Herschel Retreat Backpack, Dark Olive Palm, Classic 19.5L

I was under the impression that this product was new, but it arrived with no tags and - strangely enough - with a used cold sore ointment in the inside pocket. The bag itself was in fine condition, but I found the description to be misleading on this point.

Bottom Line: This backpack is exactly what it claims to be.1. I can’t fit a lot of stuff inside. I know there were some reviews about the lack of space but I honestly don’t understand how. I added a picture of some stuff I wanted to fit in on my first try and there was plenty of room after that. I can carry my laptop and daily stuff and a jacket and my coffee mug and my water bottle/jug and still have room. So much room.2. It is not hard to locate your stuff. Seriously I’m not especially organized and I can reach in there and find whatever I’m looking for quickly. If you need your wallet often put it on top or spend literally 15 seconds looking for it.3. The front pocket is not useless. I put some cheap sunglasses and my car keys in there. Haven’t lost any of that. For my important small stuff I have a little pouch I got with my laptop sleeve I stick in there.4. I added a picture of the new/not fully loaded backpack on my back. I’m 5’ 2 and a little chubby but it fits fine. It’s taller rather then fatter so it feels and looks a little different on the back.5. Not quite rain resistant. I’ve walked through some rain and it has gotten wet but not soaked. Stuff ok on the inside though. I wouldn’t walk through a rain shower with it.6. Drawstring with flap is nice and a little bit more difficult for pickpockets. Good quality.7. If your package doesn’t quite look like mine you’ve likely gotten an imitator or knock-off. I’m pretty sure I didn’t have that issue based on the tags and bag and emblem all being present and looking correct. Buy from amazon directly if you can.

The bag that I received did not look like the one in the pictures!!!! Totally different emblem of Herschel on the front and the straps are plastic buckles not what it shows on the pictures. I'm so disappointed because I totally expected something else. Yeah it's the same color but the style doesn't look authentic I don't get it! Does it look like it? I dont think so look at my split screen pix of it. I'm so pissed! Watch out from purschasing this! This has never happened to me before!!!

Everyone and their sister has this backpack on my campus, and I always thought that it was just an expensive trend with no basis. However I gave in when I realized how awful my $25 backpack with no back support or strap padding was when I was lugging around my things on campus. I wanted something sturdier and with an amazon giftcard to subsidize part of the cost, I went for it.I love this backpack so much, it literally is the most comfortable thing to carry and looks amazing.One caveat: Amazon definitely has the sizing wrong. If you compare the height of the Herschel Retreat backpack on other websites you see a difference from 16" to 18". I've even seen some websites list 21". It is definitely bigger than 16". The flap on top adds an extra 1"-2" so I guess that is where the deviation lies. Do not buy this backpack if you are looking for a small day pack to go shopping with, it is meant to be big enough to lug around your waterbottle, laptop, books, and a change of clothes.

I got this to use as my work bag but I found it overly large (I'm a fairly short woman) and it has one giant compartment, which I thought I'd like but turns out I don't like. ... I need multiple compartments to put stuff in. So ... this one is now in my closet as a backup bag or to loan out and my next bag may be from Lo and sons, because I've been thinking about getting their OMG bag forever and it may be time to go ahead and just do that. Anyway this is the last backpack I bought and after this I decided I'm not buying anymore backpacks. It's a lovely backpack; lining is pretty, bag is great, closes well, everything worked wonderfully; I just found it very large for me.

Herschel bags are very lightweight and super stylish. I got one for multiple uses including hiking, vacation, carrying my laptop around, etc. The size of this bag is larger than I had expected, but I guess it’s not bad, as it would fit a 17” laptop and then some. Upon putting on the bookbag, I noticed it was really light as compared to other ones like the North Face. It actually felt a little flimsy, but that may not be a bad thing for when you go hiking. It has a section separator inside which is helpful. The straps are somewhat comfortable, but really more geared towards being fashionable than for practicality/comfort. Overall, the Herschel bag is somewhat expensive for what it is, but if you don’t mind paying it, it’s a fairly good bag.

As a grad student, this thing kills it. I can carry my laptop, four text books, notebook, pencil case, wallet, water bottle and snacks. It doesn't have much stretch but thats good for me, otherwise I would keep shoving things in it. I use it running across a giant campus and on the MBTA. Even full it doesn't feel as heavy as it should. I get all the hype around them.

I wanted to like this backpack more but It loses big time points for compartments. It has only ONE little narrow outside pocket that is practically useless because it’s too tight to reach into when you have anything in the backpack. I don’t need a million pockets but I should have read the details more carefully because I would have reconsidered. It gets pluses for the large capacity and relative lightness considering the heavier fabric. I love the color and subtle polka dot design. That’s about it unfortunately. I guess I’ll use it to lug stuff around from point A to B (came in handy when grocery shopping, I could fit quite a lot in it). But totally impractical and inconvenient as a daily backpack for school and/or work:(

While it's a nice bag, spacious and has protected my laptop well, I'm disappointed in the quality of its construction. I have been using this bag for less than 7 months and already one of the straps has almost completely become detached. While I use this bag most days, I don't place heavy items in there or treat it recklessly and so I couldn't recommend anyone buys this bag, particularly when you consider its price.

Thought I would fork out a little and buy myself a Herschel, after my last cheapo bag had expired. Seen them around on many a back in town. Was a little bigger than I had imagined, more of a serious hiker's rucksack butrs available. great for my gym kit and some business stuff. But a great range of fabric textures and colours available.

This bag is amazing for travel or just for casual city use! Perfect size, perfect looks, perfect comfort!I bought it for a trip to Iceland and I must say it's much sturdier than I thought! It's been through pouring rain and mud and not even a stain in spite of its light color! Also, what's inside doesn't get wet from hard rain.Two little flaws though (which drops it a star):1. The closing system is off. The cord with which you close the bag is quite flimsy. Not only the chord itself, but the plastic bits as well. Mine broke off, luckily it was quite easy to repair. Magnet rubber straps are cool though, because they keep the top in place without being a hindrance every time you open the bag.2. There aren't enough pockets / compartments. Sure, there is a nice padded pouch for your laptop, as well as a teeny tiny pocket to the side where you can put 2 pens and a lipstick... And that's about it!!. The pocket right in front of the thing is quite small and useless as it's not secure at all. What ever you put in there you'll either drop o get stolen in the subway, so that's just where I keep my handkerchief. Wish they added more pockets so everything doesn't just fall into a gaping abyss of which you really have to reach and grasp blindly for your stuff.

This bag is a really lovely bit of luggage for a casual weekend away! It is easy to cram a washbag, a laptop and clothes in for a couple of nights away!. There is not a way to secure the bag with a lock so not something I can use on a daily basis as I carry my laptop everywhere but love it non the less!

The bag is as promised. Great quality & finish. The seller was prompt and delivery pretty quick!