High Sierra XBT TSA Backpack

First a few small issues: It came with a small defect (handle off center), but Amazon replaced it quickly and easily. The slot on the back is designed to take the telescoping handle of a carry-on so the backpack and carry on can be wheeled around as one piece. But it is a little tight for my carry-on, so that won't work; on the other hand, there are enough slots and straps that it shouldn't be hard to find another way of attaching it.Apart from that, it seems thoughtfully designed, well made, has lots of pockets, a TSA friendly laptop compartment, is very light, and looks good.

Junk, poor craftsmanship fell apart at the seems

Backpack has lots of space, is convenient, and fits my large laptop.BUTAfter only a couple months, it began to completely fall apart.Shoulder strap broke first. The shoulder strap clip frayed off too.Then the other clip straps broke. At this point, the main pocket's seam has burst wide open and the pack is just about useless.Very disappointed in the build quality of this backpack. My previous High Sierra pack lasted through 8 years of steady use, and is still in working condition. Not sure what happened.

Awesome design EXCEPT for the straps, which deteriorate way too fast (a month or two of frequent travel. Otherwise, I really like the bag, but the quick-fray straps are a fatal flaw.

Well designed and competitively priced travel backpack. Prior to my purchase I was using a Mountain Hardwear Enterprise backpack 2012 version for travel. The Enterprise has a well padded laptop compartment for up to a 17" computer. The only down side is the Enterprise is not TSA friendly. Hence the removal of the laptop is mandatory, along with shoes while passing through airport security. This causes a tad bit of anxiety when being pushed through airport security in a crowded airport with a long security lilne. On another note, post 2012 Mountain Hardwear, a Columbia subsidiary now, has since redesigned and cheapened the Enterprise backpack.I first learned about this backpack when my sister came for a visit bringing her computer. She purchased this backpack at Costco for a great price of course well below $50. By the time she came for the visit Costco all was sold out. Bummer.I decided to wait for a Black Friday sale and finally made the purchase for $50. What a great back. It is bigger than the Enterprise (30L) at 40 liters and has more compartments. As one reviewer noted it is a spacious bag.The other plus is unzipping the special laptop compartment so the pack opens like a book and laying it flat it sails through security, the bag fits nicely under the seat in front on an airplane and it has back panel with that incorporates the add-a-bag panel.While I noted some of the reviewers complained that their bags were falling apart, it seems that most backpacks and bags these days just don't hold up as well to daily use except for some brands (Eagle Creek). I don't use this bag for everyday use, as it is my travel backpack which I use when taking a laptop with me.A similar bag, the Surge, is made by North Face and over $100. I thought about the Surge but the price point is quite high for my purposes of a travel only backpack I do not use everyday. Overall this backpack is well designed and an excellent price point.