On the topic of North Face backpacks. I have the Router backpack from them and it’s a really good fit without the GPU and with the GPU.
There is more than enough space for it and the padding is very good.
I had this backpack for a few months now and also had it with me on a few larger trips where the backpack was completely filled. The laptop was completely unharmed.
The backpack itself is also huge can be compacted with the built-in straps for a normal everyday-carry backpack.
I easily packed everything for a 7 day trip into the backpack without issue. Build quality in itself is also worth the price.
I took the same backpack as you. My Framework 16 with dGPU fits perfectly, I really like it. I was looking for a normal backpack for a long time. Thank you for your recommendation.
I got my Framework 16 in April this year, and only last week picked a bag for it. Thank you all for sharing. It really helped me choose one that fits my laptop and me (not literally ).
So I guess now it’s my turn to share:
*) The laptop sleeve in the back compartment fits my Framework 16 with dGPU, however I use the sleeve for a large notebook (an actual one, made from paper) and put the Framework 16 in the ‘open’ part of the back compartment.
A bag that costs almost as much as the laptop itself? I mean to each their own. I think quality is worth it, but I just don’t know if I would do this myself.
I’ve bought a Stubble & Co Roll-Top 20l as I’m now riding a bike to work so I needed something extremely water resistant. The FW16 without dGPU fits perfectly in the laptop compartment.
I can tell you now that the straps do wear quick. They’re not as padded or supportive as they have flattened out, more only the right side since I notice that I tend to lift my bag and put it on my right side first (more weight there temporarily) before putting on the left.
I am trying to even it out by putting it on by the left side first now. The strap is still nicely padded elsewhere, which isn’t very helpful, lol. I honestly am not sure if ANY padded straps will remain nice thick and supportive over time. It doesn’t affect comfort that I notice yet.
Recently got around to buying a proper backpack for my FW16 with the graphics module, ended up getting the Everki Glide. Fits very well and is a very nice compact backpack. It doesn’t fit with the CushCase I got for it, but the backpack is protection enough. I mostly wanted a compact backpack to be able to stow it away under airplane seats, I already have a much bigger backpack for other situations but it’s too big to carry on a plane. I also got a rain cover for it since I live in a rainy area.
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They’re not as padded or supportive as they have flattened out, more only the right side since I notice that I tend to lift my bag and put it on my right side first (more weight there temporarily) before putting on the left.