Review: Killspencer Special Ops Backpack

Plenty of bags offer some dubious blend of vintage military styling and modern geek utility. They should start taking notes from Killspencer's lineup.

Witness the Special Ops backpack. While this slightly reworked version remains just as streamlined as the original, designer Spencer Nikosey and his band of craftsmen have added a few key internal updates. These include new size 8 Riri waterproof zippers and a suede-lined pouch made specifically for the iPad 2, as well as an interior waterproof zip and Velcro pockets for your folders, magazines, notebooks or whatever else you might want to plop into this black beauty.

Combine those civilian flourishes with your standard military pedigree — cobra buckles, 4,000 lb black nylon webbing, a bullhide handle — and you have a backpack that's sleek as hell, and could probably survive a trip down to Hades, too. (It's lined with UFAC class 1 flame-retardant nylon.)

As far as space is concerned, the Special Ops offers more than enough for a typical road warrior. The pack measures 19 by 11.5 by 4 inches and includes a special compartment for a 15-inch laptop, as well as generous sueded pockets for your other scratchable knickknacks. There's even a handy front zip pouch for quick access to your keys, wallet or phone.

But what really sets the Special Ops apart from other bags is the workmanship. Each Killspencer bag is built to order, and it shows. Unlike others bags we've reviewed, there was nary a loose thread or stray seam to be found. Nothing but hand-crafted perfection, really.

Sure, there are bigger backpacks out there with plenty of dangling straps and pockets you'll never use. But if you're looking to hump around the essentials in simple, rugged bag, the Special Ops is as elite as it gets.

WIRED One of the most solid, well-built bags we've handled (You even get a nice signed card by the guys who made it). That 22-ounce waxed filter twill feels like it could make it through multiple war zones. It definitely made it through a number of San Francisco downpours. Comes with its own "hub" system you can screw into your wall and hang your pack from. Ample padding in all the right places.

TIRED A bit spendy, even for all that handcrafted, military-grade goodness. Shoulder straps could be thicker. Definitely not the lightest backpack out there.

Photo by Jim Merithew/Wired.com

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