Herschel Retreat Backpack, Raven Crosshatch/Black Rubber, Classic 19.5L

I purchased my first Herschel classic backpack on this Amazon account all the way back in early 2018, and it has seen a _lot_ of use during that time.Used it through my last years at university, lugging around a laptop together with heavy and bulky textbooks, pencil cases, a battery bank, and even a collapsible umbrella in its large main pocket, with still more room to spare. I've used it to pack for multiple international trips, with tons of open space for spare clothes, multiple devices, and a large metal water bottle. I've packed it on trips to the tropics, to desert climates, and frosty wintry areas. All the while, this backpack has survived a ton of wear and weight, handling it all like a champ. It has been so durable and spacious inside, in fact, that I also used it as a reusable grocery bag multiple times a week for ~4 years when I used to live alone. Even though the drawstring has long since degraded and torn apart from several years of heavy use, the magnetic straps are still intact and the backpack is still holding strong.The canvas-like water-resistant exterior of this bag has held together wonderfully and still looks good as new. The magnetic faux-leather straps have been extremely durable over the years, though the finish does peel a little after 4-ish years of heavy use. The drawstring rope could be made much more durable so it doesn't unravel and rip, but like I wrote probably, it's not the end of the world. The bag continues to function extremely well even without it.When I first purchased this bag, I was initially disappointed by the conspicuous lack of pockets and dividers inside (aside from the laptop divider and very small side pocket), but I quickly came to love and even depend on its spaciousness whenever packing for school, day trips, flights, and even grocery runs. I found that if I ever needed additional organization inside, I was better served by packing those things in individual clamshell cases, or even Ziploc bags, to give them structure within the vast TARDIS-like space inside this backpack.And now, in winter 2024, I've finally decided to replace my Herschel with a new one of the exact same model. Not because the bag itself failed, mind you, but because I spilled something sticky inside that I feel will be ridiculously hard to clean. 😂10/10 bag, will serve you very well during a zombie apocalypse or crash-landing on a remote desert island.

This is my favourite bag right now. It is very handy when traveling because there is a lot of space. The colour is gorgeous.The quality is 10/10. I had a Hershel bag before and it lasted for 7 years and it is still going strong. I know this bag will do justice just the same

Really sturdy. I like the magnetic clips. My laptop fits in the sleeve 15". I put in my 3 notebooks, my mouse & ergonomic keyboard and pencil pouch but it has room for a bit more although if you fill it up it might not close. I wish it had a zipper at the top to out things in the front pocket is a nice size but I would put anything that might fall out in there. I wish it had a side pocket for a water bottle. I don't know how useful this would be for traveling maybe if it's the personal item but not a carry-on type bag. For a school backpack/commuter bag should do great! Very stylish.

I bough this along with 2 other backpacks and 3 large purses trying to find a solution for the perfect student/laptop/camera/city bag as I go to school in Paris coming up. I expect to ride the bike a lot, but really wanted something that would also serve as a purse... i.e. something convertible. Grabbed this one just in case and really it is fantastic. The padding for my laptop (15" MBP retina) makes me comfortable to take it out of it's sleeve and just use the pouch provided in the backpack. It is super comfortable, roomy, secure and looks great. It was the most expensive of all of the options I picked up (hence the reason I was hoping it wouldn't be my favorite), but it really is. It is a big backpack, but doesn't look super huge or bulky because the design is pretty clean and simple. It would also serve as a great little overnight/weekend bag if you pack light!

You definitely get the quality you pay for here- after about eight months of use, it's showing no signs of wear and still looks pretty new. The straps are really well padded and comfortable. I often carry my laptop and several textbooks at a time, and it reduces the stress on my shoulders very well. The only downside is the lack of pockets. There is one small (but very deep) velcro-closure pocket on the inside of the bag and one slightly larger on the outside front with no closure.**3 year update**there is some fading on the straps, and the buckles on the front are cracked where it opens and closes. These are such minor issues considering what this backpack has been through that it’s not a complaint. I put it through the wash once (inside out on a gentle cycle, air dry) and it came out just fine! This bag has done me so well, but I wouldn’t repurchase for three reasons:1. lack of interior pockets make it hard to organize2. the bag is really deep so it can fit lots of things, but it’s easy to lose things/hard to organize3. the only exterior pocket doesn’t have a closure so you can’t use it long term

I've been using this everyday for several months and it still looks brand new. I chose this one after using another Herschel for over a year. That one still looks new as well, but it was beige and I couldn't keep it clean.The carrying straps are nicely padded and it's very comfortable to carry.I rarely use the drawstring to close it. I just snap the straps on the front and go. The snaps are magnetic and easy to engage. They are also strong enough that if my backpack tips forward (say if I have to slam on my brakes in rush hour traffic), the straps stay closed.If you are looking for something with pockets, this isn't for you. It has one small pocket on the outside, a divider inside for your laptop, and a small pocket on the inside for maybe a phone or pens.