Daylite Water Repellent Tote Pack

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I'm holding off on using this bag until my next vacation. Already I can tell it'll be useful for my wife and I to get some of our shopping done during travel. Many shops have narrow areas with breakables all around. Something that doubles as a tote will be perfect for that. The fabric is nice and thick, sturdy. The straps are thin so that they fold into the bag and out of the way without making it bulge. The interior pocket is roomy. I've practiced with packing my tablet and can get some clothing items in there, and can see myself packing away some other things on a shopping expedition through Chicago on top of that. I'll likely take this to some trade shows in the future. A backpack just doesn't work with a dress suit when you're trying to make an impression. The pack does feel comfortable. I wouldn't overpack the thing with weight though. The straps aren't the same as my all purpose roll-top Osprey bag. I could see these becoming uncomfortable if you did that.

I bought this bag a few months ago and realized immediately there were design issues. I should have returned it. The good: it is comfortable to carry as both tote and backpack. Front pockets are good. The bad: This bag tips over every time it tries to sit on the floor which is not surprising given that the base is not flat. This seems like a design 101 lesson. Fortunately in tips forward so when you have a computer which is not surprising given that the base is not flat. Fortunately, it tips forward so when you have a computer or an iPad in the back it does not break it. But you literally cannot sit at the bank on its own base without a tipping. Another major fail is the open pocket that you use to put over a suitcase handle gets very easily confused with the back pocket. The back pocket has issues of it's own because it has two holes in the bottom for the backpack straps to slide through and if you put anything small in it likely that will end up on the floor. If you forget to check when loading that pocket it is easy to put things in the suitcase part and lose items forever. Other companies use zippers to close the suitcase attachment. The main pocket is fine - some additional pockets to hold pens and small items would have been a nice touch. The front 2 pockets are great. Well placed and functional. I added a couple caribeaners do I could attach quick items - dog water bowl, a mask etc. A well though out bag would have included attachments. But the unforgivable is the water bottle pockets that have dumped out my bottles (in varying sizes) all over town and country. This is so badly designed I find myself wondering if they do prototypes, do they test their gear? I find the wandering prices on Isprey gear exhausting too. I have learned one should never pay full price as there will be a sale soon. I wonder how many customer they lose because they are waiting to buy a product and find something better while they wait.