Surge Laptop Back Pack

Company: The North Face
Price: Under $100 online
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/surge_2.html

When my brother in law told me “You MUST get this pack to review, Nemo,” I was skeptical. As I get older, wheeled back packs are getting more use than are strap-only packs and cases. Why is North Face making a low-price laptop computer day pack in the first place?

Among the many computer packs we have reviewed at MyMac during the previous ten years, the ones that remain highest in my opinion and usage are manufactured by Brenthaven and Skullcandy, with several runners-up. An outstanding pack needs to have solid construction, plenty of spaces and compartments, sensational comfort, and reliable protection for electronic cargo. The North Face knows something about at least three of those four traits.

While I was waiting for the demo Surge pack, I did a little Internet research. There were too many raves and five-star ratings for this product. Nothing in the world deserves consistent high-fives. Was something fishy going on?

As soon as the review pack arrived, I unloaded what seemed like a thousand pounds of assorted junk from Crumpler’s heavy-duty Hairy Hoard padded laptop briefcase that I had been using for over a year. How could everything fit with equal protection into the slim Surge pack? Didn’t I at least need a sleeve to encase my precious 15-inch MacBook Pro?

Everything fits, with room to spare, plus there are dedicated exterior elastic pockets for water bottles, snacks, or portable hard drives. The three top-zippered drop-in compartments now contain a staggering quantity of Nemogear, and my computer slides vertically into a fourth zippered space.

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