Name: Compact Executive Backpack
Brand: WaterField Designs
Price: 329.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.82 (39 reviews)

NEW Compact Executive Backpack

Fits 16" MacBook Pro & 12.9" iPad Pro

Top ten items for the Compact Executive Backpack

Efficient organization when fully loaded

Zipped mesh pocket secures small items

Hidden pocket for Air Tag tracker

Front panel has two full-grain leather pockets for easy access

Top pocket is lined with Ultrasuede for protecting glasses

Lower front pocket holds tech gear

Integrated Water Bottle Pocket

Side water-bottle pocket

Convenient side pocket for tech gear

Swing-around access to side pockets

Waterproof zippers

Comfortable full grain leather handle

Extra foam for structure and protection

Stands upright when packed sufficiently.

Tuck straps out of the way when not in use

Compact Executive Backpack

Available colorways

Slot for carry-on handles

Compact Executive (Left) and larger-capacity Pro Executive (Right)

Waxed Canvas w/ Chocolate Leather

Chocolate Leather

Black Leather

Blue Leather

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Designed with insights from 1000+ customers, the Compact Executive Backpack is packed with features tailor-made for busy professionals on the go. Sized to hold the top ten essential work items, including a laptop and tablet, it has a slim profile, clean lines, and looks impressive in any setting.

See the Community Design process from idea to production here.

Does your laptop or tablet fit? Scroll down to see the Size Guide.

All our products are crafted locally in our workshop by the most skilled sewing team in San Francisco.

Material:

1050 Denier black Ballistic nylon or brown waxed canvas
Full-grain leather accents
More details here

Dimensions & Weight:

Ballistic Nylon:
11" (l) x 5" (w) x 15" (h); 2.2 lbs.
27.94 (l) x 12.7 (w) x 38.1 (h) cm; 1.0 kg
Waxed Canvas:
11" (l) x 5" (w) x 15" (h); 2.4 lbs.
27.94 (l) x 12.7 (w) x 38.1 (h) cm; 1.1 kg

Volume: 13.5 liters

FEATURES

Full-grain leather and black ballistic nylon or waxed canvas.
Firm foam padding protects contents and helps the bag stand upright.
Padded laptop and tablet compartments fit up to a 16-inch MacBook.
Pro or similarly sized laptop and a 12-inch iPad or tablet.
Main compartment has gold, water-resistant liner for better visibility of contents.
An interior, semi-opaque, zippered pocket includes an AirTag pocket
One padded laptop pocket and and one padded tablet pocket.
Wheelie suitcase pass-through slot for inserting into carry-on handles.
Sweat-wicking mesh in the back and on the backpack straps.
A comfortable leather-lined top handle facilitates a quick grab or briefcase-style carry.
An upper, exterior pocket with scratch-free Ultrasuede® and padded with soft foam.
A pleated, lower, exterior pocket accommodates chargers or other bulky items without bulging.
The pleated, exterior pocket includes four pen slots, an open pocket, and a key fob.
Two side pockets – water bottle pocket and quick-access items pocket.
YKK waterproof zippers and custom metal zipper pulls add a professional touch.

A COMMUNITY-DESIGNED PRODUCT

This product was designed with customers who gave input from idea to production. See the process here.

SHIPPING:

Domestic: USPS & FedEx. Details.
International: 4-5 business day delivery. Country duty/tax calculated at Checkout. Details.

Nice and compact

The quality is exemplar as usual, it’s also nice and compact, easy to travel with. My 16’’ MacBook fits snugly but it fits together with my iPad. It was hard to get Michael C. Jackson’s Critical Systems Thinking in there as well but I succeeded. This is a really good travel backback, easy to handle on a plane and nice to carry. Good alternative to my Tech Folio. Only thing I wish for is an outlet/representative here in Europe, that should lower the cost a fair bit, but I buy your stuff anyway as it is hard to find alternatives with the same quality and usefulness.

Everything as expected

Great product and custommer service. I love these guys. I wish they grow the business enough to consider having stock in europe.

Amazing Customer Service

Rarely do I come across a company with impeccable customer service. They communicated a delay in my shipping and accommodated adjustments to my shipping.

Easy to communicate and fast to resolve and issue or concern.

This is one major reason why I will continue to go to Waterfield for any of my bags or related accessories.

Thank you!

Great backpack!

I spent a fair amount of time looking for a professional backpack that also wasn't 24L. This backpack is just what I wanted. It's the right size for what I need (I love that it fits on its side under the seat on a United flight), classy, and professional. I never thought I would care about it standing up itself but that a game changer. I highly recommend this product!

The Ballistic is great, canvas not so much too heavy

I have a ton of Waterfield products and have never down voted one. Honestly they asked me to write in if I was giving a lower score and I had a 3 or 2 earlier for the canvas version of the bag. But their response was so smug I downvoted it to 1. I actually was part of the community that helped to design this bag (the larger community that does the surveys) and love the bag in ballistic it is far lighter than the canvas one. Now I reluctantly have the canvas one (and these bags are not cheap) but always well made since I used it a few times so I cannot return it).

The bag is great but if you like a lighter weight get the ballistic (they need to disclose the weight differences on the website since they don't really have a return policy to speak of).

I have always loved my SF products, and this is the notable exception. But honestly their smug response to my note (when the review said we will help to make it right) their version of this is apparently being sarcastic to a long-term customer and implying that I don't know what I am talking about. Ah yes I do know its much heavier as you stated in your note and its not prominently noted on the website. "Making it right" means not being sarcastic to a long-term client when they express their concern and feedback. Not a great strategy SF Bags.

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Waterfield Designs Compact Executive Backpack review

The Gadgeteer - July 21, 2023

“...the little details are what sets this bag apart from this crowded space of executive backpacks.”

SIZE GUIDE

The Compact Executive Backpack is available in one size and carries a laptop and tablet, plus daily essentials.

The built-in Laptop Padded Sleeve fits devices up to 14.25” x 10", including:
- 14" MacBook Pro
- 16" MacBook Pro
- 13" MacBook Air
- 15" MacBook Air
- Other similarly-sized laptops
The built-in Tablet Padded Sleeve fits devices up to 12" x 8.75", including:
- 13'' iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard
- 11'' iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard
- 13'' iPad Air with Magic Keyboard
- 11" iPad Air with Magic Keyboard
- Other similarly-sized tablets

The front pocket stores accessories like a power supply, cords, and other small items.

The main compartment holds a laptop, tablet, notebook, documents, files, and other office essentials.

The water bottle pocket fits a 16 oz Hydro Flask Tumbler, or 17 oz h2go Bottle, or similar sizes. Note that the 16 oz Hydro Flask is the absolute largest receptacle that will fit inside the water bottle pocket

*** NOTE: Need to carry more? Try the larger capacity Pro Executive Backpack.

DESIGNED BY THE COMMUNITY

We designed this backpack with input from over 1000 customers who shared insights about what they'd like to see in a compact professional backpack. We analyzed every piece of feedback to a create a backpack tailored to their specific needs.

Innovative details like a padded top pocket lined with scratch-free Ultrasuede® to protect glasses, a low profile water-bottle pocket, and a discreet spot for an Air Tag tracker make this backpack stand out from the rest.

See the process from idea to production here.

ORGANIZATION AT 35,000 FEET

Keep essentials within easy reach whenever you fly. The Compact Executive Backpack fits sideways under select airline seats, leaving ample room to stretch your legs.

***
“Would like quick access to a few key items while on the go. On a plane, I'd like to access wallet, phone, AirPods, energy bar, etc. just by feeling for it.” - Customer #37

“Fitting under the airline seat would be a great bonus.” - Customer #208

“Consider a smaller 16.5” x 9.8" x 7.8" size to fit personal item sized bags for European airlines." - Customer # 565

KEEPS ITS SHAPE

This meeting-friendly backpack keeps its shape so it always has a neat, professional profile. Conveniently pack or un-pack items with ease. When packed appropriately, it can even stand on its own.

USEFUL SIDE POCKETS

Two zippered side pockets provide quick-access to two frequently used items — water bottles and tech gear — without bulging.

The water bottle pocket utilizes interior space so the exterior of the bag remains sleek and professional looking. The zipper closure lets you secure different-sized water bottles — even a 16-oz. Clean Kanteen coffee tumbler.

The opposite side pocket includes interior organization for storing a power pack so you can quickly retrieve it for recharging at an airport, restaurant, or anywhere you need to plug in.

***
“Please make the larger water bottle pockets. I'd like to carry one or two of my 1-liter bottles.” - Customer #208

“Water bottle storage is a MUST HAVE, please!” - Customer #643

“Make sure the water bottle pockets fit more than the basic 16 oz.” - Customer #31

made in usa

We're proud to offer American-made gear built for the long haul. All our products are designed and made in our San Francisco workshop, where rent is high, labor expensive, and competition intense. We wouldn't go anywhere else.