The Laptop Backpack Awards announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

Here is another review we just finished and the official press release. Please tell a friend!


Best Laptop Backpack Review announced by OurdoorGearLab.com for Editor’s Choice, Best Buy and Top Picks.


October 17th, 2011


CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the Laptop Backpack category, listing this year’s best and best value for laptop backpacks. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive bike commuting, international travel, and just using the packs in everyday use. Each underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate these key performance metrics: comfort, storage, versatility, laptop protection, professional look, water resistance, durability. View the complete Laptop Backpack Review


The winners are:


Timbuk2 Swig – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 . According to Gear Editor Max Neale, "The Timbuk2 Swig is a highly versatile and simple messenger-inspired laptop backpack with logical storage and a design that fits both men and women. The bag has a 21 Liter main compartment with a well padded “laptop hammock.” An open front compartment and zippered pocket provide easy access to everyday essentials while a U-lock pocket keeps your bike lock readily accessible."



Cilo Gear Pack - winner of the Top Pick award for 2011. This award is given to a product that excels at a specific application. According to Max Neale, "The Cilo Gear City Pack is a large (30 Liter), fully featured, and highly versatile laptop backpack capable of everything from grueling commutes and long bicycle rides to trips to the grocery store and day hikes. The pack has a large central compartment that engulfs objects of all shapes and sizes. Three strategic zippered pockets provide ideal storage for small items and a side access laptop compartment allows you to whip out a computer super fast."

The Best Sleeping Pad Awards announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the sleeping pad category, listing this year’s best and best value for sleeping pads. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in the High Sierra, Southeast Utah and The Cascades. Whether these pads came out of a pack or out of a car, we exposed them to everything from the jagged High Sierra to soft sand beaches, and every campground in between. As reviewers who enjoy a variety of overnight activities in a host of inclement conditions, we were searching for the lightest, smallest, warmest, and most comfortable full length sleeping pad on the market. Each sleeping pad underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as warmth, comfort, durability, weight and pack size. View the complete
Sleeping Pad Reviews

The winners are:
Therm-A-Rest Pro-Lite Plus – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 for sleeping pad. According to Gear Editor Max Neale, "Like Philippe Petit, the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus turns a difficult balancing act into an artful performance. Scoring high in all categories: size, comfort, weight, warmth, and durability, this sleeping pad will keep you comfortable anywhere, anytime. Guaranteed.

Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite winner of the Best Buy award for 2011. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the go-to sleeping pad for anyone with a high priority on price, durability, and weight. It works in just about any camping situation, whether on a big wall, in Yosemite, or backpacking. There is no setup time or need to worry about packing it up. This is also the most compact closed-cell foam pad. "

Therm-A-Rest Pro-Lite winner of the Top Pick award for Best Sleeping Pad. This award is given to a product that excels at a specific application. According to Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest ProLite is the finest minimalist sleeping pad on the market. It weighs a scant one pound, packs down to a size no one can complain about, and employs a durable time-tested design."