Herschel Retreat Backpack Review
A Black, 23 liter Herschel Retreat Backpack made from recycled 600D polyester, with a padded, fleece-lined sleeve for a 15 or 16 inch laptop.
| Brand | Herschel |
|---|---|
| Model | 11397-00001-OS |
| Part number | 11397-00001 |
| Color | Black |
| Capacity | 23L (Standard) |
| Dimensions | 18.11 x 11.02 x 5.91 inches |
| Best for | Buyers wanting a 23 liter everyday backpack with a padded laptop sleeve and multiple organizing pockets |
Product Overview
Herschel builds the Retreat from a new 600D fabric made from recycled polyester, sized at 18.11 by 11.02 by 5.91 inches for a 23 liter capacity. The bag is organized into 4 distinct storage areas: the main compartment, a front storage sleeve, an outside back pocket with side-entry zipper access, and dual water bottle pockets.
A padded and fleece-lined floating laptop sleeve fits a 15 or 16 inch laptop, with sleeve dimensions of 12.5 inches tall by 11 inches wide, keeping electronics separated and cushioned from the rest of the bag's contents.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
A durable new fabric built from recycled polyester.
Floating sleeve fits a 15 or 16 inch laptop.
Main compartment, front sleeve, back pocket and dual water bottle pockets.
Closes the main compartment quickly without a full zipper.
Carries comfortably for daily or travel use.
Design and Build Quality
The bag weighs 1.62 pounds in Black, with Herschel's feature text listing dimensions of 18.11 inches tall, 11.02 inches wide and 5.91 inches deep, closely matching the separate item dimensions field. Part number is 11397-00001, model 11397-00001-OS, and the size is listed as Standard, 23L.
The main compartment uses an easy U-pull drawcord closure, paired with a magnetic snap buckle on the front rather than a traditional zippered top. Adjustable EVA-padded shoulder straps are built in for carrying comfort.
Performance in Everyday Use
The side-entry zipper on the outside back pocket is meant to give quick access to smaller items without opening the main compartment, while the dual water bottle pockets keep drinks separate from other gear. The floating laptop sleeve is padded and fleece-lined specifically to cushion a 15 or 16 inch laptop during daily carry.
Herschel's U-pull drawcord and magnetic snap buckle combination is the brand's stated approach to closing the main compartment quickly without a full zipper track. These are Herschel's own published fabric, dimension, pocket layout and weight figures rather than independent durability or water resistance testing of this specific bag.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric material | 600D recycled polyester | Listing states new 600D fabric made from recycled polyester | 8.3 | A named fabric type and sourcing show the durability and sustainability basis of the bag |
| Laptop sleeve | 15/16 inch, padded, fleece-lined | Listing states the padded and fleece lined floating sleeve fits a 15 inch or 16 inch laptop, with sleeve dimensions of 12.5 x 11 inches | 8.4 | A confirmed sleeve fit and padding show how well the bag protects a laptop during carry |
| Storage layout | Main compartment, front sleeve, back pocket, water bottle pockets | Listing states organized storage includes a main compartment, front storage sleeve, outside back pocket with side entry zipper and dual water bottle pockets | 8.2 | A confirmed pocket layout shows how well the bag organizes different types of gear |
| Closure design | U-pull drawcord, magnetic snap buckle | Listing states an easy U-pull drawcord closure on the main compartment with a magnetic snap buckle on the front | 7.6 | A named closure design shows how the main compartment opens and closes compared with a standard zipper |
| Carry comfort | Adjustable EVA-padded shoulder straps | Listing states carry comfortably with adjustable EVA-padded shoulder straps | 8.1 | Named strap padding and adjustability show how comfortable the bag is to wear over time |
| Dimensions and weight | 18.11 x 11.02 x 5.91 in, 1.62 lb | Listing states dimensions of 18.11 x 11.02 x 5.91 inches and the item dimensions field states a weight of 1.62 pounds | 8.0 | Confirmed dimensions and weight show the bag's real size and how light it is before packing |
Who Should Buy It
- Buyers wanting a 23L everyday or travel backpack
- Laptop owners needing a padded 15/16 inch sleeve
- Anyone wanting dedicated water bottle pockets
- Buyers prioritizing recycled fabric materials
- Commuters wanting quick-access back pocket storage
- Anyone needing a larger-than-23L capacity for extended multi-day travel
- Main compartment closes with a U-pull drawcord and magnetic snap rather than a full zipper
- Only available in Black and the Standard 23L size on this listing
- Dual water bottle pockets take up some of the bag's external profile
- No stated weatherproofing or water resistance rating appears in the listing
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | Herschel | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric material | 600D recycled polyester | Standard virgin polyester fabric | Comparable recycled fabric construction |
| Laptop protection | Padded, fleece-lined floating sleeve | Basic unpadded laptop slot | Comparable padded laptop sleeve |
| Storage layout | 4 distinct pockets and compartments | Single main compartment only | Comparable multi-pocket organization |
| Main closure | U-pull drawcord with magnetic snap | Standard zippered top closure | Similar drawcord and snap closure |
| Strap comfort | Adjustable EVA-padded shoulder straps | Basic, unpadded straps | Comparable EVA-padded straps |
Alternatives Worth a Look
The Herschel Retreat Backpack combines a recycled 600D fabric build with a 23 liter capacity, a padded fleece-lined 15/16 inch laptop sleeve, 4 distinct storage areas and adjustable EVA-padded straps. It suits buyers wanting an organized daily or short-trip backpack, with the one usability tradeoff being a drawcord and snap closure instead of a full zippered top.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this backpack made from?
New 600D fabric made from recycled polyester, per the listing.
What laptop size does the sleeve fit?
A 15 or 16 inch laptop, per the listing.
How many pockets does this backpack have?
4 distinct storage areas: a main compartment, front sleeve, back pocket and dual water bottle pockets.
How does the main compartment close?
With a U-pull drawcord and a magnetic snap buckle on the front, per the listing.
How much does the backpack weigh?
1.62 pounds, per the listing.
What capacity is this backpack?
23 liters, in the Standard size, per the listing.
This review is based on Herschel's stated fabric material, dimensions, pocket layout, laptop sleeve fit, closure design and weight for this backpack as listed. It is editorial analysis of the features as described, not independent durability, water resistance or load testing of this specific bag.