Backpack, Bags, douchebags, Gear, luggage - November 18, 2017

Douchebags 30L Hugger backpack review

This 30-liter pack weighs 3.1 pounds and sells for $159.

What is it

First a little about the company and that name. Founded in 2012 by the Swedish freeskier Jon Olsson and Norwegian product designer Truls Brataas, Douchebags’ gear is an attempt at “merging the urban and active lifestyle.” Their full product line-up includes numerous sizes of backpacks, larger roller bags, laptop cases, and ski bags. And the name, we’ve been told, traces its roots to an on-line naming contest. Someone sent it in as a suggestion, the Internet peanut gallery loved it, so Olsson and Brataas rolled with it.

Douchebags 30L Hugger is a fairly utilitarian carry-on size backpack with a large main compartment, smaller top pocket, and laptop sleeve. It also has metal hooks on top of the top pocket, allowing it to attach to other pieces of DB luggage such as the roller bags or the original ski bag that launched the company into business.

Whether running through airports or hiking up mountains, the pack has worked well.

Key measurements of the 30L Hugger include laptop pocket large enough for a 15″ MacBook Pro, bag width of 11.2 inches, length of 21.7 inches, and weight of 3.1 pounds. Total volume is 28 liters in the main compartment plus 2 more liters in the top pocket. The Outer Shell is made of 600-denier polyester, while 300-denier is used on the inner lining. There is also a polyethylene back-protection plate and ABS protection ribs to help protect gear inside the main compartment. The bag is made in Vietnam.

Pros

Fully accessible main compartment
Separate laptop sleeve
Spacious top pocket
Quality construction
Easily attaches to larger luggage pieces
Snug, ergonomic fit on back
Stands upright on own
Side ribbing and back plate offer extra protection
Reasonably low weight
Cool hipster look
Extended zipper grips
Visible ID sleeve
Well integrated side pockets in main compartment
Handy handle
2-year warranty
Free returns within 60 days

Cons

Lacks chest or waist belt
In your face logo
Boxy shape
Shoulder straps can slip
Lacks internal organization sleeves
Some will balk at brand name
Expensive for backpack

The main compartment opens more like a traditional roller carry-on, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Mtbr’s Take

There’s no denying that $159 is a lot to spend on what amounts to a fairly straightforward backpack. But props to Douchebags for some unique and highly functional design features. Tops on that list is how the main compartment completely opens, so instead of fishing around the bottom on a standard top-access backpack, you can see and access everything inside. In that way, it functions more like a small-sized roller carry-on suitcase than traditional backpack.

The pack stands up on its own.

I also appreciated the two zippered mesh side pockets inside the main compartment, which are good places to stash power cords, camera chargers, or other items you don’t want to totally unwind with the rest of your gear. I do, though, wish there was some sort of sleeve where you could stash magazines or a legal pad. Instead they have a tendency to get pretty beat up.

The back features padding that conforms to the shape of your body.

Up top is a spacious zippered pocket that’s ideal for wallet, keys, and other small’ish items that you want to keep handy. There’s also a thin mesh pocket with key latch for added security, and on the back there is a roomy laptop sleeve that easily swallows a 15” model. The back itself is padded and contoured for comfort, and each side of the pack has three semi-rigid ribs to both give the pack shape (it stands upright on its own) and protect whatever gear you have inside. For bike commuters, there are 10 loops that are great for attaching safety lights.

The top pocket is ideal for stashing essentials, including my toddler’s day hike snacks.

There are a few misses, though, including the lack of a chest strap and shoulder straps that had a tendency to slip out of adjustment. The logo size is also a bit large and in your face. But these are small niggles. Bottom line, if you’re not turned off by the price or name, the Douchebags 30L Hugger backpack is a solid and functional piece of travel luggage that looks cool, too.