Best Wenger Backpacks in the UK

Wenger 605501 IBEX 17" is probably the company's most full-featured and well-thought-out backpack to date. It is both the little things and some major differences that separate this model from its competition. The biggest major difference is its ballistic polyester composition that is much more robust and durable than your average polyester, making the backpack particularly resistant to wear and tear. On top of that, the material has excellent water-repellent properties, keeping your belongings nice and dry.

Apart from that, the model has a better capacity-size ratio. Measuring 27 x 35.8 x 47.9 centimetres in overall dimensions, it isn't larger than your average backpack but it does hold 27 litres. There's a 17-inch laptop pocket, a little larger than usual, which is great considering how many laptops these days come with a 17-inch screen.

Setting these differences aside, what we have here is more or less your typical Wenger backpack, including but not limited to the CaseBase stabilising platform, air-flow back padding, shock-absorbing shoulder straps, reinforced grab handle, and the company's Pass-Thru grab handle.

Again, Wenger 605501 IBEX 17" is, give or take, everything we've seen before in the company's products but refined to a tee and much better executed. It is much sturdier, more comfortable, and a little more versatile.

Wenger 605074 is the company's biggest backpack. Its 30-litre capacity will allow you to pack as many sizable items as you want. Of course, the downsides here are more or less obvious - with increased capacity comes increased size and weight. Measuring 30 x 36 x 48 centimetres in overall dimensions and 1.7 kilograms in the weight department, the model is a little larger and heavier than your average Wenger backpack.

The Triple Protect padding in the 16-inch laptop compartment here is as reliable as ever. It is able to protect your laptop from all sides using three-layer high-density foam.

A laptop this large and heavy, especially when fully packed, will be taking its toll from time to time. You'll want to put it in the ground and give your shoulders a rest. That's where the CaseBase stabilising platform will come in handy. It's a small thing but it does keep the bag standing upright.

Plus, your shoulders probably won't be feeling too tired all that often. The weight's the weight but the shock-absorbing shoulder straps will be doing their job too, keeping your shoulder area as comfortable as possible.

To put differently, Wenger 605074 Synergy 16" is the best Wenger backpack for people who refuse to pack light. There's enough space for just about everything here and enough pockets to sort that "everything" out nice and neat. What's more, the backpack will keep them safe and protected.

Wenger 600631 LEGACY 16" is, first and foremost, a great travel bag. In addition to the usual handle, the model incorporates a second reinforced grab handle that doubles as a trolley strap for easy travel with wheeled luggage. The comfort-fit shoulder straps are another little detail that makes this bag a particularly good travel model.

Of course, Wenger backpacks are usually pretty good travel models in general. These days, they all come equipped with a quick pocket that gives you easy and convenient access to those items that you need most frequently. They all incorporate an organiser that lets you keeps things like cords, chargers, and business cards neat and accessible too.

But these backpacks don't always have the same checkpoint-friendly notebook compartment. Thanks to this compartment, you'll be able to go through the screening process without taking out the laptop.

All that being said, this isn't necessarily the best that Wenger has to offer. It's not a huge flaw but the backpack doesn't feature a dedicated tablet pocket, which is a bit odd considering that Wenger models these days seldom come without them.

Taking it all into account, we come to the earlier conclusion - Wenger 600631 LEGACY 16" is one of the best travel backpacks that the Swiss company has to offer. It isn't flawless but the bag will prove immensely helpful, practical, and convenient on the road.

Wenger 600627 GIGABYTE is pretty much a complete opposite to the Synergy model. Its 17-litre capacity doesn't necessarily make it possible to bring too many items with you. Naturally, the size and the model's weight reflect that.

Adding up to just 21 x 34 x 45 centimetres in overall dimensions, the backpack's really compact and relatively narrow. What's more, it weighs no more than a kilogram, making the model light too.

All in all, it is perfect for people who prefer to commute with a backpack. It is particularly perfect for Apple users.

There's a 15.4-inch MacBook Pro compartment that, oddly enough, was specifically designed for the titular laptop's size. There's also an iPad compartment that was added with the same philosophy in mind.

Size aside, these compartments incorporate soft but firm adding and anti-scratch lining to keep your favourite gadgets nice and safe.

Apart from that, what we're dealing with here is a standard Wenger backpack. The zippered side pockets, among other things, are perfectly suited for an umbrella. The quick pocket will allow you to have cords and similar accessories always conveniently at hand.

In closing, Wenger 600627 GIGABYTE is an excellent commute assistant. There're enough pockets and compartments here for your everyday essentials. The shock-absorbing shoulder straps and reinforced soft-grip grab handle will let you carry it with comfort.

For our taste, what really sells Wenger 600639 PEGASUS 17" is its appearance. Wenger isn't really a company that's known for banking on aesthetics, so their backpacks often look a little bland. This model, however, has a modern, streamlined profile. The light blue and dark grey combination isn't necessarily too bold but, with the new logo in the middle adding a little character, the backpack looks anything but bland.

Aesthetics aside, the slight difference between this particular model and every other product on the list here lies in its compartments. The 17-inch laptop pocket is a little bigger than usual and the 12-inch tablet pocket is much bigger compared to the usual 10-inch compartment, making it much more suitable for people with those massive tablets.

Almost every compartment in this model incorporates a slightly wider opening too. Despite the "slightly" remark, openings like that do make it noticeably easier to pack and unpack larger items.

It isn't necessarily the smallest nor the most lightweight backpack but, fortunately, the air-flow back padding has been included too, allowing for improved air circulation to keep you nice and cool.

In other words, Wenger 600639 PEGASUS 17" is a looker but that's not the only thing that sells this laptop bag. The compartments here are larger and more practical. The stitching on the shoulder straps makes the model particularly durable. All in all, the bag's a pleasure to deal with.