If someone told you that there are people that spend $300 on a backpack, you would call these people “crazy.” booq calls these (crazy) people, “customers;” that is problem number one. Problem number two is debatable, but the rest of the problems that I had with the booq Python Pro were only magnified by the pricing. But, it’s not all bad; there is a lot that is quite good and there is the eternal question of, is anythingelse really better?

The History of the Snake

Products by booq were named after snakes, Vyper was the case, Boa was another and the high-end backpacks carry the name of Python. Over the past few months booq has evolved as a company, previously solely producing products like the Python and Vyper now progressed to Boa and Mamba. The former company produced crafted works that were the most expensive your wallet could find. The diversification of the company has more then doubled the amount of products available to consumers, but most of these products were in a different segment then their older siblings. The new bags took claim to the $100 market, a premium still for a significant amount of users, but no where near the exclusiveness of their ancestors.

Pockets, Pockets, Pockets…

Oddly, this bag doesn’t have a lot of pockets, it also doesn’t have a lot of color. The bag boasts a black exterior with orange lining and black and gray stitching. The bag has a fairly simple design, one main pocket that houses most of the contents of the bag including the notebook holder and the camera bag (see below.) In addition there are two pockets on the side that can each hold a standard 24 oz. bottle of liquid in addition to some other things; two side pockets on the front of the bag that can hold a USB iPhone cable and iPhone charger (but, your MagSafe power charger is a stretch) and two pockets on the shoulder straps, one on each side that are perfect for change and can easily hold your iPhone. Inside the bag there is a dedicated slot to hold your notebook (including a 17? MacBook Pro), two pockets on the interior side that can hold your MagSafe power charger, one pocket in the front that is of equal side and opposing it flexible document dividers that really can just hold papers. The final pockets are on the outside and inside of the lid. The outer one can hold an iPhone and a wallet easily, but storing anything much thicker becomes troubling. The inner pocket, which is by far the most useful, is my primary storage for the MagSafe adapter and a set of cans (headphones.)

Design…

The interior of this bag is designed flawlessly, there is a combination of zippers and magnets to secure the pockets. Versatility allows you to fill every pocket or leave them empty and rely on the massiveness of the large compartment. The single pocket design makes it easy to grab your books and your notebook in one swipe, and putting them away is not a struggle. When it comes to notebook protection, the Python shines. It ships with two velcro pads that can be placed inside the compartment to fit your 15? notebooks. In addition to the intense side padding, the bottom features a combination of foam and other materials that definitely helps keep your notebook safe. Amongst having the greatest zippers that have ever been placed on a backpack, booq also equpits the bag with the Terralinq system. Essentially a bar code for losing your bag. Inside the bag is a serial number and bar code, after recieving your bag, booq suggests signing up for free, with hopes that if you lose your bag, someone can easily go on the Terralinq website and turn your bag in. The effectivness of this service is not known, as I have attempted to be responsible with this bag.

The bag is comfortable, but it’s a disappointment. With the Python you get the feeling that it could be more comfortable. It’s been my experience that the larger bags can spread the weight out more, the way that the awkwardness that your back feels with the Vyper on might be more comfortable, but it doesn’t feel “right.” But, there are other things that are truly great about the bag: the best zippers have been used, the handle is concealed, but very functional and the laptop portion perfectly wraps around the MacBook Pro. On the exterior it is hit or miss: the pockets on the shoulder straps, a definate hit; the size of the bag, a large question. I’m not very tall at all (5? 8? on a good day) and this bag looks tiny on me. Rather then like most bags, the booq bag looks wider then it is tall, whether or not this is true, the fact that it is even close is odd. It begs the question of why not two inches larger? And, does this bag scream “computer bag” like it is so dreaded by most.

The Fanny Pack

Included with the Python Pack is what appears to be a fanny pack. Rather it is a well-protected innovative bag to store your (D)SLR and its lenses. Numerous velcro paddings that can be rearranged for your lens and camera requirements. After purchasing a new Canon T1i, this has become one of my favorite features. Rather then having to purchase and more importantly haul around another bag, I know with the Python Pack – my camera is safe. The pack fits neatly inside the main pocket and still allows for some things to be placed on top of it, but remember these things are resting on your camera and its lenses.

And the reasons why you should not buy the bag…

There have been quite a few listed, but the list will continue. There is a hole on the bottom of the bag, one that has been present for a couple of months. It does speak something to say that the bag has held up, but the hole is rather disappointing. To say that this bag was used heavily before the stitching started to come say lose would be a lie. The bag was used daily, but not outdoors and was treated extremely well. Like it was stated above, everyone of the minute irritations about the bag become magnified by the extreme price tag. In addition to a hole developing, booq’s customer service has been awful, in fact I’m still waiting for my e-mail back to them.

And then there is the warranty. booq’s warranty goes as follows: it’s five years, well, sorta. The latter four and a half years are prorated if there is not a replacement that is “same or comparable.” Now, booq advertises it as “100%,” which percentage the warranty actually covers is still not understandable. The warranty does not cover: physical abuse (who nows what that is), mishandling (there is no manual about how to handle the bag), competition (so, now powerwalking contests with the booq bag), animal attack, negligence, if the bag is altered or modified, natural breakdown of materials, seams or components (I believe my problem falls under that?) or cosmetic issues. In addition to numerous things that can void your warranty, if your bag is purchased from anyone that is not a Booq Authorized Dealer, you are in trouble as well. Also, the depreciation scale is pretty steep. The 100% Warranty gives you a 75% refund after six months, 50% after a year and 25% after three years. So in reality your 60 month warranty is better described as a 6 month warranty.

In the End

If the 100% percent warranty has you worried, there is some hope. Trying to purchase one of booq’s top-of-the-line bags online is near impossible. Not only is booq out of them, but most of the retailers who have a functioning website don’t even list them. There is a reason why at TheMacFeed when it comes to physical accessories, testing them for a while is necessary. If I reviewed this product after a month the rating would be significantly different, but after eight or so months, disappointment is the easiest way to describe my $300 venture. In some regards I wish I would have purchased the flagship Python Pro, maybe it would have solved the awkward back fittings; but, it would not have solved the problem that causes the poor rating. The bag would probably get a 3.5, outside of the defects, I am an absolute love with the bag. The company gets a rating that we haven’t created a logo for. In the end a 2.5 star rating seems about right, the bag can be purchased directly from booq for $249.95; but, you have been warned. I’m from the school of thought that, “you get for what you pay for.” booq, defies all odds in this sense, because you get a prorated version of what you pay for. Not just prorated in the sense that your bag has holes in it before its one year birthday, not just prorated in the sense that your warranty is literally prorated, but not just prorated in the sense of their customer service is; rather, the entire experience is prorated. Prorated at a steep price in money, time and most certainly, satisfaction.