Leather construction gives the Tumi TICON backpack a much fancier look than a typical nylon or canvas carry all.
Tumi's Ticon backpack keeps a day trip's worth of gear in one place – and out of the hands of identity thieves.
How it works
Beneath the slick exterior, there's a deep main compartment that has more than enough space for a handful of magazines, a thick paperback, snacks, umbrella, cardigan and one litre water bottle. I slide in an iPad and a 13-inch notebook (anything bigger won't fit) into side-by-side sleeves. Carrying both doesn't add bulk, but there isn't much extra padding either. If you're worried about damage, wrap them in a neoprene sleeve first. Passport, credit cards and mobile phone are stashed safely in the zippered interior pocket, which is said to block hackers with an RFID reader-repellent lining.
Pros and cons
The leather construction gives it a much fancier look than a typical nylon or canvas backpack. It's great for a day of sightseeing in London, but not when you're hiking the Inca Trail. Even when stuffed to its limit, the load seems light and doesn't weigh down my shoulders or back. It's impossible to guarantee the anti-hacking features, but there's an added sense of security knowing your valuables are zipped away in a well-lined pocket. Overstuffing the main compartment means the exterior sections aren't very functional. Only one of the two zippered front pockets is big enough to hold more than a hotel key card and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Side pockets are more suited to holding pens.
Final verdict
The smart design and added safety feature make it an ideal carry-on. It's too fancy for more rugged outdoor adventures, however, so reserve it for city trips. $495 (U.S.); tumi.com