Review: Brenthaven Metrolite XP XF Backpack

I’ve been pretty cheap when buying laptop bags over the years never spending more than $35 on a bag and usually getting one at Fry’s or even Ross. That is, until recently.

My previous laptop bag was a Belkin Backpack and held up pretty well for several years. In the last few months, I noticed that the material on the handle was starting to come off. Considering I don’t use the backpack all that often (I only use when I travel and I go on less than 10 trips a year), I was a bit disappointed. So I started a cursory search for a new bag. Nothing really caught my eye and it wasn’t high on my priority list.

On my last return trip from Portland, I went through the usual pat down at security (I always opt out of the full body scanners due to lack of concrete, non-biased evidence about them) and when the TSA officer grabbed my stuff, he piled my container with my shoes and junk on top of the container with my laptop. This had been done before, so I wasn’t concerned. After my groping, I mean, pat down, I put my shoes on, emptied the top bucket and when I picked up my backpack it felt kind of like. It was only then that I noticed I hadn’t lifted up the bucket and grabbed my laptop. While it wasn’t a truly close call, it was enough for me to speed up my search for a bag that would allow me to leave my laptop in it; I had read about butterfly style/X-ray friendly bags so that is what I wanted to so I didn’t almost make that mistake again.

The choices for this type of backpack were pretty minimal, so I kept searching and comparing styles and weights of backpacks. I came across the Brenthaven MetroLite BP XF Backpack. I had always considered Brenthaven backpacks expensive as I had only previously spent up to about $35 on a bag. I found the backpack on Amazon for $70 and ordered it. I was very excited to get it (don’t ask me why a backpack got me excited as I have no idea). The backpack arrived and I loaded it up with my standard gear. It seemed a little tight, but I realized that was because my last bag was pretty much a pit where I just shoved stuff. My standard gear consists of a 15″ MacBook Pro, an iPad, a power supply, an Energizer XP18000 external battery, some iPhone cables, a cable for the battery, iPhone and iPad charger, noise canceling headphones, and an extra pair of headphones (with microphone). It is a lot of stuff, but I always have what I need for any trip.

Now that everything was in the bag, I was ready to travel. I just got back from another trip to Portland were I used the backpack and didn’t have to take my laptop out at both ends of the trip; I just unzipped the center zippers, unfolded the bag and put it on the conveyer belt. Perfect, it worked as designed.

I did a little bit of walking in Portland to get to the office and my hotel and the backpack was quite comfortable despite the 2.6 lbs for the backpack, 6 lbs for the laptop, and then whatever the rest of the components weighed.

So far, I’m quite pleased with the backpack. It is carrying all that I need, was easy to use at the airport, and was pretty comfortable. With the Brenthaven guarantee for life, this could be the last bag I purchase. I am extremely pleased with the backpack and should have spent the extra money on it a long time ago.

Pros

• X-Ray friendly.
• Adequate storage for power supply, iPad, charger, etc.
• Lots of padding for a 15″ MacBook Pro.
• Comfortable straps.
• Lifetime guarantee.
• Non-fabric covered handle won’t wear down.

Cons

• A little heavy. The weight without gear is 2.6 lbs; I would like to have had it around 2 lbs. The extra zippers and some of the pockets add a little weight.
• Slightly more expensive than the run of the mill backpack.

Summary

I’m not sure why I waited so long to spend a few extra dollars to get a quality product. I am, however, happy that I waited for a version that makes it easier to go through security at an airport as that is one of the reasons I put my laptop in a backpack. There is lots of padding and enough storage to hold all my gear. If you like backpacks and travel even a few times a year, I’d definitely consider this bag. Luckily there weren’t more choices out there or I may not have found such a good back (I would have been cheap and not spent the money on it).