I exchanged the Wanderlust Diversity Bags for the Urbanite backpack today. I'll keep the tags on for a little while in the hopes that a cute print shows up but I am leaning towards the black. I did order a Run All Day backpack a few weeks ago but I ended up returning it because the back panel was a little stiff for how I wanted to use it, which was strictly as a casual bag.
The Urbanite also comes in textured Desert Olive. (Thanks to Ms. K. for her photo.) My store only has it in black.
There are snaps on the sides at the top of the bag to give it a more triangular and modern shape.
Shape with snaps open.
Snaps closed.
The top zipper helps with access when the snaps are done up.
This backpack has a flat bottom so you can stand it upright. You can't do that with the Run All Day. The bottom on the Urbanite is made of a more durable, thicker pleather material.
The front buckle closure is concealed by a decorative ribbon.
There is a large zippered front pocket with two smaller pockets, a flannel-lined one for sunglasses and one labeled for snacks. I can fit my bulky wallet in here.
One of the side water bottle pockets has an expandable zipper.
The other water bottle pocket.
The phone pocket is behind the non-expandanding water bottle pocket and is very generously sized. It easily fits my iPhone 6s+, unlike the phone pocket for the Run All Day backpack. It was a struggle to get my phone in and out of that backpack.
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There is also a stuff sack/shoe bag, my favorite part of lulu bags.
The padded laptop pocket is big enough for a 15" laptop. The Run All Day had a padded iPad pocket but could fit a laptop in the main compartment..
Laptop pocket with my husband's 15" laptop in it.
Laptop pocket with my 13" MacBook.
Shoulder straps are continuous so no pieces to lose.
Front logo hardware.
Size comparison to a Diversity bag and the Mantra Tote.
This is a pretty large backpack. Ideally, I'd like something in between this and the Run All Day in size. I definitely could press this into service as a gym bag.
Urbanite Backpack, 11.5" x 6" 17"
All Day Backpack, 13" x 6" 18"
Around Town Backpack, 12" x 7" x 18"
Run All Day Backpack, 16.5" x 9.5" x 6"
17 comments:
Ohh thanks for the review! Been eyeing this one up as a travel bag/diaper bag!
Lulu Addict in your expert opinion would you use Urbanite for a trip to Italy? I am thinking I will need something that I can throw on my back that will carry waters, camera etc...all the essentials when traveling with two teenagers and husband. Looked MZWallace and think their backpacks would be too easy for pick pocketing. Headed to Italy.
@ anon 6:21 am - I want mine for when I travel for SeaWheeze and things like trips to Disneyland. The bag I got when we went to Europe years ago - after reading up on what to use - was the Healthy Back bag by Ameribag, a sling style backpack. That has the main compartment zipper against the body and tons of interior pockets and you can always turn it around and wear it on the front if you want to. Another similar style is the Patagonia Atom Sling. The Ameribag isn't super stylish, I actually don't think it's that bad, but it's a very handy bag for travel.
My husband had a travel umbrella plucked his backpack when we were in a Paris museum so you have to watch out about the stuff you put in the exterior pockets.
I think the lulu bag is a decent bag but I don't know if I'd use it in Europe. It's pretty big and the main compartment only has that flap covering. I'd probably go back to my Ameribag or try one of these anti-theft backpacks in this article, or something similar.
http://thesavvybackpacker.com/best-daypacks-and-day-bags-for-europe-travel/
I didn't know I needed this. I was thinking I was going to go to Lulu and get the Everything bag for my upcoming trip with a 4 year old... now I just looked at your pictures for about 20 minutes and decided this would be so much easier on the plane and carrying through the airport!! Access to things looks better, and I hadn't thought about putting it on my back instead of on my shoulder like the Everything bag. Plus an expandable water bottle pocket! Genius! I just recently got into larger Lulu bags and the world opened up! I have an old duffle gym bag that I noticed is getting so worn I can see through it, and that opened a dangerous portal into Lulu bags I now need. And I now need this one.
@ anon 6:21 am - Lots of good suggestions for travel bags here, too: http://www.adventurouskate.com/finding-the-right-purse-for-travel/
I have the Around Town and Run all day. I have a huge laptop so the Around Town has been perfect. I use the Run All Day for commuting runs and trips to the store. I highly recommend both of them.
Anon 7:06 again.. I saw the Urbanite in the store today, it's REALLY nice.
I studied this backpack in store yesterday for a while, and I was impressed too. I don't have a need for a backpack, but if you needed something that can carry a decent amount of stuff, this would be it. I've seen bigger backpacks out there, but this is a nice size, and very well thought-out. Hopefully it comes in pretty colors for you ladies eyeing it! :)
Thanks for the review of the Urbanite backpack. It seems functional and practical but I'm a bit underwhelmed by the look. I need a new backpack for cycling and for the price of this LLL one, it's not going to cut it. Especially when I consider that the money would be better put towards a Timbuk2 one.
I did not care for the Run All Day backpack either (appreciated your detailed review on that one, too) for the same reason - the stiff back board. I have a Gregory running backpack that I'd like to update and there was no way I could go to LLL stiff version when my Gregory one hugs the back for running and hiking.
i love my Around Town and Urbanite bags!!! I use them to death because I live in NYC and need to haul gym stuff and not break my shoulders. I wish they would make a solid color Around Town back pack like black
I just purchased my first Lulu backpack (Run All Day Backpack) when the gorgeous black and white Pretty Lace printed one came out a few weeks ago (couldn't resist the pretty floral print!) and have to say I don't like the stiff back part either. Really wish it was soft and flexible and not stiff.
By the way, for those of you who have the Run All Day Backpack and are not already aware, the waist strap buckles and the chest strap buckles can be done up when not in use so that you wont end up losing the waist straps accidentally - you just have to hook the right waist strap up to the right chest strap and left waist strap to left chest strap - this way if the waist straps happen to fall out of their keepers on the bag you wont lose them since they will be hooked up to the chest straps which are permanently attached to the backpack! Hope this helps :)
check out ultimate direction running vests/hiking pack (day hike, or ultralight overnight). I've become obsessed with their gear. I have a vest and the fastpack 30, which I've actually run with too. I use their men's vests because they are so much better than the women's
Do you think it would be durable enough for a college student in the east coast? Or would a Run All Day backpack be better? Thanks for this detailed post!
@ anon 8:33 pm - The Run All Day is much, much smaller. I don't think it would work for you unless you aren't going to put any books in it or all books digital these days anyway? The Run All Day has a padded pocket that fits an iPad but not a laptop. The tag says the Urbanite is good up to 50lbs but I've rarely loaded my lulu bags too much except for travel. I do know one of the eds at my store says she likes the Urbanite for school and there are a few reviews on the website saying they like it for college.
Hey Lulu addict! In your opinion, do you like the Urbanite or the All Day backpack better? I'm trying to decide one which one to get for college. Thanks!
@Natalie- I just took the tags off the backpack today and I think it's a bit on the smaller side, compared to the All Day. I had to report to jury duty so I loaded it up with my MacBook and its power cord, my iPad with a brick and power cord, a small drink cooler that can hold 3 soda cans side by side, eyeglasses and sunglasses case, bottle of water, keys, and my wallet and it's stuffed full. My wallet is sitting at the top since it's kind of bulky and the slot front zipper pocket is hard to open when the backpack is full. It's very comfortable and I think it's sharp-looking but if you carry a lot of stuff you might want to look at the All Day.
any chance you're interested in selling this one?
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