When choosing a backpack for everyday use, I had to consider the size of my laptop, so the choice fell on the Deuter Graduate. The manufacturer offers many color variants to choose from. I was drawn to the blue-arrow-check, a geometric pattern in shades of blue.
With a laptop to the city and on short trips
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + clear internal organization | – large volume allows you to carry many heavy items |
| + comfortable to wear | – uncomfortable on bare skin |
| + padded laptop compartment | |
| + chest strap |
After unpacking the Deuter Graduate backpack, I went through all the pockets and hidden compartments and was very pleasantly surprised. Spacious interior and organization allowed me to pack all the necessary things into the backpack and I could head out for my first test walk. In addition to carrying my laptop to work, I also used the backpack for everyday wear around the city or for walks in nature. Thanks to the clear internal organization, I always found everything I was looking for. A clever detail is also the reflective elements on the straps, which increase the owner's safety.
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Great to wear on your back
The backpack has a solid Airstripes back system, so even with a heavier load, which I loaded it with, it was comfortable to wear. During longer wear, I also used the chest strap, which kept the straps nicely on my shoulders. I also often used the compression straps to shrink the backpack. It's a small thing, but it makes wearing the backpack more pleasant. However, in the summer months, the fabric used on the inside of the shoulder straps was a bit unpleasant to wear on bare skin. It didn't cause any reaction, but the rough texture of the fabric scratched me.
It fits way too much
The laptop compartment is firmly padded and large enough to fit my sixteen-inch giant. I really like that the compartment is closable with Velcro along its entire length, so the laptop cannot move inside the backpack. In the space around the laptop compartment, there is enough room for other documents, computer cables, and a mouse.
The main compartment of the backpack is large, spacious, and has a half-pocket with an elastic band, which is ideal for separating snacks from the rest of the backpack's contents. You can really fit a lot of things in the pocket, but the backpack gains weight because of it. Sometimes the size of the backpack was a disadvantage; I stuffed a lot of things inside that I didn't really need, and the backpack was then quite heavy.
Order lovers will appreciate the many pockets
The side pockets made of elastic material were useful for carrying a water bottle, but I also put a lot of other small items in them. You can stuff a large 1.5-liter bottle into the pocket, but the backpack must be relatively empty and the bottle will not be very stably fixed. A better option is to put two smaller bottles in both side pockets and not strain the elastic bands on the pockets.
The front pocket has a small organizer for pens and a closable pocket for a mobile phone. The pockets are relatively deep, so you will be fishing for a small flash drive or AA batteries at the bottom for a long time.
You can safely store your wallet or documents in the closable zippered pocket. A nice bonus is the carabiner with a short string for attaching keys, so you don't have to fish for them at the bottom of the backpack anymore.
I tested the Deuter Graduate backpack for five months; during that time, there are no signs of wear on it, the color is the same as at the beginning, and any dirt could be easily cleaned with a damp sponge. I would recommend it for everyday carrying of a laptop to school or work, but it is also usable for shorter trips around the city or into nature. I wouldn't choose it as an option for sports or cycling, but it looks good on short walks.
