REVIEWED: Booq Boa Squeeze daysack
Able to hold a 15-inch Macbook, smartphones and a tablet, this small rucksack also has room for cables and a passport
Are you a digital nomad? As more of us travel around the world clutching tablets, smartphones and laptops, the need for padded, compartmentalised luggage increases. Hard-wearing and very well built, the Booq Boa Squeeze has pockets galore.
C-shaped
C-shaped and so clinging to the back of the wearer, this is a great option for cities; it’s not a backpack that’s going to annoy fellow commuters. It also shouldn’t cling to the wearer’s back too much in hot weather. because though the straps are comfy and the padding is vast, there’s an air gap in the middle to avoid a sweaty back. The Booq Boa Squeeze weighs 1.4kg, which is fairly heavy for such a compact bag.
Compartments
Rather unusually, the Boa Squeeze’s main compartment is revealed by un-zipping a lid two-thirds of the way down the front to reveal specially-sized pockets in the back of the bag for a 10-inch tablet, a two smartphones (one regular-sized, one Samsung Galaxy S5-shaped), a pen slot and a laptop of up to 15-inches. There’s plenty of room below for cables and chargers, though that C-shape means that there’s less room at the bottom of the bag when compared to most.
Short trips
That lacks of room inside means that although it can store gadgets carefully, you won’t get much more than a raincoat and a change of socks inside. That said, in the lid itself is an elastic pocket to keep cables or toiletries neat and tidy. But you can forget squeezing-in a shirt.
Side pockets
The sides sport two rather long, large zipped pockets that would suit a couple of small water bottles, or perhaps more cables and chargers. Ill-designed? Kind of, but they do provide an added layer of protection for the gadgets inside, which look snugly safe indeed. One of those side-pockets has a keyring clip inside.
Front pockets
There are two more pockets on the outside; one is across the front (though is tiny, hard to access and most likely won’t be used) while the other is on the top. Felt-lined and easily accessible, it’s ideal for storing a smartphone while travelling.
Quick trip
Ideal for commuting and cycling, the Booq Boa Squeeze is exceptionally gadget-friendly, though we’re not sure it’s suitable for short trips. If you’re skilled at travelling light, you might get away with the Booq Boa Squeeze on an overnighter, but it’s best thought of as a cabin bag for your gadgets, or as a bag worth taking around on a city tour.