Adidas Backpack - Foundation V

General Purpose Backpack Review: Adidas Foundation V

I needed a general-purpose backpack that could fit between my casual Jansport and my Dakine hiking bag. After considering my requirements, I settled on the Adidas Foundation V. Here’s my breakdown of the experience.

Requirements

I had five basic requirements for my new backpack:

Black color
Polyester material
Larger than 26 liters
Utility pouches for water bottles
Internal compartments for a laptop

Options Considered

I looked at several choices and was initially drawn to the Adidas Striker II, which was priced at $20. However, since I couldn't find it in black, I opted for the Adidas Foundation V, which costs $27.

Here are the options I considered:

Jansport Superbreak 501 - $17
Adidas Striker II - $20
Adidas Foundation V - $27

Size and Compartments

The Adidas Foundation V offers a spacious 33 liters, which is a significant increase from the 26 liters of my Jansport 501.

It features four compartments:

A laptop sleeve in the primary compartment
A mesh zip pouch in the secondary compartment with a key leash
A padded pouch for sunglasses
A fourth pouch for small utility items

This setup doubles the compartment space compared to the Jansport 501, making it a more versatile option.

Additionally, there are two utility pouches on each side for water bottles, fulfilling another requirement.

Comfort and Padding

The padding on the Foundation V’s straps is comparable to that of the Jansport. Both have a loop on the end of the straps for easy tightening, but the Adidas bag offers slightly more padding on the back, making it more comfortable for extended wear.

Issues with the Adidas Foundation V

Despite the overall positives, I encountered two issues with the Adidas bag:

Zipper Tracks: The zipper tracks are exposed, unlike the Jansport, which has a cover that helps with water resistance.
Noisy Zippers: The zippers rattle and can be quite noisy while moving, reminiscent of jingle bells. I plan to wrap them in something to muffle the sound.

Overall Impression

For $27, the Adidas Foundation V offers excellent value, especially given its size and compartmentalization. The $20 Striker II could be an even better deal, while the classic Jansport 501 is a reliable choice at $17, especially with newer models adding a utility pouch for water bottles.

Ultimately, I felt it was time to explore a different brand, and the Foundation V has proven to be a great option for my needs.

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