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I’ve always been partial to backpacks, and I’m so excited to see that they’ve become trendy in the the past couple of years. But it wasn’t until I laid eyes on Tumi’s Uma backpack that I truly saw a backpack that hit all of the criteria for me when it comes to a good work bag.
I never really thought of a Tumi backpack until I was at a work happy hour event and I complimented one a Senior Manager was wearing. She mentioned that as she was going through our firm’s Leadership Academy, the instructors made a point of first impressions. She laughed and noted it was in that moment she needed to ditch her 10 year-old Osprey hiking backpack as her work bag and upgrade herself to something more professional.
I instantly loved that her backpack had two side pockets and seemingly endless space for EVERYTHING. I knew I had to check it out for myself. After I received my bonus in 2019, I immediately went to the Tumi Store in City Center and bought the Uma.
I’ve been using this backpack for a full year now, and this is my comprehensive review of almost daily use.
At a Glance: Is the Uma Backpack for you?
- Key Specs: Nylon with gold details | Fits up to a 15” laptop | 16.5 in X 12.75in X 7.25in | 2.37lbs | Luggage strap | Two top leather handles
- Has lots of zippered pockets and spaces including two deep side pockets, a half zippered pocket in the front, and two zippered body sections (a main section and a laptop section).
- Fits so many items while maintaining a slim profile.
- One side pocket is a dedicated umbrella pocket and is lined with waterproofing material and a drain to allow wet umbrellas to try.
- Ideal for professionals, with chic black and gold styling.
- Great for client sites to – the straps fold into the sides to make the bag look more like a vertical tote bag.
- Excellent option for those are are ready to invest in a designer bag but maintain all the practically and functionality of a regular backpack.
Why Tumi?:
Tumi is a luxury luggage brand offering high-end and high quality luggage and travel/work bags. Prices typically start at $100, and the Uma is an investment with a retail price of $475.
Premium Materials – Tumi is most known for using premium materials to make iconic and stylish pieces and perform well when traveling and look good while doing it.
Security – Most Tumi products have a Tumi Tracer ID on the inside of the bag. If you register this ID on their website, it can help trace lost/stolen bags. I (thankfully) have never had to use this service, but it does give me peace of mind.
Warranty – While Tumi no longer has a lifetime warranty for their products, they do have a 5-year warranty. In that 5-year period, Tumi will either fix your bag if it rips/breaks for free or send you a brand new bag.
Tumi Uma Backpack Review
Tumi’s Uma Backpack is part of their Voyageur Collection. The Uma notoriously sells out online, so I decided to go to the Tumi store in City Center to purchase it in person. I was able to purchase the last one in the store before restock.
Pro Tip: Depending upon the Tumi Store, you can get your bag monogrammed right in the store! It only takes a few minutes, so be sure to ask.
What’s Included:
While this backpack appears straightforward, it has a bunch of features that make it super functional:
- Deep water bottle pocket (think Swell bottle compliant)
- Waterproof umbrella pocket with drain.
- Two large sections
- Main pocket everything.
- Padded laptop section for your computer and electronic accessories.
- Front zippered section.
- Attached keychain.
- Tons of pockets including my favorite “secret” pocket near the handles that’s perfect for my mobile phone.
- Padded sleeves that tuck inside to give it a satchel look.
Look & Feel
I love the look and feel of this bag. The nylon is sleek and smooth and the added sheen makes it look expensive (which it is).
This bag is stylish and chic and definitely makes a statement. Be sure to add your airpods for the full millennial corporate commuter ~lewk~. The gold zipper and logo details are very high quality. No tarnishing or breaking after a year of use. The same goes for the leather handles, they are buttery soft. Also the zippers slide smoothly and easily even if you’re in a hurry to zip them back up to catch your flight or a train!
The Uma still feels lightweight at 2.37lbs, and is comfortable to wear when loaded up with my laptop, lunch, and other necessities. The bag does not degrade when I add in two laptops, my DSLR, etc., but it does start to feel heavy on my back. I do wish it had some added steel structure to shift the weight, like the Bobby Backpack but the Uma’s bag weight is never unbearable.
Using Tumi’s Uma Backpack
The Uma is great at organizing everything I need and makes the process seamless. The large roomy main compartment fits everything like my lunch and wallet and I have no issues fitting them into the bag.
I like to keep all of my work items like pens/paper, headphones, and charger in the back laptop compartment area. They fit great and the backpack never feels or looks bulky.
I’ve only used the ‘satchel’ look once at a client and it was really easy to slide the straps into the body of the bag. When we walked out of the meeting and into the elevator, I slipped the straps out and wore the backpack in less than 2 seconds.
Traveling with the Uma backpack is a breeze and is my go-to travel bag. I’m able to fit all of my electronics, and a set of emergency clothes in case my checked bag gets delayed or lost. I usually run around the airport with the backpack slipped over the luggage handle. Some bags you have to work it onto the luggage handle, but not with Tumi’s Uma! It slides seamlessly onto the luggage handle and does. Not. Move. No swinging, turning, etc.
The only repeated issue I’ve had is that the zippers are too deep into the sides of the bag. If I have pens/items in the top of flap and the bag is slightly unzipped, the entire flap will fall forward and anything in those pockets falls out of the bag. I wish they weren’t so deep in the sides so that I can just unzip, pull out a few items and set it down open without the panic of items falling out.
Performance
Performance-wise, the Uma has held up beautifully in the past year. During that year I’ve used it to commute to work, travel across the country, and as a day bag. I’ve taken it on planes, trains and cars. There are no visible stains or wear on the bag. It still looks amazing and holds it’s shape.
Tumi’s Uma backpack is an incredibly stylish and practical backpack for work. This bag is also excellent if you live in a big city and/or use public transportation to commute to work.
I also get T-O-N-S of compliments on this bag. Not that I was fishing for any, but it helps to validate my life choices.
What I love
I love how the Uma is SO functional and holds everything I need for work while maintaining a slim profile. Some overloaded backpacks can give you that turtle with it’s shell look. I’m happy to announce that the Uma’s shape holds up under pressure. I also love the two side pockets. I can bring my water bottle to work without fearing if it’ll fall out. Also, the waterproof umbrella pocket is a nice added touch.
Traveling with the Uma is easy, and this is my current go-to backpack for day or multi-day trips that pairs perfectly with my Away XL Carry-On. The Uma’s luggage strap fits nicely over my carry on luggage handle and also slides easily under airplane seats.
One of my other favorite features is the small pocket near the handles. It doesn’t zip, but it’s unassuming and deep and is the perfect location for me to keep my keys and even my phone when I’m at my desk, or waiting (I don’t recommend storing those items in that pocket on public transportation).
What I Don’t Love
Tumi’s Uma backpack is near perfect, but there are a couple of things I don’t like. I don’t like that the main front section zips down so far. Yes, this is great for packing, but on more than one occasion I have placed the bag half zipped on a table or the ground and if there are items in the small pockets on the inside of the front flap, the weight of it will flop over and unzip the entire front flap and spill whatever is stored in that area. The same thing happens with the very front half-pocket.
For the pricepoint, I also would have liked to see some type of steel weight distribution system built into the bag. My previous work bag had such a system and it was life changing. You could be hauling 20lbs of stuff but it felt like 5lbs. If you have a bad back like me, you know how important this is. Tumi’s Uma backpack isn’t uncomfortable and the weight distribution is OK, but knowing that it could be better is a bit of a bummer.
Overall Thoughts
Is it something I am proud to bring to client sites? Yes.
Does it fit everything for an office day? Yes.
Is it easy to carry around? Mostly yes, but as noted above sometimes items can slip out of the interior pockets if the zippers are completely unzipped.
Does it wear well/easy to clean? Yes.
Is it comfortable? Yes.
Do I recommend it to my besties? YYYAAAASSSS. 🙌🙌
Tumi’s Uma backpack is a great option if you’re looking for a functional designer workbag. From running through airports, metros, and with my venti coffee in one hand and my Teams meeting on my phone in the other, this bag carries everything I need in a compact profile. It’s made of high quality materials that keep it looking great, and I feel confident bringing it to client sites and meetings with C-Suite personnel. I reccommend Tumi’s Uma as a great choice if you’re a city commuter and really if you’re just looking for a functional bag that keeps you looking like the professional bad ass you are!
Looking for something similar but less expensive? Check out Uma’s little sister, the Tumi Carson ($395), this Amazon find (under $20!), or Mark & Graham’s Terminal 1 Backpack (under $100). Note: I have not seen the Amazon or M&G bags in person and cannot attest to their quality. I am recommending them as less expensive options solely based on style.
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