The travel-ready APEX EXPLORE backpack by COTS
A practical backpack for business or travel
Admit it…you’ve undoubtedly experienced the “analysis paralyses” that every shopper feels at some point. Velcro or zippers? Slate gray, cement gray or charcoal gray? Expensive name brand or budget-friendly generic? The modern industrial world has left consumers with a dizzying array of product permutations that rarely benefit anyone. Does anyone actually want to pick between a dozen options for a can of corn or laundry detergent? (Answer: only weirdos)
Despite the rant above, I will proudly don my bedazzled weirdo badge and proclaim: I’M GLAD THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT BACKPACKS! Gone are the days when yawn-inducing Jansport backpacks with two pockets were essentially the only option. Backpack enthusiasts like myself can now salivate over all of the pockets, straps, clips, sleeves, zippers, pouches and other designy features.
The APEX EXPLORE is positioned as a functional business laptop backpack with ample storage capacity for your daily commute. Looking at it from the outside, it’s hard to disagree with that characterization, but not in regard to its looks. I found this bag to be quite stylish and unique with a high-end finish, unlike many other business bags I’ve gazed upon.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Upon pulling the APEX EXPLORE out of the shipping box, I was immediately taken by the fit and finish of this bag. Prior to ordering the backpack, I paid little attention to the material composition. After seeing & feeling it in person, I now understand why COTS touts the use of the patented Filmpor™ fabric for its backpacks. The black fabric looks sleek with its subtle texture and ever-so-slight sheen. The bag feels lightweight without feeling cheap, with some beefier high-density padding in the back and strap areas (worth the added weight in my opinion).
The zippers on this backpack are buttery smooth and have yet to snag even once after a couple weeks of use. Heck, I’m even a fan of the understated zipper pulls which are constructed from a very durable rubber.
Inside, the APEX EXPLORE is fitted with tough but lightweight nylon fabric with a cool geometric pattern. A singular, fleece-lined outer pocket is perfect for phones or sunglasses (though it lacks any structure that would prevent your glasses from getting crushed).
Let’s take a look at all of the features:
Dimensions: 19.5”x 12.8”x 6.3”
Total volume: 26L
Patented Filmpor™ tri-layer fabric
Water-resistant, stain-proof exterior
Abrasion-resistant TPU coating
Laptop compartment, stores up to 16" laptop
Independent tablet compartment
Three slip pockets
Velcro-secured main compartment (anti-theft)
Padded, breathable mesh shoulder straps and back panel
Dual side slip pockets for water bottle or umbrella
Overall initial duuude impression: It’s hard to argue with this bag’s overall feature set
TESTING IT OUT
As a self-proclaimed backpack aficionado, there is one thing I always test first when assessing a new backpack. To be fair, 95% of bags I’ve ever tested have failed this test, perhaps because it’s a test that simply doesn’t matter to most people. What is this crazy test I speak of? It’s really quite simple…does the bag stand up on its own?
Get up? Stand up?
Being a freelancer means working in a variety of environments: cubicles, open-plan offices, coffee shops, clients’ homes, airplanes, etc. The one commonality between all of those environments is that you always have to set your backpack down somewhere, but without something nearby to lean it on, you’re likely laying your bag down on a floor with questionable cleanliness. A freestanding backpack saves you the mental anguish of wondering what kind of nasty treasures are left hanging on your bag and clothes.
So while this bag did fail the stand up test, my guess is that very few people will care about that.
Pockets aplenty
With a total of 7 zippered compartments, 5 internal sleeves, 2 exterior side pockets and a key leash, this bag really is a storage junkies dream. What I appreciate most about this bag is the exterior accessibility of the many small pockets. Stashing your mouse, laptop charger, wallet or keys is quick and leaves them easily within reach.
Internally, the storage is ample and provides a respectable amount of flexibility for storage the usual accoutrements that come with business life. There is certainly plenty of sleeve space to accommodate folios, binders and paperwork.
2000 Mile Travel Test
Thanks to a recent trip, I seized on the opportunity to test this bag on an endurance adventure through an airport, a flight and a subsequent 2-day, 1000 mile roadtrip as the solo driver in a moving truck. In short, the APEX EXPLORE was a welcome companion on a grueling travel experience.
Airport & flights
I found the 3 outer pockets to be most useful feature thanks to their easy accessibility. Those outer pockets held all of the items I was constantly accessing: earbuds, wallet, iPhone cable, portable charger and small snacks. During the flight, I found the overall usability of the backpack to be better when the large pockets had a sweatshirt or somewhat bulky item filling them. Without the extra girth, the zippers on the upper side of this bag are floppier and harder to unzip. The bag likes to eat, who can blame it??
On the road
Upon sitting in the moving truck, the backpack quickly became my co-pilot in the passenger’s seat. Because it was rather cold in the truck and I had to be wearing my sweatshirt, my co-pilot’s slouched posture left something to be desired. No biggie since the stuff I would be accessing was still in those outer pockets.
Speaking of the outer pockets, the tall lower pockets proved to be the easiest to access with one hand while the other hand was on the steering wheel. The upper, outer pocket proved difficult to operate with one hand if the larger pockets were completely zipped up (a problem easily remedied).
Arriving home in the dark to a locked front door, I remembered that my keys were neatly hung on the key hook in my backpack where I had hung them 5 days earlier…booyah!
STANDOUT FEATURES
The APEX EXPLORE is thoughtfully designed and has a solid set of useful features
Minimal & attractive without being a cookie-cutter business backpack
Plentiful storage, with varying sizes & shapes of compartments
Velcro zipper flap adds a layer of theft-prevention
Trio of outer pockets are very practical
COTS Overall duuude Factor: APEX is the Perfect Go To for the Nomad in You!
Price: $69.99 on COTS
BRAND INFO
COTS is a brand that mainly focuses on the commute demands of urban nomads, currently specializing in backpacks.
In style, COTS is inspired by city life, designed with geometric lines, simple cuts, and balanced silhouettes to keep the backpack stay clean & simple as delicate as architecture. In function, COTS backpacks remain fundamental mobility and protection to meet the daily need, also make of high-quality outdoors capable fabric to build for your anytime adventure.
“Simplicity can deliver better utility”
We are always overwhelmed by too many styles and functions around the market, which leads to increased anxiety and an overall sense of dissatisfaction. With the difficulty of making a wise choice, we may end up buying things that are not actually what we want originally and ignoring what we really need.
In fact, we don’t need dazzling patterns or a myriad of functionality, but the timeless minimal style and practical function that suit our needs. And with the belief of “simplicity delivers better utility”, COTS is created.
For anywhere
With enough capacity and interior organization compartment, whether you are commuting to office or taking a relaxing short trip to the seaside, all occasion are available with COTS backpacks. One utility backpack is all you need. Reducing waste and embracing an environment-friendly lifestyle is advocated.
For everyday
To do more with less, COTS backpack designed with classical minimal style and patented Filmpor™ fabric, staying away from dirt and water, which is easy to pair with your daily apparel and go out in any weather without any concern.
