Camelbak Quantico Review

I had a backpack that Road ID gave to me so many years ago I lost count. I absolutely loved this pack. You can see it in so many pictures of me traveling. And traveling.  And traveling.  When it finally started to give away to Father Time, I was reluctant to let it go. It held so much, so conveniently. But I knew there were some options. I knew I could count on Camelbak.

I reached out to my sponsor as I knew they had put together some packs that were of an "urban friendly" design. Not meant to carry water per se, they were more of what I was looking for to replace my carry all. I had seen their Urban Assault pack on friends but wasn't sure that was the pack I needed. They suggested the Camelbak Quantico (and also their Coronado) might fit my needs. So, I thought I would give them a shot.

From the outset, the back just looks cool. Sure, it matters if it is functional but if it is pleasantly appealing on the exterior, then all the better. (Sorta like dating, right?) On the front of the backpack, there is a full panel of Mollee webbing for attaching hiking poles or other similarly sized accessories.. Behind this Mollee panel, there is a front stash pocket. I was a little bummed you couldn't close this pocket but have never had anything fall out of it on my repeated uses. In fact, I often forget what is in there because I feel I have emptied it.  Then I reach down and voila! Shurky Jurky!

Above the open stash pocket, there is a fleece line tech or sunglass pocket that is large enough to fit  iPhone, keys, and wallet. I put a trave l mouse and a few other things in there that need a smidgen more protection.

On the bottom of the backpack, there is a smaller pocket. I had a rolled up mousepad and some change in there. Why a mousepad?  Because I still love using a mouse and hotels, for some reason, often have glass-tops which screws with the electric eye on the mouse. Stop that, hotels!

The more I carried the pack, the more I realized how there seems to be a dedicated pocket for everything you could think of, and even some things you could not.

The next zippered pocket, which isn't the main pocket but huge nonetheless, is highly organized. This
pocket has room for all of your pens/pencils along with slots for business cards and a large zippered pocket that runs across the bag. This pocket is great for chargers, external hard drives, and other tech. In fact, it is so large I almost wish it had a divider to separate it into two pockets.  It runs deep for sure.

The Quantico has a fully padded laptop sleeve that will allow storage of a 15-inch laptop and an iPad. I recently won a best blogger (*cringe at "blogger"*) contest from the nice people at RunUltra UK. The prize was an iPad.  I never saw the need for it but it has come in quite handy now. So, to have a pocket for both it and my laptop in the Quantico is a big plus. The laptop sleeve is really where the Quantico shines as it is padded on both sides and my devices are safe and sound in their new home.

The shoulder straps are fantastic. Breathable, comfy and what you want from something you will be wearing for a while. They have just the right amount of padding and form to make carrying the bag a breeze. The back panel is also padded and made with mesh to help with breathability as well. The shoulder straps come with a sternum strap to help with heavier loads. But if I am carrying that much stuff, I hope it is not for long.

On the right side of the pack, there is a deployable water bottle sleeve that can hold a bottle.  It has a nifty little sliding mechanism that allows it to disappear on the side when not in use.  It is hard to explain until you see it, but "nifty" is what I guarantee you will say when you do. On the opposite side of the Quantico, there is a smaller water bottle slot that can store smaller items as well.


The only negatives I could see are limited color options (Stone, olive, and subtle camo color) and that the pack has a hard time standing up on its own because of the slanted bottom. But that's it.  Everything else, including the price and Camelbak's Got Your Back lifetime guarantee are pretty darn nice.


Now I am not writing a separate review for the Coronado because it has many of the same options.  It is just smaller with a few different pockets. If you are not using the bag as your carry-on for the airplane and rather just getting around from office to home with a few other things stuffed inside, you are golden with the Coronado. But all the pros that hit the Quantico go along with the Corondao as well.


Kudos, Camelbak! I am a creature of habit and hated seeing the other pack go (I literally put duct tape in the bottom inside pockets of the old pack just to extend its life) but these are beyond suitable replacements.  Not sure what I expected from the only hydration pack company I have used with any regularity since I ran my very first 100 miler back in 2007. 

But without a doubt, Camelbak scores again with yet another fantastic product.