Customer Reviews Patagonia Refugio Pack 28L

Are you kidding me? Sickest backpack ever! The pockets are sweet, the colors kick A, and there's a whistle on the sternum strap/buckle. Just think, if Leo had this backpack when he was on the Titanic, would he have drowned? No way!

This is a good quality backpack with many small compartments (a must!). I love the color and have no complaints so far. It is not a huge capacity, but perfect for me for daily use (to and from school). I fit my laptop, binder, notebook, and lunch comfortably.

I've had lots of great experience with Patagonia products (jackets and shoes mostly) and have never been disappointed. This backpack is my first Patagonia pack and it totally rules! I bought it specifically for a 2 week business trip to Shanghai. I needed something that would fit my laptop (17" Dell M6500) plus everything else I'd need for day trips and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Not only was I able to get my enormous 17" laptop inside the laptop sleeve (absolute maximum size it'll fit, by the way), I also got an iPad, chargers, some hefty business doc folders, snacks, sunglasses, pens, headphones, and an umbrella. And there was still room! The side pockets are perfectly sized and can hold at least 2 bottles of water each -- for those trips where you need lots of hydration. Perhaps the best quality of the backpack is that if you take all of this stuff out and only have a few items in there. The side straps are designed to "suck-in" the excess bag so it still looks great when it's nearly empty. All packs should aspire to be this functional and well constructed!

Bought this to be my work bag due to re-occurring neck/shoulder pain. It fits my MacBook Pro just fine in the padded pocket. It has lots of places to stash random things and I do like that the side pockets are big enough for my coffee mug. I suspect that I may look a little dorky in my pack, but my neck and shoulders no longer hurt, so I don't really care! As a side note, I am 5'11 and this fits my frame well. I think it would be a little large for women 5'7 and under. The top of the straps felt stiff at first, but broke in quickly. The only thing I would change is the pulls on the zippers - they are a little delicate/thin and sometimes hard to grasp.

I'm an actor and therefore walk around with my life on my back. This impeccably designed bag manages to contain everything I need while putting minimum strain on my shoulders and back. Here's a list of everything I walk around with in this magical pack: Jazz shoes, Ballet shoes, Tap shoes, Tights and Other Dance Clothing, Two 1" Binders, Various Office Supplies (pen stapler scissors etc.), Hardback & Paperback Novel. Netbook with External Hard drive, Two x-mini speakers, Six Juggling Balls, Knee Pads, Combat Gloves, Jumprope, Ace Bandage, My Yoga Mat attaches snugly through the two loops at the bottom or along the side through the compression clip loops. The sleekness of the pack, even when crammed this full, is incredible. For the price, the sturdiness, the style and sleekness, , the sheer capacity, and of course the reliable & ethical brand name - you absolutely cannot beat it.

As always, Zappos' service and delivery is spectacular. The backpack is equally impressive. I had a North Face pack that just wasn't cutting it so I decided to try something else and this hit the spot. It looks great and has all the features and functions I love. It's the perfect size. Big enough to carry a decent load, but not too big to give you back problems. It fits ultra comfortable and it has solid construction. I'm happy with it. Highly recommended.

Very well made pack. Just the right amount of pockets and space for me. Lightweight and durable from my daily use so far. Comfortably fits my 15 laptop, and other items I use throughout the day. I really like the front pocket. It has an unconventional zipper design that goes up and down with mesh to keep things from falling out. I use it to relieve my phone, iPod, wallet, etc. from my pockets, and also keep them at an easy access point instead of digging through a deeper pocket. When I was shopping for a bag I chose between the Refugio and the Yerba. They are very similar, but the Refugio had a couple extra pockets and all of them are zipped, which were big pluses for me. Only negative I have found is that the adjustments for the shoulder straps get loose easily, so I have to pull them to the desired length pretty often.

This is an awesome backpack! There is tons of space in both large pockets, and the outer one with the vertical zipper is quite spacious too; it only takes a bit of maneuvering to fit certain items in there. The color is incredible too, very bright and very vivid! The only complaint I have is that due to my height (a bit under 5'5"), the bottom of the backpack rests on my bum basically. If you're a woman shorter than me, you may find some discomfort with the size and where it hits your body. Overall incredible and a pleasing purchase!

I really love my new backpack. I chose the Patagonia Refugio because as a college student I needed something that could carry my books and laptop without killing my back. This does exactly that. I also moved to Florida during the rainy season and wanted something waterproof. This backpack was put the test the day I got it. While I arrived to class wringing water out of my clothes, my backpack and its contents remained dry (except for the first small pocket in front, it does not have the double layer of fabric to keep items dry). Definitely worth the price! My only complaint is that when I got it there was a small tear on the inside where the padding for the laptop compartment is kept. I didn't have the time to send it back in and it should be an easy fix on my own.

Love the colors and it is super roomy! I can fit my gym stuff in the front pocket and the front interior has many small pockets to place chapstick, cell phone, and keys. The back main pocket is pretty big as well. I'm a student so I am carrying tons of books, my computer, and change of clothes with me and this backpack does the job. The straps are easily adjustable. I haven't had to wash or clean the bag yet. The side pockets are huge! I can fit an umbrella in one and a large water bottle in the other. Highly recommend this! I looked at the North Face Borealis too but I liked the color choices better for Patagonia.

I know it's just a day pack but I am currently on a 3 week train trek across the States and have been able to place everything in here (I'm travelling relatively lightly for sure) and this bag has been great. Very roomy but not a burden. And once I get settled I will still be uing it just as much with my laptop, the area they designated for that is designed real well. So, great bag.

Perfect backpack for work! I am a teacher who walks to school, and this will be great to hold all my essentials. Never thought I'd be giddy to get a backpack again!

Awesome backpack! I bought it for returning to grad school. I needed something with a laptop sleeve, but also wanted something that would be functional beyond school for day hikes or other small adventures. This fit the bill perfectly. I'm glad I went with the 28L instead of the smaller one. It isn't bulky at all, but has plenty of room for everything. I can tell it's made really well, and can't wait to get some use out of it. Love the forge grey color too!

Are you kidding me? Sickest backpack ever! The pockets are sweet, the colors kick A, and there's a whistle on the sternum strap/buckle. Just think, if Leo had this backpack when he was on the Titanic, would he have drowned? No way!

Love it...the colors are really cute, tons of pockets, comfortable, holds lots of stuff. Two of my favorite features are the fleece-lined sunglasses pocket at the top and how deep the 2 water bottle pockets are. This is my 1st Patagonia product and thanks to this amazing backpack it won't be my last!

Well made, good quality, light weight, hardly know it is on. Looking forward to taking it to Africa.

These are very comfortable, and not too big. I do not haul a whole lot in it but use it daily as my bag for work. It usually has a couple pairs of scrubs, some papers/books, and a ton of snacks. I can fit my large water bottle easily in a side pocket. I have not used the laptop section in the main compartment other than for books but appreciate having that option in there, and the structure of the back helps keep it very comfortable. I really like the size of the front two pockets, everything is very accessible, even when I have something shoved down to the very bottom. I would definitely purchase this bag again!

Love this backpack. It's lightweight and lots of pockets. I chose it because it was one of the few I could find with a water-resistant finish and I was expecting to be in a lot of rain. It's very roomy inside and I found it comfortable to wear, even fully packed. Good sized backpack for a average sized woman -- not too long. I loved the chamois-lined pocket at top for my i-phone and camera because they were always handy and protected! Wasn't crazy about the colors but my husband thought it was cute.

Great everyday backpack. Not too large for girls. This colorway is hot. I love the front zip. Its many pockets are very useful. Light, practical, yet fun.

Love the backpack. It has many compartments, including a felt lined pocket towards the top of the bag to fit a cell phone, iPod, ear phones, etc; anything small you want protected from scratching. It includes a safety whistle, which is an added bonus. Very comfy with the mesh/padded back, which is handy when you fill it to the max.

Love this bag for its colors and numerous pockets of space. It is so comfortable even when full-padded back and arm straps-I was at the airport with this and was very pleased.

It was a gift for my nephew; he loved it! He works for a big online company and uses it to commute to work each day. Great product.

The Good: Very elegant, minimalist styling (I purchased the black/black combo). Lots of pockets for a variety of things, including a mesh water bottle pocket on each side, a zip-up flap on the front with a pocket inside, a larger pocket behind that with several slots for pens, calculators, cell phone, whatever. The main storage area has a laptop pocket, which accommodates up to 17" laptops. The lining is only nylon though, so perhaps consider getting a sleeve for additional protection. The main area also has a small divider flap at the bottom, for separating books or folders. Both the main and front pockets go all the way down to the base of the bag, so there's plenty of storage space. Also there is one small pocket on top of the bag, which is lined with some kind of fleece; clearly meant for an MP3 player or cell phone. Has a sternum cross-strap for additional security, the shoulder straps curve out and are cushioned, and the "back" of the bag is meshed to wick away sweat. The Bad: Not much, just a few things I wish it had. For one, the main compartment's zippers don't go all the way to the base of the bag, which does make it a little difficult to get things in or out. Also, wish the bottom was rubber-lined (Timbuk2 does this) for more grip. For this it gets 4/5 stars in style. The Bottom Line: Excellent, excellent bag. Durable materials, lots of space and compartmentalization, and very comfortable to carry even while full. I used my last backpack for nearly 8 years and I expect this one to last just as long.

Great backpack! Great waterproof material, lots of pockets, and compartments. It fit my laptop, the extension cord, two small books, a notebook, a file folder; all the regular contents of my purse and it still had room for much more. The only problem was, I am 5'2 and this backpack is way too long on me. It was annoying to walk and hit the back of my legs with every step. So I gave it to my sister who is 5 9 and she loves it and she gave me her old Patagonia, which of course is a great brand to have.

I love this backpack, it holds my 17" laptop with room for other things. I received it in 1/2 of the estimated shipping time. I would highly recommend this backpack, especially if you have to carry a heavy load.