At a look
Knowledgeable’s Score
Execs
- Tremendous fashionable
- Loads of storage
- Good organizer sections
- Hidden telephone pocket
Cons
- Premium value
- New model drops the AirTag pocket
Our Verdict
Good sufficient to be worn with a swimsuit and stuffed with well Thought of options, however nonetheless with area for a middle-distance traveller, the Troubadour Apex 4.0 repays its excessive value with fashion and on-the-go easy-access, safe storage.
Value When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At the moment
Value When Reviewed
$249
Finest Costs At the moment: Troubadour Apex 4.0 Backpack
$249
Considered one of Macworld’s favourite backpacks, tremendous sufficient to hold our beloved MacBook, is the Apex from premium bag maker Troubadour. The corporate doesn’t simply make a bag after which transfer onto the subsequent one. Like a expertise firm, it makes common product updates, refining the design based mostly on buyer suggestions. The Apex backpack is now as much as model 4.0 with a number of small enhancements, though we miss the three.0’s hidden AirTag pocket. The Apex 3.0, by the best way, remains to be out there and a little bit cheaper, though we’d anticipate the older model to vanish from the cabinets when inventory is gone.
First, let’s look why we favored the earlier Apex variations a lot. All luggage we suggest should hold our (and your) expertise protected as we transfer it round with us—whether or not that’s carried on the day by day commute, slung by café tables, dragged round airport departures halls, or stuffed into overhead compartments.
The Apex is one in every of few laptop computer backpacks that appears nice even with a swimsuit. It’s stylish in addition to a premium construct for consolation, and—most significantly for MacBook house owners—stuffed with laptop computer and tech accent organizer compartments.
Inside is saved simply as sensible, with the zips and clips matching the bag’s outer coloration, of which there are six: a traditional Black, Ink Blue and the same Basalt, a maroon Bronze Crimson and a novel Smoke Inexperienced.
Troubadour
Three fundamental Apex designs
Apex 4.0 Backpack
- Matches as much as 17-inch laptop computer
- Top: 19 inches (48cm)
- Width: 12.6 inches (32cm)
- Depth: 6 inches (15cm)
- Capability: 22L
- Weight: 2.7lbs (1.22kg)
Apex 4.0 Compact Backpack
There’s additionally a Compact model out there that’s much less tall:
- Matches as much as 16-inch laptop computer
- Top: 16 inches (41cm)
- Width: 11.5 inches (29cm)
- Depth: 5.5 inches (14cm)
- Capability: 15L
- Weight: 2.5lbs (1.13kg)
Apex Journey Backpack
And for longer journeys away from residence, a Journey model is taller, wider and may develop considerably:
- Top: 22 inches (56cm)
- Width: 16.5 inches (42cm)
- Depth: 6.3 inches (16cm)
- Capability: 42L
- Weight: 3.04 lbs (1.38kg)
The Apex 4.0 is constructed round three main sections that host a complete of 10 cleverly designed pockets and enclosures. On the entrance for fast, quick access there’s a zipped pocket with a useful, long-strapped key fob tucked inside. This entrance part is usable even when the principle compartment is full.
If front-loaded fast-access storage is a precedence you may take into account Troubadour’s smaller on a regular basis 22L Neo backpack that encompasses a zipped pocket with three compartments and a small, hid zipper pocket to maintain your valuables—a passport simply matches. Beneath that there’s a neat even-easier-access pocket with a magnetic closure and (just like the Apex 4.0) key fob.
The Apex 4.0’s 22L capability is lower than the Apex 3.0’s 25L but it surely feels beneficiant sufficient for a day journey and simply sufficient for a packed commute. It’s not one for the weekly store, nevertheless. For that you simply may take into account its extra capacious sibling, the big but enticing 42L Apex Journey backpack.
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The primary part encompasses a beneficiant three zipped pockets (one mesh) which can be giant and deep sufficient to your tech (and different) necessities—good locations to maintain your charger and cables. These are boosted by three an identical flexed leather-tabbed pockets for sooner entry. This part retains its form even when full.
The three.0 had an AirTag pocket, however that is gone from the 4.0, so that you’ll have to only drop one in a pocket if you wish to use this technique of finding a backpack away out of your grasp.
Behind the principle part, your MacBook may be very effectively protected by what Troubadour calls a “Crashpad Cocoon”, which suspends and cushions not simply any laptop computer as much as 17 inches in dimension however an extra smaller laptop computer or extra possible iPad. The Compact model of the Apex matches a laptop computer as much as 16 inches so even that mannequin would nonetheless be giant sufficient for Apple’s greatest MacBook.
This laptop computer compartment is correct on the again, making it simpler to extract at airport safety or blindly in a darkened convention room. Inside distinction lining doesn’t simply add some sophistication, it enhances visibility and facilitates pocket and merchandise discoverability.
At one facet of the backpack is a sturdy bottle holder, expanded by 2cm to hold as much as a 1-litre container.
Reverse, the opposite facet upright pocket is now zipped for added safety however will nonetheless accommodate a water bottle or flask in case you want two or perhaps an umbrella to maintain the water off you and the backpack. The outside eco-engineered FortiWeave material— spun from recycled plastic bottles—of the Apex 4.0 has fluorocarbon-free weather-proofing and abrasion resistance.
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The Apex 3.0 featured a hidden, safe zipped telephone pocket on one of many shoulder straps that may very well be reached with out taking off the bag. The Apex 4.0 swaps this for a non-zipped however artful new Quiver Pocket, a magnetic origami-inspired opening with high-tension strap webbing and adjustable backstop.
The Apex 4.0 backpack is comfy to put on and encompasses a new and reasonably pretty leather-bonded seize deal with with comfortable padding for one-handed carrying carry consolation and sturdiness.
Different Apex 4.0 upgrades embody: re-engineered again straps; newly designed adjusters to get rid of slippage; a sculpted 3D mesh again (with a discreet over-luggage sleeve) for extra breathable help.
Troubadour
Which Apex backpack must you purchase
All three Troubadour Apex backpacks are comfy with padded S-curve shoulder straps, fashionable appears with eco-friendly supplies and water-proofing, sensible part and pocket group, and strong laptop computer safety.
The Apex 4.0 is the smart center selection when it comes to dimension with its 22L capability, however in case you fancy a smaller pack in your again the Compact Apex 4.0 (15L) is three inches shorter with rather less area inside.
The Apex Journey is a neater determination because the capability is a lot better, and it has vital journey options corresponding to a facet deal with so it may be carried like a duffle bag plus the truth that it packs like a suitcase with a fold-out-flat lid design. It’s designed for lengthy weekends and one-bag journey and meets the carry-on necessities on most main airways—though it’s price checking towards your favourite service’s most limits.
Troubadour
Simply to make your determination extra effort, Troubadour has a non-Apex backpack, the Neo. The corporate states that is extra for on a regular basis use with its mild weight, and it weighs 0.4lbs lower than the Apex 4.0 and has the identical capability (22L). We’ve put them facet by facet and every has its factors over the opposite (the Apex’s Quiver Pocket is a pleasant contact however so is the Neo’s magnetic-closure entrance compartment). I’d decide the Apex 4.0 over the Neo simply on smarter appears, not that the Neo appears shabby—though that value distinction will tempt many.
Somebody described the Neo as having extra of a “start-up really feel” in comparison with the Apex’s “boardroom” appears. That doesn’t cease start-up founders shopping for the Apex or CEOs slinging on a Neo, however you get the concept, I hope.
And to confuse issues additional Troubadour has a good smarter backpack, the dearer $279 Matrix. At 20L, this slimmer bag is notably smaller than the Apex 4.0 however does boast an amazing open-flat vegan leather-based entrance pocket. The Matrix could tempt you in case your load is smaller, and it makes an amazing commuter bag for the sensible set. Learn our Troubadour Matrix assessment for extra particulars.
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Value
There’s no disguising the truth that the Troubadour Apex 4.0 Backpack is a premium laptop computer backpack not simply in appears and organizational savvy however value ($249/£249) too. In order for you an inexpensive backpack, look elsewhere or see if Amazon is having a sale.
The marginally smaller Compact Apex 4.0 Backpack is priced a little bit cheaper at $229/£229. You gained’t select the Compact simply to save lots of a couple of bucks. That call will come all the way down to dimension, with the 15L Compact being three inches shorter than the 22L Apex 4.0 however a lot much less capacious.
At $329/£329 the Apex Journey Backpack prices an honest quantity extra however at 42L expanded it may prevent luggage of money in cabin-vs-hold baggage charges.
An alternate from the identical firm is the lighter Neo Backpack—a tempting value saving priced at $179/£179 in comparison with the Apex 4.0’s $249/£249. With its vegan leather-based components, the Apex appears smarter. That’s to not say that the Neo appears low cost—removed from it—however there’s sure luxe to the Apex that units it apart. That stated, the Neo is a well-organized handsome backpack that may swimsuit many, and the value saving will likely be appreciated.
Lastly, from Troubadour, the $279 Matrix is one other tremendous backpack that may swimsuit discerning MacBook house owners.
In the event you simply desire a backpack that protects your laptop computer however doesn’t must look the enterprise and is available in cheaper, take into account the numerous cheaper alternate options in our finest laptop computer backpack function. Bear in mind although that trusting your treasured laptop computer to one thing from the underside shelf of a division retailer baggage aisle could not provide the machine safety and consumer consolation that you simply acquire from a premium backpack.
Coming in cheaper than the Apex is the $159 Alpaka Bravo Backpack, which is across the similar dimension (23L) and has a fold-down entrance part for straightforward entry to your necessities inside. We expect the Apex appears smarter however the Bravo design may higher fit your wants and pocket.
Do you have to purchase the Troubadour Apex 4.0 Backpack?
Good sufficient to be worn with a swimsuit and stuffed with well thought of options, however nonetheless with area for a middle-distance traveller, the Troubadour Apex 4.0 repays its excessive value with fashion and on-the-go easy-access, safe storage.
