Herschel Retreat Backpack, Black, Classic 19.5L

I purchased my first Herschel classic backpack on this Amazon account all the way back in early 2018, and it has seen a _lot_ of use during that time.Used it through my last years at university, lugging around a laptop together with heavy and bulky textbooks, pencil cases, a battery bank, and even a collapsible umbrella in its large main pocket, with still more room to spare. I've used it to pack for multiple international trips, with tons of open space for spare clothes, multiple devices, and a large metal water bottle. I've packed it on trips to the tropics, to desert climates, and frosty wintry areas. All the while, this backpack has survived a ton of wear and weight, handling it all like a champ. It has been so durable and spacious inside, in fact, that I also used it as a reusable grocery bag multiple times a week for ~4 years when I used to live alone. Even though the drawstring has long since degraded and torn apart from several years of heavy use, the magnetic straps are still intact and the backpack is still holding strong.The canvas-like water-resistant exterior of this bag has held together wonderfully and still looks good as new. The magnetic faux-leather straps have been extremely durable over the years, though the finish does peel a little after 4-ish years of heavy use. The drawstring rope could be made much more durable so it doesn't unravel and rip, but like I wrote probably, it's not the end of the world. The bag continues to function extremely well even without it.When I first purchased this bag, I was initially disappointed by the conspicuous lack of pockets and dividers inside (aside from the laptop divider and very small side pocket), but I quickly came to love and even depend on its spaciousness whenever packing for school, day trips, flights, and even grocery runs. I found that if I ever needed additional organization inside, I was better served by packing those things in individual clamshell cases, or even Ziploc bags, to give them structure within the vast TARDIS-like space inside this backpack.And now, in winter 2024, I've finally decided to replace my Herschel with a new one of the exact same model. Not because the bag itself failed, mind you, but because I spilled something sticky inside that I feel will be ridiculously hard to clean. 😂10/10 bag, will serve you very well during a zombie apocalypse or crash-landing on a remote desert island.

Bottom Line: This backpack is exactly what it claims to be.1. I can’t fit a lot of stuff inside. I know there were some reviews about the lack of space but I honestly don’t understand how. I added a picture of some stuff I wanted to fit in on my first try and there was plenty of room after that. I can carry my laptop and daily stuff and a jacket and my coffee mug and my water bottle/jug and still have room. So much room.2. It is not hard to locate your stuff. Seriously I’m not especially organized and I can reach in there and find whatever I’m looking for quickly. If you need your wallet often put it on top or spend literally 15 seconds looking for it.3. The front pocket is not useless. I put some cheap sunglasses and my car keys in there. Haven’t lost any of that. For my important small stuff I have a little pouch I got with my laptop sleeve I stick in there.4. I added a picture of the new/not fully loaded backpack on my back. I’m 5’ 2 and a little chubby but it fits fine. It’s taller rather then fatter so it feels and looks a little different on the back.5. Not quite rain resistant. I’ve walked through some rain and it has gotten wet but not soaked. Stuff ok on the inside though. I wouldn’t walk through a rain shower with it.6. Drawstring with flap is nice and a little bit more difficult for pickpockets. Good quality.7. If your package doesn’t quite look like mine you’ve likely gotten an imitator or knock-off. I’m pretty sure I didn’t have that issue based on the tags and bag and emblem all being present and looking correct. Buy from amazon directly if you can.

This is my favourite bag right now. It is very handy when traveling because there is a lot of space. The colour is gorgeous.The quality is 10/10. I had a Hershel bag before and it lasted for 7 years and it is still going strong. I know this bag will do justice just the same

I bough this along with 2 other backpacks and 3 large purses trying to find a solution for the perfect student/laptop/camera/city bag as I go to school in Paris coming up. I expect to ride the bike a lot, but really wanted something that would also serve as a purse... i.e. something convertible. Grabbed this one just in case and really it is fantastic. The padding for my laptop (15" MBP retina) makes me comfortable to take it out of it's sleeve and just use the pouch provided in the backpack. It is super comfortable, roomy, secure and looks great. It was the most expensive of all of the options I picked up (hence the reason I was hoping it wouldn't be my favorite), but it really is. It is a big backpack, but doesn't look super huge or bulky because the design is pretty clean and simple. It would also serve as a great little overnight/weekend bag if you pack light!

Love the style of the bag, the color, and I get tons of compliments on its look. It's also a perfect size if you are a student and lug textbooks here and there (I can fit a 15-inch laptop, a few textbooks, and notebooks in it). It would also work really well for camping/hiking if you are a light packer. I think the big drawback to it is that there are no small pockets in the inside. There is one small pocket outside that doesn't close, and there is one laptop sleeve and one very tiny pouch for pens, but nothing that zips shut. This makes it difficult to easily access and organize pens, wallet, student ID, calculator, etc.