Review: PacificDesign Action Pro Backpack

PacificDesign’s Action Pro Backpack is designed for laptops up to 2.25” x 14.2” x 11”, which means a 17-inch notebook would be a bit of a stretch, but my 15.4-inch MacBook Pro fits well indeed.

What you absolutely need in a backpack laptop case is a safe and secure sleeve for your laptop itself, space for your power adapter and stray peripherals, and enough room for all your day-to-day paperwork, pens, books and magazines.

The Action Pro has the space issue covered perfectly. This backpack doesn’t look particularly large, but somehow it manages to provide enough slots and compartments to fit anything I might want, unlike a Targus notebook laptop case I own that looks positively monstrous but isn’t.

I am very satisfied with the amount of padding around the laptop compartment and the bag itself is made of a very strong, thick ballistic nylon, with solid zippers. The base is covered with a water resistant PVC cloth that will protect your stuff if you should inadvertently put your bag down any place that’s wet or slushy.

The straps are excellently padded and comfortable, the back is amply cushioned, and there’s a substantial handle on the top for carrying the bag at your side, on a crowded bus say, and it definitely won’t hurt your hand at all if you have to tote it like that for a while. I’ve thrown away bags that had simple nylon strap top handles that seemed to be included merely as an afterthought.

The Action Pro a handsome, comfortable backpack showing an attention to style and performance detail that I’ve come to expect from PacificDesign’s creations. Rugged (it will last you a very long time), functional (you’ll find yourself wanting to use it), and stylish (you’ll want to be seen using). At $49.95 MSRP, it’s a great deal too. All in all, a wonderful thing.