Kipling Challenger II 

"So cute"

"I just got this backpack and I am returning it. When you see the photo you think it is big , but No. It is small. They should classify as a small backpack . I have to read again the details maybe I am wrong but I remember that I looked at the photo and you really think that is big. I have one that I bought many years ago and the quality is 100 better . You can see the difference so diappointed. I am returning it !!!"

"It's a good bag; light, great color, big enough space for everything I need to carry."

"I purchased this bag to be used when we took our children to Disney. Perfect size back pack yo hold everything we needed for a day in the park ( sunblock, rain ponchos, water, snacks , camera etc) it was very comfortable and light weight . I have since used it for many family trips."

"I travel by public transport and often have to carry extras such as umbrella, scarf, newspaper, etc which this accommodates easily. And I alway s have a book with me. Great number of pockets for easy access to travel card, keys etc."

"Excellent."

"Being an avid fan of Kipling all these years, the latest revision to the Challenger II is a huge letdown. To begin with, they have taken away all the features that makes Kipling so awesome: now ALL the zips are one-way, when before, the 2 bigger compartments spotted 2-way zippers; the 2 side velcro'ed pockets have also been removed, as was the extra zippered pocket in the second compartment. I had really liked the side pockets for keeping small items like transport passes, lipbalms, hand sanitisers, packet of tissues and even my bunch of keys etc. I haven't any luck with putting my waterbottle in the side pocket without it jutting out too much, but I've been able to put a small foldable umbrella there. Now those two pockets are gone. I was also partial to the additional zippered pocket in the middle compartment(one of the upgrades from the original Challenger)--I used it to keep more important receipts or even extra cash when I travel. This too, was removed in the latest Challenger II. What remained was the hidden ipod pocket at the top back of the bag, another nifty feature I love, so although I was glad to see that it's still there, it wasn't enough to make up for my overall disappointment with this bag. Perhaps the only improvement is that Kipling has changed the material of the shoulder straps from matching canvas to the same material as the body of the bag, so this is a good thing as the crinkle nylon repels water better. However, this really should be the most logical move, as I imagined it would be easier to just use the same material than to hunt out matching canvas for the shoulder straps, so again, I really don't see it to be such a major upgrade that warrants the removal of the other features. This entire revision smacks of cost-cutting measures, which brings up another beef: the workmanship of Kipling bags isn't as fine as they used to be. Just take a look at the too-long zip in the second compartment--they made the bags look like factory rejects."

"Medium size is great to carry a lot of stuff without looking like I'm going hiking. The secret pocket above the straps, under the handle, is cool. Big enough for ipod or keys. Side pockets ok for small drinks or keys; velcro too sticky for things that need frequent access to and Kipling velcro wears out sooner than the bag. Outermost pocket is deep enough to securely toss in cell phones or keys for easy access without easily falling out. The middle compartment has a couple of lame organization pockets. I wish they'd kept the two bigger internal pockets of the regular Challenger (not the II that this is). The pen slots and very flat zipper pocket is pretty useless. The main compartment has a small zipper pocket (only a small wallet will fit). Most of all I WISH there was a flat pocket in the main compartment, perhaps half the height and the full width, without any velcro, zip, or other closure, just to hold things like papers or maps or magazines. It's deep enough front-to-back that things just slump down into a big mess. The typical Kipling zippers are great but the main compartment does not have the bulky grey zipper. Instead, it is a skinny zip that sometimes snags on the overhanging lip. Kipling nylon is durable but surely it will eventually give into the zipper catching. Also, the black color bag is a pain in the summer when any sunblock or antiperspirant rubs off onto it when you're wearing sleeveless tops. The padded straps could be longer so the buckled strap doesn't rub against bare arms. Good thing sleeveless days are limited in this area. Would I buy it again? Maybe, maybe not. Mostly I like Kipling's crinkly nylon and the secret pocket (though hardly use it, actually). The design of the backpack isn't anything special."

"Excellent buy!!!!!!!"

"Nice size, carries plenty without looking like I'm going hiking or to school. It seems a little small for carrying schoolbooks, but is much larger than the "mini" backpacks that makes anyone's butt look big. I like the secret pocket at the back, under the handle. It's large enough for, say, a pack of cards. My main gripe with this backpack is that the zipper to the main compartment is not the grey, bulky, easy and smooth zipper all over most Kipling bags, but a skinny nylon one that isn't so smooth and catches sometimes. I also wish the compartments in the middle section were like that of the Challenger (not Challenger II that this is); instead of a small flat zippered pocket and pencil slots, I would prefer the two side-by-side wider pockets that could hold ipod/phones/cards, etc. And I wish there was another pocket in the large compartment, just a flat one without a closure, for maps or books or such, so that flat things don't sink to the bottom and scrunch up with everything else. The padded part of the strap could be longer. If you wear it with the straps look so you can easily swing the backpack around on one shoulder to access stuff inside, the buckle and scratchier strap start under the armpit so they are a bit abrasive against the upper arms if you aren't wearing long sleeves. There are two small pockets on the outside but they are too flat to be of any use, and Kipling velcro wears out easily anyway."