PC Accessory

Versatile OnePack for frequent fliers

The WiWu OnePack features many interior pockets in two main compartments. The bigger zippered compartment has a detachable organiser with four pockets.
The WiWu OnePack features many interior pockets in two main compartments. The bigger zippered compartment has a detachable organiser with four pockets.
The WiWu OnePack features many interior pockets in two main compartments. The bigger zippered compartment has a detachable organiser with four pockets.
The WiWu OnePack features many interior pockets in two main compartments. The bigger zippered compartment has a detachable organiser with four pockets.

If you are a frequent flyer who has yet to find that elusive perfect travel backpack, consider the WiWu OnePack.

It is currently on a Kickstarter fundraising campaign ( kck.st/ 2Bt8KJB) that ends on March 30. You can pre-order it for prices that are lower than its expected retail price of US$109 ($143). The Straits Times received an early production unit for this review.

The OnePack has a minimalistic design that will endear it to those who prefer not to attract attention.

Inside are many interior pockets in two main compartments that allow you to store clothing, mobile devices, accessories and other essential items.

The bigger zippered compartment has a detachable organiser with four pockets that can easily hold an external hard drive, a wireless mouse, SD cards and business cards. This compartment can hold at least two sets of clothes and has a zippered mesh to keep the clothes from falling out when you open the bag. Furthermore, the compartment can open 180 degrees, so you can organise your clothing and other accessories easily.

There is also a removable amenity kit bag at the bottom. I use it to put my laptop chargers and charging cables.

There is a mesh pocket on each of the two inner sides of this compartment, designed to hold an umbrella or a water bottle. I find that it is large enough to accommodate a Nintendo Switch mobile gaming console.

  • SPECS

  • PRICE: US$109 (S$143), pre-order at kck.st/2Bt8KJB

    WEIGHT: 1.25kg


    RATING

    DESIGN: 4/5

    PERFORMANCE: 4/5

    VALUE FOR MONEY: 4/5

    OVERALL: 4/5

At the opposite side of this compartment are four big mesh pockets that can hold notebooks, pens, earphones and other accessories. Above these mesh pockets is a zippered pocket to hold your passport and other travel documents securely.

The other main zippered compartment, which is smaller and thinner, is designed to hold a laptop and a tablet. My 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro easily fits into the laptop pocket, while the tablet pocket is big enough for a 13-inch HP EliteBook 820 laptop.

Opposite the laptop and tablet pockets is a pocket for files and documents.

That is not all. On the backpack's front are two zippered pockets that you can slot your USB cables in for easy retrieval. There are also two external side pockets that can be zipped up and are handy for water bottles.

Moreover, the left external side pocket has an integrated headphone jack and USB port on the outside. Inside this pocket, you will find a headphone cable and a USB cable.

This means you can keep your phone or music player here and listen to music while charging it at the same time. Or you can keep a power bank here and charge your phone on the move without having to take out the power bank.

The OnePack's rear panel has plenty of padding with grooves for ventilation. There is a trolley sleeve that allows the backpack to be secured to a luggage handle.

For a backpack that looks small, it can hold a surprising number of things. I am able to pack two laptops, a DJI Osmo mobile, a Nintendo Switch, two 10,000mAh power banks, two laptop chargers and numerous accessories.

On the downside, the shoulder straps are hard to adjust. The rear panel also does not provide good enough lumbar support and ventilation.

• Verdict: The WiWu OnePack might not be perfect, but it is a versatile backpack especially suited for frequent fliers.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 21, 2018, with the headline Versatile OnePack for frequent fliers. Subscribe