You say you want a revolution

Introduction

Here at Reviewer Towers, we're always on the lookout for new and interesting products that might be of interest to you, our dear readers. And we go to many different lengths to test them out.

The STM Revolution backpack is no exception. We don't review many bags that are designed to "protect your digital cargo". In fact we don't review many bags full stop. So this one must have been a bit special for us to take it to Las Vegas and Death Valley for a test. Ok, I was going there anyway (to see 2 good friends get married with Elvis in attendance), but what better test for a bag than to take it on a long trip?

According to STM's co-founder Adina Jacobs, "The revolution backpack is the result of more than 5 years of tinkering. We believe the pack has the ultimate set of features that our customers demand and a couple they didn't know they needed."

The revolution backpack is designed to carry your digital devices and all their accompanying bits and pieces. It's constructed of a lightweight, durable and water resistant nylon, with a fold away rain cover for added protection from the elements.

In Use

The first thing to do is load up your bag with your "digital cargo". So we popped in an iPad, an iPhone, a Kindle, a compact digital camera, travel speakers, GPS, headphones, a plethora of leads and a couple of chargers, as well as travel documents, flight socks, snack bars and other little bits and pieces. The main compartment provides lots of room for documents, books and other stuff, whilst the foam "cell" inside (another big pocket essentially) protects your laptop or similar on all sides. The integrated iPad sleeve is lined with "fingerprint-removing brushed nylex" and fits an iPad nicely. There's also a handy little "organisation panel" for cables, pens etc. - a pocket inside one of the pockets that has lots of little pockets for stuffing cables or similar into. Very useful.

After that you get in a taxi to the airport. Breeze through express check in and security (no problems with the x-ray machine), and then wander around duty free. And then it's time to board. And this is where the only real issue occurred. Because the bag was stuffed with all that stuff, it wouldn't quite squeeze into the overhead lockers. But no problem, it was easily tucked under the seat in front, and made a handy foot stool for the journey! If yours wasn't as stuffed as mine, it should fit in ok.

12 hours later you (surprisingly, given past experiences that others have told you about) breeze through US immigration, customs and security (after being fingerprinted and photographed), and jump in a taxi to the hotel. You unpack a few things, explore the city of Las Vegas, and then the next day you pack up again and go off an hire an RV (after extracting driving licences, insurance documents etc. from handy backpack).

Then you drive your RV out to the desert (Death Valley, California) and go for a hike into Golden Canyon. And the trusty backpack is with you again, carrying camera, GPS, food and 2 litres of water in a Source Widepac "hydration bladder".

We do a lot of walking, usually with Deuter rucksacks back home, up mountains, around national parks etc., but the STM Revolution made a very good substitute for this trip. The handy little "headphone hole" also makes a good hole for the pipe from your hydration bladder (got to keep drinking out in the desert, even in "winter"). The rucksack is well designed for walking, with a waist strap and chest strap providing good weight distribution, as well as some good padding around the back which helps airflow and reduces sweating if you're using it in anger. There are also 2 side pockets which are ideal for putting in extra water bottles, cans, etc.

If it rains (which it rarely does in Death Valley, hence the name) there is a fold away rain cover which fits securely over the top of the bag and keeps everything dry.


The Revolution backpack accompanying me in the California desert - note iconic Speed Limit 55 sign!

Conclusion

What a brilliant travel companion. This bag was perfect for our trip. We took a lot of tech on holiday (iPad, iPhone, Kindle, compact digital camera, travel speakers, GPS, headphones) and this was good for carrying it around. And when we were having lower tech days out walking in the desert, this bag was good for more general hiking. I wouldn't replace my normal hiking rucksack with it (that has more capacity which is needed when you're climbing Helvellyn or doing the Fairfield horseshoe). But it's very good for travelling, and it's more than just a travel bag - you can use it when out and about.

The STM Revolution is available in two colours, burnt orange and carbon (grey), and comes in two sizes to fit most 13" and 15" laptops. And it comes highly recommended!

It's gone back to STM now, but I might just have to get one for my next trip (which will be much less glamorous!)