Posted on by tanster

Caraa Stratus Backpack review

I’ve been obsessed lately with researching laptop backpacks that can also carry 2-3 days worth of clothes.

I currently have the Aer City Pack Pro saved as a tab in my browser.

It seems to fit almost all my criteria:

  • Clean and minimalist style
  • Small enough to carry on a plane
  • Has a place for my laptop and a few accessories
  • Has a secret pocket
  • Subtle branding
  • A way to control dangly straps (like built-in strap keepers)

But there’s one reason why I haven’t purchased the Aer: it’s too heavy. (Over 2 pounds.)

Besides, I already have a backpack that checks all the boxes: the Caraa Stratus Backpack ($188). Here’s why.

The Caraa Stratus Backpack

The Caraa Stratus Backpack is extremely light: it weighs only one pound. It has a 16L capacity.

It carries my 13″ Apple MacBook Pro, various chargers and cords, a basic set of toiletries, and 2 days worth of clothes. It’s lightweight, stylish, and has just enough pockets for my needs.

It’s great as an EDC (every day carry) as well as an overnight bag.

It’s got an orange lining to make it easy to see and find things.

I’ve had mine since May 2019 and it’s held up remarkably well. It’s sustained no marks, scratches, or any other kind of damage. Its material (listed as “water resistant nylon” on the Caraa website) seems to repel cat hair.

To keep its weight down, there isn’t any hefty padding or shoulder straps. But I have comfortably carried this backpack while walking one mile on flat city streets with absolutely no problems.

It’s really the perfect backpack for my needs.

Here are some photos that show more detail.

The front of the backpack. It shows two small side pockets. They’re not large enough to hold any kind of substantial water bottle.

The back of the backpack, showing a secret zippered pocket and luggage passthrough.

A close-up of the secret pocket with orange liner and “private” label.

Front zippered pocket with two slip pockets on the back.

Inside backpack, showing back laptop compartment, large enough to hold a MacBook 13″.

Three mesh zippered pockets on the inside front of the backpack. Attached to the top left pocket is a key fob. The bottom pocket is big enough to hold a MacBook charger and extension cord. And believe it or not, I use the top two zippered pockets for my toiletries! (Yes, I’m a minimalist packer.)

An open mesh pocket on the inside right side of the backpack, labeled “water.” It’s quite short and shallow, large enough for perhaps a small water bottle. I use it to carry my iPhone charger.

There’s an identical open mesh pocket on the inside left side of the backpack, labeled “umbrella.” It’s the exact same size as the one on the right side.

The backpack comes with a zippered “shoe and wet pouch.” I use it for dirty clothes.

About 80% packed.

The backpack stands on its own when packed!

Insider also has an excellent review from 2020 of the Caraa Stratus Backpack: This $195 backpack from an up-and-coming sport bag startup is the only one anyone needs — here’s why

If you have questions about the backpack, please post a comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

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