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- Verified Buyer
I do have another backpack by Vera similar to this, but I use it for travel and it's starting to show its age and wear. I got this to possibly replace the old one, but to at least give the other one a break. This one is slightly different than my other bag, there are fewer large compartments, but I find I don't mind that. I needed a backpack I could stop overloading, it's starting to hurt my back. It has a sleeve for a laptop, and also an additional pocket inside that compartment, which my other one doesn't have. I use this to slide my portable monitor into when I need it for travel. In the big main compartment there is plenty of room for what you need to bring.This last trip I fit a packing cube I use to carry all of my cords and such, two books, a magazine, and my TSA bag which is boxy and about the size of a small packing cube, and I balled up my sweater across the top for the plane. That was just the main compartment. There are several smaller outer pockets across the front, I used these to hold my head phones, cell phone, wallet, and a couple other small items.My one issue with this is the same as all the other backpacks, the bottle holders on the side don't hold bottles in very well. I've lost several water bottles on planes because they slipped out and I didn't notice. I do have a solution though, I've stuck coozies in the pockets, and those seem to have enough grabbing material on them to hold the bottle in place. Now I can bring my reusable bottles again, without worry that it'll go missing somewhere.Overall this is a good backpack, holds a lot still, but helps keep me from loading it down too much. I feel like this will be a good replacement for most of my travels, I'll have to resort to the bigger one for longer trips though.My wife got into the Vera Bradley line about a year ago and I like to grab her one whenever I see it, so it was without question I would grab this Vera Bradley Utility Large Backpack, Black-Recycled Cotton for her. She loves the VB brand because it is well built, with good materials, and has a nice look, but mainly because these bags always give her just what she needs - across all bags - in any situation.This Vera Bradley Utility Large Backpack, Black-Recycled Cotton is a nice one, but think normal every day backpack. The design is VN materials with a familiar design - the main body part of the bag, side pockets, front pockets - you know and are familiar with what you are getting. This bag would be great for young people at school, work, the library, day trips... you know. The VB material is from their Recycled Cotton lineup, in this case, black. She has several of their bags in this material - and black - so she knows it. One thing she ALWAYS wants me to mention: this color attracts lint, the black shows it off. This is NOT a huge deal. Something she has to deal with, but always says, she wants you to know it, but it's never a problem getting stuff off - you have to do it, but it's easy.The inside material is the counter, white/black pattern you'll find in the black. She loves it - the contrast can make it easier to spot things in the bag, especially the deep spots. There are the inside slots she loves. And the outside spaces (with zippers or button) work well. There is also a strap on the back to attach to a suitcase. ** To note, there is a new (at least to us) material they have that she loves, that does NOT attract lint, and she wishes more of these styles would come out in it - again, because she does not have to contend with the lint - which is not horrible, just something she has to do... does that make sense?Overall this is a great backpack, but nothing original beyond the VB materials. This is NOT a bad thing, merely a point to be made. If anything, it means you'll be familiar with it and know how it works. For that young person to have at school or you at work, or anyone on a day out, this Vera Bradley Utility Large Backpack, Black-Recycled Cotton is a great addition to the lineup.Love the quality of Vera Bradley bags. I own several and I really like this new one it has more pockets out front to store things. It seems like all my black bags have the same inside with the little black flowers. It has a spot on the back that can slide through the luggage for traveling. The material is thicker and repels water. I really like her bags they hold up well.Vera Bradley's Backpack is nicely made from soft, yet sturdy feeling fabrics. The zippers are robust and move smoothly. The entire bag looks and feels high quality.The black exterior bag has an attractive floral interior. This is one of the more subtle Vera Bradley bags and I have no qualms using it as a guy... although I would glady use even the floral ones, all of her bags are quite pretty.The bag is very nicely sized and organized. I can fit a few books in the main compartment, a cell phone, car keys, earbuds, chapstick, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, and a wallet throughout the bag with room to spare. Since the bag has so many pockets and sections I am able to organize everything and keep it protected.The bag is very comfortable on my shoulders and I can wear it for hours without issue. The fabric back is nicely padded, but it does not breath well and makes my back sweaty.All in all... a great backpack.This is great basic black backpack with pockets, but the lining is sooooo ugly. It has a pocket in back that would be ideal for a laptop or tablet. There's also a slip pocket in the main compartment that could work for a tablet. It has a water bottle pocket on each side plus pockets everywhere. This backpack would go great with a dress because pockets. The backpack and all its pockets are machine washable. I highly recommend this backpack to anyone who is as obsessed with pockets as I am. The only thing I don't like is the price which seems a little high for the number of pockets.
