About two months ago, I sent an inquiry to my fellow GOLF staffers: Which item are you hoping to add to your gear repertoire this summer? Responses were varied, and ranged from a backyard chipping game to a GPS/speaker combo. I couldn’t resist chiming in myself with an item I’ve had my eye on for a while: a new travel backpack.
With a long international trip on the horizon, I knew my trusty tote just wasn’t going to cut it. During last year’s excursion, with the bag packed to the gills, I thought the straps were going to etch a permanent groove into my shoulder. It was so uncomfortable! I knew it was time for a change. A backpack seemed like the most efficient solution, so I decided to try the Jones A2. And after making its debut with an 18-hour travel day, I’m thrilled to say the A2 is definitely a keeper.
What I love about the Jones A2
Laptop sleeve
My long-haul journey necessitated bringing my laptop, and the A2’s included laptop sleeve is a dream. My 13-inch computer slipped in and out easily, but the sleeve is positioned in the middle of the backpack, so it feels very well protected.
Pockets galore
The A2 is truly an organized traveler’s dream, with five zipper pockets, three exterior sleeves and three interior sleeves. There is also plenty of room for storage in the two largest sections of the bag, leaving room for additional books, electronics or apparel. I actually used one whole large pocket for a pair of wedge heels and another interior compartment for sandals that I couldn’t fit in my luggage. The flap pocket came in handy too, as our designated snack storage space.
Two water-bottle sleeves
One thing I’ve noticed about my kids’ backpacks: the water-bottle sleeve can be woefully inadequate. Often, it’s mesh-lined and short, without nearly enough support for the Yetis, Stanleys and other insulated bottles we love to carry around wherever we go. If you’ve ever had an insulated bottle drop on a part of your body from few feet high because it wasn’t properly secured in a bag, you understand the seriousness of water-bottle security. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Jones A2 includes two sizable recycled ripstop fabric sleeves on each side of the bag, both of which could easily accommodate the 18-ounce Yeti Rambler we brought on our trip.
An appealing, unisex look
One of my reservations about upgrading from a tote to a backpack was honestly the style factor. Totes are fashionable and fun, while backpacks don’t always immediately give off that vibe. And I wanted my airport look to trend more toward cool mom than pack mule. But I was excited to find that the Jones both looked and felt super cool. I chose the Le Creme/Olive combo, which is a really nice neutral option. But there are more than a dozen other colorways to choose from that I think are appealing for both men and women.
