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Best Performance
Overall winner on the scorecard
Average Finish: 1.3
Purchased for: $350
Made In: Philippines/Vietnam
Overall winner (avg finish ~1.3). TSA-ready, expandable (20L→30L) design with strong padding, smooth zippers, and excellent durability. Laptop protection tied for best (rating 1) with a large air gap. Back-padding crater ~1mm. Most comfortable with load; capacity: 21 shirts.
Top-tier protection + comfort + durability; tied for best back-padding and laptop protection.
Best Value
Best budget-friendly performance
Average Finish: 5
Purchased for: $34
Made In: Cambodia
Very durable in shock-load tests (loop + straps held up) and excellent water resistance (paper stayed dry). Laptop drop protection was still poor (hard contact). Back-padding crater ~14.7mm. Capacity: 17 shirts. Best budget pick per the scorecard commentary (avg finish ~5th).
Excellent durability + water resistance at ~5th place overall average finish.
Runner-up
Second place overall
Average Finish: 2.3
Purchased for: $170
Made In: China
Overall 2nd place on the scorecard (avg finish ~2.3). Great padding (back crater ~5.83mm), very smooth zippers, and strong durability (handle + straps excellent). Laptop protection placed 3rd (rating 2) behind the top two.
Excellent padding, zippers, and durability; strong all-around performer.
Prices ranged from $18 (MATEIN) up to $350 (Nomatic).
Measured by dropping a 3-inch steel ball onto a clay block inside each backpack. Several values were described as approximate (e.g., “close to” / “around”).
Based on the scored ratings given for preventing damage to the aluminum flashing during the laptop drop test.
Ratings called out after repeated shock-load impacts with a 25 lb plate in the bag (loop/handle/strap testing).
Comfort rankings given after loading bags with ~23.5 lbs of plates plus clothing and carrying them.
Smoothness was scored subjectively; bags that held their shape tended to zip more smoothly.
Paper was placed inside compartments, then each bag was sprayed ~5 seconds with a shower-style nozzle. Lower is better.
Bags were stuffed with shirts (plus the same weight plates). Counts are the quantities stated during the capacity/comfort segment.
Weights listed only where explicit values were stated. (Some brands were described as “just under a pound” without a precise number.)