Targus Demolition 17.3” backpack

In my home, there is absolutely no such thing as “just a bag”. Having grown up with a mom who was a luggage and handbag aficionado and then having married a man who knows more about heavy-duty multipurpose bags than most people selling them, we don’t own a cheap bag in all of our collection. Unless, of course, you count the shiny black patent leather number my daughter carries with her, which I beg you not to consider.

But, the thing is, a cheap or ineffective bag can make or break an outing faster than missing naptime can. Not being able to carry what you need, access it when you need it, or be comfortable carrying it makes for some pretty grumpy parents, so it’s just not worth it to mess with bags that don’t instinctively work.

Targus, a brand known for its innovative tech-friendly bags is the newest addition to our bag collection and has proven to be a great asset for all of our summer travel. The Targus Demolition 17.3” Backpack is like a work and play hybrid that can handle just about anything and looks good while doing it.

An organizer at heart but someone who detests “organizer bags”, I love that its rugged good looks don’t give away how functional it is on the inside. While it does have external pockets and side packs, it also could pass as a really nice commuter bag since it still looks professional and tech-savvy and even has a nice faux leather handle for carrying into meetings.

But, not only is it great for all of our various tech gear {including phones, laptops, cameras, and video cameras}, it’s also roomy enough for a change of clothes for both kids, diapers, water bottles and more. For our recent weekend in Portland it made a great day pack for everything we needed from the morning all the way until we returned to our room in the evening, but didn’t feel like we were carrying luggage with us around town.

As nice and sleek as it looks on the outside, once you open up the huge top flap you can really feel the organizer love. With a specific place for everything and pockets galore – both inside and out – you can literally pack a whole “office” in there and keep it all neat and tidy.

In addition to the expected laptop sleeve, it also has a separate space for tablet/eReaders or documents, which is something I absolutely love. With side pockets, water bottle holders, front pocket organizers, internal pockets for cables and small items, a zippered mesh pocket, and more, it really makes organization easy, even for the most tech-heavy family {*ahem*}. It also has a great fully-lined front pocket that is perfect for storing cell phones, glasses, iPods and other small electronics for easy access on the go.

But, not only does the Targus Demolition backpack give you a great way to store your valuables, it also protects them in numerous ways, including padded sleeves as well as an anti-shock pad along the bottom that protects against drops. With a durable, water-resistant bottom panel to protect the contents from moisture and the fact that it can stand upright while full, it ensures your bag and your stuff will stay in pristine condition, no matter where you travel.

Of course, all of this organization and protection for your stuff wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t comfortable to carry. Luckily, the adjustable thick, padded straps ensure that it is definitely all-day comfortable. We especially love the ergonomic padded back panel that allows for air to circulate behind you and the only real complaint that either of us had is that the back panel can kind of cling to certain fabrics.

Check out Thanks, Mail Carrier to see their awesome review of the Targus Demolition 17.3" Backpack. The Targus Demolition 17.3” Backpack would be a perfect bag for college, for work, or even just for use as a day pack to hold electronics and gear for the whole family. It retails for $99, but if you take this quick Targus survey you will get 20% off your purchase at Targus.com, which makes this bag a steal!

A big thank you to Targus for sending the Demolition backpack to facilitate this review and to giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.