Slicks Travel Backpack – Review

Two years ago, I found myself in a situation where I was able to bike to work. The challenge was that I also typically wear dresses to work, and not the kind that you can just throw into a backpack. What I was looking for was a garment bag that was also a backpack. Ryan Cordell has reviewed some of the world of travel bags in this space, but this was a very specific need on my part.

It was a harder to find than a thought it would be, with most options being either unsuitable (haha) for anything other than the clothes or not particularly robust (or comfortable to wear). And then I found SLICKS, which seems to have come out in 2011 (based on the reviews I read at the time). It was perfect, and as an added bonus, it turned into my favorite all-purpose travel backpack.

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picture: http://www.queenieau.com/formal-dresses-canberra

One of the best features, other than the built-in garment bag that packs vertically rather than horizontally, is that the top is soft and rounded, which made it ideal for putting in overhead bins while flying, even fitting into those smaller ones on commuter planes which I took frequently. I’ve taken it on week-long trips and was able to fit everything in. It also has a laptop slot and a pocket right on top, large enough even for my iPhone 6, but not a lot of other pockets for organization.

Because of the garment bag, the backpack itself is a bit on the long side for my shorter 5’5” height, but it just meant I needed to adjust the straps when I rode my bike so it didn’t knock my helmet into my eyes. But it also includes a waterproof, reflective cover, making it a safer backpack if necessary.

Recently, SLICKS sent me a new backpack to review, in support of their Kickstarter campaign to help launch a new series of backpacks with added features. One of the first things I noticed was the increased focus on organization and modularity. With a new Tripcover and Washbag, alongside the garment bag,...