⋆ Oakley Kitchen Sink Backpack: An Honest Review (2019)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Every great adventure starts with the planning process, and this includes the decision of whether to carry-on or not. With as much as $100 checked luggage fees, more and more travelers are choosing the carry-on option.

Oakley kitchen sink backpack boasts a handful of features meant to make your travel satisfying and enjoyable. The hands-free, innovative, and durable bag is versatile and has no real weaknesses. In our opinion, it is the perfect travel companion.

But why do we give this Oakley kitchen sink backpack, top marks?

Oakley Men's Kitchen Sink Backpack, Black/Red, One Size

Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Who can use this?

Of course, the name kitchen sink backpack is nothing short of odd. However, there is no association whatsoever with the kitchen. The name only indicates its functionality.

The versatility of this backpack is on another level, and that makes it appropriate for most activities and people. With features such as a 17-inch laptop compartment and spacious zippered compartments, the Oakley backpack is ideal for ardent travelers.

It is especially ideal if you are planning a business trip or even hiking. The large pockets can fit 16 oz water bottles and a lot of other stuff that you need while on the road. Each pocket has three external straps where you can roll up a blanket or a jacket for an overnight trip, something that campers and hikers will find useful.

It has an impressive amount of extra storage that anybody will find useful. You can use the various straps and rings to carry additional items that you need when traveling.

Features and Specifications

No doubt Oakley kitchen sink backpack comes at a premium price. The top features are what you are paying a premium price for, and we can say that it’s all worth it. We are going to highlight most of them in this Oakley kitchen sink review.

Durability and protection

All the materials in the backpack are durable and provide adequate protection to your items. The material is a blend of 65% polyester and 35% nylon for the best of both worlds. It is abrasion-resistant, lightweight and long-lasting.

There is a rigid compartment at the top of the bag that will safeguard your earphones and expensive sunglasses from damaging impact.

It has a particularly rugged design that gives you the confidence that it will take anything you throw at the backpack. The top and the bottom of the bag has a rip and tear-resistant fabric. You can feel it on your hands that you have the right pack.

The heavy-duty buckles are quite impressive, and almost feel like overkill, but no one is complaining.

Frequent travelers will spend significantly on various pieces of backpacks. That is because most of them cannot take the abuse associated with constant use, but that is not the case with this Oakley backpack.

Some of the features that make this backpack ready for abuse include heavy-duty metal clasps, a steel cable that holds it together, metal zipper pulls, and reinforced metal hooks.

The backpack is water-resistant and they can protect your precious items from water and moisture. Weather is mostly unpredictable, and you cannot risk having your items such as the laptop and other electronics spoil your day.

The top flap that you close with metal clasps makes it extremely hard for thieves to access your items, and of course, that is the main idea.

Aesthetics

Unless you don’t have any fashion taste or you love a casual look, this backpack is one of the most appealing on-the-market. The metal hooks, plastic cables, and the bottom-heavy design make it a real winner when it comes to design.

It is narrower on the top, but this has a specific impact on the overall comfort and look. The kitchen sink backpack does not look out of place, but rather, stylish, and one of the best acquisitions.

The metal accents and accessories are sure to turn the stares your way, and of course, this will up your confidence while on the road. Most of us don’t mind being the centre of attraction in a crowd.

Comfort

A good quality backpack should be comfortable to carry, and you can pretty much say the same for this Oakley kitchen sink bag. It comes packed with various comfort features such as padded shoulder straps and back.

The back panel comes with grooves and high-density foam to allow sufficient flow of air and provide shock absorption for comfortable carry. These extra features make it possible to carry the backpack even in hot and humid environments. The density foam prevents the bag from digging into your back and causing all kinds of problems such as back pain.

The external adjustments straps and waist belt are other features that make the backpack comfortable to carry. They enhance weight distribution to prevent discomfort and shoulder pain.

The straps are breathable and adjustable so that you can get the perfect fit and be comfortable when traveling.

The backpack may not be what you can call the lightest. The heavy-duty material and the extra features such as cables makes it a bit heavy. But it’s not so much at 4 pounds.

Organization

The backpack is also ideal for active people, with various compartments and separations. For example, there is an inner bag at the top part of the pack where you can put your gym clothes and sweaty shoes. The separate compartment eliminates the need to bring an extra bag for the stinky items.

But that is not the end of the story when it comes to organization. The backpack has much more to offer.

For example, it has a 17-inch laptop compartment for business travelers and students. A separate laptop sleeve comes with sufficient padding to protect your electronics from shock absorption.

The zippered compartments on the outside are quite spacious and functional. Mostly, you don’t have any good reason to leave anything behind.

Anyone would be lying if they said that they don’t love the shoe compartment at the bottom. It is spacious and functional, something that travelers and campers fall in love with. But you should note that the shoe compartment shares the same space with the main compartment, and you know what that means.

Of course, a full shoe compartment leaves minimal space for your other items in the main compartment. The two zippered pockets on the side may be too small for some items such as water bottles, but they have adjustable straps on the outside to hold anything.

We will find a molding pocket on the top flap, designed explicitly for your sunglasses. You can use the small pockets on the straps for your MP3 player or smartphone.

The primary purpose of the waist wrap is to provide added support and comfort. But it also comes with pockets for the candies, loose change, credit cards, and your car key, among other small items.

Extra features

The backpack has various features for those people that love camping and hiking expeditions. For example, it has plastic-coated cables for the zipper and frame pulls. Together with the large external clips, the features allow the attachment of a carabiner for tents, sleeping bags, and water bottles.

The rubber closed port is hard to miss for anyone and is quite functional if you want to listen to music. You can thread your headphone cables through this port and enjoy your favorite music on the go.

The kitchen sink backpack is machine washable, but you should take a lot of care. The various metal clasps and other attachments can damage the washing machine if you are not careful. Remove them before anything.

Drawbacks?

At first, most people will consider the high price tag as the main drawback, but nothing could be further from the truth. But why do we say that?

Well, the various premium features and durable construction are all worth the price tag. So the issue of the price is out. However, the backpack comes with aggressive aesthetics that may not augur well with them. Some people will prefer a more casual look in their bag.

Also, the backpack boasts a vast capacity, and this encourages most people to carry more than they can handle. This eventually causes a few problems here and there mostly associated with fatigue.

Verdict

You would not expect Oakley’s kitchen backpack to be without a few shortcomings. However, these shortcomings are a non-issue for most people – this Oakley kitchen sink backpack review, highlights as much.

For example, the aggressive aesthetics are not a put-off, if you consider the numerous features. Besides, it is a trendy backpack, and even the old folks will not mind keeping up. The functionality of the bag will make you a believer.

All in all, this backpack is the best companion for active people. The ability to tow a ton of gear and the numerous compartments and pockets make it a workhorse. The durable construction can take anything that you throw at it.

Conclusion

Can you compare Oakley kitchen sink backpack with its closest competition such as Timbuk2 Uptown Travel Backpack and SwissGear 1186 Laptop Backpack, you will not complain anymore about the price. SwissGear bag is a more budget-friendly option, but it cannot match the durability of Oakley’s backpack.

Ultimately, Oakley’s kitchen backpack is the best option for frequent travelers, hikers, campers, and gym enthusiasts among others.

The laptop pocket and the numerous compartments, as well as pockets, also make it an excellent choice for business travel.

If you need something to carry cans of beer and other cold beverages, it is a good idea to check out the yeti backpack cooler review.