CLICK 15.6" laptop backpack with security lock and USB charging

Post date: Aug 8, 2017 5:44:07 PM

Banggood sent me a sample of the CLICK 15.6” backpack, which has some neat security features, tons of pockets (both hidden and visible), a USB charging port, and a very sturdy design. In this written review, I go over all the ins and outs of the bag, give some pros and cons, and then give my opinion of the bag as a whole. In the video, I also compare it to my previous Swiss Gear backpack.

The CLICK is made by Korin Design and says it holds 17.3 liters, and can fit up to a 15.6” laptop. It has a TSA-compliant lock for the main zipper built into the top, and a retractable steel security cable that also snaps into the TSA lock, so that you can lock your bag to anything you can wrap the cable around. That way someone can’t just grab your bag and run off before you have a chance to stop them. It also has a light gray lining so that it’s easy to find objects inside your bag, and can open a full 180 degrees – completely flat. It even has a USB charging port. It shows a smooth, clean design, with several small details that show they put a lot of thought into it.

On the outside, you’ll immediately notice the 3-dial combination lock at the top. You can set your own combination, but the default is 0-0-0. Once you dial in your combo, you press the button on the right, and the zipper pulls immediately fly out of the spring-loaded lock for easy one-handed operation. You can only click the zippers and security cable into the lock while your combo is dialed in. This prevents thieves from easily prying the lock open if they do get your bag away from you.

You’ll also notice the rugged canvas-like material on the front panel and inside the side “flaps” where the straps connect, as well as the tough rubber coating on the rest of the exposed areas. On areas where the bag will touch you, there’s a padded breathable mesh so you won’t get too sweaty while carrying this bag.

Working your way around the exterior, you may notice that the top right diagonal seam doesn’t fit the same as the rest. Look closer and you’ll find a hidden zipper which reveals a pocket large enough to fit a deck of cards, small smartphone (a Galaxy S4 is just slightly too tall to fit) or a flip phone, and it also has a quick-release key ring inside, which can be operated one-handed.

Continuing around, on the right strap (that is, the strap that will be on your right shoulder), you’ll find another hidden zipper where the bottom of the strap attaches to the backpack. Inside this zipper is a drawstring pouch and an elastic cord with a hook on the end. This can be used for carrying a water bottle (a 500mL bottle fits with room to spare), umbrella, or other similar object. The elastic cord’s hook connects to a small loop on the inside of the backpack’s strap to keep whatever you put in the pouch from bouncing around while you’re walking/riding/etc. When you don’t need this pouch, it easily tucks back into this zipper pocket.

Also on the right strap is the security cable, cleverly hidden at the top of the strap. It pulls out longer than I can reach, so that’s at least 6 feet (2m), and has a tab similar to a zipper pull at the end so you can wrap the cable around something like a bench handle, a post, or whatever is handy, then click the tab into the lock so nobody can walk off with your backpack. Be sure to click the zippers into the lock before clicking the cable into the lock, or it won’t snap in properly. Then mix up the dials to actually lock it. Once you’re done with the security cable, it easily slides back into its pocket at the top of the strap. The coils are nice and tight so it’s easy to work with.

On the front of the right strap, you’ll find a short zipper pocket that would be good for holding a couple of small cables, a pack of gum, or maybe keys or coins. On the other strap there’s a vertical pocket that does not zip, and it could also hold cables, gum, pens, or other small items.

At the bottom of the left strap, you’ll find a standard female USB-A plug – the same kind you’d find on a computer or USB charger. This is used for charging USB devices, but keep in mind that the backpack itself does not have a power bank – you must provide your own.

There’s one more pocket on the exterior, and it’s located in the 2nd crease up from the bottom on the flat part of the bag that would rest against your back. This pocket easily holds my Galaxy Note 3 phone and then some – it’s the full width of the bag, and goes all the way to the bottom of the bag.

Inside every one of these pockets you’ll find a light gray lining, which is great for being able to see inside. If you’ve ever had a purse, bag or backpack with a dark lining, you know how easily stuff can disappear in there.

Between the straps at the top, you’ll find the sturdy grab handle. It has mesh on the bottom as well, and is spaced so that you can easily hook it on the handle of your rolling luggage in case you don’t feel like carrying it on your back. The foam they used inside the handle here thick and solid without much give, so that if you have a lot of weight in the bag, it won’t collapse around your hand and get uncomfortable like the regular seatbelt-type material some backpacks have here.

Finally, one nice touch they added to the exterior. Have you ever been riding a bike or just walking on a windy day, and the excess strap material on the adjusters is flapping away, hitting your arms and sides? Korig has thoughtfully added a couple of elastic bands here to secure that slack, so that once you have it set to fit you, the excess strap won’t annoy you any more. The adjusters themselves are large with an easy to grab tab so adjustments are quick and easy.

Now to the inside. Grab those giant, king-sized zipper pulls for the main zipper (which would look right at home on a large suitcase), and my favorite feature reveals itself – the backpack opens a full 180 degrees so you can lay it completely flat. If you’ve ever gone through an airport security check, they usually make you take all your devices out of your backpack. But if it opens flat like this, you don’t have to!

Inside the back you’ll find clearly labeled pockets for a 15.6” laptop, 10” tablet, and a mouse. I have a Lenovo G560, which is an older 15.6” laptop (so it’s heavier, thicker, and a bit larger than most newer 15.6” laptops), and it slid into the sleeve with no fuss at all. The elastic bands to secure the laptop easily held the weight of it when I turned the bag upside down and shook it. The padded laptop sleeve is lined with a soft, plush material similar to a stuffed animal, so there’s no chance of your device getting scratched.

The 10” tablet pocket doesn’t have the plush lining, but it does have some light padding on the outside, and shares a padded “wall” with the laptop sleeve. It also has elastic straps to hold the tablet in the pocket. I tried putting my wife’s Asus Transformer 10” tablet into this pocket, but it didn’t fit, even with the keyboard removed. I had no problem fitting a 7” tablet with a simple flip-cover case into the tablet sleeve, and the elastics also held that little tablet from falling out. The dimensions of the tablet sleeve are about 9.5” wide by 7.5” high (24.5cm wide by 19cm high), and that’s when it’s completely flat. Once you add the thickness of a tablet, you will lose a little bit of that width and height.

Continuing down the back, there’s the mouse pocket. It fit a Microsoft Intellimouse perfectly and would probably fit most average mice as well, though larger mice like the Razer gaming mice probably won’t fit. Running the full width (including behind the mouse pocket) is a pocket with a small velcro closure. Inside this one you’ll find a short cable with a male USB-A plug. This is the other end of the external USB port. It’s basically just a USB extension cord. To charge anything from the external port, you will need to connect your own USB power bank, turn it on, and leave it in this pocket.

On the inside of the front part of the backpack you’ll find two lightly padded pockets at the top center that look like they’d each hold a 2.5” hard drive. They have fleece on the front, and you can stick the hook part of velcro to this fleece. The fleece is only on the outside of the pockets, not the inside.

Important note:

Korin offers two separate pouches for small items such as chargers, cables, or perhaps toiletries, which can be attached to this fleece area with the velcro on the pouches, but they were not included in my sample.  Also missing from my sample was an RFID-blocking pouch for credit cards and passports.  As I write this, both of these items are featured rather prominently in the photos on the Banggood product listing, but if you read the entire listing, they have one little line that says it’s for the backpack ONLY.  If they remove those photos, I’ll remove this section (and the Con below).

Below these 2 pockets is a padded pocket that’s perfect for holding my large over-the-ear headphones, or maybe a laptop power brick and cables. On the front of this pocket is a small zipper pouch that I plan to use for small stuff like USB thumb drives, memory cards, and other items that can easily be lost. Finishing out the inside of the front, one side has another small pocket (not padded) that could also hold a 2.5” drive, and the other side has three pen/pencil slots.

The inside of the front is bowl-shaped, and the firm foam inside the backpack helps it hold its shape very well and will also protect items inside from light bumps from the outside. Even if you press the backpack flat, the foam will bounce back to the bowl shape by itself.

Now for the Pros and Cons.

Pros:

- Security Lock & cable

- heavy duty zipper and extra-large pulls on main zipper

- Waterproof

- USB charging port

- Plush lining in laptop sleeve

- Lots of pockets, including hidden ones (security through obscurity?)

- Tough strap attachment points

- Hidden pouch for bottle/umbrella

- Grab handle fits over luggage handles and won’t crush your hand with heavy gear in the bag

- Clean, simple styling

Cons:

- Ad makes it look like you’re getting an RFID-safe pouch and 2 other velcro/carabiner pouches, but they are NOT included

- Heavier than some other backpacks due to extra padding, thick materials and security lock (specs list it at 1.2KG or 2.4lbs)

- USB charging requires your own USB power bank - the backpack itself does not have a battery inside

- Instructions are all in Chinese – no other languages

Overall this is a really nice backpack for the price, even when compared to similar-priced offerings from well-known names like Swiss Gear. Would I recommend this backpack? Absolutely! My only real complaint is the way the extra pouches are shown in the ad but not included with the backpack. The weight of the empty backpack is really not that bad, considering the durable, thick materials it’s made of as well as the steel security lock and cable also adding a little weight. Once you get your laptop and other gear inside, you won’t notice the difference.

As of August 8, 2017, Banggood has the CLICK backpack listed for $77 US, but they also have a coupon right on the product page to get the price down to $58.99 US. My sample was black, but they also offer it with a light gray panel on the outside canvas area. Either one should be a good, long-lasting backpack, and will look professional rather than childish when going to your office or campus.