[Review] booq Boa shift, graphite Backpack

CES is rapidly approaching and this is the perfect companion…

Initial Thoughts

The booq Boa shift, graphite tech backpack has a deceivingly simple look. On first glance, it looks like any other backpack. There’s a white accent down the center contrasting the overall dark graphite/black nylon construction. I think the designers purposely designed this backpack to not bring attention to itself as a way conceal whatever tech goodies it would typically carry. Open it up though and start exploring, and you’ll find an entirely different story.

Pockets, Pockets, & Moar Pockets!

When the booq Boa shift is opened, it reveals its unexpectedly roomy interior with quite a few pockets. They’re not only on the inside though, they’re everywhere. Per booq’s site:

External:

• 2 side quick access slip pockets for plane tickets, mobile phones, cards or pens
• 1 top-front zipper pocket for miscellaneous quick storage items
• 2 elastic pockets on shoulder straps for smartphones and music players

Interior:

• Huge main zipper compartment, ideal storage for paper documents, garments, power adaptor, mouse and other laptop accessories.
• 1 document slip pocket
• 5 lining slip pockets
• 1 large mesh window pocket
• 4 pen slots
• Back zipper opening allows access to densely padded laptop compartment and is lined with soft Nylex which won’t scratch your gear.

The laptop compartment is spec’ed to fit a up to a 17″ Macbook or a 16.4″ PC Laptop, but I was able to squeeze my 17.3″ Acer N970 with an extended battery into the pocket and zip that sucker; it was a tight fit, but it worked. Alternatively, the front strap pockets are rather narrow. My HTC One, which has a 4.7″ screen was able to fit, but only without its usual UAG case. I’d say 4.7″ is about the limit of what can fit in those pockets sans case, though Colossus fit in one of the pockets nicely. The two side pockets can fit a typical phone (probably even ones as large as the 5.9″ Oppo N1) and/or external battery, so they’re perfect for the fellow Ingressers out there. I was also able to fit two 10,000 mAh Power Bank external batteries in the small standalone nylon pouch with a foam separator that’s included with the Boa shift without issue. There’s even a detachable key-ring inside the bag for you convenience.

Build

The booq Boa shift, graphite has an outer shell made of 1680 denier ballistic nylon and has a water-repellent coating, which is rather indestructible. The inside of the bag has a herringbone nylon lining as well as Nylex construction, which is super durable, but won’t scratch your devices. For comfort, the part of the bag that rests on your back as well as the shoulder straps have a padded nylon mesh that breathes. The upper handle on the bag is rigid with some type of reinforced construction that makes carrying easy on the hands and won’t dig into or pinch your skin like typically soft strap handles do. Holding it all together are extra heavy-duty YKK zippers that match the strength and functionality of the rest of the bag.

Overall Thoughts

What can $150 get you? You could buy a decent phone upgrade, a bunch of external batteries, Angry Birds Star Wars HD from the Play Store 50 times, or a very nice booq Boa shift to put all of your gadgets in. This may seem expensive for a bag, but it’s something that you’ll hold onto for a very long time and similar tech backpacks come with a similar price, so it’s not as ludicrous as some may think. It’ll outlast several of your devices and has a 5-year warranty if it fails. Additionally, all booq bags come with Terraliq, which is a unique ID number and registry to help owners become reunited with lost bags.

It’s durable construction, clever design, and comfortable wear makes the booq Boa shift, graphite the perfect accessory to the technology addict. Its deceptively simple outer design does not draw attention to itself, which may not be for everyone, but I think this makes it less prone to theft. Comparable bags in the market are much flashier and draw attention to themselves with fancy do-dads, so if I were a thief I’d boost one of those before I choosing the Boa shift. Simple. Functional. Durable.

Pros:

• Simple outer design conceals its precious cargo.
• Indestructible nylon inner and outer construction.
• Waterproof-ish.
• Zipper doesn’t clog and won’t break.
• 5-year warranty and Terralinq.
• A billion pockets that can hold the biggest of laptops.
• Comfortable handle.

Cons:

• Simple outer design may be too plain for some.
• $150 may not be for everyone, but it’s competitively priced for similar bags.

Come buy the booq Boa shift on Amazon with free shipping for $149.95:

To check out the rest of booq’s Boa offerings:
booq Boa Bags