More Related Stories Kensington Contour Balance Notebook Backpack 15.4
From: $29.95

Product Review: Page (1) of 1 - 05/02/06

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Kensington Contour Balance Backpack

ACA endorsed notebook backpack

By John Virata

Most every trip I make requires that I pack different things in a backpack. And as I acquire various gadgets, digital or otherwise, the backpack becomes the main repository for such items on those trips. During a recent trip to the NAB trade show in Las Vegas, I packed several items in a new backpack that I tested for Kensington. Dubbed the Kensington Contour Balance and not available until June 2006, I wanted to give this backpack a serious workout before I returned it to the company. What would serve that workout better than a trip to Vegas for a three day trade show? So with the backpack packed, I was off to Vegas.

Background
The Kensington Contour Balance backpack is the latest in Kensington's Contour line, targeting the mobile professional who needs a stylish bag that is also functional and ergonomically correct. The company performed some consumer research on construction aspects of the bag, what consumers might expect from a backpack, and came up with a Contour System that is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. The company says that the backpack ensures considerable comfort while minimizing muscle strain and fatigue. I am not sure what kind of association the ACA is, but I figure they must know something when it comes to reducing fatigue and stress on the back and body.

Construction
The Contour is built with water resistant micro fiber material wrapped around Kensington's Contour frame. This frame, which basically frames the outline of the backpack, includes a shaped back panel, similar to what you'd find on a high quality seat in a car, to ensure lower back support. This design, according to the company, reduces the amount of strain on the entire back, effectively lifting the pack off the back and putting it all on the hips, which for me are less prone to strain than the back. The straps are also padded and are fully adjustable.

Any loose strap ends can be tied up with the Velcro loops built into the straps. There are a total of four pockets on the Contour Balance. The main pocket is where the notebook computer resides. The Contour Balance is designed to accept most notebook computers up to 15.4 inches in length. I tested the system with a slightly outdated and well used Compaq Evo N800w notebook computer that weighs around 6.5 lbs. The notebook pocket is fully padded on the bottom and the sides. A Velcro security strap ensures that the movement of the notebook computer is minimal. The backpack's handle also acts as a shock absorbing device to help protect the computer as well.

The second pocket is where you can put larger items as well as your smaller gadgets, such as MP3 player, cell phone, etc. Kensington printed icons on the material for the pockets in an effort to steer you to put your items in the pockets. In the picture below, you can see that the pockets are filled with an iPod, cell phone, memory stick, and pen. There are two more pockets for perhaps a second memory stick and a pen. I would like to see a business or credit card pocket built in and perhaps a pocket for those slim line digital cameras. That would be nice to see that functionality built in as well, though you could just drop such a camera into the MP3 player or cell phone slot.

The third pocket is an easy access pocket housed in front of the second pocket. Perhaps you can put in subway maps or a paper back book, even the notebook computer power adapter. The fourth pocket is a stealth pocket. I didn't notice it until I was on the show floor, looking for a place to stash my water bottle. Located on the bottom of the backpack and right inside the frame, this pocket is perfect to stash a half liter water bottle. I think all backpacks should have a water bottle holder because we are a consumptive society, many of us like to spend money on what is otherwise free, and many of us like to carry water bottles when we travel. The fourth pocket, though not water proof, fits the half liter bottle perfectly. Each of the pockets sports very strong designed chrome and plain metal zippers. The third and fourth pockets feature your run of the mill style zippers while the first and second pockets feature styled zippers. Pretty cool stuff.

Stuffing it
For this trip, I stuffed the Contour Balance with the previously mentioned notebook computer, power adapter, cell phone, iPod nano, 2GB Kingston Data Traveler Elite Privacy Edition flash memory stick (the kind the U.S. military should use in Afghanistan), and a Canon Digital Rebel camera and accessories. I also added a pear and three oranges, typical stuff that I always carry in a backpack. With this much in the backpack it was a bit heavy but not unobtrusive. I carried this around for a full day on the tradeshow floor with no problems. It did become burdensome late in the afternoon, but this backpack is not really designed to carry a 35mm digital SLR. The second day was an entirely different story. I left the notebook computer in the hotel room, but kept the digital camera and everything else, and proceeded to stuff the main pocket of the backpack with press releases, magazines, and assorted trade show tschotkes. I wanted to test the integrity of the zippers to see if they would separate from the micro fiber material. The backpack survived the onslaught of press materials, magazines and other items with no problems. I overstuffed the backpack, and I paid the price in sore shoulders by the end of the day. The backpack's zippers didn't burst, nor was there any physical damage to what amounted to a 20lb pack on my shoulders. Kensington warrants the backpack for the lifetime of the product. It didn't fail the abusive test that I put it through, which goes to show the durability of the backpack. The Contour Balance Backpack is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a well built, stylish backpack. It is more tuned to the mobile professional who doesn't need a lot of carrying space. While it can carry quite a bit in a pinch, the whole design of the backpack would be mitigated by stuffing it until it was full and weighs too much, though you could. For $59.95 list price and a lifetime warranty, it is a good buy. For more information, visit www.kensington.com.