Backpack Meizu (aka Meizu backpack, aka Meizu shoulder bag) is relatively inexpensive (about 2-2.5 tr.) And has some curious features. It can be very convenient for some purposes and completely unsuitable for others. After a year of use, he left an extremely ambiguous impression.
Appearance
From the side, the backpack looks like a bag (I would like to say 'shapeless', but this is not so – the backpack has no problems with keeping the shape). This is most typical for gray. Black looks a little different due to the bright contrasting insert. But in any case, it does not look like a typical backpack at all, so if appearance is critical for you, be sure to watch it live before buying.
The zipper is located near the back and is not conspicuous.
Capacity
The official dimensions indicated by the manufacturer are 28.5 x 12 x 44.5 cm. The most significant characteristic here, of course, is the depth. The backpack is very flat. This is both a plus and a minus. On the one hand, if you don't carry a lot of things with you, it is quite comfortable and you won't disturb anyone, even if you find yourself in a crowd. On the other hand, this is clearly not the kind of backpack with which you can easily go to the grocery store for shopping. For example, many food containers (or cake boxes) simply don't fit into it.
But even if we consider a backpack only for various gadgets, the question remains with photographic equipment. And here, too, everything is not very good: most photo bags simply do not fit into it. Therefore, if you expect to carry a camera in your backpack, you will have to think over some special solution for it.
Internal compartments and pockets are well thought out for everyday use:
- compartment for a laptop;
- compartment for a tablet;
- two pockets for gadgets (each can easily fit an external 13 Ah battery);
- pocket for wallet or keys on the inside of the back.
A Velcro strap is provided to secure the laptop and tablet.
According to the manufacturer, the backpack should fit a laptop with a diagonal of 15.6 ″. But in practice everything is not so simple. If you take a typical low-cost Windows laptop (read: thick and wide bezels), it won't be easy to shove. It is necessary to forcefully pull the backpack onto the corners of the laptop and only then zip up. Of course, in such a situation, there is no longer any talk of a cover. But if your laptop is smaller, then everything will be much more convenient. For example, my 13.3 ″ Zenbook fits easily into my branded folder case.
Side pockets are made in such a way that they 'take away' part of the inner space, while the dimensions of the backpack do not increase. A bottle of 0.5-0.6 liters can easily fit there. and an umbrella. With some effort, it was possible to place a thermos with a diameter of 7 cm there.
Weight characteristics
An empty backpack weighs 700 g and is practically not felt behind the back. The manufacturer indicates a very solid carrying capacity – 40 kg. There are some doubts that the backpack will easily survive such a load, but if we talk about typical urban loads, then it can easily withstand 10 kg.
Water resistance
Backpack material ('Oxford') retains moisture. This means that in the rain you don't have to worry about the safety of things or documents. But this does not mean at all that the backpack can be submerged under water or even carried in the hands in heavy rain. The problem lies in the back, which does not have such water protection and can get wet quickly enough.
A rubberized insert runs along the entire perimeter of the backpack, thanks to it you don't have to worry about exactly where you put the backpack (of course, not for long), nothing gets wet inside.
Back
The back is soft, but keeps its shape. The manufacturer assures that a special material is used to prevent a person's back from sweating. This is true only to a certain extent: the back will not sweat instantly, but if you need to walk with a backpack for a long time in the heat, you have to wear it on one strap.
On the back there is an external pocket in which you can put, for example, a passport.
Webbing and handle
The shoulder straps are very comfortable: soft, wide. They have great adjustment possibilities. The downside of this is the very long straps that dangle. You can try to plug them into the buckles, for some time the straps will hold out there and will not interfere.
The handle, in my opinion, is slightly narrow, it digs into the hand if the backpack is heavy enough. But in general, if you do not add the weights, it is quite comfortable.
Travel backpack?
On trips I took this backpack with me as hand luggage. The passport pocket (on the back) easily fits four passports (vertically in two layers), A4 documents can be folded into a folder in a laptop pocket. An external battery (so that the phone is always charged) – in your pocket. Since he was not traveling alone, the problem with the photo bag was solved by folding it into the backpack of his wife. The only unsolved issue is the lack of a special attachment to the handle of the suitcase. If you find yourself at the airport long before you check in your luggage, then you have to wear the backpack only on your back.
Impressions
I have had a backpack for almost a year and during this time it has proved to be a rather reliable assistant. Nothing broke, torn or split. Only the Velcro on the inner strap was frayed (for fixing the laptop and tablet). Things got wet only once, and even then when the backpack was immersed in the water, and not in the rain.
When worn for a long time, I prefer to put it on one strap (so as not to sweat the back), although for a short time it is quite comfortable to put on both. On the back, the backpack does not stick out much, so you can leave it on, for example, in a store – in order to hurt someone, there must be a very big crush.
Due to the fact that the backpack does not open completely, it is not very convenient to store anything in the main compartment. More precisely, folding is quite convenient, but you have to get it out by touch.
And, of course, the backpack is uncomfortable when I get out into the park with a camera. This is perhaps the greatest disappointment.
Is the backpack worth the money? If you consider it as a backpack for every day for carrying electronics, documents and the minimum amount of things (you can, for example, put a windbreaker in reserve), then rather yes than no. Moreover, it will obviously last more than one year. But if you want to have a universal urban backpack that is suitable for all occasions, then it is no longer a fact. Small capacity begins to play its role. As a backpack for travel – also not always suitable. In a crowded and stuffy airport (for example, in Split at the height of the holiday season), you don't want to carry it on your back, but hang it on the handle of your suitcase, but this is not possible.