Laptops are fantastic for many tasks, but durability isn’t their strong suit. If you often find yourself in extreme situations where your laptop might be at risk, you need a way to protect it. That’s where the Peli ProGear U100 Elite Laptop Backpack comes in. It’s designed to keep your laptop safe in all but the most extreme environments. Let’s see how it performs.

The Peli ProGear U100 Elite is a daypack-sized backpack with a 16-liter capacity. This is plenty of space for a weekend trip, including clothes and tech accessories, or for your daily commute, possibly with some gym gear. If your job requires it, you could even jump out of a plane into hostile environments with just the essentials packed away.

This bag is built to handle a lot. What sets it apart from other daypacks is its integrated compartment made from ABS thermoplastic, which is both watertight and crushproof. The interior dimensions are 39.3 x 26.7 x 3.8 cm, fitting up to a 15” laptop and some 17” Apple models like the MacBook Pro. This compartment is separate from the other three sections and can be submerged in water up to a meter deep for 30 minutes without issues. It’s also designed to withstand crushing, heat, and dust, with an IP67 rating, meaning it’s completely dustproof and can handle immersion in water between 15 cm and 1 meter for up to half an hour.

The exact limits of its crush and heat resistance aren’t specified, but ABS thermoplastic generally operates between –20 to +80°C, so it should handle quite a bit. The laptop compartment feels incredibly solid and can withstand rough handling. It’s easy to access with a TSA-approved top-loading latch and includes foam inserts to ensure a snug fit for your laptop.

Beyond the laptop compartment, the backpack has a main section for other items and a front pocket with an impact-resistant design, protected by a solid polypropylene cover. This pocket is labeled for tablets but can fit up to a 12.5-inch ultrabook. It also has multiple zippered pockets and areas for cords, cables, and accessories, making it well-organized and convenient.

On the side, there’s a hidden compartment that reveals a mesh water bottle holder when unzipped. This feature is handy because you can carry water without having mesh sticking out when you don’t need it. There’s also a top-accessible compartment between the front tablet section and the main compartment, ideal for items you need quickly, like a water bottle or emergency poncho.

The backpack is made from 1000 Denier Kodra Nylon, which is tough and water-resistant. It has a rubber handle at the top for easy carrying and expandable sling storage at the bottom for items like a roll mat. For comfort, the back is curved to fit your body, with foam padding and air channels to keep you cool, plus a sternum strap to help manage the load.

To test the waterproof compartment, I placed my old Samsung NC10 netbook inside and submerged the bag in a half-meter deep bath for half an hour. Everything outside the compartment was soaked, but the netbook remained dry and functional. This suggests the compartment would stay dry in normal conditions like rainstorms or river crossings.

The Peli ProGear U100 Elite is comfortable to wear, with its curved back providing a snug fit. However, it’s heavy, weighing nearly 4 kg (8 lbs) empty. Adding gear makes it quite a load, manageable but not ideal for long hikes. It’s better suited for cycling or motorbike commutes.

While the laptop compartment is water and crushproof, the rest of the pack is only water-resistant. So, in extreme conditions like full immersion or heavy crushing, only the laptop compartment will protect its contents. This is important to remember.

If you need to carry a laptop and want to avoid investing in an expensive ruggedized model, this backpack is a great solution. It’s perfect for motorbike or cycle commutes, though you might want a rain cover for the rest of your gear. For backcountry adventures with expensive equipment, this bag could be a lifesaver in challenging conditions.

For long-term travel, the weight is a consideration. But if you need top-notch protection for your gear, the Peli ProGear U100 Elite Backpack is highly recommended. It’s not cheap, retailing over £200 or $300, but it could be a worthwhile investment if it protects your valuable equipment.