Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack Review

The Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack checks all the boxes if you’re looking for a practical and elegant everyday carry bag.

It carries your laptop and essential accessories in comfort and elegant style. It’s an airplane carry-on friendly backpack designed with travelers in mind. This backpack is made with water-resistant and durable fabrics that protect your gear from the elements.

The Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack has a comfortable, adjustable shoulder strap and a top handle for easy carrying. Inside, you’ll find plenty of space for your laptop and accessories.

What Are the Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack Dimensions?

It’s important to know the measurements of your bag.

Dimensions

11.5” W x 18” H x 9” D (29 x 46 x 22.5 cm)

Weight

2.2 lbs. (1 kg), including rain cover

Volume

19 liters

Why Get the Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack?

When you buy an Everyday Carry bag, you need versatile functionality and maximum carry options. The goal isn’t to weigh you down with too much stuff but to get a backpack designed to simplify organizing and carrying things.

Here are some of our observations from using the Retrospective EDC Backpack.

1: It’s a practical EDC bag

The Think Tank Retrospective EDC Backpack features many compartments to help you organize your everyday carry items.

The quick-flip magnetic flap covers the top quietly. No noisy Velcro or awkward plastic clips on this bag. You can see them in the photo below, highlighted in red.

There are three main zippered interior pockets under the flap. The largest is the padded laptop compartment.

The center sectional main compartment is large enough to hold a light jacket or sweater. There are two large pockets, including two mesh pockets, to keep an iPad or other flat items.

The deep front organizer has a few pockets for quick access to pens or a small Field Notes book. Other zippered interior pockets include a short key lanyard behind the organizer panel.

On the back is a hidden pocket for quick access to your phone, passport, or wallet.

All the materials are water resistant, but a rain cover is also included for weather protection.

2: It has an excellent aesthetic quality

The Retrospective EDC Backpack has a beautiful finish using stonewashed cotton canvas, genuine leather trim, and antiqued hardware.

The construction quality and materials are excellent. It has precise triple-stitching with a hand-crafted look and feel.

The YKK zippers are large and have leather pulls, making them easy to find and slide. It makes single-handed access easier.

There are leather-trimmed grab handles on the top and both sides of the bag. No matter where you put the bag, finding a handle and pulling it close to you is easy.

There aren’t any missed or uneven stitches on the bag. Every single thread is in the right place. Even the interior finish has the same high-standard construction as the exterior.

The bag is flat when empty, keeping a slim profile. That means you won’t bump other people with a bulky bag on your back.

The two-tone liner inside uses the Think Tank Photo signature tartan, adding to the elegant style of the bag.

The Retrospective EDC Backpack is as beautiful and elegant as it is functional and practical.

3: It’s a comfortable bag

The back has padded mesh for comfort and padded shoulder straps. There’s a removable sternum strap that’s easily adjustable, too.

We found the backpack comfortable for people with different frames. I’m 6’3″ with a large frame, and my wife is 5’3″ with a small frame. We both felt comfortable wearing the Retrospective EDC Backpack. The plush harness system is easy to use and comfortable to wear.

It’s lightweight and sturdy. The bag doesn’t move around as we walk.

What Are the Key Features of the Retrospective EDC Backpack?

Here are a few things we found important and useful about the EDC Backpack.

1: Padded Laptop Compartment

The padded laptop compartment fits a 16″ MacBook Pro with ample room. When sliding the laptop to the bottom, I found about two inches of space at the top of the pocket.

When I tried using a padded laptop sleeve in the pocket, it wouldn’t fit. You don’t need a laptop sleeve to use this bag, as the padded laptop compartment fits nicely and offers sufficient protection.

2: Many Pockets for Laptop and Essential Accessories

If you carry a laptop, you may also need room for the power supply, external drives, etc. The EDC Backpack features many pockets, including pockets within pockets.

3: Secret Stash Pocket

I love secret pockets. A slightly hidden zippered pocket on the back keeps things close to your body for protection. It could be a zippered phone pocket or a passport pocket. Whatever you feel the need to conceal, it’s the perfect spot.

This pocket fits different-sized phones, including phones in a protective case.

4: The Key Lanyard

Tired of having keys jab you in your clothing? That’s why there’s a nice lanyard within the interior zippered pocket of the front sectional main compartment. It’s a safe and secure place so you always know where to find your keys.

5: Two Mesh Pockets

The second main compartment features two mesh pockets, one large and a small zippered mesh pocket.

These pockets allow some visibility for an organizer pocket, and they’re easily stretched to fit awkward items.

6: Weather Protection

All the materials have a water-resistant coating, and the rain cover keeps everything dry in a downpour. As we live in Florida, that’s among the most important backpack features.

7: It’s Carry On Friendly

If you frequently travel, having a reliable carry-on bag that fits under the seat in front of you is essential. The slim profile of this bag and its dimensions are perfect for travel.

8: Comfortable to Wear

You won’t carry a bag every day if it isn’t comfortable. The plush harness system and adjustable sternum strap help distribute the weight in the backpack and make it easy to wear day in and day out.

The EDC Backpack has a pass-through luggage strap, shown with the book in this photo. Give your back a break and attach this to your suitcase pull handle as you travel through the airport.

9: It’s Elegant and Beautiful

There’s more to a great backpack than the things you stuff inside. The Retrospective EDC backpack looks good. It feels good.

The washed cotton canvas looks great and is soft to the touch. The two-tone twill interior liner inside is subtly attractive while being functional.

Conclusion: The Perfect EDC Backpack

The Think Tank Photo Retrospective EDC Backpack is an elegant and stylish option for anyone looking for a practical and comfortable daily-use bag.

It’s practical, comfortable, and stylish and will last for years of use.