Antler Prestwick Backpack 25L (Black) $119 Delivered/ C&C/ in-Store @ MYER

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Gnostikos on 11/01/2023 - 18:56 myer.com.au (1913 clicks)
Last edited 11/01/2023 - 19:00 by 1 other user

Basic Specs (from Antler's official product page):

• Dimensions: 30 x 40 x 19cm with 25L capacity.
• Weight: 0.92kg
• Material: Jacquard polyester.
• Two large zippered compartments, one with a padded 15.6" laptop sleeve, plus a front zippered pouch.
• Rear laptop compartment has the zipper underneath the backpack's straps for added security (so it can't easily be unzipped/opened when being worn).
• 9 inner storage pockets/compartments plus one small external storage pocket (right underneath the handle)
• Water resistant.

This appears to be the cheapest price at the time of posting and likely the historical low for this backpack (as far as I can tell).
The Prestwick backpack normally retails for $199 in Australia.

I picked one up recently after looking for a good commuter/travel backpack and finding everything else at this price point to be poorly-made, severely lacking in internal storage pockets/compartments and not rigid/sturdy enough. This is one of those backpacks that maintains its rigidity/shape with nothing in it and sits upright quite easily.

The pictures on Myer's website and others don't do this backpack justice imo, it has a distinctly "premium look" due to the textured, embossed finish on the exterior that has a slight shine to it.

The only noticeable omission that some might take issue with is the lack of side water bottle pockets, though I think the great internal storage organisation options make up for that (plus you could squeeze a water bottle into one of the two large compartments quite easily).

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MYER

• 

  jonno-mail on 11/01/2023 - 19:14

  +2

  Good deal and a good backpack. The only other comparable one with the same quality/features/size in this price range IMO is Crumpler: https://www.crumpler.com/au/mantra-nightsky/ - Currently also on sale (in blue) and with a 'lifetime' warranty. Doesn't sit upright as well as the Antler though, but my Mantra has been going strong for 5+ years.

  • 

    Gnostikos on 11/01/2023 - 19:48

    +3

    I used the smaller 13" inch Mantra for many years, which is essentially identical to the 15" versions minus the larger capacity, and I wouldn't recommend it over the Prestwick (especially if you intended to carry around a laptop/tablet in it).

    The Mantra only has one real zippered compartment, the middle one, with the rear laptop/tablet sleeve compartment only being usable for sliding slim laptops/tablets in and out of or potentially A4-sized document folders. The lack of padding in that rear laptop/tablet sleeve compartment also makes whatever device you're carrying really press against your back to the point where it restricts your posture/range of motion and becomes seriously uncomfortable the longer you carry it. The front pouch is too small to get anything of a decent size into (especially once that middle compartment is full, as there's no gusset between the front pouch and middle compartment, so extracting things from that front pouch becomes difficult once your backpack is full).

    The Mantra has far less internal storage pockets/compartments (there's only a zippered mesh pocket and a divider in that middle compartment and that's it) and it used to sh*t me to no end when everything inevitably ended up being piled on top of each other in that one middle compartment because that's realistically the only place you can put most of your belongings.

    On top of that, the Mantra also has virtually no rigidity and will, as the brand names implies, crumple up pretty easily.

    The Mantra also looks distinctly more pedestrian and targeted towards a younger demographic in its styling compared to the Prestwick, which has a real executive/corporate look to it.

    • 

      tjioer on 11/01/2023 - 22:14

      This is a pretty accurate review. Once the middle compartment of my Mantra is full, the front just crumples and looks like crap. My OCD says no.

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  AnKu on 11/01/2023 - 19:38

  +2

  Any backpack recommendation with side water bottle pockets? Max budget is $150. Cheers :)

  • 

    WhoaMMii on 12/01/2023 - 10:10

    +1

    I just bought the northface borealis from anaconda for $139 usally RRP for $200. Can easily fit large bottles on the side

    • 

      AnKu on 12/01/2023 - 17:33

      Cheers. After looking at the review, I think that it suits my needs. I'll return my Antler and get the Borealis instead.

    • 

      AnKu on 12/01/2023 - 18:41

      I ended up buying TNF Recon instead. It's $149 (Black) on Rushfaster. :)

• 

  DrScavenger on 11/01/2023 - 19:45

  +1

  How is this better than the dell backpack that regularly goes on sale for 20$?

  • 

    Gnostikos on 11/01/2023 - 19:54

    +4

    The Prestwick has a lot more internal storage compartments and pockets along with a far more durable and rigid construction.

    Though having also used a bunch of 15" Dell laptop backpacks, I definitely rate them quite highly myself and wouldn't pass up a good deal on any of those either.

    It really depends on whether you want something with a bit more substantial material and rigidity along with a lot more internal pockets/storage, as most of the Dell backpacks barely have 3 or 4 pockets in their main compartment and simply crumple up and flatten the moment you drop them down onto a hard surface.

    • 

      DrScavenger on 11/01/2023 - 20:13

      I have the 17in gaming backpack one with the dimensions 49x32.5x17. While I do agree its a bit small for a 17in backpack the dimensions are similar to this one. And if you are willing to spend 120 isn't better to buy named brands like Samsonite?

      • 

        Gnostikos on 11/01/2023 - 21:06

        -1

        And if you are willing to spend 120 isn't better to buy named brands like Samsonite?

        Most of the similar Samsonite backpacks like the Tectonic, Locus Eco, Marcus Eco and GuardIT are usually in the same price bracket ($110 - $150 when on sale), so it really comes down to personal preference.

        My main issue with a lot of Samsonite backpacks is the same issue I have with most of Crumpler's range and even Pacsafe (who also make similar, high-end commuter/travel backpacks); they all look a lot more childish for lack of a better word, with the aesthetics of kid's school backpack, compared to the Prestwick. Some of the Samsonsite backpacks like the Viz Air Plus or the MIRRE that sell for around $200 (even when discounted) look disappointingly cheap and nasty relative to their price and tons of Amazon reviews complain about Samsonite backpacks developing rips/tears within a few months, which also put me off.

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  jazeng91 on 11/01/2023 - 20:55

  thanks op - beenn looking for baackpack and this looks the goods. As pointed out only downside is the waterbottle side pocket but can live without :)

• 

  BatmanAU on 12/01/2023 - 07:32

  Nothing beats my STM and after 13 years, it’s starting to get a bit tired, so looking for a replacement :(

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  Ozb101 on 12/01/2023 - 16:36

  +2

  Just picked one up. Feels very premium and well designed. Has plenty of storage and compartments. The laptop/tablet section is well padded.

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  megaalc on 12/01/2023 - 22:26

  Can someone recommend a good backpack for a teenage girl (pinkish color)? We just got herschel Little America backpack for $110, but turned out it does not have side pockets for a water bottle, what a setback((
  TIA

• 

  chrisn26 on 16/01/2023 - 19:21

  +1

  Thanks, was looking for a replacement backpack. Got it for 99 after using the 20 voucher from this previous promotion https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/743768

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  Thom81 on 16/01/2023 - 22:35

  Thanks OP got one. The zip just completely unraveled on my work supplied HP backpack after about a year of use. Hopefully this one will be a bit more durable!