Many users call the Authority Deluxe their favorite commuter backpack, picking it over other top brands for its organized layout and slim style. It’s great for carrying tech, but the slim design means you lose some space inside.
DVSS Scorecard
- DVSS Score: 83.72/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 807
STRENGTHS
- Laptop Security: Easily fits 17-inch gaming laptops and a separate 13-inch laptop simultaneously.
- Zipper Quality: Features “freaking incredible” YKK zippers that operate smoothly with only one hand.
- Build Longevity: Reported to look “basically new” after two years of heavy work and personal travel.
- Carriage Comfort: Straps feel “like a feather” even when fully packed with a heavy tech loadout.
LIMITATIONS
- Water Bottle Fit: The side pocket is too tight to hold most standard 32oz or 1L insulated water bottles.
- Front-Heavy Tilt: The pack often “keeps tilting over” and does not stand upright when loaded.
- Internal Seam Failure: Multiple users reported interior pocket seams splitting within 2-6 months of use.
- Bulky Item Limit: The thin profile makes it difficult to fit a single large textbook or a spare jacket.
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Contents
Authority Deluxe Maintains 83.72 Score Despite Water Bottle Conflict
The Authority Deluxe earns high marks for comfort and device protection, making it a top choice for daily tech users. People like its slim, professional look and all-day comfort. Still, many complain about the tight water bottle pocket and the bag tipping over.
- DVSS Score: 83.72/100
- Satisfaction Tier: Excellent
- Review Count: 807
- Average Rating: 4.70
- Ideal For: Urban Commuters for Tech-Heavy Work/Travel.
We use our DVSS Methodology to rate the Authority Deluxe based on its reliability over the years, despite issues such as tricky straps and a small bottle pocket. The score mostly reflects how well it protects laptops and how comfortable it is when full. We rely on what buyers say about long-term use, not just the manufacturer’s claims.
Laptop Compartment Secures 17-Inch Devices Safely.
The dedicated rear laptop sleeve is deep and well-padded, with ample space for a 17-inch gaming laptop. Users carrying smaller devices like a 14-inch MacBook Pro find the protection “feels like it has enough padding to stop a truck.” This security is reinforced by a secondary, less-reinforced sleeve that easily holds a 13-inch laptop or full-sized tablet.
The thick padding protects your devices well, but it also uses up space in the main compartment. One buyer said the padding “takes away from interior volume” when the bag is full. This design prioritizes device safety, so you can’t carry as many bulky items.
YKK Zippers Maintain Single-Handed Operation
The Authority Deluxe features high-grade zippers across all three main compartments, described as “freaking incredible.” This quality allows users to “open and close any of the 3 main pouches with 1 hand.” This smooth, consistent operation stands in sharp contrast to cheaper bags, where zippers frequently get stuck at corners.
The main downside is that the zippers are noisy. One user called them “really loud.” This can make it awkward to pack up quickly in a quiet office. Also, the outer fabric is flexible, so you need both hands to close the top zippers.
Build Quality Endures a 3-Year Heavy-Travel Timeline.
The Authority Deluxe is made from durable materials and features a good build quality. One owner said the pack “still looks and feels new” after two years of daily work and travel. Another user said the bag can last “more than 9 years.”
Not every part of the bag lasts as long. One user said their shoulder strap “gave out around year 3.” Some people also found the rubberized material on the Deluxe version “cracking and falling apart” in less than six months of light use.
Shoulder Straps Deliver All-Day Comfort Under Load
The thick, padded shoulder straps spread weight well, so the bag “feels like a feather” when you pick it up and put it on. Users say the straps stay comfortable even with a heavy load, like two laptops, a charger, and accessories. The thin profile keeps the load “snug and thinner” than expected.
Comfort depends on your body type and what you carry. Shorter users, especially those 5’4″ or under, found the bag too long and the straps “bulky, rigid,” and awkward. The lower strap clasps are also a weak point, described as “very fragile” light plastic.
Water Bottle Pocket Fails Standard Insulated Flasks
The single-sided water bottle pocket is universally described as “absurdly small” and the Authority Deluxe’s key functional flaw. The pocket cannot easily fit most common 32-oz or 1-L water bottles, and a 20-oz Klean Kanteen was reported to be “too large.” Even a standard disposable water bottle must be “squeezed/shoved” in with two hands.
The pocket is small and stiff, so you need both hands to use it, which is “very frustrating” for commuters. It’s also placed high on the bag, so you have to take the backpack off to reach your bottle. The small size is the trade-off for the bag’s slim, sleek look.
Two Laptops max Out Internal Volume
The 20L size matches the bag’s limits—it’s best for people who want a slim look rather than lots of space. With a 15-inch laptop and one textbook, there’s “very little room for anything else.” Trying to add a laptop, tablet, and a change of clothes just doesn’t work because “Just can’t squeeze in a sore set of clothes.”
The pockets help organize small items, but the all-black interior makes it “hard to see a black pocket in a half-opened bag.” Since the bag doesn’t expand, putting a hard item like a laptop in the main compartment can make the nearby pockets unusable.
Authority Deluxe Secures Tech Commuters, But Can You Pack Light?
Choosing the Authority Deluxe depends on whether you want a sleek, comfortable, and secure way to carry your laptop, even if you have less space for other things. It’s great for people who want to avoid the bulky “packed-out Jansport” look.
Real-World Loadout Test
- Tech: Easily fits a 17-inch gaming laptop plus a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Confirmed secure carry for MacBook Pro 16, Surface 3, and Nintendo Switch.
- Gear: Fits a 32oz Nalgene (tightly), or a 24oz slim Hydro Flask (with force). It holds Bose headphones and all chargers, but cannot fit a second textbook or a light jacket.
- Result: The bag’s slim profile is maintained even with a full tech load, but the limited depth makes it a “snug fit” for even a single 2.5-inch-wide textbook.
Quick-Fit Assessment
✓ You’re a Great Fit:
- Your daily load is 1-2 laptops/tablets, chargers, and small accessories.
- You carry a 17-inch laptop that struggles to fit in other “thin” bags.
- You travel frequently and value the luggage pass-through handle.
✗ Skip This If You:
- Regularly carry a 1L water bottle and need one-handed access.
- Are 5’4″ or shorter and have found previous packs too long for your torso.
- Need to carry a change of clothes or multiple large textbooks daily.
20L Authority Deluxe: Tech Commuter Slim Profile, But Tight Water Bottle
Most users are daily tech commuters who want strong laptop protection without a bulky bag. They say it’s “perfect for my use needs” and feels like a “wearable, secure laptop case.” The main downside is not being able to use a regular water bottle easily, but many accept this for the slim style.
European Traveler/Digital Nomad, But Strap Clips Slip
Some users are couples or solo travelers on long trips, like a 7-week tour of Europe, who use the Authority Deluxe for daily outings and as a carry-on. They like the quality and comfortable straps for “walking around all day.” The main issue is that the strap clips sometimes “slip and need adjusting” while moving, but most see this as a small problem compared to the comfort.
Authority Deluxe Is The Premium Minimalist Tech Carrier
The Authority Deluxe is a top choice for professionals who want a high-quality, slim laptop bag that looks good in a boardroom. It’s best for people carrying a 16- or 17-inch laptop and keeping a minimalist, tech-focused setup.
The thin profile means it’s not for those who need to carry bulky items like shoes or big books. It’s ideal for users who value quality materials and all-day comfort, even with the small water bottle pocket.
Click here to check the price and availability of the Authority Deluxe, and explore the Best Standard EDC Backpacks (20L-29L).
