Targus Corporate Traveler Backpack Review

by Sarah Meyer

The Targus Corporate Traveler Backpack is a notebook backpack designed for business professionals looking for a conservative looking backpack with solid construction. While the Corporate Traveler appears to lack both color and stylish design, can you judge a book (or bag) by its cover? We took a closer look to see just what this budget business backpack has to offer.

Corporate Traveler Backpack Specifications

• Exterior Dimensions: 17.75" x 9.5" x 14.5"
• Compartment Dimensions: 14.33" x 11.81" x 1.69"
• Weight: 3.13 lbs.
• Black ballistic 1680 denier nylon
• Ergonomic Mesh ventilated back panel
• SafePort air cushion system compartment
• Removable accessories/cosmetics pouch
• Removable Mobile Phone Pouch
• Limited lifetime warranty
• MSRP: $79.99
  

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Design and Aesthetics

The Corporate Traveler Backpack is not a stylish bag. Yes, I said it again. It's all black with dark grey hardware and light grey lining. It's made out of ballistic 1680 denier nylon which - while extremely durable - isn't the most pleasing fabric to touch.

But what the Traveler may lack in aesthetics, it makes up for in organization and sheer number of pockets.

Starting at the front of the bag, there is what seems to be an ordinary, average sized accessory pocket. When you unzip it, however, it pulls out a rather large zip-down workstation. There are two Velcro pockets, the smaller one perfect for my chocolate cell phone (don't hate). The other larger Velcro pocket would be great for a larger Smartphone, wallet, checkbook, a mouse and other small accessories. Behind this Velcro pocket, there are five scratch-resistant CD/DVD sleeves and a zippered mesh pocket. The mesh pocket is larger still and could store a mouse, average sized headphones, or even your lunch (I fit a can of Chef Boyardee Ravioli in this pocket without any significant bulge). There is also a small pocket to store business cards and two pen holders.

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On the outside of the zippered workstation is a sleeve where you could slide small items for easy access.

Above the zippered workstation is a another small zippered pocket that could be used to store a cell phone, MP3 player, ear buds, cash, or keys.

After this small pocket comes the second large compartment. It is a zip-down pocket and has two zippered mesh pockets and an elastic sleeve. This is also where the expanding dual file folder is located. This section is perfect for storing large computer accessories, books, folders, etc. I stored my purse in this section of the bag, but for you ladies who don't want to drag a purse around, there is a removable bag that would make a perfect cosmetic pouch. For guys, it would be perfect for pens, pencils and markers that you want to keep separate from everything else.

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The largest pocket is the laptop compartment. This compartment can hold up to a 15.4" widescreen notebook comfortably. It has a Velcro strap to adjust to smaller computers and is surrounded by the SafePort Air Cushion, which combines vented air cushioning and high-density foam padding.

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On each side of the bag are elastic mesh pouches, perfect for a bottle of water. There is also a zipper on the left side of the bag that unzips all the way around the bottom for added space in the large compartments to combat bulging when full.

The back of the bag has three large mesh padded areas for comfort as well as ventilation. No one likes back sweat... ick! The straps are also padded with a thin mesh layer and are adjustable to fit the individual. There is a third strap running along the bottom of the back for added support. The back also has a luggage trolley pass-through.

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Using the bag

The material is tough so it can stand up to a lot of traveling and the zippers interlock so you can add a small padlock for safety. The pockets are great because they zip-down and expand giving you plenty of room for storage of bulkier items.

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There are two convenient removable items, an accessories pouch and the mobile phone pouch. Although, I wasn't a big fan of the mobile phone pouch; it was bulky and when you are wearing the bag, it just feels weird.

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The bag has great back padding but the padding on the shoulder straps is thinner and less cushiony. I also would prefer being able to remove the stomach strap. I know it's ergonomic and many people enjoy this feature but it just drives me nuts hanging there.

The laptop compartment is big and well padded. I didn't throw my laptop around, as most people wouldn't, but the padding seems like it would absorb shock well (When you press on it with force it bounces back easily). As usual, I hate the Velcro strap that is used to lock in the laptop, I don't feel like it is adequate in protecting my laptop from moving around but it seems like more and more bags have the Velcro instead of a buckle.

One of Targus' claims to fame is that they make quality bags for a low price. I found the Corporate Traveler $80 price tag to be expensive for a Targus bag. But in comparison with other bags with similar features from different manufactures, it's about the same, or less.

Conclusion

The Corporate Traveler backpack is aptly named; it's perfect for a road warrior. It's not flashy, it's comfortable to wear and it has a ton of pockets for organization.

If you're looking for a simple backpack that you can travel with that's not super expensive, the Corporate Traveler Backpack could be for you.

Pros

• Roomy, easy to stay organized
• Great for traveling
• Durable fabric, solid hardware
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• SafePort Velcro strap
• One color option
• Non-removable stomach strap

Pricing and Availability

The Targus Corporate Traveler Backpack can be purchased via the Targus website, or through an authorized vendor. A list of vendors can be found on the Targus site. The Corporate Traveler Backpack is $79.99.

 

Now that seems like a heavy-duty pack! I'm not too keen on the little pouch mounted on the strap, but it shouldn't be too big of a deal to remove it.

Most hip straps on backpacks are not removable. They're meant to support a lot of force and having buckles all over the place would add additional, unacceptable failure points. If it bothers you that much (as it does me), you can try tightening it all the way down and feeding the excess strap back through the loops mounted on either side of the buckle. You'll still have the buckle possibly digging into your back, but it beats completely cutting it off.

I don't understand the Velco gripe. I've personally found it extremely difficult to make Velco slip across itself, which would be the only direction it could go while in a backpack. It's also lighter and softer than a buckle; it can't potentially damage the laptop like a hard plastic buckle can.

Overall I really like it, even if it's a bit expensive.

 

Looks ugly? I think it looks wonderful; no idea what you're talking about . I do agree that it's expensive for a bag though. You said don't hate on the chocolate phone - and for that same reason I just have to. Ewww chocolate phone XD.

But in all seriousness, nice review. Much appreciated, ma'm (=

 

That's a good point about the velcro strap maybe being more gentle than a buckle but I just hate how the velcro never tightens the way I want it too.

Also, when it comes to looks, it's all opinion.