The Briggs & Riley Cargo Backpack is often seen as a professional alternative to Tumi, offering better comfort and a strong warranty for $200 less. It fits well under airplane seats and keeps a sleek look, even when packed with tech. The main concern is how it holds up during real travel.
- DVSS Score: 78.5/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Good
- Review Count: 898
STRENGTHS
- Structural Rigidity: Stands up on its own and holds shape without slumping when empty.
- Laptop Capacity: Comfortably fits two laptops (e.g., a 14″ work laptop and a 13″ iPad Pro) simultaneously.
- Build Quality: Features “thick,” “solid,” and “butter smooth” metal zipper grabs.
- Warranty Support: Backed by a “no questions asked, no receipt necessary, LIFETIME warranty.”
LIMITATIONS
- Water Resistance: Rain soaks through the main compartment, risking damage to the internal contents.
- Side Pockets: Uselessly small; will not fit a standard Yeti or Hydro Flask water bottle.
- Front Zipper: Difficult to open when the top pocket is empty, requiring a two-hand stretch.
- Organization Gaps: Crucially lacks a keykeeper lanyard or a quick-access TSA pocket.
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Contents
Cargo Backpack Earns 78.5 Despite Critical Water Resistance Flaw
The Cargo Backpack earns its good rating by combining a professional look with the space business travelers need. Its sturdy build and ability to hold several laptops are key strengths. However, a major flaw in water resistance lowers its score.
- DVSS Score: 78.5/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Good
- Review Count: 898
- Average Rating: 4.60
- Ideal For: Road warriors who need maximum tech protection and style for cross-country trips.
This score, based on our DVSS Methodology, shows the bag can reliably carry two laptops, even though it lacks some important features for travelers. The rating does not fully reflect the risk of electronic damage after light rain.
Ballistic Nylon Maintains Executive Profile When Fully Loaded
The Cargo Backpack keeps a professional look, even when full. Its strong ballistic nylon does not stretch or lose shape. This sturdy design lets the bag stand upright and look suitable for business settings.
Users report the shoulder straps use “nice padding” and remain comfortable even when the pack is “loaded up.” The bag’s construction is solid, and its well-thought-out design ensures it doesn’t look “big, bulky, or too large.” One buyer noted the bag’s sleek appearance keeps it from looking like they are “about to go for a hike.”
Tech Capacity Easily Secures Dual 14-inch Laptops
The dual-chamber design easily secures two full-sized work machines, making the Cargo Backpack ideal for IT professionals. The laptop pocket comfortably holds a 14-inch work laptop alongside a 13-inch iPad Pro or MacBook Air. Buyers carrying one 16-inch MacBook Pro report the fit is “perfect,” with no excessive shifting or movement.
A separate traveler confirmed they safely carry three laptops and other electronics while traveling two to three times per month. However, a specific user noted the manufacturer’s claim that it will hold a 15.6-inch laptop is “entirely inaccurate.” The bag’s capacity acts as a multiplier because “the bag opens up really well.”
Zippers are “Butter Smooth,” But Front Pull Snags
The Cargo Backpack uses thick, solid zippers and metal pulls that feel “butter smooth” in the main compartments. This quality adds to its professional look and makes the bag feel high-end. The zippers work smoothly and are satisfying to use.
A common complaint is that the front pouch zipper is “extremely hard to open” when the compartment is empty. Users often need both hands to “stretch out the bag” and free the stuck zipper. Some also say the lining can get caught in the zipper, which is a minor hassle.
Side Pockets are Narrow and Reject Standard Water Bottles
Many users call the two side pockets “useless” and a “missed opportunity” because they are too small for most travel items. The openings are too narrow and shallow for reusable bottles like a Yeti or Hydro Flask. Only a “skinny re-usable one” or a small 16-oz disposable bottle fits well.
One traveler successfully uses a 15-oz. Memobottle, noting its flat profile is “better in the airline seatback pocket than a normal bottle.” The side pockets’ narrow, long design “cannot hold a water bottle” and can just fit a sanitizer and wipes, forcing travelers to use the internal cargo area for hydration.
Structural Failures Appear within 1.5 Months of Use
Most Cargo Backpacks last for years, but some buyers have seen problems early on. One person said the back seam ripped on their “first trip out,” making the bag unusable. Another noticed the top handle stitching started “coming out after 1.5 months” of daily use.
One user had a similar model last for six years with “no damage” before purchasing a replacement. The base is also reported to have a water-resistant bottom. However, these specific issues require a repair-and-replacement process that some buyers describe as “shocking” and “rigid” customer service.
Essential Features Are Missing for TSA Quick Access
The bag’s interior is well organized, but it lacks key quick-access features for travelers. The biggest issue is that there is no key lanyard or key keeper, which many use to keep their car fob in a “solid safe place.” At this price, this is an “unforced error.”
Furthermore, there is no quick-access pocket specifically designed to hold a phone or boarding pass for use at the TSA checkpoint. Small pockets and pen loops in the middle compartment are sometimes sewn wrong, making the credit card slots too narrow or the pen holders “way too short.”
Cargo Backpack Secures All Tech Under Seat Despite Side Pocket Flaw
Choosing the Cargo Backpack means picking a bag that looks professional and protects your tech, instead of a general-purpose hiking or utility bag. The main question is whether its sturdy build and roomy interior are worth the lack of water resistance.
Real-World Loadout Test (Aggregated Buyer Data)
- Tech: Securely fits a MacBook Pro 16 and a 13-inch iPad Pro simultaneously. The laptop pocket provides “well padded” protection.
- Gear: Holds noise-cancelling earphones, a Kindle, a travel umbrella, and four protein bars with room left over.
- Result: It fits reliably under the airplane seat, even when packed “very heavily and to the brim.”
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- Your daily carry includes two laptops and associated gear.
- You need a bag that maintains a professional, “executive” look.
- You primarily use slim 16-oz reusable water bottles or smaller disposable bottles.
✗ Skip This If You:
- Carry large reusable bottles like a Yeti or Hydro Flask.
- Expect it to withstand a 15-minute walk in NYC rain without damage.
- Require a key lanyard or quick-access phone pocket for TSA screening.
Size Selection Guide: Matching Load to Cargo Backpack Size
The different Cargo Backpack sizes are made for different types of travelers, depending on how much they carry and how much bulk they can handle. Users say picking the right size is important for comfort and meeting airline rules. The “Cargo” label means the bag has a deeper, split-chamber design that heavy packers like.
- Slim: Daily office commuters or users who carry minimal tech. This size is nicely suited for daily office walking, fits a 15-inch laptop, and maintains a “not bulky” appearance when closed.
- Medium: Business travelers requiring an under-seat personal item. This is the perfect size to fit two standard laptops (up to 14 inches) and an iPad, but users found it too small for 15.6-inch laptops.
- Medium Cargo: Frequent fliers balancing work gear and 1-2 nights of clothes. This size offers just the right capacity to avoid excessive bulk; the larger version is considered “a little too big” for strict under-seat use.
- Large Cargo: Consultants carrying multiple devices or needing clothes for 1-2 days. This bag fits up to a 17-inch MacBook Pro and doubles as a work/overnight bag, though users report it is very large and noticeable when walking.
The Medium size is perfect for work travel and fits under the airplane seat without issue. Conversely, the Large Cargo Backpack is necessary for carrying multiple power chargers, two days of clothes, or a full 17-inch MacBook Pro.
Executive Traveler Who Needs Two Laptops Secured, But Risking Water Damage
This type of traveler benefits from the Cargo Backpack’s ability to hold two laptops and its clean, professional look. It is the “perfect size” for work gear and stands upright on its own.
The main risk is that the material is not water-resistant, allowing rain to enter the main compartment. Travelers should buy a separate rain cover and remember the warranty might not cover damaged electronics.
Consultant Who Packs Overnight Clothes But Hates Small Water Bottle Pockets
The Cargo Backpack works well as a single bag for short business trips, with enough space for clothes, toiletries, and tech. Its dual-chamber design lets you keep your laptop and other items separate.
However, the side pockets are too narrow for most water bottles, so you have to use space inside the bag for drinks, which could otherwise hold more clothes or a bigger toiletry kit.
Cargo Backpack Defends High Price Tag for Executive Work Travel
The Cargo Backpack is a high-quality, slim, and professional choice for frequent flyers who want to attach it to a rolling suitcase. Many see it as much better than a traditional briefcase, since it reduces back strain and can hold up to a 17-inch laptop in the large size.
The main downsides are the small side pockets and the missing key keeper, which are odd for a bag at this level. It is best for professionals who value a “solid build” and a strong lifetime warranty over extra quick-access features.
Check the price/availability of the Cargo Backpack and explore the Best Small Travel Backpacks (0L-29L) to find other durable luggage options.
