YETI’s name is synonymous with rugged gear. From their coolers and jugs to their tumblers and chairs, a durable and hardwearing build has always been their defining characteristic. Even their bags take on the same rough and rugged designs. While that’s usually the case, it’s strangely a different situation with the YETI Crossroads Backpack 23.
Why ditch the usual rugged build? Turns out, YETI is looking to branch out of their outdoors-focused status and this bag is one of the products aimed at that. Instead of being built for hikers, campers, and other outdoorsmen, it’s designed for everyday use around town – the kind of bag you’re taking to school, work, or a day of gallivanting around the city.
That’s right, the YETI Crossroads Backpack 23 ditches the over-engineered elements we’re used to from the outfit. In its place, we get a good-looking backpack that’s tailored for life in urban environments. It won’t fend off the sharpest rocks, float in water, or keep 20 cans of your favorite refreshment ice cold like many of their backpacks, so it won’t have all sorts of unnecessary reinforcements that, let’s be honest, are just downright overkill for your everyday existence. While we know most folks don’t mind the over-engineered features, all those extras do add unnecessary bloat to price tags that make some of their offerings less suited to those just shopping for an everyday bag.
As a result, the outfit has been quite selective about the kind of features included in the backpack, drilling it down to mostly essentials, with just enough protective elements to keep your gear protected against the hazards of the city. For instance, it’s made from a 1000D nylon material with a 420D nylon ripstop lining, ensuring the main shell can shrug off most anything it encounters in the city without going overboard like many bags built for the outdoors.
The YETI Crossroads Backpack 23 has a 23-liter main compartment that can be accessed using dual zippers, as well as separate laptop and tablet pockets behind it that are reinforced with shock-absorbing foam to keep them duly protected from the knocks of everyday life. The laptop pocket should accommodate computers 15.5 inches and smaller, while the tablet pocket should hold even the gigantic “pro” tablets from Apple and Samsung. A stash pocket on top gives you easy access to small items, while two exterior side pockets with magnet closures come sized to hold the outfit’s Rambler bottles.
The bag comes with a structured frame that keeps the whole thing upright when placed on any surface, making it easier to load and unload your gear, whether you set it down on a park bench, a work desk, or a picnic blanket laid out in the park. Both shoulders straps come with dual-density foam to keep things comfortable while you commute around the city, while an articulated back panel that adjusts to comfortably fit your shape. It measures 18 x 12.5 x 7 inches (height x width x depth).
The YETI Crossroads Backpack 23 is available now, priced at $199.99.