IC Gear University Notebook Backpack review

The $40 (as of March 2005) IC Gear University Notebook Backpack looks like your average backpack, but with its extra padding and a sewn-in laptop pocket, you're getting more bang for your backpack buck. The bag's main compartment is spacious: there's a padded pocket sewn into the back for your notebook, as well as plenty of room for books and folders. A cover, secured by Velcro, keeps the notebook snugly in place. Another large zippered pocket has room for laptop accessories and more books, and a smaller pocket accommodates writing utensils and other supplies. Finally, the backpack has a mesh pocket on the outside for a CD or MP3 player. The back of the bag has extra padding that offers more protection for your laptop and also makes the backpack more comfortable to wear. The shoulder straps are contoured and padded to improve comfort while carrying heavy loads. In fact, the only drawback here is that the nylon fabric that lines the back of the bag makes a crackling noise whenever the fabric moves, whether you're wearing it or just moving the bag.