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Wole Femi Asaolu
- August 12, 2023
- 43 Comments
Our Verdict
Pros
- Stylish design
Smart and minimalistic, it’s versatile for school, travel, trails and what not.
- Organization
A very spacious bag with internal and external pockets to help you with organization.
- Smart features
There’s a USB cord, luggage straps, bottle pocket to help you travel in convenience.
- Extremely lightweight
Weighing 1.9 lbs, you can wear for long hours and even use as a carryon.
- Padded and ventilated back and shoulder straps
Even when heavy, you’ll find it a comfortable wear.
- Dedicated laptop compartment
You can fit a 15.6-inch laptop in padded sleeve to protect your gear.
- Color options
There are 6 different colors you can choose from.
Cons
- Lower-quality external parts
There have been complaints from some users that some parts of the exterior are cheaply made.
- Not the cheapest in its class
It’s a bit expensive and so not the best option for those on a tight budget.
Nordace Siena Backpack Review 2023
Hello, and welcome to my review of the Nordace Siena backpack. You may have seen or be intrigued by the Nordace advert in which the Siena backpack seems to fit everything.
I know I am.
So, this backpack is full of features but where does it fail or excel?
If you are thinking of splurging on this bag, you’ll certainly want to read this Nordace Siena backpack review.
In here, I’ll break down each feature one by one to help you decide if this is indeed the right bag for you or not.
Nordace at a Glance
Nordace makes smart and stylish travel luggage and accessories that fit the needs of the modern traveler and adventurer.
The brand uses quality eco-friendly Microfiber vegan leather to make environmentally friendly and sturdy bags.
Another interesting fact is that Nordace only works with Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) accredited manufacturers. Which means the workers are in great working conditions and are treated fairly in accordance with human rights.
Their products include a range of backpack, duffels, totes, organizers, and even apparels.
Table of Contents
Design & Quality
You won’t have to fret about this backpack cramping your style. The Nordace pack is super stylish and simple without being basic.
You’ll get so many compliments for its clean-cut style which comes in six different color options – black, beige, blue, dark green, gray, and red.
In case you’re wondering, this 19L bag can fit almost all content as shown in the advert on the Nordace website- a 15.6-inch laptop, clothes, and other essentials with room to spare.
Despite its minimalistic design, it doesn’t skimp on features.
It features a USB charging port, a padded laptop compartment, and hidden pockets and a luggage strap for hitching a ride on your wheelie suitcase. Another feature that has me impressed is how it’s designed to sit upright and in shape, whether it’s empty or stuffed full.
And to really seal the deal, the padded back panels help keep the bag comfortable against your bag and a water repellent fabric keeps your content safe.
All in all, the Nordace Siena is designed to stand out and be as functional as you need it to be.
Materials & Construction
Although the Nordace Siena is designed for travel, it is versatile – suitable for work, school or short getaways; this is partly due to it’s minimalist style and numerous compartments for organisational bliss.
It’s made with a frosted fabric polyester, while the handle, zippers and logo insignia located on the right end corner of the bag are all made with vegan leather.
Keep in mind that while it is water resistant to the occasional shower, it is however not waterproof and so can’t survive heavy rain onslaught.
At 16.54 x 11.4 x 6.3 inches and weighing 1.9 lbs, it’s decently sized to go as a carry-on and customers have confirmed that it’s small enough to fit neatly beneath the seat in front of you.
Now let’s dig into the features and all that jazz.
Structured design
The bag can stand on its own, without support, as well as maintain it shape, whether it’s empty or packed full.
USB port
If you’re always charging your phone on the go, then you’ll love this feature. Note however that a power bank doesn’t come with the pack.
Luggage straps
One more reason to love the bag is that it features a luggage strap in the back.
Best part is, it slides right over the handle of your rolling luggage for the most hassle-free airport sprints imaginable.
Hidden pocket
What’s more, there’s a secret pocket at the back that is perfect for storing your passport.
There are some drawbacks though. For one, the zippers aren’t the ever-reliable YKK, and the some users have complained that the leather fabric attached to the zipper looks cheap and is not as sturdy.
Moreover, the padded laptop sleeve is average at best. It’s not heavily padded enough as you’d like for your precious gear neither is it cushioned at the bottom to serve as protection from hard impact in the event of an accidental drop.
Fit & Comfort
Ok, let’s talk comfort.
Interestingly, its minimal design and lightweight material makes carrying 19 liters of weight very comfortable and manageable. The straps are not just adjustable but also well-padded to make you stay comfortable even if you’re wearing it for a long time.
So what are the shortcomings?
The shortcomings…
I would have loved the addition of a hip strap which would help take the load off your shoulders if you are carrying a lot. But this is a minor issue since this is more of a daypack that is not meant for heavy load.
A far more serious issue is that the laptop compartment is not heavily padded and most importantly has no suspension bottom for added protection in case you accidentally drop the bag.
To mitigate this, I would suggest keeping your laptop in its case when putting the laptop into the bag.
Nonetheless, the Siena comes with amazing features ranging from the luggage strap to USB charging port, and a little clip that prevents excess straps from flapping or dangling about.
Storage & Organization
There’s enough room and more than enough pockets to take this 19L capacity bag on small trips or overnight stays, making your investment go much further than the daily commute.
Bottle pocket: On the side, there’s a pocket where you can put your bottle. The great thing is that it’s streamlined and won’t bulge when not in use. That said, it’s not big and lacks the depth for large bottles.
Two Side pockets: There are two zippered spacious compartments on the front of the bag.
The one on the right has a little fleeced line sunglass pocket and a key fob.
The left compartment has three little pockets to help with organization. Interestingly, the two pockets overlap each other and are pretty handy for things like your phone, wallet, charger, hand sanitizer and those other often-needed items.
Laptop compartment: At the back, there’s a dedicated compartment that can comfortably fit a 15.6-inch laptop.
Secret pocket: At the back of the bag, on the luggage sleeve is a zippered pocket where you can put your passport in for the extra bit of security.
Main compartment: It opens about half way and is big enough to carry lots of larger things like books, clothes, cables, or any other gear you want to haul along.
But it’s loaded with more…
Inside here, you get a clear pocket for your toiletries as well two small slip pockets where you can keep your pens, air pods, chargers, or whatever small items you choose to stow in there.
Tablet pocket: It can also pocket your tablet, kindle or other papers that you want separated from the other items.
If you’ll be taking lots of items for a trip, it’s advisable you use Nordace packing cubes that’ll help you save space and have optimal organization.
Extra Accessories
Apart from the backpack, Nordace tries to create synergy by introducing several other accessories which works seamlessly with the bag.
They include Travel bundle (packing cubes and wash pouch), Universal Travel Adapter, Slippella (Lightweight Water Repellent Umbrella), Travel Wallet with RFID Blocking and Air Cushion Shoulder Strap.
Note: Each of these products are available in different colors but come at extra cost to you.
Price
The Nordace Siena backpack isn’t cheap. The extra accessories that make the bag even better also come with a cost.
But because the bag has lots of great ways to keep things organized, a lot of people would argue that the price is reasonable and justified.
Warranty
The Nordace Siena backpack comes with a one-year warranty.
The warranty only covers defects in the manufacturing or workmanship of the bag for a year. Also, the brand offer repairs that are not covered under the warranty, but at a reasonable cost to you.
Note: The warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, normal wear and tear, abuse of the pack on your part or the natural breakdown of colors and materials over extended time and use.
In addition, Nordace offers a 30-days return policy such that you can return any product of theirs that you are not satisfied with.
Users Thoughts/Reviews
Granted, the Siena looks good and is equally functional as seen in this Nordace Siena backpack review.
But it’s not perfect.
For starters, the bag is considered to be pricey, with some buyers on Reddit and Amazon complaining that the bag lacks the ‘posh’ feel that is shown in adverts and the pictures. Another drawback is the laptop compartment that is not well padded, particularly at the bottom for extra safety.
Then there’s the is minor of the water pocket that is not stretchy enough to fit bigger bottles. Its due to these cons that I rated it a 3.5 out of 5 in this Nordace Sinea backpack review.
But all in all, buyers were generally pleased with their purchase.. issue
Alternative to consider: Day Owl Backpack
The Day Owl backpack 21L is a cute and functional bag that is perfect for everything from work to outdoor activities.
More impressively, it’s an eco-groovy backpack with features such as a luggage sleeve, carry-on size, deceptive roomy capacity in a minimalistic design.
If you’re looking for the perfect cute little bag that you can take just about anywhere, this is a viable option.
You can read more about it here.
Final Thoughts
We’ve come to the end of my Nordace Siena backpack review.
The pros are that it holds a lot without feeling too heavy on your shoulders and it is fitting for work or the outdoors as far aesthetics is concerned. And with all its features, I do personally recommend you get one if you tend to travel a lot.
A key point of hesitation is the price – it won’t fit everyone’s budget. But I think a fine looking, spacious and well-made bag is a wise investment.
With proper care, you’ll likely get a long time use of this bag.
Let me know in the comment section what your take is on this bag. I’d love to hear from you.
Why You Should Trust Travelccessories
If you’re looking for trustworthy guidance on travel accessories, you can count on Travelccessories. Femi, an expert in travel gear, and our team have put together a comprehensive review that draws on our hands-on testing, extensive research on reputable brands, careful examination of product manuals and customer feedback, and evaluation of numerous luggage models.
We specifically looked for bags with robust construction, exceptional features, and high ratings from real users. And most importantly, our team consists of experts who do not accept payment for reviews and are committed to providing honest and thorough information to help you make informed decisions when choosing the right luggage.
Also, this article is not sponsored in any way by any company. These products have been independently selected by myself and my team. And the only thing I receive is a small commission from our affiliate program if you buy any of them through the links and buttons on this page. It doesn’t cost you a penny. But it really helps me out as this money goes to paying for maintaining the website, editing software, my time, team and everything else that goes into preparing this post.
43 thoughts on “Nordace Siena Backpack Review | The New Perfect Modern Everyday Backpack?”
Femi,
This bag looks rather nice actually. It is a bit expensive, but it looks like it would hold up the test of time. I know that when I’m traveling, I like bags that I can easily find things in a cramped plane, and this looks like it would be perfect.
I’ve noticed a lot of bags that have the ability to hold laptops actually don’t have padded bottoms, but rather padded sides. Maybe they think we won’t drop the bag because it has straps?
Overall though, this is a really nice bag! Thanks for sharing this review!
Katrina
Hi Katrina,
First things first – thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, the bag is a bit on the steep end when it comes to price (though there is a 40% discount deal going on now at Nordace.com). If however, you place value on being able to organize your things more than anything else – then the bag is somewhat unique because it has numerous pockets and then could explain the premium.
The padded bottom or false bottom for the laptop compartments is a recent innovation in backpacks, which I suspect is driven by customer feedback. It would seem that people do fear damage from accidentally dropping their bags so it gives peace of mind to have protection not just from the side but also at the ‘bottom’.
Cheers
Femi