartments to fit all sorts of stuff. Two zip-up pockets, one in each of the main compartments, are very handy for things you don't want accidentally crushed (like an old, small paperback).

I chose the blue inside and the gold Slappa logo/crest LV-looking thing for the insert. The insert is as I pictured it, but the blue is a little unusual. It's not an obvious standard blue, but a more earthy, leaning towards purple blue. NOTE: I'm a little colorblind, so it could be just me =P But, it is obviously not a bright, sky blue.

I wanted a large laptop backpack because I wanted a laptop bag that would also replace my regular school backpack. This does it beautifully. I wish the laptop pouch itself was a little smaller so it would fit my 15.6" laptop snugly, but this isn't really an issue.

As far as the purchasing experience/customer service goes, Slappa is excellent. They processed and shipped my ordered the next morning. I've called them twice (see below) and every time someone promptly answered, even though it was really close to the 5pm mark.

They seem to use a third party purchasing/checkout website and I highly recommend creating an account when you buy your backpack. I didn't, and was still able to purchase, however wasn't able to track the package as that info is available through the checkout site and not Slappa's site.

I called Slappa and they gave me the tracking number anyway. They were very helpful.

It took a long time to get it due to it being shipped using FedEx Smart Post, but I believe this to be a problem with Smart Post and not Slappa. For those not familiar, Smart Post is when FedEx picks up a package, takes it to the closest FedEx hub or so (for me in Albuquerque, this seemed to be Denver) and then hands it off to USPS to be delivered to your house.

Well, the tracking number FedEx provided Slappa only works for the duration that FedEx is in possession of your package. After they pass it off to USPS, USPS (at least in my case) wasn't able to find the package using that same tracking number.

The shipping overall took about 12 days (total). It shipped on 2nd (Wednesday), stopped being tracking in Denver (9th Wednesday) and I received it on Monday the 14th, really late in the day. USPS, go figure. The USPS employee I spoke to mentioned that they might be holding on to the package until a container fills up or something along those lines, so if you got unlucky and they tossed your package into an empty container, you would wait longer than if it got tossed into an already full container.



Anyway, don't be discouraged by my long shipping story. If you are looking for a roomy, durable, comfortable backpack that will safely carry your laptop and everything else you could possibly need carried, look no further.

 

I too would like to see some pictures of the high five face especially from a side view to see the difference in "bulkiness"

 

You really don't know what you're talking about, and you're passing your opinions (which are incorrect- I own the bag and can definitely state the opposite) as fact.

There's no way it's going to come unzipped unless you unzip it. Period. It's a great bag and I've enjoyed mine and taken it on many plane trips in the few months that I've owned it. The scan fast bit is seriously a nice feature for the airport. I have the KOA face, black lining, and the SLAPPA damask insert. Love it.

I will say that I have ripped the strap once along the inside. I had quite a lot of equipment in the bag and felt it give a bit when I grabbed it by one strap. I contacted SLAPPA, sent them a pic of the damage, and they replaced the bag (minus the insert and KOA face, as those weren't damaged) free of charge, paying for shipping one way.

Would definitely recommend them.

 

I am going to be buying the M.A.S.K. backpack very shortly since my backpack now does not have enough space to hold everything I want or need to carry around. I am really interested in getting the KOA face but I fell like i might be better off getting the high five face. anybody have any suggestions on which to get? I could really go either way just looking for some guidance on which on to get.

Also, has there been any news on any more faces being made. earlier in the thread Dom said that there would be more offered but It is still just the same two faces.
Thanks

 

Nice review. A question: does Alienware m17x fit nicely in the laptop compartment?


@SLAPPADom,
Oh and I saw an ad video on SLAPPA web for M.A.S.K. and there's a face with white "SLAPPA" logo on it. Is that one going to be available? I like that one best.

 

unreal25, the Alienware m17x will fit in the M.A.S.K. and YES we are going to make the white/red face (Actually the production will start in January and it will ship in April.

actually, if you check out the new product demo vids on the site, you will see in the background (of a few) some of the other new backpacks we are now putting into production (of course, we think they are pretty sweet!!)--as is always the case, once these are ready to roll out we'll offer them first to the Notebookreview.com guys so they could do some tests on them to let you all know how they rank against the other "stuff" on the market.

SLAPPADom

 

got my mask! woohoo!

 

Everyone check the stitching on this thing? Mine seriously ripped after 3 months and I'm having trouble dealing with the returns process. I have to pay out of pocket for a defectively-designed backpack. I really don't want another one