Elevate your carry style with this roomy roll-top backpack [Review]

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backpack review
Rosen is ready to find room for himself in a well-packed Moshi Captus backpack.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Moshi passed a critical first test as I opened up the box containing a review unit of its new roll-top backpack the company calls Captus.

My wife liked the looks of it.

Over the years, she has seen me review backpacks and messenger bags and while I reach nuanced conclusions for each, her evaluations are consistently blunt – most bags skew masculine.

Moshi Captus review

That is not to say the look of the Moshi Captus is feminine, or even cute to use her word when a bag meets her approval. The look of the Captus – sand-color with brown trim – should find wide appeal.

It appears stately with a weather-resistant material that looks like a fine tweed jacket.

backpack review: The Moshi Captus backpack has a 45-liter main compartment
The Moshi Captus backpack has a 45-liter main compartment.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

The look is eye-catching (it also comes in denim blue), but looks can sometimes be the only thing going for a bag. Start packing this thing and you will be more impressed with the amount of room available in the cavernous main compartment.

Captus carries the goods – lots of goods

With the top fully unfurled, the Moshi Captus backpack is ready for your stuff
With the top fully unfurled, the Moshi Captus backpack is ready for your stuff.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Moshi gives the wearer 45-liters to play with even after you’ve stowed your MacBook Pro in its well-padded laptop pocket. There is ample room for the commuter with dual lives: work, workout and nightlife. The zippered bottom can pack away a pair of shoes.

A separate bottom compartment easily fits extra shoes or sweaty gym clothes
A separate bottom compartment easily fits extra shoes or sweaty gym clothes.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

I have been underwhelmed by roll-tops on backpacks. Brands that make tech bags have been borrowing this feature recently from cycling bag companies, like Chrome. I have found on some packs that the roll-top does little to free up room.

Not so with Captus. I managed to pack it for a four-day weekend and as I packed each layer, I always felt I had room to spare. It is more of a fold than a roll to secure the top.

Inside is a cord-organizing case, jeans, shorts and three shirts. Socks and underwear hidden behind
Inside is a cord-organizing case, jeans, shorts and three shirts. Socks and underwear hidden behind.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

The downside of a well-packed bag is when you need something in the middle or at the very bottom. Rather than rooting through everything in a full Captus pack, two long zippers running down the front provides access to the compartment at any point.

Zippers and a roll-top make for easy access

Zippered panels in the Captus backpack let you quickly find any item without having to work from the top
Zippered panels let you quickly find any item without having to work from the top.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

The laptop compartment is good for a 15-incher. There are zippered pockets on the front and side, an elastic-topped water bottle pocket and a Napoleon pocket with RFID shield on the back for a wallet and smartphone.

There is more than enough room to carry my 13-inch MacBook Pro
There is more than enough room to carry my 13-inch MacBook Pro.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

The shoulder straps are padded and comfortable, even for a heavy carry. Just make sure you leave a little room to fold and clip it shut.

Buy from: Moshi – $199.95

Moshi provided Cult of Mac with a review sample for this article. See our reviews policy.

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