Nitecore are known primarily for as flashlights manufacturer. And like some of them and dont like some. But Nitecore also sell holsters and bags, and all of them that i`ve had a chance to test, were of amazing quality. So, let me show you new Nitecore BP23, the latest model in the Nitecore backpack line.
Specification:
Material wear-resistant 600D polyester
Capacity 23l
Black color
Dimensions and weight 47*29*15cm (L*W*H) and 1030g
You can buy Nitecore BP23 at
➤ AMAZON
Package and appearance
Well, this is backpack, so dont expect any good looking cardboard box, Nitecore BP23 came to me in a large zip package.
And here is the backpack itself. Sometimes i buy things that look high quality from the 1st site. The same is here. Unfortunately, the black color of this backpack interferes. If it were the same khaki, camouflage or brown, it would be better seen. But, alas, there is only black.
Material and tailoring
The backpack is made of durable, tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant 600d polyester. It would be possible to make it from a ripstop, but I do not see the Nitecore BP23 as a tourist or tactical backpack.
Rather, it is an urban backpack, with some tacticoolness due do the abundance of molle suspension. Nitecore is called the BP23 cummuting backpack. And even if I have no problems with English, I don’t even intuitively understand the meaning of this word in relation to a backpack. Does that mean just EDC urban backpack?
Nitecore also have tactical models, however. No doubts they are designated (and look) as tactical.
And in our case, the indestructibility of the ripstop is not so important, I think. After all, and as it is, 600d is actually a reliable and strong fabric.
The tailoring is of high quality, and here I would not expect anything else. Let me remind you, I have a case from Nitecore and there were a couple of bags. They were all made to perfection.
All zippers have a rubberized waterproof outer coating.
The straps are anatomical and very comfortable (in general, the last two words can be taken out as the motto of the review and a brief summary of general impressions). What is the difference between anatomical and regular straight straps? The cut of the anatomical straps allows them to sit as close to the body as possible and not slip off when walking. Due to the thickness of the edges, they will not dig into the body.
In addition to the anatomical cut and elasticity, the following should be noted.
There is a strap to tie the straps together. To my pleasant surprise, it not only adjusts the width, but also the height.
There is an elastic layer of some kind of foam-like material inside the straps. Inside, from the side of the body, the straps have a coating for ventilation. There is exactly the same coating on the part of the backpack adjacent to the back, this is an integral feature of good backpacks.
At the highest point of the movement of this ring there is a diagonal ersatz molle strap. You can fix something on it or hide the aforementioned ring under it.
However, one must understand that diagonal means that the attached thing will also be skewed.
It is possible that this is more of a decorative element.
But at the very bottom of each strap there is a strap already sewn on without any diagonal, to which you can also attach something.
In total, I note that:
Anatomical shoulder straps are soft and comfortable
On each strap there is a ring for hanging any needs. You can also attach something to the straps at the top and bottom of the strap.
Fastener for fastening the straps together. The latter is not that uncommon, but I have not seen that this mount is regulated not only in width, but also in height.
However, there is something that I did not like. It would be logical to make some kind of fastening for the remaining free end of each webbing. And if this (see photo below) plastic wick had a slot in the middle, this free end could be filled just there.
Now these ends had to be threaded through the adjusting knot. And it took me a total of 5-7 minutes.
Back
As I said above (yes, you can see for yourself), there is a perforated cover on the back for free air circulation. In summer, it will help keep your back from sweating. Also, as again said above, in the back there is a layer of elastic foam-like material 5 mm thick.
This layer is not present in the place where the back is sewn with a strap for attaching to the handle of a travel suitcase. So that the belt is flush with the overall surface of the backpack and will not dig into your back.
Bottom
At the bottom there is nothing but Molle systems. I do not presume to judge how justified its placement at the bottom. But let it be better to be unnecessary than to lack what is necessary. It will come in handy for someone, but for those who do not need it, it does not fit in any way. Me, for example.
handles
There are handles on all 4 sides, the backpack can be carried as you like, even upside down, if you need it. Handles, this is perhaps the only thing about which there is a question. Here it is the same molle sling that will dig into your palm if you carry a loaded backpack. It would be logical to make the handles softer. Well, at least make one good comfortable handle. Now they are the only example of frank budgetness.
You saw the handle at the bottom in the paragraph below. I suppose that the handle at the bottom will be more in demand when the backpack lies among a pile of everything different and is turned to you bottomside. And in such a situation, when you just need to pull it out, this handle will help a lot.
Sides
In addition to the handles, the same molle straps are sewn on the sides. By the way, if you’re interested, this holster is Nitecore NCP30. It only fits something like a regular EDC flashlight without a protruding head. For something larger flashlight you need NCP40.
And here it would definitely be possible to add mesh pockets often, found in backpacks outside for the same bottle or some other little thing. In my experience, this is actually convenient. However, this is not such an important part to greatly grieve about its absence.
However, they are, but Nitecore made them inside. This slows down access to bottles. Well, the bottles will also take up space that could be reserved for something else.
In fairness, the Nitecore BP23 is an urban backpack and the thermos bottles sticking out on the sides do not look very good when moving around the city. In all public places from the office to the university, they will not look very appropriate.
Front
At the bottom of front side there is the same molle system, under which there is Velcro for patches or some kind of body kit attached to Velcro
Well, for example
There are also two rubber eyelets on the sides. Who knows, whether to hang a backpack on them, or to attach something to them?
In the middle there is a pocket with a diagonal zipper. Unusual placement.
advantage: easy access from any side
disadvantage: in comparison with a traditional zipper, you can’t put a lot on top, something can fall out.
Ok, i`ve used this backpack for some weeks, used this front pocked to store cables and powerbanks, gloves and hat. No complaints. Even when i put a lot, nothing fell outside when i opened pocket.
At the top is just the same classic Velcro pocket. Velcro is also on the outside. As I understand it, Nitecore put different Velcro patches in the kits for backpacks. I got this one with a “dangerous” tiger. Of course, I won’t wear it. I wish it would a capybara or korgi…
The lid also has a pocket.
I was pleasantly surprised by its inner soft surface, it is made of some soft fleecy non-scratch material, Nitecore suggests carrying smartphones there. Well, well, why not - so i did it. Fits good.
Pockets, compartments, capacity.
The backpack has a capacity of 23 liters. Quite sufficient for urban movement volume. However, if you are a healthy heavyweight, then a 40l backpack would look proportionate to your size. All departments are made of orange fabric. Nitecore says that this should improve the visibility of the contents of the backpack in low light. Well, it does. The contents of the backpack well with the orange fabric contrasts at dusk.
Oooh … there are just a huge amount of all sorts of pockets and pockets.
Both compartments of the backpack have easy access from the sides.
This is not so important for 1st from back pocket, you put stuff there from up.
However, there after all there is also a free common place. All sorts of books, textbooks, some other things. But the second, smaller compartment has pockets for just such side access. Well, you will see all this next paragraph.
First and largest compartment
It accounts for the bulk of the volume.
Traditionally, there is a laptop compartment that fits a 15.6” full-sized laptop without any problems.
As I said, there is a pocket for bottles or a thermos. Maybe for a city backpack, such placement is actually justified? I’m just used to the fact that the pockets for them should be outside. Habit, as they say, is second nature.
In the following compartments, you can cram any paper trifles: notebooks, notepads and others like them.
Mesh pockets also come in handy for something. Cable, handle, compact external SSD
Inside the lid of the backpack there is also a mesh pocket with a zipper, the size is about A5. Some documents necessary for moving are sent there. An inexpensive tablet also fits, a headlamp is also sent to it.
As I said, there is an easy access to back pack content from the sides.
Second compartment
It is significantly smaller in volume and has pockets that facilitate access from the sides. Threw a backpack over his shoulder, opened the outermost pocket with a diagonal zipper and you have access to 2 pockets inside 2nd department.
The latter are not particularly dimensional, they can fit things like multi-tools. These two pairs of pockets are sewn feet-to-head with a common piece of fabric. So keep in mind if you stuff something in one pocket, then there will be less space in the pocket above or below it.
Rear compartment
Third compartment
The same compartment with a diagonal zipper. This diagonal provides access in general from any direction.
Just shortly before the publication, I took a backpack with me on a trip, and sent a power bank and a bunch of all sorts of wires into this pocket. You can also go to the compartment inside, but I decided to place it there. Quite convenient. Alternatively, you can put a hat-gloves or something that you need quick access to.
Overall impression
Nitecore BP32 is a comfortable, well-designed and comfortable (oh, did I say comfortable again, why would I?) urban backpack with a touch of “tacticoolness”
The latter consists in the addition of a molle system, which is reasonable in terms of quantity, and I don’t think that it will be really in demand, if only because it is an urban backpack. Here, the walkie-talkie, first aid kit and slings were more of an illustration of what can be attached to a backpack.
Otherwise… The backpack has excellent tailoring, material that has proven itself in terms of wear resistance.
The volume of 23 liters makes the BP23 unsuitable for tourism and more or less long outdoor recreation, here it would be logical to look at 40 liters model. The reverse is also true - large-volume backpacks will not be so convenient in the city, where the hero of the review will be much more preferable. And, if you don’t have the desire to carry a 40l backpack when walking around the town, then the BP23 will be a perfectly reasonable choice. You will fit in it everything you need in ordinary city life.
Nitecore BP23 boasts multiple pockets with convenient quick access, anatomical shoulder straps and an all-round adjustable drawstring between them.
However, there is something that it can not boast of.
First, it’s design. The solid black color simply does not allow the appearance to be fully revealed. The color hides both rubberized zippers and molle systems. However, if you look closely, the Nitecore BP32 looks, of course, not bad and faaar from cheap. But, if you do not look closely at the little things, then this is just another backpack.
Secondly, the price. Nitecore BP32 not only doesn’t look cheap, it’s worth it too. However, this is by no means an outrageous price. It is at the level of many other popular good backpacks. If desired, of course, you can find a much cheaper backpack. For the last couple of years I have been walking with a backpack for 1/3 of the price of the Nitecore BP23 and somehow did not die. Heh, however, by some miracle my DSLR camera did not die, when fell out of the backpack (zipper opened out of sudden). And this backpack constantly pulls out the T-shirt when walking. And fabric inside started to tear apart. But backpack looks cool from outside, people sometimes ask me where i bought it. I wouldnt buy it next time, no matter how cool it looks - it almost cost me expensive camera.
I`m just trying to say that you shouldnt judge book by its cover.
And so I’ll leave it as a background for photos, and I myself will finally be glad to change it, albeit not so fashionably camouflaged, but in fact a high-quality and comfortable backpack bt Nitecore. Taking into account the fact that a backpack is bought for many years in advance and you carry it on your back, store personal and often expensive things, it is logical to pay a little more and not exchange for cheap things.
I used Nitecore BP23 for New Year’s Eve trip to another city. It was convenient. I took a laptop with its hefty power supply, a laptop stand, a DSLR with 50mm lense, a charger for a DSLR and batteries, a 0.5l thermos, a 20000mah power bank, a bunch of wires, a knife, flash drives, a folder with documents, a tablet, 2 children’s smartphones. Everything fit. It was comfortable to wear and carry. So far for the past couple of weeks there is no reason to complain. As a city backpack - Nitecore BP34 is exactly what I need. The volume is not suitable for a serious longtime hike in nature, it’s not worth looking at a backpack less than 40 liters. But, again. This is really convenient size for me for a EDC use in city. I also admit that 23l is nothing for some guys here. Sometimes i met dudes, who carried literally all they belongins when moved in city and looked like camels. i dont know, may be they just feel cool to carry such a blister on their back?
I like that mesh in certain places but on pack backs and hip belts I hate it. Only feels cushy in hand and when new but with any weight it may as well be a solid fabric, plus it collects little bits of forest debris like crazy and sometimes that gets pokey or abrasive. It was very quickly and widely adopted by a lot of brands, though.
