Targus Compact Rolling Backpack Review: Worth It?
A backpack that “just wins for some reason” is how one long‑term owner summed it up — and that sentiment shows up again and again around the Targus Compact Rolling Backpack with Removable Laptop Sleeve. Across Amazon specs, Reddit community chatter, and hundreds of Staples reviews, the overall story is a practical rolling‑backpack hybrid that earns loyalty for capacity and convenience, but draws real frustration over durability consistency and wheel noise. Verdict from the crowd: a strong everyday travel/work tool when you get a good unit, with enough recurring complaints to keep expectations grounded. Score based on aggregated sentiment: 7.8/10.
Quick Verdict
Conditional Yes — best for commuters and travelers who want rolling relief plus backpack flexibility, but less ideal for people who are hard on gear or sensitive to wheel noise.
| What Users Like / Dislike | Evidence from Feedback |
|---|---|
| Spacious, well‑organized storage | Staples buyers call it “spacious and organized compartments” and “holds a lot of my work documents and also my laptop.” |
| Smooth, easy rolling for airports/commutes | “Glides with ease!” and “very easy to maneuver through the walkways of my job.” (Staples) |
| Converts cleanly between roller and backpack | “Easy to change from backpack to roller.” (Staples) and praise for the wheel‑cover flap in ReviewIndex quotes. |
| Laptop protection feels solid | Buyers note it “kept my laptop safe” and fits a 15–16" device well. |
| Build quality varies, some failures early | “Handle broke… within a couple months” and “strap… broken after about 6 weeks.” (ReviewIndex/Stapes negatives) |
| Wheels can be louder than advertised | “Extremely noisy” and “noise was so loud… embarrassing.” (ReviewIndex) |
Claims vs Reality
Targus markets this bag as a “best of both worlds” roller/backpack with “durable and quiet roller wheels” and a padded laptop compartment for up to 16" laptops (Amazon and Targus product pages). Digging deeper into user reports, the “two‑modes‑in‑one” promise largely holds up in day‑to‑day use. A verified buyer on Staples described airport practicality: “Rolls when your connecting flight is in another terminal and fits underneath the airline seat.” Another Staples reviewer emphasized the same hybrid appeal for work travel, saying it’s “easy to change from backpack to roller” and that they “love that it allows me to roll or… use it as a backpack too.”
The “quiet wheels” claim is where reality splinters. While many reviewers celebrate easy rolling, multiple users explicitly reject the noise marketing. ReviewIndex aggregates complaints like: “The description said it had quiet wheels but it is extremely noisy,” and another user wrote, “The noise was so loud that I could not stand wheeling this bag behind me and it was also very embarrassing.” So while officially positioned as quiet, multiple users report loud rolling on certain surfaces.
Durability claims also land unevenly. Targus highlights “high‑grade construction” and a limited lifetime warranty. Plenty of owners echo that sturdiness. In the ReviewIndex samples, one buyer said, “At a time when nothing seems to last, this one passes the sturdy test,” and Staples reviews include “very sturdy well constructed.” But a recurring pattern emerged of early failures for a minority: “The handle broke and will no longer stay up within a couple months,” plus reports of straps snapping or sides ripping within months. That gap suggests quality control variation rather than a universally rugged build.
Cross‑Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The strongest shared praise centers on storage and real‑world capacity. People use this as a “traveling office” or a day‑to‑day hauler. A verified buyer on Staples called it “best travel backpack on the market, spacious and organized compartments, light weight,” tying the value to its multiple pockets and compartments. Another Staples reviewer said it “holds a lot of my work documents and also my laptop,” illustrating why office commuters gravitate toward it. In ReviewIndex quotes, owners describe front pockets that swallow “pens, pencils, stapler, cords,” while still leaving the main compartment for larger loads.
That capacity translates into specific user wins. For commuters who walk or ride transit, rolling relieves shoulder strain and still keeps everything together. One ReviewIndex user framed it as their “travelling office,” useful for mobile professionals carrying papers and electronics. On Reddit, user technicaidebt*** said their older Targus daypack “almost never lets me down in terms of size,” even for errands like “take shoe sized boxes to the post office” or groceries. The bag’s ability to stretch beyond laptop‑only duty is a big part of why long‑time owners stick around.
Ease of rolling is another near‑universal positive. Buyers repeatedly mention maneuverability in airports, campuses, and workplaces. A verified buyer on Staples wrote, “Very easy to maneuver through the walkways of my job.” Another said it “glides with ease!” for travel. ReviewIndex sentiment reinforces that rolling is “easy to pull around” with “rollers… very quiet” for some users — suggesting that on smoother floors, the wheels do deliver the intended benefit.
Finally, the convertible design earns consistent credit. Users like being able to switch modes without a fuss and appreciate the wheel‑cover flap. ReviewIndex includes praise such as “best feature, the fold that covers the wheel in backpack mode!” For travelers who have to alternate between rolling through terminals and wearing it between gates, this detail matters; one reviewer noted the flap keeps wheel dirt off clothes and straps out of the way.
Common Complaints
The loud‑wheel issue is the most repeated negative across sources. Even users who like the bag overall can’t ignore it when it shows up. ReviewIndex highlights multiple complaints: “Wheel is kind of noisy on some grounds,” “extremely noisy,” and “very noisy.” For frequent airport travelers or office hallways, this can be a social and comfort factor; the “embarrassing” noise quote indicates it can feel conspicuous in quiet spaces.
Durability complaints cluster around handles, straps, and fabric wear. Some users report problems quickly. A verified Staples buyer bluntly posted: “Poor quality. The handle broke and will no longer stay up within a couple months of ownership.” ReviewIndex negative stories add, “Strap broke after about 6 weeks,” and “side seems started to rip after a month of use.” These issues matter most to heavy daily commuters or students loading it to capacity — the same users who otherwise benefit from its storage.
A third recurring frustration is balance and tipping. One Staples reviewer comparing to an older model said the replacement is “not nearly as deep… making the backpack almost flat so that it tips over easily whether empty or full.” ReviewIndex also records “falling over thing is really annoying.” For users who set it upright beside desks or gates, this weak point can be a daily annoyance.
Comfort in backpack mode comes up as a softer but real complaint. A ReviewIndex user said the hard bottom “goes right across my spine when wearing it… very uncomfortable,” and noted the lack of a chest strap. Another comment mentioned shoulder pads that “could use a bit more padding.” That suggests the backpack mode is functional for short bursts rather than long hikes.
Divisive Features
Build quality is the most polarizing theme. Some owners swear by long‑term durability and call Targus underrated. Reddit user deadly_fire_trap*** said they still use a Targus backpack “14 years old and all the zippers are all still fully intact. Unbelievable quality.” Another Reddit user desert_sidewalks*** echoed that their rolling briefcase lasted “forever.” Yet other buyers describe the opposite: early handle failure, strap breaks, or sides ripping. The divide points to either generational changes or unit‑to‑unit variability.
Looks are also split. Several buyers are fine with a purely functional design, while others see it as bland. A verified buyer on Staples noted, “Not stylish but effective… the look and style leaves a little to be desired.” Yet ReviewIndex also shows users calling it “fashionable” enough for work. People prioritizing aesthetics may not love it, but those prioritizing practicality don’t seem bothered.
Trust & Reliability
There are no scam‑style red flags in the provided verified‑review data; the negative comments focus on product performance rather than seller behavior. The recurring trust signal is repeat buying and long‑term use stories. ReviewIndex includes a buyer saying, “This is my 3rd purchase of this bag over the last 5+ years,” which suggests the design keeps users coming back even if they replace worn units.
Reddit adds the clearest durability timelines. User technicaidebt*** has used their model for five years, saying zippers are “opening a bit… but other than that just can’t replace it.” Other community members push the timeline further: deadly_fire_trap*** reports 14 years with intact zippers. Still, reliability sentiment is tempered by shorter‑term failures elsewhere; users talking about breaks after “a couple months” or “less than six months” show that longevity isn’t guaranteed for everyone.
Alternatives
Only a few specific competitors appear in the Reddit thread as points of comparison. Reddit user technicaidebt*** tried Fjallraven Skule, Aer City Pro, Raven 20, TNF Recon, Thule Accent, and Decathlon NH 500, then kept returning to Targus because “nothing comes close to it.” They criticized Fjallraven Skule for “very cheap scratchy ‘nylon’ inside and outside,” found Aer City Pro “too boxy and heavy,” and said Thule Accent offered “no advantage to my current one.”
That narrative positions the Targus as a value‑driven sweet spot: not the most premium‑feeling in every material detail, but balanced in shape, expandability, and feature density. For shoppers eyeing heavier, boxier commuter packs, the Reddit feedback suggests those may feel overbuilt or uncomfortable compared to this lighter roller hybrid.
Price & Value
The Amazon listing shows a common sale price around $69.99 versus an $89.95 list, while the Targus direct site and Canadian listing float closer to $96–$103. On resale platforms like eBay, listings range widely, from a high “new” price over $120 to lower auction‑style sales. That spread implies decent resale interest but not a stable premium market.
From a value standpoint, many users see it as strong for the money. ReviewIndex quotes include “you can’t beat it for the price!” and “definitely worth the price.” For budget‑minded commuters who want a rolling laptop backpack without paying Samsonite‑level prices, these comments reinforce why it stays popular. But users who hit durability problems are more likely to see it as a false economy; one ReviewIndex negative warned, “Save yourself the money and buy from another company,” showing that value perception flips if your unit fails early.
FAQ
Q: Does it really fit a 16-inch laptop securely?
A: Yes, most users say it fits 15–16" laptops well and feels padded. A verified buyer on Staples wrote their laptop “fit perfectly,” and another said it “kept my laptop safe inside from damage,” matching the official 16" rating.
Q: Are the wheels actually quiet?
A: Not consistently. While some users describe smooth, quiet rolling, others strongly disagree. ReviewIndex includes complaints like “extremely noisy” and “so loud… embarrassing,” so surface type and unit variation seem to matter.
Q: Is it comfortable to wear as a backpack?
A: Comfort is mixed. Some users like having the option, but others find it awkward for long carries. One ReviewIndex reviewer said the hard bottom presses on their spine, and another wanted thicker shoulder padding.
Q: How durable is it long term?
A: Experiences vary widely. Reddit user technicaidebt*** has five years of use with only minor zipper wear, and deadly_fire_trap*** reports 14 years on another Targus pack. But some verified buyers report handle or strap failure within months.
Q: Will it stand upright without tipping?
A: Not always. One Staples reviewer said the newer version is flatter and “tips over easily,” and ReviewIndex logs “falling over thing is really annoying.” Packing style can influence stability.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a commuter, student, or frequent flyer who wants a rolling laptop backpack that carries a “travelling office” worth of gear, converts cleanly, and stays light enough for daily use. Avoid if you need guaranteed rugged durability, demand truly quiet wheels, or plan to wear it as a backpack for long stretches. Pro tip from the community: as Reddit user technicaidebt*** implied, it shines most when you load it up — “if it’s only the laptop it feels silly,” but once you need real capacity, “it just wins.”
