Speedo Tri Clops (50L) Backpack Review

Sunday, September 21, 2014 10:36:12 AM

http://explore.speedousa.com/innovation/triclops.html

Bought this for traveling mainly. Getting tired of airline’s addiction for fees on everything, what’s next… pay to use the bathroom. This bag does not have an internal frame so it’s a little compressible (more like bendable). It will fit in the overhead bin straight in, no need to turn it sideways. Used it on planes where seating was 3 x 3, ie., three seats on either side of the aisle. Might be a little long to go under the seat, I did not try but it would seem at least 2/3 or better would fit under.

Will not fit on smaller planes such as those used for small hops, eg. propeller driven. I just drop it off on the baggage cart before boarding. Used this on Air Canada and United Airlines.

I used this for a Saturday-to-Saturday travel and it was enough to get me through the week. I also had a laptop in the bag, just put it in a sleeve and you’re good. Plenty of pockets everywhere for other smaller gadgets and accessories. Smaller pocket at the bottom is a great place for your toiletries with room to put additional smaller items, such as a couple of knit shirts and shorts.

Probably better to travel with an iPad or MacBook Air. There is a smaller pocket that would fit an iPad Mini nicely. I have a thick and heavy 15” HP Probook for work. With this in the bag, it’s pretty heavy. You’re better off to use an Air and run windows in a virtual machine.

Thankfully there is a waist belt so you can cinch it up to get most of the weight on your hips. Like the fact there are 2 hip pockets, one on each side of the belt for keys and change. Great for dumping out your pockets just before going through security.

There is a fleece pocket and it is the top pocket where Speedo says you can put swim goggles and sunglasses. If you have expensive eyewear you may want to have it in a small sturdy case because it is not padded, save for the fleece.

Drop something heavy on top or step on the top pocket in the heat of a triathlon and you could be looking at new eyewear. Speedo should add some foam padding, drill some holes in it to reduce a few grams and sew it into the lining.

The reason for getting this is most backpacks are just a sack so you have to dig to get to things at the bottom. With Speedo’s 3-way zipper design, you can access your contents at the bottom very easily, no digging required.

The waist belt was also the selling point, backpacks with no waist belt is a no sale, you want the weight on your hips.