The iconic XD Design Bobby backpack has a new sibling that, at first glance, has rolled a bit further from the family tree. We put the impenetrable XD Design Bobby Urban Lite backpack through stress tests, and we certainly won't keep the results to ourselves.
XD Design prides itself on backpacks whose main concept is safety. The backpacks from the Bobby, Bobby Compact, and Bobby Bizz series have covered zippers, so thieves cannot get into them without your knowledge. Now, a newcomer named Bobby Urban Lite has joined the family of security backpacks. This backpack has taken a slightly different path than its zipper-equipped siblings and functions as a roll-top backpack with a combination lock.
Alcatraz on your back
The only way inside is through the combination lock, and unless you set your password to 123 or 007, there is a very low probability that any villain would guess the correct numeric code and steal the contents inside. Many of you might wonder, what is the point of a combination lock if a thief can get inside with a knife...?
This leads us to the material the backpack is made of. According to available information, it is a combination of polyester and polyethylene, which is undoubtedly just a necessary minimum of information that doesn't tell the whole story. However, the properties of this material are admirable.
In the product video for its more durable sibling, the Bobby Urban, it is clear that it resists knife cuts. The most interesting thing is that it not only resists, but you can barely even tell. While the Bobby Urban Lite doesn't explicitly guarantee this feature, it is clearly just unnecessary modesty. I tried it myself, increasing the cutting force until I was slashing wildly like a madman, and the result was a barely noticeable mark visible only against the light. So, in summary, you simply cannot get inside without knowing the number combination!
The bottom of the backpack is made of a different material, but that is not a way in either. The bottom is sturdy and allows the backpack to stand upright. The disadvantage of the bottom PVC coating is that it gets dirty easily from dust, which sticks to this surface and is quite visible. The shoulder straps have the same finish, but they are not as prone to getting dirty.
Thieves and common sense are left speechless
The back system of the backpack pleasantly surprised me in every way. It is pleasantly soft and comfortable; at first glance, it looks practically non-breathable, but that is not the case! I took it on a bike ride during one of the extremely hot weekends and headed to a swimming pool 30 km away. While the result cannot be compared to sports backpacks equipped with mesh, for example, my back was almost dry. Another thing was that the backpack fell into the sand, and after dusting it off, there wasn't a single grain left on the back. I really have to ask: "How does XD Design do it?!"
Now for the organization of the backpack. Inside, we find only a small number of pockets and compartments. There is the obligatory laptop pocket, a slightly smaller one for a tablet or e-reader, and two mesh pockets for a mobile phone or other smaller items. That is all. I must say that from my perspective, this is the only weakness of this otherwise great backpack. If you pack more things for a trip and have a lot of small items with you, they are quite difficult to find.
However, if you want to have items like your phone, keys, or payment card at hand, there is one secret pocket on the back and a small RFID pocket in the strap for your card. This makes organizing your things a bit easier. However, if you want to leave the backpack unattended for a while, it is better to hide them inside.
Tip: We have summarized how RFID protection for cards and sensitive data works for you in our advice section.
All in all
Despite the bright lock, the backpack looks quite elegant. It is impossible to get into, and it takes effort to even scratch it. The roll-top system allows you to adjust the size of the backpack, so you don't have to look like a sherpa every time. Additionally, between the shoulder straps, you will find a strap with a hook, which you can use to close the backpack without having to lock it constantly.
It sits perfectly on the back, and almost no dirt gets into the padding. I should also mention that the backpack is water-repellent and should also be waterproof (I haven't tested it myself, but I have it confirmed by a customer). The internal organization could be solved a bit better, but perhaps I am a bit spoiled by my backpack from Thule.
In other words, the XD Design Bobby Urban Lite is intended for those who need a spacious backpack that is comfortable and completely safe. So, if you have had a bad experience with pickpockets or are planning to visit a destination with a not-so-good reputation, this could be an ideal choice. It will easily serve as a smaller carry-on backpack, and you can enjoy traveling without worries. :-)
P.S. I do various crazy things with the backpack – sometimes it even serves as a bike lock for me. I assume the manufacturer probably didn't count on that, but when they made such a durable piece, I can't help but make the most of it. ;-)
