High Sierra Freewheel Wheeled Laptop Backpack, True Navy, 20.5 x 13.5 x 8-Inch

I bought this a few months ago after I came down with a long-term foot injury, and I was really struggling to get my book load around in the building where I teach. A regular shoulder bag just made me unstable, so I started looking around for a rolling backpack to start carrying my things in. I needed something big enough to accommodate binders, books, pen and pencil pouches, glue sticks...all the things I need for teaching my little guys. I also needed it durable enough to last tons of zippings and unzippings, being tossed into my car and hauled out, handle being extended and retracted hundreds of times, and wheels durable and reliable enough to go over carpets, brick, graveled parking lots...even some grass. (And it had to be super kid-proof, since all my students think pulling teacher's bag is the best privilege ever. :)) THIS DOES IT ALL! I was SO thrilled. The handle wasn't kid length like I worried it might be since I'm 5-7" and didn't want to be hunching over. It telescopes up nicely to an adult's height. I don't very often wear it as a backpack since I'm wearing an orthopedic walking boot and I'm not sure I'd feel stable with all that weight on my back, but the straps have been super comfy whenever I have worn it, and the handle doesn't bang against my head when it's retracted (I wondered if it would) because it zips neatly away in the handle pouch on top. Somebody really thought these features through! I also LOVE that it has three compartments to separate and help organize my stuff! And all three are very roomy. The wheels have been GREAT, and have handled the sidewalks, carpets, graveled parking lots, and even the small sections of grass I've hauled the bag across with no problem at all. The shoulder straps CAN tuck away inside a back pouch when you're not using it as a backpack, which is wonderful, but since I occasionally use this as a backpack, it just seemed easier to leave the straps out instead of unclipping them and tucking them into the pouch, and then pulling them back out and re-clipping the straps. The drawback to that is, there's quite a bit of length in the adjustable straps, and they kept dragging and getting caught up in the wheels. So I had to get creative and tie the extra length of the backpack straps around the shoulder straps so they didn't drag and get caught up in the wheels, but that's totally easy to manage by knotting the ends around the cushioned backpack straps. If you rarely use this as a backpack, just tuck the straps neatly away in the pouch and you'll be fine. The zippers are all super heavy duty, as are the zipper pulls, and I don't fear they'll be breaking anytime soon. And the green color is FABULOUS!!!! Even my teenage daughters oohed and ahhed over it! DEFINITELY the best backpack choice I've ever made. I love this thing!!!

Update 2 June 10, 2016: The handle came yesterday and it turned out to be a little harder to replace than I was hoping for. The assembly was riveted in which is easy to remove (drill it out), but difficult to replicate. I went, instead for 2 bolts and nylon locking nuts. It works and I'm VERY HAPPY! Update, June 6, 2016: I just got off the phone with High Sierra's customer service and had a GREAT experience. I chose not to email them because I like talking with people in these instances and I was able to give him the information right then and there (and another reviewer had problems doing it via email). Anyway, apparently my son leaves the telescoping handle up as school, something heavy fell on the bag and the handle bent (would have been no problem if he'd collapsed the handle like he was supposed to). I didn't think the handle looked replaceable, but upon further inspection, it did. So I called the warranty and repair dept (1-888-368-1304) hoping to BUY a new handle since this was my kid's fault, not a warranty issue. After verifying the model and if a handle is available, they're sending one out, no charge!!! Hopefully it's only one screw holding the handle in as it looks. All this took a grand total of 10 minutes. I'll update as soon as the handle comes in in 3-5 business days :) Oh, and my 2 10-year olds have used these bags for 2 school years and the bags are almost in perfect condition and hold A LOT. This was the first review, from May 2015. One school year in and this bag still looks close to new. Everything still works well. I bought two of them for my 3rd grade twins and have NOT let them roll them through the sand or grass- only over pavement (to protect the wheels). I also told them how to treat the handle by not spinning it around to face another direction- they need to walk it around carefully. One child had to be told a few times not to try and ride the handle like a horse .... I did all of this warning because I pick them up every day and see the abuse kids put on these roll-arounds. Then I hear the parents talk about how one brand or another doesn't last. I figured that these looked tough and I like the reviews so I tried them out- but I instilled those rules because I want these to last for 3-4 years. I'd buy them again, but I hope I won't have to for a while :)

This bag is great. Here are my thoughts. I'm a wildland firefighter who, when she goes on western fire details, has to take 2 larger roller duffle style bags. I always carried an extra backpack for my mini starlink, 14 inch laptop, IPAD, jacket, handheld radio and other stuff like toiletries, chargers, reading glasses and such. With the addition of the mini starlink my backpack was becoming heavy. I purchased this backpack roller bag so that I could carry everything on my back until I checked my 2 bags and this left my hands free to roll the bag, saving my back. PROS: it holds everything I need it to. I love that the third zipper zips all of the way down on both sides. The bag, empty, is not that heavy. You don't feel the wheels on your back when carrying it on your back. Wheels roll smoothly. Has 1 bottle holder on the side (I wish it had 2). CONS: it's kinda difficult to get the backpack straps put away. There is no velcro strap cover (like other bags) that folds down to help remove the straps. I wish there were 2 bottle holders, one on each side. I wish the middle zipper opened the whole way so you could get into the middle pouch better. Maybe put a small, open pouch on the front to drop a cell phone/passport in. I'm also hoping it will fit under the seat on an airplane, it looks like it may. All in all, this bag meets my needs.

****** Edited to update durability after 17 months of heavy usage***** Just want to say I'm nearing the end of my 2 years of constant semesters. This thing is still going strong. I still wish the inside pockets were roomier, but the wheels have stayed strong, not loose (they do have some wear that is, fraying along the edges). The handle screws were tightened by my husband at least once during this time. The straps are still firmly sewed on, and the color has stayed bright all over, no fading or patching showing. This bag may well be handed down to my nephew or niece for their college time. Still a fair value for the price. Good luck to you all. End of edit/addition 4-11-13 ********************************************************************** I purchased this bookbag for myself when I went back to college this summer. I'm now using it for my fall semester, and it shows virtually no wear even though I roll it over cement, asphalt, bumps, stairs etc. I've had several days of rain and the contents inside stayed dry & secure. Important not only for my papers but for my electronic items inside. I had read several reviews both praising and deriding this model's wheels as well as the room it provided. After having it for myself, I can understand why some have issues with them both. To clarify, it is roomy, multiple pockets, varying sizes, and even a convenient water bottle (or in my case, travel coffee mug) holder. However the main area to hold my college books often feels smushed when I have my large, heavy books in there for classes that day. I can fit anywhere from 4 small to med sized books and 2 notebooks in there, to only 2 large books and 2 small notebooks in there, plus the other pockets for small items like pens, pencils, hand cleaner, ipod, phone, snacks, mini umbrella, flash drives, essay folders, chewing gum, baby powder, chapstick and the list could go on & on... it is roomy, just.. some of the larger course books take up all the space in the main pocket. The wheels are a medium large size. They roll easily over small to medium twigs, and just angle the pull for pulling up steps & edges of sidewalks its fine. Hit gravel though, and you can roll through most of it, but can find some of the larger gravel getting caught up & having it drag. I've started carrying it through the gravel which isn't ideal, since I mentioned the really large & heavy books I'm currently using this semester. Its a fair value. No doubt about it I've gotten my money's worth out of it and could use it another semester, perhaps 2 more. However, I'm going to be pricing & comparing sizes, I'm expecting more courses next semester meaning more books to fit in there. One drawback that may just be for me, but the spot on the bookbag for your earphones to connect to your ipod inside the case is inconveniently placed when pulling my bookbag. It's fine if you carrying it over your shoulders, but thats not me. So its a hindrance & an irritation for that one piece. The handle seems flimsy, but has been solid, no loose screws etc. Had the husband doublecheck it all when bought and end of first semester, nothing to tighten. Overall, this is a great bookbag to have to swap out with another one if you have alot of books or larger books to carry.

Very good rolling book bag hMy son is tiny and can’t carry a heavy backpack . This bag carries a big binder, chrome book and a whole bunch of other stuff. My son has used this bag for a year plus and it’s still going. Worth the money, stands the wear and tear of going up and down the school bus. I recommend for school use.

I wanted to wait until the end of the school year before writing a review. My child loved this backpack! And it held up very well. It did start to come apart at the bottom near the wheels by the end of the school year. The fabric was tearing apart. However, it held on all year and was stuffed with not only a computer, headphones, and a supply case box, but also large workbooks. I recommend. I will note that the wheeling feature was not used as often. We did not have any issues with the handles or wheels. We did add reflective tape for the dark mornings walking through the school parking lot.

Large, multi-compartment design. The middle zipper is the best place for the larger laptops, my 15.6 work laptop fits good on it, BUT the slot in the back zipper DOES NOT have strap to secure the device in place. But I bet it would fit a 17 in laptop… but I don’t have one. Deluxe media pocket with headphone port is just that, an open pocket inside with no deluxe features like compression liner for snug fit. The rolling is smooth with a nice double height hideaway telescoping handle and a pocket for storing padded shoulder straps with quick connect clips but notice I typed pocket, cause there is no zipper storage like in description. Beverage pocket on one side and not the other. The triangle clip is positioned right for easy attachment and material appears to be sufficient for clipping items. The corner guard, bottom plate, and kick plate is really good and support the standing of the pack. The grab handle has felt like it can handle the weight but only time will tell. So far I like the item, the base and wheels seem solid and the pull with telescopic handle is comfortable for me and I am 6’5”. The only 2 things I am not liking on the first trip is there is no cover to protect clothing when carrying as backpack and the missing strap on back laptop slip. There is plenty of room in the back zipper for 2 thin laptops, 3 days of leisure clothes and a power cord. As the IT support for a family of 4 I think this bag will do. But comfort on the first 4 day out of town trip was high. Still don’t see why the price is twice that of a normal backpack though, it is 75% the same as a backpack. Even more with those really pocketed backpacks. What are the changes I would make? - Put Velcro secure cover on strap storage - wheel cover for back use - Move laptop storage to back of backpack - Put compression covers over internal pockets - Better front pocket design, pretty loosy goody all around

Update on this three years after original purchase: This is, without a doubt, the best purchase I ever made. Literally every time I use this, I think to myself, "I LOVE this backpack!" For three years I have dragged this around with me all over New York city, up and down subway stairs, over-packed with gig items (including a small speaker), with clothes and makeup for auditions; props and costumes for shows, books, binders, etc. There's even a nice outside pocket for an umbrella, water bottle or travel mug. I've taken it on air trips and it holds my laptop and a bunch of gear and fits neatly down the narrow aisles of every plane I've ridden. Incredibly light, no wear on zippers or on the telescoping handle. Now I've moved to Atlanta and I use it for quick trip grocery shopping (I walk) and it holds at least two (or 3) bags of groceries. The wheels are incredibly sturdy, the bag still looks like new. I've uploaded pictures so you can see how good this still looks and, believe me, i have not coddled this bag. There's a bit of wear on the wheels but it still works smoothly. This is an AWESOME product! THANK YOU HIGH SIERRA! Original review: I did a lot of comparing before purchasing this rolling backpack. I needed something that could withstand the streets of New York, be light weight enough to carry up subway stairs and also fit down the aisle of a plane. This bag is perfect. The wheels are wide and seem to be super durable. it is light, yet protects my laptop very well. There are multiple pockets which let me carry everything from office supplies to groceries to makeup (I'm an actor, hence the running around Manhattan). The handle is strong, and when it goes down it immediately locks to carry the bag down steps. It goes through the turnstile at the subway. It turns and moves freely. I'm very happy with this.

Finally a well balanced roll on backpack that does not topple. Has enough pockets and pockets within pockets to quickly throw in and retreive your stuff when travelling thru airport.

I've used this product for 10 yrs now . Bought the second recently. And it's one of the best travel bag I must say . It's handy in the airports .. as it's a trolley and backpack . Especially with kids . I manage to carry 2 days cloths aswell just in case the checkin goes missing . It's sturdy and the pull up backpack handle is a very good option as it helps in hurried aircraft exits and if we need to climb up to the aircraft etc.. It's priced a bit high . But the quality is very good. Also want to make a note . Please bring out more colours and sell it in retail s as the traveller s are increasing . Worth the buy!

It too heavy for my 10 yo boy..when need to climb stairs make it worst..

Excelent quality

Me gusto mucho la tela, el diseño, varios compartimentos, muy amplia y el carrito de muy buena calidad, el precio es justo, el Colór me hubiera gustado de un azul más oscuro, fuera de eso súper recomendable