The entire whole knack series has a huge number of uses. I am a long time traveler with years of experience. Sometimes I use one bag, sometimes a bag and 2 suitcases. If given the chance, that bag is always this one.
Whether you're going to school, a working professional, going on overnight trips, or transporting items, this bag has ways to make your life easier. It will not help you in a torrential downpour but does repel light rain. Rain covers are definitely recommended.
Handsome and high quality, it doesn't have that cheap feel or smell of a bag that has residue coming off it from a shitty factory. The exterior fabric isn't quite soft enough to sleep on without a pillowcase but also isn't typical rougher nylon-just as a pleasant feel to the hand. The colors are true to what they are on the website. Subtle and stylish.
The interior lining definitely helps to differentiate items that you have inside, especially in a dark environment. Lots of pockets and ways to store things. The primary compartment has a great sleeve to store a tablet or smaller size laptop. The bag just feels good to use right out of the beautiful box it comes in. I reuse the shipping boxes for storing other items.
On the subject of storing things, I've never had a water bottle compartment look quite this stealth. Yes, it does cut into the capacity of the bag but it doesn't hurt much in the Medium or Large sizes. It is more concerning in the small size but if I needed more carrying capacity than the small, that's what my medium size is for.
The Large size is my pick for a one bag travel scenario. It is not a serious hiking bag with hip straps and do refer to the size charts for carry on capabilities but if I were going on a road trip, I'd use this. The separate expandable compartment is great because once I toss my packing cubes into the hotel drawer or glamping tent, the bag compresses down into a much more manageable and maneuverable 30L daily carry bag for souvenir shopping. In either configuration, the bag is comfortable, though fully expanded it does stick out.
The expandable compartment is also what I would use to store items that need to be cleaned, like groceries, items to be laundered, packages etc. Whereas the primary compartment holds my daily carry stuff relatively germ free. Plus there is that antimicrobial liner too!
The laptop compartment I use more as a place to store flat items like t-shirts, dress shirts, papers that I immediately need. My tiny 13-inch laptop has no problem fitting.
Two caveats against this bag which the new one has correctly updated. A side handle would have been nice and I think the compartment at the base of the bag is really only good for small things like a tech pouch and is awkwardly placed.
I would never keep my passport in my bag, especially on a front unlockable exterior pocket! In case you ever have to check this bag or get otherwise separated from it, do not ever keep your passport in the bag itself. It should always go with you on your person. The fabric is durable but not slash-proof. Does not have slash-proof handles, mesh or cable netting to prevent theft.
I've bought 3 factory second Knack bags so far and near as I can tell, they're first-rate! Lockable zippers are a plus as well.