Shinjuku BackPack Review
A review of the Shinjuku Backpack from WaterField Designs.
I've amassed my share of slings and messenger bags, but a tech backpack was the one thing missing from my setup. For the past few years of travel, I've been using a Fjällräven Kånken. It's practical and minimalist, but its utilitarian design offers little to no padding or protection for tech. And so earlier this month, I contacted Waterfield Designs to ask about their Shinjuku Backpack. Having previously purchased and loved their Shinjuku Messenger and Sling, I reached out to ask about their newly released backpack, hoping to use it and write a review. They kindly agreed, and for the past several weeks, I've been using the bag as my everyday carry (EDC), commuting to work and heading out on weekends. Here's that review.
Why this bag?
Out on the town. Photo taken May 10, 2025.
I've usually steered clear of backpacks because they often feel bulky. Unlike messenger bags, which expand sideways and keep items within easy reach, backpacks add space by getting broader and deeper, so everything piles up, and you end up pawing around to find what you need. Yuck. Part of what appealed to me about this backpack was its design focus on remaining relatively slim and compressed against your back. The Shinjuku bag measures just 5 inches against the back but can flex to expand when you need to stuff in a few more items. That slim profile also means it comfortably stows underneath airline seats, making it a great personal item for air travel as well.
To solve the organizational issue, the Shinjuku Backpack has two vertically stacked pockets on the exterior of the bag, a deep interior main cavity pocket, two separated padded areas dedicated to stowing both an iPad and up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro (they know their audience), an interior water bottle sleeve (which I use to hold my small cable organizer), and finally, two side pockets for water or item storage.
This generous compartmentalization means I can have my Mac, an iPad, my keys, iPhone, cables & chargers, e-reader, notebook, pen, water bottle, AirTag, and glasses all stored and organized without even making a dent in the main central cavity of the bag. This provides a ton of storage for extra items I could take on a flight or pick up while shopping. At 17 x 10 to 12.5 x 5 inches, with a 16-litre capacity (same as the Kånken), the Shinjuku Backpack is a more compact offering to many commuter backpacks, which range from 18-25 litres, so factor in the places you plan on utilizing the bag 95% of the time to help decide if it's size will comport to your needs.
Material
Got caught in a surprise storm back in April, but the waxed canvas and waterproof zippers kept all my gear completely dry.
I chose the Navy Waxed Canvas version with leather accents—the same finish I've gone with for other Shinjuku pieces. I love the colour, the waxed texture, the durability, and how it develops character over time. There's also a black or olive X-Pac® option that's water-resistant, tough, and canvas-like in feel, but I keep coming back to the rugged, weathered look of canvas and leather. Both versions will handle light rain thanks to waterproof zippers and water-resistant materials, but I'm not sure how they'd hold up in a long, heavy downpour.
Daily Use
The interior features 2 padded compartments for storing a laptop & a tablet, a main compartment for storing books, headphones, cameras, etc., and a generously sized zippered pocket.
I've been using the backpack as my everyday carry for work and weekends. During the week, it mostly holds my laptop, iPad, AirPods Max, a few cables, a notebook, glasses, keys, and occasionally a water bottle or coffee. Since I drive to and from work, it doesn't get full backpack use until the weekends.
During the weekends, it gets far more used, as a favourite activity of mine is parking somewhere and wandering around town for hours. The padded shoulder straps and back offer decent comfort, though if you're carrying a lot of heavy gear for extended periods, it can start to wear on you (or maybe I'm just a bit soft). I usually like to carry around an iPad or MacBook Air, my e-reader, water, snacks, glasses, and, most recently acquired, a digital camera - I decided I needed more hobbies to juggle. The bag carries everything above without feeling crowded, bulky, or weighed down. I'm never left wanting more space, but if you carry larger or more stuff (Vision Pro, larger headphones, books, etc.), the smaller form factor of this bag may become a limiting factor.
Any Dislikes?
After a month of daily use, I wish this bag had a second interior pocket with built-in organization. The vertically stacked exterior pockets are spacious and well laid out, but I'd hesitate to store valuables there in a dense urban area. In that case, I'd use a folio or internal organizer to keep those items secure inside the main compartment. And Since the exterior pockets only have single zippers, they can't be locked like the main one, but honestly, that's only a concern if you're somewhere sketchy.
Can it fit an Apple Vision Pro?
While it might not be the ideal bag if you mainly plan to carry an Apple Vision Pro, especially with Apple's first-party case, though it can work if you opt for a more compact case from brands like Waterfield or Belkin.
Who'd I recommend it For?
Even with all my gear the backpack maintains a relatively slim profile.
The Shinjuku backpack is an attractive option for those looking on the smaller end of the backpack market. It's generous organization priorities and protects tech like your Mac and/or iPad, with extra external storage for storing keys, cables, and other documentation. The material choices, particularly the waxed canvas, give the back a rugged look that wears well but might not be everyone's aesthetic.
This is a bag I wouldn't use as an overnight bag given its smaller size, but it handles a modest amount of tech and accessories perfectly as a daily carry or personal item for travel. It's an ideal home-to-work/school commuter bag, too, with storage for water, snacks, books and other miscellaneous things.
Consider a bag like this an investment. At $329, the bag isn't cheap, though I can attest that these bags are build to last; you'll get bored of this bag long before it breaks on you. I've had Waterfield bags for over a decade that still hold up and function like they did the day I got them, and they've always provided me with solid consumer service whenever I had any issues.
