OGIO Renegade PRO Backpack (Renegade Pro, Woodcut Polka)

I use my bag constantly (work commuting, gym, grocery runs (walking or on my bike), carry-on for 30-40 plane trips a year), and have tried several the past few years, and then researched heavily, including wirecutter, and then ordered and tried out several finalists and returned all but one. And man, it was close.I was torn between this and the LL Bean Quad, and alternated them for a few weeks. Broke my heart to return this, because I love so much about it, and for many it would be the right choice, but I decided I loved the Quad more. (Incidentally, wirecutter recommended a similar LL Bean model as best, but I upgraded, for more size and more pockets.)I usually start with pros, but since I returned this product, I'll go right to the reasons why:1. Heavy: At 3.5 pounds, this is the heaviest of my finalists by far, more than a pound heavier than similar bags, including the Quad. (I tried some ultra-light bags 2 pounds less.) I pack a lot, and often have the bag all day, and want to keep as light as possible, and an extra pound starting weight is a big minus.2. Size: this is a hearty size, but about 5 liters less than the 35L Quad. That's about 15% less capacity--not massive, but enough to tip the scale for me.3. No waist strap! This was really the dealbreaker for me, and seems insane. It was the only highly-rated bag I even considered without one. What were they thinking? It DOES have chest strap, which is great in some situations (especially on a bike), but that's nearly always the add-on AFTER the waist strap. This is mostly an issue if you're loading up heavy, and/or for long. The waist strap makes a huge difference in shifting much of the weight from your shoulders to hips. When the shoulder straps start digging into your muscles up there, you will really curse it not being loaded onto your waist.(Also: this bag was about 50% more expensive than the Quad (LL Bean constantly has it reduced from the list price, and then another 20% to join their email list). This was not a huge factor for me, because I decided I've wasted so much on getting inferior bags, and use it so much, I'd pay to get the best solution. It may be a big factor for others.If those are not big concerns, this might be the bag for you.Pros (SO many)1. Spacious (compared to most)2. Great materials, feels solid, and good reviews all around on lasting.3. Soooooo many pockets and great organization! This is a big deal for me, especially on plane travel, where I like to pack all sorts of things that I can get to quickly when I get there, and also which I can pull out quickly while boarding the plane to keep what I need in my seat (book, laptop, water bottle, pen, sometimes notes, snacks, sometimes pills), while stashing the bag in the overhead. This bag actually slightly exceed the Quad. They have a similar number of external zippable compartments (around 10!) but so many I have found it hard to keep track of which is which--(amazing problem to have)--and this one has them in a more systematic layout.4. Great fit, great feel, smart ventilation system, etc. Stands up by itself, at least to start. (Not flopping over makes a big difference in loading it up. Note that many bags stand up at first, but that doesn't last. Some don't stand up day 1.)5. So many extras. There is a hardened small area where you can stash your glasses, sunglasses, phone etc, without them getting crushed or scratched. (Not really necessary for phone--huge for glasses.) The separate laptop zipped area in back is incredible. (This was nearly a deciding factor over the Quad, which also has this feature, but it's has a slightly smaller opening, which doesn't quite fit my 15" Macbook Air. This one zips from above, so it CAN slide in to the same sized space.)I also liked a unique feature: nearly all top bags have water holders on both sides, which is great, because I always need one, but never two, so one is wasted. This bag offers that, but zippable top, so it can easily work as a bottle holder, or another compartment for keys, pills, various small things. Very versatile!In terms of design features, this bag and the Quad were really evenly matched. The Quad has two fleece-lined smallish compartments for phones and whatnot, that are REALLY nice--way nicer than this--but doesn't have the hardened area. There are lots of little design features where this and the Quad rival each other, each a little better on one than the next, but both superb.I would limit the finalists to these 2 bags, and then depending on your priorities, pick one. (Or try both.)

Excellent Bag, Holds a Ton & Easily Organized. I replaced. 2016 Northface Bigshot and I loved that bag but it wore out and my wife made me replace it because it got holes. I’m in technology and haul a full size MacBook Pro (newer m1 series - with a hard shell cover on it) and it fits fine in the laptop section. I also have a cable organizer bag that fits in the main compartment. A notebook and a 2 year old iPad Pro with keyboard fits fine in the tablet section. I love the organization and set up of the bad and really love the glasses hard compartment on the top. When I fly for conferences it’s very comfortable to load out as a carry on and doesn’t hear my back or make my back sweat. It also fits under the plane seat in front of me. Overall 10 out of 10 in my book. Liked it so much I naught my wife one. Great quality and job OGIO. Excellent daily commuter bag. Only opportunity for improvement is making the top entry part of the water bottle holder elastic with a draw string. I use a grayle bottle/filter for travel and it fits but it’s hard to do one handed while it’s on your back because the entry doesn’t have any give to it.

I dont usually write reviews but i read them alot and base my purchases on them. Im writing this review because i feel the negative reviews are NOT warented. No bag is a perfect fit for everyone and every need. That being said, this is a great bag. Great material big heavy duty zippers and great construction. here are my thoughts on the negative reviews. i will give the negative review then my opinon;1) bag by itself is heavyA) who carries an empty bag? and yet the same review says bag is lighter than expected when full. heavy by itself and lighter than expected when full? hopefully you can see my issue with this one.2)straps are too short.A) I am only 5'7" so i cant comment on this one except they are fine for me and have plenty of room for adjustment3)bag does not stand uprightA) mine does. i did take the hard board out of the laptop compartment though as i dont like that ( more on that later)4) pouches are too small to fit anything useful in themA) i can fit all kinds of things in them from keys notepads sync or charger cables headphones(earbuds) extra camera battery and chargerbeleive it or not you dont have to use every pocket only for the intended or labled purpose.5)back painA) REALLY???? Sipping this one6)doesnt fit under airline seat when flatA) havnt flown with this yet. if it doesnt fit then this pack sure holds alot. and it does7) red stain from laptop pocketA) i havnt encountered this but again i did take out the hard board wich gave it a real snug fit ( i like it better without the hard board)8)starap mounted phone pocket is too smallA) YES IT IS!!! i use it for my ipod wich works great and it has the headphone hole (works great for that) and i like my phone in my pocket anyway because its easier to get to than unzipping a pocket9)water bottle holder is not a "true waterbottle holder"A) that is correct. it is more of another pocket wich i like better. i never really need water at a quick draw location. i usually dont walk for miles without stopping at points in between and i can use the zippered pocket for other things. it will hold a water bottle though just not as well as others10) laptop charger pocket is too smallA) depends on your charger. Again you dont have to use all pockets for their labeled use. put things where they fit. there is plenty of room11) pen holders are too far down and damage pensA) just not true. they dont even go to the bottom of the bag to hit on the ground when you set bag down12)No key clip in front pocket as advertised – the tag on the bag shows a key clip however this is not present on the final product.A) should of read the tag properly. it clearly says not all features included in every bag. it is simply an advertisment of their "red protection" style of pockets13)doesnt fit 17" laptopA) no it wont. it says in the description "fits most 15" laptops. if you have a 17' try the gambit bag. same as the renegade without the "RSS" system wich shortens the laptop pocket by a few inches.About the hardboard in the laptop cpocket: there is a piece of hard plastic like board that is in the laptop pocket. it is on the front bottom and back of the pocket and is one piece. it makes the laptop a very snug fit. i didnt like it, and it was bent from packaging making uncomfortable to where also. i simply turned the pocket inside out and pulled out the hard board ( had to bend it to get it out) that made the pocket have much more room and a better fit. it also allowed the pack to rest flat against my back.Overall this is a very well made and good looking pack with lots of room and plenty of organization ( assuming your smart enough to put things where they fit) Oh ant the crush proof tech vault is an awsome idea and love it. Great pack and am very happy. i will update after a few months of abuse. hope this helps