Solid 4 out of 5 stars. Be aware that the bag expansion is at the very back of the backpack, as opposed to in the middle pocket where all of the organization is. That means you cannot expand the backpack to hold things in the middle pocket (where your laptop pocket is), such as a book or a 3" binder. Instead, you will have to store them in the back section of the bag, where there is no organizational pockets and requires the 3-sided zip around to open.
The other flaw is the water bottle pocket. I get why they want to keep the sleek line of the water bottle. But because the water bottle pocket intrudes into the middle pocket, you really can't use the middle pocket to store anything with any depth such as a book, a binder, a file folder, etc. And, it really only fits tapered water bottles that have a narrow neck. My 24oz trail hydroflask that does not taper at the top doesn't really fit in the pocket easily -- it's super tight and difficult to get in/out of the pocket. (If the Knack design team reads these reviews, I would highly suggest you make the water bottle pocket be one where you can fold in the pocket if you don't need it, but when you do, the pocket expand outwards with an elastic top.)
Final thoughts: this backpack is a great option for travelers where you're looking to store clothes in your backpack but you don't necessarily need quick access to the items. But I would not recommend the bag for business commuters--there are better options out there where you can expand the bag to gain quick access to documents/binders/books without having to go through the 270° zipper shenanigans. And the water bottle pocket is not a great design.
I bought the series 1 to use as my carryon for a 30 day trip to Europe. Really wanted a backpack. While I love the expandablity I am always looking for the right pocket and zippers. I really regret not getting the Series 2 as the handle on the side is missing in Series 1 and make putting on my wheelie and taking off my wheelie difficult, especially when full. I don’t like the front pocket and don’t find it very useful and I worry about putting anything of importance in this pocket even though they show a passport in it. It’s difficult to lock this pocket. I also wish I could lock my computer in the computer pocket, but there’s only one zipper, so nothing to secure it to.
While I do like the expanding option I feel there are too many negatives for the price. Unfortunately I bought this right before my trip and will be gone more than 30days, so when I return in August it will be too late to return😭. Nice try Knack!
I’ve been using this backpack for over a year. I use it as my daily work bag with laptop, notebooks, etc. It has fantastic storage, is very sturdy and still looks great after heavy daily use. It expands to be a roomy weekend bag and also a great carry-on overflow bag for longer trips. I’ve tried a number of high-end backpacks and briefcases, and this is by far the best. Highly recommend!
I bought a backpack for Mother’s Day, but when the package arrived, we realized we should have ordered the medium size. Although it was past the 30-day exchange/return period, I contacted customer support. After I provided proof that the bag and tags were still intact and in like-new condition, they promptly approved the exchange. We received our new bag within two business days, just in time for our international trip. Outstanding customer service like this sets a company apart, and these guys have it figured out. Plus, the bags are excellent!
Perfect bag! No issues or concerns. I can quibble with a few minor tweaks I’d make, but this bag gets all the important features right.
Great backpack. Love the fact that it fits under seat. Perfect for minimalist travel.
obsessed with this backpack - the compression part is genius - capacity, laptop slot all great
Finally traveled the first time with this bag so I thought I'd leave a review. Some highlights from other reviews to note is that the water bottle pocket isn't too useful if your bag is full because it competes with space in the bag. I'd also prefer if the front pocket opened more, it's easy to lose little things down towards the bottom if you don't put them in one of the interior pockets.
I can't speak to how comfortable it is with both shoulder straps on since I tend to sling over one shoulder, but the cushioning felt fine. Being able to tuck and zip away the straps is great when you're on a plane. Speaking of that, one main reason I got this bag was so I could fit it under the seat and not worry about getting overhead luggage space and this really delivers, even when I had it packed full.
The bag really works for anything from a weekend (unexpended, no packing cubes) to a week or possibly more using the packing cubes and the bag expansion.
Bought the expandable duffel for a long trip, works ok but has some design flaws that make it less than ideal.
1) laptop compartment isn't lockable, would have been easy to solve. Ebags solved it years ago on their laptop backpacks. I am using a long corded lock to rig it safely in duffel or backpack mode
2) if the bag is full, you cannot use the water bottle compartment, and if using in duffle mode wouldn't use it anyway since it's at the bottom of the bag. No suggestion on where to move it, just be aware
3) key fob is outside the pocket, would never put a key there due to risk of loss. Should have been sewn into the inside of the pocket. I was able to tuck it into the pocket and zip mostly closed to solve the issue, but it's clunky
4) the biggest issue is how the bag opens - the trifold is awkward in terms of zipper placement and where the compression clips are. There is a big pocket on the outer flap with no closure and if you were to open the bag in backpack mode the contents can slide out while the pocket is essentially upside down. The compression straps on the inner fold are at the bottom of the compartment when upright in backpack mode, so the stuff under the compression can fall out unless you are just using big packing cubes, which I am not.
If this was carried as a duffel, then as long as you are careful about only opening part way the pocket zippers are positioned to allow access as the zipper pulls are at the top when carted by side handle. But the main zipper is highly likely to open further than you planned and spilling contents, it could use a little zipper stop loop to prevent it from unzipping all the way. I guess if you are always sitting in a space with room to spread out the bag on a nice flat table (like the demo video) none of these issues matter, but if you are in a plane seat and need to access something without spilling your stuff the design just doesn't work.
I bought the bag over other brands because it expands and the main compartment locks. If I was doing this again, think I would just get the expandable backpack. If knack just added loops for a shoulder strap on the backpack they could just abandon this bag design completely.
Love almost everything about the Series 1 Medium, the size, the quality, the storage. If you created a series that brought back the bottom pocket of the Series 1 for power cords and adapters, and kept the full front pocket of the Series 2, you would have the perfect bag!!!
Lots of space for items and love how it becomes compact when don’t need the space!
I was looking for a travel backpack that could be well organized and not embarrassing to use for work when I reached my destination. For years I have been traveling with an additional nicer-looking tote to use while at meetings, but this takes up space in my luggage and I wanted to consolidate these functions. This backpack does the trick! Very well organized, light, and not ugly/utilitarian looking while at meetings. My only issue on the first trip was that it was difficult to take off of my wheeled luggage handle when using the sleeve for this purpose on the Knack, so I stopped trying to do that (maybe my skill at this will improve - presently, it is difficult to wrangle off of my luggage handle). I am glad that I purchased this bag.
Very nice backpack that doubles as a weekend suitcase. Lightweight, roomy and expandable. It looks very sleek and quality and would work great for business travel or an everyday carry bag
I just completed a three-month trip to Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. The bag traveled really well and was easy to pack and organize. It went on 12 flights and in and out of many cars, taxis, buses, and ferries. It was really durable; yet it still looks new. The only problem I had with it was that when it was full, it was hard to close the middle section zipper near the top ( see photo below). And I sometimes had difficulty getting it on and off my carry-on bag handle.
Well made, but rather small and many exterior pockets are too easily accessible to pick-pockets/thieves.
I had specific needs when I was shopping for a new backpack: since I'd be carrying it to the office and on business trips, I didn't want it to look like I was heading out on a campaign trip. I wanted it to have enough space to carry my gym clothes or one change of clothes and toiletries for an international flight. I wanted to be able to easily reach small objects without having to completely remove the whole pack and put it down somewhere. I wanted it to be able to easily carry a water bottle securely. And as a short woman (5'0"), I wanted the bag to sit comfortably on my hips.
This bag hits all those marks and then some! In addition: the space for storing cords and chargers is a thing I didn't know I was looking for. The small top pocket for storing sunglasses is also perfect for storing my my ear buds.
My one small request for improvement: when I travel and go to the toilet in bathrooms in airports in a variety of countries, the carry handle on top isn't well situated for hanging the bag on a bag hook in a toilet cubicle. Since we use the bottom of the bag for the cord storage, I'd rather not be putting it down on strange bathroom floors. Just a suggestion to keep in mind for future design! :-D
Exelente
I regularly commute by plane between home and work and carry on only this bag. There are two great aspects of the bag. First, it allows for excellent organization. As the saying goes, there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. Second, it is versatile. The expanding feature allows me to travel small when possible and larger when necessary.
Put this bad boy to the test three days after I got it. Rain while training and documenting Marines at Quantico, this bag took it all like a champ. Travels well too. It fit my 16 inch and 14 inch MacBooks (both with rugged cases), my boxed Magic Keyboard, my Magic Mouse, my Canon Camera, a 28mm lens with case, my flash, my Joby mini tripod, 2 sets of news crew lav mics, a rode mic, and a toiletries bag. Anddddddd it wasnt even remotely full! I only filled up the front pockets and not the clam shell portion. The water bottle pocket was nice and fit my 18 oz. Brita waterbottle.
My only little whine is that it really should come with a waist belt and a thicker chest strap.
I like it i don’t have any complaints does everything I wanted it to lifes good
I like the pockets and expandability, but the straps tend to be a wee bit uncomfortable. The upper parts doesn’t lay flat on the shoulders and the lower part constrains and digs into my armpits. I haven’t tried it yet on a trip but I like the fact that I can dump the checked bag and go one bag.
Gifted this bag to my husband and he absolutely loves it. Well made! Will purchase one for myself!
I have become obsessed with my Knackpack Series 1!!! And NO, this is not a paid review. I saw an Instagram ad for this Knackpack when I was in the market 6 months ago for a laptop backpack that would hold my personal Macbook + work laptop + coffee tumbler + a few personal effects, without looking too bulky or masculine (I have a small frame at 5' and 100 lbs). Price was not too much of an issue, but I wanted to stay under $500, so TUMI was out of the question. I took a chance and ordered the Series 1 in Medium (black), cautious that I may have to exchange for a size up bec in the website photos, it looks a bit small... I didn't want to get the Series 2 bec I like all the pockets and organization far more in the Series 1, and Series 2 looked a lot bigger (vertically) in the photos. Do NOT let the size of the Series 1 Medium fool you. I have been absolutely blown away at the quality of this company!! Not only was the packaging so carefully thought of, it arrived quickly, and for a backpack that looks so small, it fits soooo much and never ever looks bulky. When traveling, it slides very easily under the seat in front of you. Oftentimes, I grab the essentials from my purse or tote and toss them in my Knackpack to be completely hands-free. One thing I really appreciate (besides all the pockets and org) is that the pocket for the tumbler is hidden away. I HATE those backpacks that expose the water bottle or tumbler and it's just floppin around as you're frantically running to catch a connecting flight lol. I'm a forever customer as long the quality remains this way!!
Note to the company: You guys are doing some really great work - thank you for this gem. :)
Would have been a perfect solution for ODC and one bag travel except there is no quick access pocket which makes travel difficult on the plane, bus, etc when out of the country. Having to pull out the bag to open the main compartment is too inconvenient. Add that and you will certainly have close to the perfect bag!
