Okay, so I kept seeing this Christopher Backpack PM blowing up everywhere – Instagram ads, YouTube reviews, the whole deal. Everyone made it sound like the holy grail of backpacks. Finally caved and bought one myself to see if it lived up to the noise. Here’s exactly how it went down, good and bad.
Getting My Hands On It
Ordered directly from their website after watching like seven unboxing videos. Shipping actually surprised me – it arrived way faster than I expected, just three days later. Felt kinda fancy pulling it out of the box. First impression? Sleek black canvas with that tan leather base. Looks sharp, no lie. Materials felt thick and heavy-duty when I picked it up.
Putting It to the Test
Loaded it up for my work commute and weekend errands. Felt heavier than my old bag right away, but not crazy heavy. Stuff I hauled around for two weeks straight:
- Laptop & Tech Crap: Threw in my 15-inch laptop plus charger, tablet, mouse, and a bunch of cables. Dedicated laptop sleeve hugged it nice and tight, no sliding. Front tech pocket held cables without them tangling into a nest.
- Daily Carry Junk: Keys went into the quick-grab pocket (lifesaver), water bottle got jammed in the side slot. Held my big 32oz bottle without tipping, which I liked.
- Random Overload: Tried stuffing a light jacket, umbrella, lunch box, and a paperback in the main compartment one rainy day. Zipped it shut somehow, but it looked and felt like a stuffed sausage. Bulky, but survived.
- Durability Check: Took it hiking once (yeah, kinda dumb) and scraped against some rocks. That leather base took the hit – barely a scratch. Canvas wiped clean after spilled coffee attack.
What Actually Rocks
- Build Quality: This thing feels like a tank. Zippers glide smooth, leather base looks classy, stitching ain’t fraying anywhere. Feels like it could last years.
- Organization Win: All those pockets? Actually useful. Found stuff fast without rummaging. The key leash stopped me from dumping keys everywhere.
- Comfort (Kind Of): Padded straps saved my shoulders carrying heavy loads. Back panel hugged my back decently on longer walks.
What Sucks or Annoyed Me
- Weight: Empty, this bag ain’t light. Add laptop + stuff? Definitely feels substantial. If you pack it full, your back notices.
- Bulky Shape: Even half-empty, it holds its boxy shape. Squishing it under a bus seat or tight overhead bin sucks. Doesn’t collapse down small.
- Zipper Hassle: Double zippers on main compartment sound good, but always getting tangled up at corners? Got annoying fast. Felt like wrestling snakes.
- Price Sting: Yeah, it’s expensive. Paid premium pricing for sure. Made me sweat a little hitting that checkout button.
Bottom Line After Using It
Honestly? Mostly worth the hype if you’re cool with a hefty, structured bag. Love the quality and organization – seriously top-notch. But it’s not magic. Heavy loads and tight spaces become a hassle. If you want a featherlight pack or need to cram it into small spots, look elsewhere. For daily grind stuff where style + toughness matter? Solid buy. Just know the quirks before jumping in.
