When a brand gets as recognizable as Levi’s, they tend to get typecast by the product they are most associated with. And while it’s hard to think of Levi’s without thinking of their denim jeans, the brand in recent years has expanded their offerings to a whole range of products. One that stands out in particular is their Roll Top Backpack, offered as part of their Commuter line. The collection consists mainly of apparel (and yes, jeans) designed with the urban traveler in mind, factoring in changing weather and frequent use to inform the products. The Roll Top Backpack is no different conceptually, but is executed with an adroit balance of style and function one would not expect from a pants company. The main body of the bag is made of “highly water-resistant Cordura enhanced canvas” with leather details and Levi’s copper rivets providing a nice contrast of materials. The spatial organization of the bag itself is quite impressive, finding space for the main storage compartment of the roll top, a slot that can hold a 15” laptop, and a collection of pockets designed with purpose in mind. One of these is a small pocket on the bag’s right side, which uses a magnetic flap to allow the user quick access to a frequently used item (such as a phone, keys, or even a wallet) without having to take off the whole bag. Knowing that this could be storing precious cargo, the flap for this pocket is well hidden and the magnets in the flap are strong enough to prevent anything falling out during transit. The straps of the bag ensure a healthy level of adjustment for users of all sizes, and its back padding helps keep the burden of the load from getting too uncomfortable during long periods of use. The interior of the main compartment includes even more options for storage, with one of the niftiest features being flaps dedicated to holding two water bottles in place. All of this is enhanced by a strong build quality, assuring the bag would be the last a daily commuter needs to buy for years to come, and proving Levi’s as a brand is capable of wearing many hats (or many pairs of jeans).
