Kensington Contour Balance Backpack Review

The idea behind Kensington's Contour Balance Backpack is "it fits like your favorite pair of shoes." That's right, this backpack is targeted toward women. It would probably be a little small for most men anyways, but don't worry guys Kensington makes plenty of bags to accommodate any style. I put the Contour Balance Backpack to the test to see if it really does fit like my favorite pair of shoes.

Contour Balance Backpack Specs

• Fits most notebooks up to 14" widescreen
• Air-Flo Contour Panel dissipates heat and hugs the body for greater comfort
• Non-slip shoulder straps are ergonomically designed to fit a woman's body
• Deep-quilted, impact-resistant notebook compartment with AirBrake bottom cushion protects your computer
• External ticket pocket keeps important documents organized and accessible
• Unique organization system separates smaller personal items from bulkier items, so they're easier to manage
• Side pocket stows your water bottle
• Water-resistant materials keep the contents of your bag safe and dry
• Weight: 1.9 lbs.
• Exterior dimensions: 13.5"L X 16.5"H X 6.5"W
• Notebook compartment: 11.0"L X 13.6"H X 1.6"W
• Price: $69.99
• Backed by the Kensington Limited Lifetime Warranty.

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Design and Aesthetics

The Contour Balance Backpack is made for a woman, both in fit and style. It's ergonomically designed to fit the unique contours of a woman's body for greater comfort. I will have to say the sleek design a plus because some bags out there are just so big and clunky. The only down side is, since it's smaller and shaped for a woman's body, you can't pack it full of gadgets.

The backpack is made of a durable nylon material that is water resistant. You don't have to worry about carrying it in the rain or snow because your notebook always stays protected. Weighing in at less then two pounds the bag is very lightweight and similar to a larger purse. It's perfect for Tablet PC owners since they tend to be smaller in size compared to your average notebook. My Asus R1 fit with no problems. I also tested out the Fujitsu P1620, which has a 8.9" display, and it stayed securely in place, even while I was on the go.

There are two main zipper compartments. The first holds your notebook in a nice quilted pocket that is impact resistant. There is enough room in this compartment for you power cords and a couple small books as well. The padded compartment protected my R1 a few times when the bag accidentally got dropped, so it is durable.

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The second compartment has a variety of smaller pockets. This way you can organize your items. Honestly I am used to carrying a bigger bag, so I found this area to be small, but it is big enough to hold a cellphone, compact digital camera, pens, a few personal items and hook your keys on the key clip. This bag would be great for those one or two day business trips.

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The inside of both compartments has a nice design with beige coloring, but the material felt kind of cheap. If you had something sharp inside it might poke a hole through the lining. The padded notebook pouch though, was very solid. The outside is all brown besides the accent stitching that is beige in color too, which is a nice touch. The two outside pockets zip and are big enough to hold a bottle of water, but my favorite pocket is the little slit cut out on the front. It is perfect for holding your plane ticket and very incognito, I almost missed it.

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The back of the bag is cushioned and has a nice Air-Flo Contour Panel that dissipates heat and helps keep you cool. It is very comfortable and has a nice sweater feel to it. There is also another hidden pocket on the back that is great for that plane ticket or important documents. The straps are cushioned and flexible. Sometimes they come loose though and you have to readjust the bag.

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The design is very sleek and contemporary looking. It definitely has style and enough pockets to carry all your essentials. Guys this could be the bag your girlfriend or wife has been looking for since it's definitely made for a woman's body and fit. I had one of the guys at the office try it on and it looked like a child's bag on him. So guys you might not be a fan of this Kensington bag, sorry.

Conclusion

Overall the Contour Balance Backpack is a nice bag. It's perfect for traveling due to its size. The shoulder straps are comfortable and adjustable. However, you can't pack it full of all your gadgets, but a subnotebook like the Asus Eee PC or a small Tablet PC will fit nicely. The pockets on the inside are great for storing your cell phone or a small cosmetic bag. It protects your notebook and gives you style at the same time, honestly it doesn't even look like a notebook bag, thanks to Kensington's stylish design.

Pros

• Stylish sleek design
• Form fitting for a woman's body
• Hidden pockets very convenient for personal items
• Padded notebook compartment keeps notebook safe and secure

Cons

• Inside material feels cheap and isn't very thick
• Straps sometimes come loose

Pricing and Availability

The Contour Balance Notebook Backpack is available now for pre-ordering on Kensington's website for $69.99. It is scheduled to be available in March. Remember if the Contour Balance doesn't fit "like your favorite pair of shoes" they offer many other styles.