We’re back with another Solo New York backpack review! This time we’re taking a look at the Altitude backpack; a bag made of lightweight parachute nylon, featuring protective pockets for all of your electronics. With aviator-inspired hardware and military-grade Velcro for attaching the included “New York” patch, the Altitude backpack is built for the streets. The Altitude retails at $79.99.
Anyone will tell you that I’m a huge fan of Solo New York bags. I’ve been using the Solo New York Rival backpack for the past 8 months commuting to and from NYC and it’s been the perfect commuter bag. I’m already impressed with the build quality of Solo New York’s bags, so let’s see what the Altitude is all about.
Weighing in around 2.2 lbs, the Altitude is a very lightweight backpack, which is a great feature when you’re trying to lug around a lot of tech. Thankfully, Solo New York takes advantage of the fact that the bag is very light and gives you a ton of pockets and storage options for all your gadgets, gizmos, and maybe your lunch bag?
Check out the list of features, below:
- Fully padded 17.3″ laptop compartment
- Internal iPad/tablet pocket
- Front zippered organizer section
- Side pockets
- Aviator inspired hardware
- Military grade Velcro with New York patch
- Lightweight parachute nylon
- Padded back and backpack straps
This bag features a ton of pockets, allowing you to organize your stuff any way you see fit. On the front of the bag, there’s a small zippered organizer section that provides space for pens, cards, etc. My biggest gripe with this pocket, though, is that you have to unclip the large metal clasp on the front of the bag to fully access this pocket. There’s also a larger pocket behind the top pocket, but it’s also locked away behind the clasp. At the top of the bag is a quick access pocket without organization that you can quickly open up.
The middle section of the bag features a large open area with two small pockets that could be used for some minor organization. The rear section of the bag features an even larger open area as well as a padded laptop compartment and iPad/tablet pocket. One side of the bag features what looks like a water bottle pocket while the other side features smaller, less elastic pockets that could be used for small, thin tools about the size of pens.
The back of the bag is padded nicely, which makes for a comfortable carry along with the padded shoulder straps. The bag features a sternum strap that can clip across your chest, however, the bag does not have a waist strap to more evenly distribute the weight of the bag.
In the end, I think Solo New York could have a hit on their hands for folks looking for a lightweight, functional, comfortable, “urban-inspired” bag at a reasonable price. While it may not be my first choice for my daily commute, preferring to stick with my Solo New York Rival, it’s a great option if you’re a fan of the bag’s aesthetic. It comes in navy, grey, olive, and black colorways.
You can purchase Solo’s Altitude backpack directly from Solo New York’s website.
Source: The Solo New York Altitude backpack was a manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Nice design; Good organizational options; Very lightweight
What Needs Improvement: Some compartments on the front are not accessed easily