Pack Review - Columbia Convey III Backpack 27 liter, Roll-Top

That bag isn't designed to serve the purpose for which you bought it. It's a daily carry or day hike bag. At $60, I wouldn't describe it as a "good value" when there are loads of similar bags at half that price.

Actually, it will indeed work for me. I have a similar old Patagonia bag. I find these bags work well with packing cubes for minimalist travel. Then, I carry a RS civita for use as a daypack upon arrival. I like simple. I don’t even need the computer pocket feature. However, many bags now have a computer pocket of some sort.

I have been looking for a 27 liter underseat bag that’s more urban looking. Patagonia has the 25 liter black hole backpack, but the price and a couple of bugaboos keep me from buying it. This will do.

That bag isn't designed to serve the purpose for which you bought it. It's a daily carry or day hike bag.

G3rryCee, with all due respect, I am not going to carry a 27-liter backpack around all day, whether I'm walking or hiking. I like the idea of using it as a personal bag on budget airlines where you have to pay for a carry-on. You can fit enough in here so you don't need anything else. I think it would be a smart buy and it's a decent price. Plus I like the looks of it. 😊

Thanks, Sun-Baked. It's an intriguing bag. I wish they had shown the full length zipper. If you hadn't mentioned it I would have just passed over the bag since I'm generally not interested in a roll-top. This bag is otherwise good looking and has features I'm interest in. And the price is right. Guess I need to head to the store. :-)

@Trotter,
On Amazon, select a lighter color like the pinkish fig or gray dark mountain. Then, click on a photo displaying the back/strap area. Look left of the straps. You will see a long vertical zipper that extends about 90% the bag length. This zipper opens the entire main compartment. There is no separate computer compartment. I believe the easy-access zipper is mainly for people quickly handling tablets and smaller laptop computers. You can access contents in the entire compartment. The side wall of the bag (where the black water bottle pocket is) forms a lower rim/lip which keeps your stuff from falling out.
Personally, I don’t like this zipper. However, I think the bag will otherwise be useful to me.

My comment about the design of the bag was in reference to Columbia's stated purpose for the bag:
"Built for day hikes or daily adventures." Obviously, a person can use any bag for any purpose, but a bag designed for use as a day pack shouldn't be expected to have a trolley sleeve.

@G3rryCee,
I understand what you are saying. The Columbia site says day hikes and daily adventures. The Amazon site states general purpose bag and commuter. (Rather vague descriptions for a rather generic, vague bag.). So, the features are designed for a reason.

I think Columbia would do well to tweak this bag a bit and promote it as travel duffel. Looking at my new purchase, it doesn’t fill the business use category well. Gym bag, yes. Travel stuff bag, yes. Renter going to laundromat, small load, yes. Groceries - small amount, yes. Beach bag, yes. Day hikes, not the best, far better choices. It straddles the line between categories.

The back padding and straps are for lighter loads. Not for heavy or rigid objects.
An urban, zip-top version of this would be great for travel. Also, square-up the somewhat triangular shape
(Wider at top than bottom.). I can think of a few tweaks. Columbia - post me here for suggestions! (Joking.)