To switch gears of ours reviews a bit, we're talking bags, tech bags that is.  We're talking about the new Drifter bag from STM.  If you don't know, STM is a bag company that is focused on crafting a more comfortable, secure and stylish means of transporting your digital gear.  We here at TechGuySmartBuy do some light traveling to various tech events - both local & further away.  I, for one, definitely need to have a great bag to carry various gadgets including phones, battery chargers, laptops, business cards, etc.

With so many others backpacks out on the market, what does STM Bags have to offer other than a long features list?  Is this really a backpack to cover the needs of all or many over those of the few?  We'll have an answer for all of those plus more below.  

Click Here To Buy

stm drifter stock
Price: $139.95

Features/Function

  • Large aluminum zippers. 
  • Main compartment can comfortably hold a 15inch laptop. 
  • Padded shoulder straps for comfort when carrying the bag all-day.  
  • Adjustable chest strap to help for when you're carrying heavy loads.  
  • Foam mesh panels to help w/ air flow on those warmer days out-and-about.  
  • Inner pocket is see-through + lined to hold important miscellaneous stuff.  
  • Water-resistant turtle shell cover that is hidden in a compartment towards the bottom of the bag.  You unzip it and the shell covers the entire bag minus where the straps and your back would be to better protecting against rain + other wet weather. 
  • Side pocket compression straps + for water bottles.  

TGSB STM Drifter review grade

Padded straps/rear design + pockets galore. 

 
The Drifter bag is chameleon of sorts.  It can be used to fit whatever lifestyle you're into.  It has enough compartments to hold your gadgets for the techie.  Big enough to put your gym clothes in for the regular gym goer.  Can carry books, laptops, & tablets for the creatives or students who commute to college.  The only real issue I had (not really one) is what to put in all of these compartments.  
 

This is an ideal bag for the heavily active college student, hiker, or creative.  

TG 2 Cents

STM is a brand you definitely want to get familiar with - on all levels.  Sure there are other bags on the market for you to choose from like Tumi, North Face, Timbuk2, & others; this is a perfect mesh of functional simplicity.  STM was quite successful in creating a great all-around backpack to carry damn-near everything I could need.  It's comfortable enough to carry everything you might need for the day(s).  If you should require more room or compartments, expect to shell out more $$$ or face other compromises.  This is, hands-down, my new favorite bag.  Period.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

If you're looking to graduate from the JanSport bags but retain some of its stylings, the Drifter bag is the way to go.  Mind you, this isn't the cheapest bag in the market w/ many places for you to put your things.   The price tag for the Drifter is $140 so the decision will come down to style preference + competitors pricing.  As always, demo before you buy - if you can in this case.
 
Additional photography by Levon Myles.
Categories: Review