The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack is designed to pair seamlessly with a rolling suitcase or to be used on its own for light packers, short trips, and budget airlines.
This page walks you through the pockets, compartments, features, and materials to get you acquainted with your new bag.
Let's start with an overview video:
On to the exterior of the bag.
Exterior
The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack is made from waterproof VX21 sailcloth. You don't need to worry about your clothes or gear getting wet in a storm.
On the front of the Outbreaker Laptop Backpack, you'll find two pockets:
First, at the top, a small zippered pocket for important papers and other slim items.
Second, a larger pocket at the bottom with a key clip inside. Pack snacks, a wallet, ear buds, and other quick-access items in here.
On one side, you’ll find a water bottle pocket. Unzip it to reveal an elastic panel that helps you fit larger or oddly sized water bottles inside. Zip it up when not in use for a sleek, out-of-the-way profile.
On the other side, there is a padded grab handle. Use this to grab your backpack out of a car’s trunk or the overhead compartment on an airplane. There’s a grab handle on top of the bag, too, which is useful for pulling your bag out from under the seat of an airplane.
On top of the bag, note the webbing loop next to the zipper. Use this to hang your bag on a hook for easy storage.
Shoulder Straps and Back Panel
The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack's straps and back panel are padded with soft, durable foam and a layer of Ariaprene, a high-performance foam engineered for tough workouts.
Ariaprene wicks away sweat and doesn’t hold moisture. You can carry the Outbreaker Laptop Backpack through any conditions - no matter how sweaty - without risking a stinky bag.
Adjust the chest strap up and down to fit your body, then tighten it to feel taut for the most comfortable carry. Chest straps help keep your backpack close to your body so the load doesn't shift as much and feels lighter. If you prefer not to use the chest strap, it's removable.
To stow your shoulder straps to keep them from snagging on anything, unhook the clips at the bottom of the straps, open the velcro sleeve at the top of the back panel, and tuck the straps inside.
Along with the velcro section to stow your straps, note a pass-through sleeve on the back of the Outbreaker Laptop Backpack. Use this sleeve to slide the bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase.
Materials
The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack's exterior is made from ultra durable waterproof sailcloth that won't rip or tear. For even more weather resistance, it's outfitted with coated YKK zippers that repel rain.
Slide a TSA-friendly lock through the loops at the base of the zipper to secure your stuff.
Front Organization Pocket
In the front pocket, you'll find a panel with lots of places to store small incidentals and a mesh pocket that's great for small chargers.
There is a pocket for your sunglasses, a sleeve for your ereader or a notebook, and a zippered compartment for anything else you might need to store. Slide pens into the loops and store cards and a passport in the smaller slots.
Clothing Compartment
The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack's main compartment opens like a suitcase. It's roomy enough to pack a 2-3 days of clothes and extra pair of shoes.
Pack smaller items, like socks and underwear, in the mesh pockets. They're also useful for stashing toiletry bags and accessories, like a belt. Larger things like jeans and shirts go in the main section.
Electronics Compartment
The Outbreaker Laptop Backpack's electronics compartment sits flush against your back for security and ergonomics. Your computer is often the most valuable—and heaviest—item you carry, so it's placed in the spot least prone to damage. Plus, your bag would feel heavier if the laptop were further away from your center of gravity.
Unzip the lie-flat electronics compartment for easy access to your gadgets and chargers. The back panel folds down and holds your 15" laptop and tablet (up to 9.7”) in padded, fleece-lined sleeves. A velcro tab secures both gadgets so they can't slide out.
Opposite the laptop sleeve are three mesh pockets for chargers, adapters, batteries, power strips, and external hard drives. Anything that you use with your computer or tablet goes here.
How to Care for Your Laptop Backpack
First, make sure to wipe off your backpack any time you spill something on it or otherwise dirty it. A few seconds of effort right when it gets dirty will prevent more work later.
If you need to fully wash your Laptop Backpack, hand wash it. Don't put it in the washing machine.
Hand washing your backpack will allow you to target problem areas with a little extra elbow grease and prevent a washing machine from damaging the zippers or tearing the straps.
First, fill a large sink or bathtub with cool to lukewarm water. By not using hot water, you’ll avoid burning yourself or damaging your pack.
Add a gentle detergent or natural soap like Soak or Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap to the water. If you use detergent, make sure it’s free of dyes, fragrances, and chemicals which could damage your bag or irritate your skin. Soak your backpack and spot treat as needed.
Make sure to rinse away any soap.
Once your bag is dry, treat the zippers to keep them running smoothly. A non-greasy, non-staining silicone spray will help lubricate the zippers and keep them from rusting. The helpful users at Ask Metafilter recommend using paraffin wax, powdered graphite, or even a crayon to keep zippers running smoothly.
Wiping down your bag after a trip is always a good idea, but you shouldn’t do a full wash too often. Once or twice per year is plenty. Excessive washing can damage the bag and wear away its day-to-day water resistance.
Dry your bag by hanging it in a well-ventilated area, like a shower or safe balcony. The top handle slides over a clothes hanger for convenient drying.
Read more here about how we designed the Outbreaker Laptop Backpack to be the ideal secondary bag for air travelers.