Customer Reviews Vera Bradley Recycled Lighten Up Reactive Lay Flat Travel Backpack

Wanted it for under the seat on airplane but too tall . Nice bag though but will have to return.

I purchased this bag as well as the matching "belt bag sling" for my recent trip to Greece. I'm so glad that I did! It helped me out so much-- I fit additional clothing and sandals/water shoes in the inside compartments as well as my hat, toiletry bag, laptop, and various chargers. I used it as my personal item and it fit very well/easily underneath the seat in front of me (I flew Delta and AirFrance). I packed it pretty full, and the straps/handle all held extremely well. There are so many helpful compartments, and the zippers all close extremely easily! I truly love this bag and look forward to using it on countless other trips. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because some of the strings from the stitching are beginning to show/unravel a tad, but it doesn't impede the functionality of the bag and I did put it through the ringer, so I understand where it came from! I highly recommend this bag and will likely purchase another in the future in a different pattern.

Size and fit were fine. Like others have said - the mesh on the straps was a little scratchy and I wish it had a side handle.

Love the backpack but the packaging was a mess! It was in cardboard that was previously sealed I assume, but was merely accompanying the box.. I have written to the company with no response. I am lucky I received it!

This is a thoughtful suitcase design and holds a lot of stuff! I did a run-through pack before I returned it (more on that in a minute). I could pack in this backpack-one pair of shoes, sweatshirt, thick tshirt dress, shorts, skirt, three shirts, three undies and footies. That is a lot! I also got a bathing suit in it and towel for beach. I was impressed with the flat fabric which is wipeable. I loved the pattern and print. The backpack, however, did not have a side handle to carry it like a suitcase which is a gamechanger for me with a bad case of scoliosis. Also, when packed like a suitcase, the front pockets are not raised, but flat, making packing choices of "paper" thin objects a focus in this front area. All in all though, it's a good looking functional product.

Holds a lot and has many compartments.

Cute bag! Would have been perfect for me to use for a carry on bag when traveling. I loved the style of it. However The straps came up too high on me and rubbed on my neck, I the rough netting straps made the base of my neck, so I decided I couldn't keep it if I had to worry about that. That is my only complaint, otherwise it would have worked out great!

One small complaint wish it had like a large part where you would put a book or two

Cute backpack. Unique style. Clasps are a bit difficult to open. Overall, great for traveling with a backpack that is a stylish carry-on. Opens like a little luggage. Fits a laptop that you can slip in and out of the bag. Has a water bottle holder and all sort of compartments to store stuff in.

I bought this as a carry-on backpack for my CPAP machine and accessories. It's the perfect size and I wanted a backpack for convenience. The construction is good and I bought it on sale.

Love the material.

This arrived just in time for a two night getaway. I packed a swimsuit and cover up, work out clothes, and clothing for two days and a night, plus toiletries. It worked great! Lost a star as it really did get heavy on my back, but mostly because I feel the zippers could/should slide much more easily. For the price I was surprised at the zippers. Overall, so happy to have this as I expect to take more weekend trips these days!

Let me start by saying that this bag does what it promises. I LOVE how it lies flat and definitely holds plenty. If you're a light packer, this is great. I was going to use it for a weekend trip where I wasn't going to be able to bring a roller suitcase. So, it wasn't a lot. The ONLY thing I didn't like (and why I returned it), as soon as I started loading it up- it started getting heavy. So, it didn't quite work out, but it's so cute!

This is a wonderful backpack. I have been looking for something like this to travel with on short weekend trips for a long time. There are many pockets on the inside and outside making it both a mini suitcase and a backpack. If I could change something about it, I would put better zippers on it because for the price it is, those zippers should slide like butter, and they really don't. The other thing I would like to see on it is another tiny pocket on the front for just a lip balm. I always want access to that on the plane, since the air is so dry. All-in-all a super purchase!

This is a gorgeous, well-equipped and well-designed backpack, but we had to send it back for two reasons: 1. The mesh on the back of the straps is so rough, I think it would cause abrasions on my shoulders or wreck my shirts. 2. Also, the one I received had a small tear in the soft mesh inside the backpack near the zipper. I would have ordered a replacement, but the straps were a deal-breaker for me. Great features were its capacity and excellent, well-thought-out variety of pockets and storage, best-sized water bottle pocket (finally, one big enough to securely hold a larger bottle), full lay-out access to all your stuff, nice padding, beautiful and tough fabric, well-designed zippers and clips, and lots of adjustable straps. If Vera Bradley could use a different mesh or fabric on the inside of the shoulder strap, this one would earn beyond 5 stars. If the rough strap isn't an issue for you, I very highly recommend.

At first I wasn't too sure about this knapsack but after using for a couple of overnight trips, I loved that it held all my items and kept me hands-free.

I am still on the fence about returning this backpack. It does hold a lot more than it appears. But as far as function, I wanted a backpack with a trolley sleeve to put on top of my rolling VB carry-on. Since my rolling carry-on already has folded clothes inside, I feel like the backpack I put on top of my suitcase needs that large open top access to throw things in on the go. At the airport, I may need to throw a jacket in the backpack or take one out. I can access a normal backpack without having to take it off the suitcase. With this one, I would have to lay it flat somewhere to open it to gain access. I am still rating it highly as it is very well made. I love the reactive material. I am not a fan of the mesh that Vera is using now. Also, only one side has a water bottle pocket. I prefer one on both sides.

Good backpack, but had to return. Very long for a short person.

I used it. The compartments are great but it just doesn't fit well. I am 5 feet 4 and the strap lock in front makes me feel suffocated when wearing as a back pack. Definitely for taller people

I love the design of this bag. The lay flat backpack is perfect in theory. The first time I used it though, a seam along the zipper ripped and the carabiner bent. I was able to bend the carabiner back but it doesn't fully latch. I am sad it is not more structurally sound.

It was very large and the material on the back and under the straps was scratchy and uncomfortable. The zippers moved fine but they seemed cheap (plastic). Clips seemed flimsy. The organizational pockets were ok. I returned it.

As great looking as this is and great quality it was just too cumbersome and large for me and I'm a big woman . I would overfill it

I love almost everything about this bag except for one fatal flaw: the mesh used on the straps and on the part that touches your back is super rough. This is annoying because 1. It's super uncomfortable and I can see it giving a skin rash, especially if you wear anything sleeveless! And 2. The friction from this mesh will make your sweaters pill. Say goodbye to wearing anything comfortable and soft for travel if you don't want to have to replace it soon. It's a really bizarre design decision, as even much cheaper backpacks use micro mesh on the part that touches your skin and clothes. Also, while I'm on the topic of redesigns, a side handle would be great on the side that doesn't have the water bottle holder for if you want to put it in the plane overhead compartment. If these two things were changed, I'd repurchase this bag so quickly. Unfortunately, it's going back for me :(

I was so excited about thisbut it just isn't functional enough. The lay flat part can only really hold small clothesthink tank tops, shorts. I'd you need to carry a pair of jeans, you are out of luck. The rest of the pockets are super flat, so you can't fit much in them. And if you have to get something out of the bag, you have to open up the whole thing. Just is not the awesome game changer bag I thought it would beespecially for the price.

i LOVED how this bag looked and the interior organization for clothes. However, I ended up sending it back. The back-panel mesh was so rough it hurt my skin, and I would've always been worried about it messing up my clothes. The zippers on the inside also seemed really cheap and I was worried they would break - plus they kind of got in the way of closing up the bag. For the price, higher-end zippers and back paneling should've been used, and I just didn't feel good about paying this much money for this bag. Too bad because aside from those 2 flaws, it was great.