The Crossover 32L is often called a “perfect” all-in-one pack for business and travel. However, despite its long-standing reputation for durability, many users report that the zipper pulls can break sooner than expected. People appreciate how securely it carries tech, but they have to deal with this small but recurring hardware issue.
DVSS Scorecard
- DVSS Score: 84.85/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 1,644
STRENGTHS
- Tech Capacity: Dedicated sleeves snugly fit a 17-inch laptop and an iPad simultaneously.
- SafeZone: Hardshell top pocket securely protects sunglasses and a phone from crush damage.
- Stow Pocket: External “Shove-It-Pocket” holds a jacket or shoes without adding internal bulk.
- Fabric Durability: Water-resistant material sheds rain and snow and shows no wear after 9+ months.
LIMITATIONS
- Zipper Pulls: Rubber/plastic tabs are prone to breaking or cracking after 6 months to 3+ years of use.
- No Stand: A slanted or non-flat bottom causes the backpack to flop over when set down.
- Strap Stiffness: Shoulder straps are stiff and narrow on some body types, which may require adjustment for comfort.
- No Hip Belt: Fully loaded weight transfers entirely to the shoulders without a load-bearing hip strap.
Read the full article below. ↓
Contents
Crossover 32L Secures 17-Inch Laptop, But Risks Zipper Pull Failure
The Crossover 32L earns an Excellent 84.85 DVSS Score thanks to its generous capacity and strong protection for large tech items. Still, many buyers mention that the zipper tabs tend to break over time. This score, based on our DVSS Methodology, indicates the pack is useful and reliable, despite some early hardware issues.
- DVSS Score: 84.85
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 1,644
- Average Rating: 4.60
- Ideal For: Heavy-load commuters for air travel and office/campus use.
Laptop Compartment Safely Fits a 17-Inch MacBook Pro.
The rear tech compartment safely fits a 17-inch laptop, which is unusual for a pack this size. The sleeve has padding at the bottom to keep the device off the ground and protect it from bumps.
Buyers often use this space for a laptop, an iPad, and “a couple of small pouches” for things like a Magic Mouse. This setup keeps heavy gear “snugly” and close to your back.
SafeZone Hardshell Protects Eyewear from Crushing
The SafeZone pocket on top is a standout feature for air travel, protecting delicate items. This hard compartment can hold sunglasses, reading glasses, and a phone at the same time.
Users like that it keeps snacks from getting “smushed or smashed” and that it can be locked with a small travel lock. Still, some buyers say the hard shell is not fully crush-proof if pressed by heavy luggage.
Shoulder Strap Comfort Requires Length Adjustment for Wide Frames
The straps and back panel are made of high-density foam, providing a firm, supportive feel when the pack is full. People with broader shoulders may need to lengthen the straps, since they can feel “narrow” and might “dig into your neck” at first.
After adjusting, the firm backplate helps make carrying comfortable and keeps the weight steady. The part of the straps that touches your body is made from a dry-fit material.
External Shove-It-Pocket Adds 5L of Quick-Access Capacity.
The open, adjustable “Shove-It-Pocket” on the front is great for quick access to things you don’t need to keep secure. It’s perfect for a light jacket, a lunch box, or running shoes, and it doesn’t take up space inside the pack.
Side compression straps let you expand or tighten this pocket to keep the pack “slimmer” when it’s empty. Some users point out that the pocket isn’t covered, so items inside can get wet in the rain.
Zipper pulls fail due to brittle plastic after 6+ Months of Use.
The main durability issue is that the zipper pull tabs can break off because the plastic gets brittle after 6 months to over 3 years of use. One user mentioned that the metal connector tab bends at a cutout and then breaks.
The metal zipper itself is good quality and still works, but the small metal tabs left behind are “harder to grab.” Some users fix this by adding key rings through the hole.
Core Structure Prevents Standing and Promotes Tipping
Because the backpack doesn’t have a flat base and has a stiff back frame, it often “flops over” when you set it down. Many users find this annoying, since the pack “won’t stand up when you sit it on the ground” and you have to lean it against something. Even with a laptop inside, the slanted bottom makes it fall over unless you pack it just right.
Crossover 32L Excels For Air Travel and Heavy Commuting?
The Crossover 32L is great for carrying both large tech and daily essentials. It works especially well for air travel, leaving “room for each foot on either side of the pack under the seat.” It’s a top pick for people who need to carry a big laptop and lots of gear every day.
Real-World Loadout Test
- Tech: Comfortably fits a 17-inch Dell Inspiron (snugly) or a 15.4-inch MBP (perfectly) in its sleeve, plus a 10-inch Galaxy Tab.
- Gear: Simultaneously carries a hugeass binder, one textbook, running shoes, a lunch bag, and a 1L Camelback Chute bottle.
- Result: Maintains a sleek profile while holding over 40 pounds of gear, with a weight distribution that feels comfortable.
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- You consistently carry a 15- to 17-inch laptop and a tablet.
- You use the pack daily for a work commute or air travel.
- You carry a heavy load of gear and need a comfortable harness.
✗ Skip This If You:
- Cannot tolerate a bag that falls over when set down.
- Require dedicated waist straps to offload weight from your shoulders.
- Need a pack with ample internal small-item organizers.
Crossover 32L Commuter: The Max-Capacity Organizer
If you need a pack that fits the maximum legal carry-on size and can handle heavy books, a big laptop, and a change of clothes, the Crossover 32L is a great choice. It offers lots of space and a smart layout, making it an ideal mobile office that “will carry everything you need.” The main downside is its stiff build and tendency to fall over, but for this type of user, the capacity makes up for it.
Crossover 32L Traveler: The Secure, Hard-Wearing Companion
For travelers who are often in airports and on planes, quick access, device protection, and a slim look are important. The Crossover 32L works well as a carry-on, fitting under a seat and keeping glasses safe in its crush-proof pocket. The main drawback is that it doesn’t have a luggage pass-through strap, so you can’t slide it over a suitcase handle and have to carry it through the terminal.
Crossover 32L Defends Its Space for Heavy-Load Commuting.
The Crossover 32L is designed to carry a heavy mix of tech, documents, and bulky items for commuting and travel. Its large capacity, supportive harness, and special tech pockets make it a smart investment, “built to last nearly a lifetime.”
The biggest downside is that it can’t stand upright on its own, but users who need space for a 17-inch laptop and a structured pack will likely be very happy with it.
Check the price and availability of the Crossover 32L, and explore the Best Heavy-Duty EDC Backpacks (30L-40) for similar gear.
