9 Things I Love about the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack – Review

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - on back
Review of the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack - a backpack with lots of storage compartment, ergonomic design, and some tech suprises as well!

I have to admit – I have a bit of a backpack obsession. Every year or so, I swap out my backpack (that I use every workday on my commute), with the next best one. I have pretty high standards when it comes to choosing a backpacks, particularly around durability, features, and comfort. And while backpack construction and features have definitely improved since I was in school, there are still plenty of sub-par packs out there in my opinion. For the past month or so, I have been using the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack, and honestly, it has checked off a ton of things that I look for in a quality backpack. (*Disclosure below.)

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - wearing

To be honest, while I had seen a lot of Swissgear backpacks in the wild, I had never considered actually getting one, mainly because the packs that I had were “doing ok.” But that all changed when my buddy showed me one that he had picked up and all of the pockets and solid construction on a trip to the mountains. And, as we were geeking out on the Swissgear pack (not the 5358 model but a different one), we actually had to go to Twitter to ask Swissgear what some straps were for.

It turns out those mysterious straps, common on many of the Swissgear backpacks, is part of the suspension system and designed to help stabilize the pack as you walk. Mystery solved!

So, once I got the Swissgear 5358, I really started geeking out on all of the features. So I thought for this review, I would list out all of the things that I discovered and why I like them so much. And note, I have been using this backpack every day on my commute for the past month or so. It’s been put through real-world testing. And for me, it has to be able to handle all of my electronics and gadgets, yet still remain comfortable.

1 – It’s a Great Size

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - loaded up

As I just mentioned, for me a backpack must be able to store all of my daily electronics, yet still have plenty of room for other stuff. Currently, I carry a laptop and charger, iPad, papers, pens, business cards, a ton of various connection cables, a battery (more on that shortly), my lunch pack, and a bunch of other odds and ends. And even after that, there is plenty of room for more.

The Swissgear 5358 measures 18″ by 11.5″ by 7” when packed which is quite large but not massive. That’s enough room to handle much more than what I mentioned above. It has a 30-liter capacity. When it is empty, it weighs about 3 pounds which isn’t too heavy.

2 – Solid Construction Material

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - materials

I have the black version (with red accents) to match the HighTechDad colors (of course). The material is quite durable and is made from abrasion-resistant polyester fabric. While I haven’t taken it out in the rain, I’m assuming that it is weather resistant to protect the contents inside. I would not, however, want to have it exposed to long sessions of rain before testing that out.

After my month or so usage, the seams are still tight, and I haven’t noticed any tears or issues. There are no hanging threads or anything that would indicate poor craftsmanship. Everything seems solid.

3 – Zippers Do Matter

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - zippers

Recently, one of my daughters when on a long trip where she had to use a duffle bag to hold a much larger hiking backpack. We had purchased some of those cheap travel locks which in my mind don’t really lock things well but simply provide a deterrent from someone quickly opening up a pack to grab something. But, there was no way to actually lock the zippers, either because there was only one zipper, or when there were two, they didn’t have any holes to attach a lock.

The Swissgear 5358 Backpack is really designed for travelers and those tiny travel locks. All of the three main compartments have dual zippers, and these zippers can be locked together easily.

4 – Extremely Comfortable

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - back straps

When trying on a backpack, you should really try to fill it up with about as much weight as you would on a typical day. That way, you can get a true feel as to how the pack rides on your back. Once you have the weight inside, you will want to pay close attention to the various straps and how you can adjust them. Depending on the backpack, you may have a lot of options or very few. The nice thing is, the Swissgear 5358 is quite easy to adjust. It has ergonomically contoured straps and a sternum strap that goes across your chest to prevent the pack from bouncing.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - compression straps

On the front sides, there are also compression straps, and while they don’t add to the comfort, they do allow your pack to be a bit less bulky.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - Airflow

It’s also important to look at the backside – the part that is actually against your back. This Swissgear model has nice padding that definitely adds to the comfort. The design allows for some additional airflow to prevent your back from getting too hot (which is assisted by the mesh fabric). I found through my daily usage that the Swissgear 5358 is quite comfortable, even when loaded up with gear. When properly adjusted, the weight was quite evenly dispersed and did not weigh down on my shoulders in any bad way whatsoever. The pack actually sat quite nicely, compared to other packs I’ve had in the past.

Oh, and those mysterious straps I mentioned at the beginning of the article? They are there, adding to the stability.

5 – TSA Friendly

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - TSA friendly

I haven’t yet taken this pack on a flight, but I’m actually looking forward to it. The main compartment which has internal storage for a laptop and table actually unzips fully to lay flat on an x-ray machine, with the laptop being on one side and the tablet on the other. This design allows for a much easier inspection by airport security or TSA and often eliminates the need from having to remove the laptops from the bag. (This is not guaranteed, however, especially if you have a lot of other things in your bag.)

But having the lay-flat design that opens all the way up makes for much easier access to items inside. And I now tend to make sure that both of the zippers are always closed at the top to make it more convenient to open (just a personal preference). The other compartments do open wide but not like the main compartment.

6 – Lots of Different Storage Compartments

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - on back

So let’s talk about internal compartments. There are many of them, so many that I always need to actually have the backpack on hand. And, there are smaller compartments and pockets within larger ones. It’s easy to keep everything organized, almost to the point of losing things that are stored away!

Let’s start with the Scan Smart compartment that I just mentioned. This opens wide up and stores a laptop and tablet on opposite sides. The laptop compartment is nicely padded as well and has a velcro flap to hold your laptop inside. I believe it can handle up to a 17” laptop. My smaller laptop fits with lots of space to spare. Also on that side with the laptop is another pocket specifically designed to hold a portable battery. I will go into this shortly.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - compartments

Directly in front of the Scan Smart compartment is another large compartment. Inside of this are two smaller pockets that have velcro covers. I use one of these smaller pockets to carry my mouse. The other one is labeled to carry your power supply, but I found it to be just a little too small for that. I found it easier to just put the power supply at the bottom of the Scan Smart compartment. I put my lunch bag in this second compartment, and there is still room to stuff a lightweight jacket in as well. There’s also a small mesh pocket inside.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - shoe holder

Also, the bottom part of this compartment is shared with the shoe holder. This shoe holder section is actually accessible from the outside and can hold a pair of gym shoes quite easily. The shoe holder pocket can be zippered up on the inside if you don’t want to use as a shoe holder.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - front pocket

In front of that compartment is yet another smaller compartment. This one has room for yet more gear as well as pockets for pens/pencils and business cards. There is a keychain clip and many pockets. As I look into that compartment now as I’m writing this, I found that I have stored a USB hard drive, a mic, a charger, and a bunch of other odds and ends.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - small front pocket

On the front of that third compartment is yet another zippered compartment, directly accessible from the outside. While it’s not huge, I have my collection of various cables and other items that I might need to access regularly.

We aren’t done yet! On one side of the pack is the access to the shoe holder. On the opposite side is a mesh pocket which I use to carry a compact umbrella. See below for what is behind that mesh pocket!

7 – Keeping Drinks Cool

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - water bottle pocket

As I mentioned directly above, there is a zippered pocket directly behind the mesh pocket where I have my umbrella. If you unzip this pocket, you will see that it is lined in silver.

This pocket is insulated so that you can keep a small bottle of water or a can cold for an extended period. This was a great little touch!

8 – A Space for Glasses

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - eyeglass holder

At the top of the pack is yet another zippered compartment. And, it actually has hard plastic walls. This is a dedicated glasses pocket so that you don’t need to carry your eyeglass case with you everywhere. Just put your eyeglasses directly into this compartment, and they are protected safe and secure yet easily accessed.

9 – Why Is “USB” in the Name?

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - USB battery

So I saved the geekiest thing for last. And this is pretty cool. Remember how I said that there was a dedicated pocket for a portable battery? Well, there is a reason for that. Built into the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack is the ability to run power from the inside of the back (from a portable USB battery) out to the front of the backpack to one of the shoulder straps. There is a red wire that you plug into your USB battery (not included with the pack, by the way) and then there is a USB port on one of the front straps.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - battery connected

Just plug another USB charging cable into that port on the strap and then plug into your smartphone and you have a built-in charging solution. And, on that same strap, there is a flexible mesh pocket to hold your smartphone. One thing to note, the mesh pocket barely holds some of the “plus-sized” smartphones. I think some of the newer model 5358’s have slightly larger mesh pockets. I was able to snuggly put an iPhone XS Max in there, but just barely.

HighTechDad Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack Review - closeup of smartphone charge

You could, conceivably, just run a longer charging cable out to your front shirt or jacket pocket quite easily. But the nice thing is, the charging infrastructure is built right into the backpack. This got a nice checkmark in my “high-tech” box!

Final Thoughts on the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack

As you can probably see, I truly like the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack. It has many, many storage compartments, many of which have dedicated uses (keeping water cool, holding a portable battery, storing shoes, protecting laptops, and more). The backpack is nicely designed and fits well ergonomically. It’s quite comfortable to wear even with a heavier load or just on a regular commute. I wish that it had a double layer for the bottom, especially for those occasions when I put it on the ground of a dirty subway floor, but I haven’t seen any issues with not having that design item yet.

The Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack retails for $120. As of this writing, it is currently on sale for $90 (probably for the holidays). You can pick it up on Amazon for $90.00 as well. For all of the features and design elements, I view this as a terrific deal right now.

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Disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a sample of a product for consideration in preparing to review the product and write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item after my review period. All opinions within this article are my own and are typically not subject to editorial review from any 3rd party. Also, some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate” or “advertising” links. These may be automatically created or placed by me manually. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item (sometimes but not necessarily the product or service being reviewed), I will receive a small affiliate or advertising commission. More information can be found on my About page.

HTD says: As someone who is obsessed about getting a backpack with a great design, lots of storage options, is travel-friendly, and is even “tech-enabled,” I feel that the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack is one of the best, multi-purpose, and extremely functional backpacks available.

HighTechDad Ratings
  • Ease-of-Use
  • Family-Friendly
  • Price Point
  • Features
4.3

Summary

As someone who is obsessed about getting a backpack with a great design, lots of storage options, is travel-friendly, and is even “tech-enabled,” I feel that the Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack is one of the best, multi-purpose, and extremely functional backpacks available. This Swissgear backpack has so many different storage compartments, you are sure to find a space for everything. And it is designed with the traveler in mind. You could be a commuter like me, or someone traveling around the world. There is enough storage for day-excursions or a trip to school or the office. I particularly like the tech feature of having the backpack wired to supply power from inside one of the compartments and out to the front strap. Also, having a place to stash dirty shoes away from the rest of your items is a plus. And the dedicated and protected glasses compartment is fantastic. I have a pretty high standard for backpacks, and the Swissgear 5358 seems to hit those hight standards.

Pros

  • Many compartments
  • Tech-enabled
  • Great for travel
  • Looks stylish
  • Great price

Cons

  • Smartphone holder might not be big enough for larger smartphones

2 Responses

  1. I have an Apple watch. I noticed when I leave home I get a message on the watch indicating I am separated from my back pack. I don’t see this feature addressed anywhere. Any guidance would help.

  2. Hi Jack. That is odd. That is not functionality that is built into this backpack. I have seen other backpacks that have AirTag functionality built in but you would have to set it up and name it as “backpack” or something. Or, you can set up your watch to notify you if you leave your iPhone at home (for example, in your backpack). But, as I said, this is not a feature of this backpack.

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Disclosure: This is a global disclosure for product review articles on HighTechDad. It does not apply to Automobile reviews and there are other exceptions. Therefore, it may or may not be applicable to this particular article. I may have a material connection because I may have received a sample of a product for consideration in preparing to review the product and write this or other content. I was/am not expected to return the item after my review period. All opinions within this and other articles are my own and are typically not subject to the editorial review from any 3rd party. Also, some of the links in the post above may be “affiliate” or “advertising” links. These may be automatically created or placed by me manually. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item (sometimes but not necessarily the product or service being reviewed), I will receive a small affiliate or advertising commission. More information can be found on my About page.

About HighTechDad

Michael Sheehan (“HighTechDad”) is an avid technologist, writer, journalist, content marketer, blogger, tech influencer, social media pundit, loving husband and father of 3 beautiful girls living in the San Francisco Bay Area. This site covers technology, consumer electronics, Parent Tech, SmartHomes, cloud computing, gadgets, software, hardware, parenting “hacks,” and other tips & tricks.

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