The market for work backpacks that can double as rugged daypacks is pretty crowded[1]. For years, many dedicated bag manufacturers have been engaged in the quest to make the One Backpack That Can Rule Them All, that can haul your laptop and lunch during the week and double as a traveling or hiking backpack on the weekends.
So when LifeProof sent me tester models of its very first backpack line, I was skeptical. LifeProof is best known for waterproof, drop-proof, dirt-proof phone cases, but when it comes to backpacks, what could they offer that companies like GoRuck[2] or Tom Bihn[3] haven’t covered?
I’ve been using the 20-liter Squamish as my daily backpack for several weeks now, to go hiking, walking, biking, and skateboarding. For the very first backpack a company has ever made, it has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, there are just a lot of other, more attractive options available right now.
Weekday Warrior
LifeProof’s new backpacks range in size and price point, from the $100 18-liter Quito to the $180 Squamish XL. The Quito doesn’t have a laptop sleeve, just a cinch-top, which makes it a little less versatile.
While most backpacks that claim to do double-duty for work and active situations, the Squamish is really a hiking backpack that has watertight tech pockets and a watertight laptop pocket sewn in. Rather than presenting a sleek, minimalist appearance, the Squamish's exterior bristles with features: Mesh side pockets, an adjustable sternum and waist straps, external tie straps, a padded grab handle, and a large cinch pocket with a neon-yellow bungee.
At 17.7 inches tall, the 20-liter Squamish is just a little too tall to be comfortable on my 5-foot, 2-inch...