Razer may be most known for its gaming laptops and accessories, but the company also designs a line of lifestyle products from chairs to merch and even — you guessed it — bags and backpacks.
Razer likely isn't your first choice for a new laptop bag or school backpack, but maybe that should change. I used two of Razer's premium backpacks at GDC 2024, and I'm totally sold.
I tested the ultra-compact 14-inch Rogue V3 and its roomier 16-inch big sibling, and while there's room for improvement with both models, Razer impressed me with the quality and attention to detail in these bags.
They never failed me during my trip, and I'd happily recommend both bags to anyone, especially if you're willing to spend a little extra to get something more premium than what you'll find at your local retail store.
In fact, I'm still using the Razer Rogue V3 a year later — I love it, and I appreciate its build quality even more now.
Razer Rogue V3 review: Pricing and specifications
Anyone can walk into their nearest mall, supermarket, or any such store and pick up a decent backpack for around $30, but you also know the level of quality you can expect at that price.
• Price: $59.99 at Razer (14-inch) | $99.99 at Razer (16-inch) | $149.99 at Razer (17-inch)
• Design features: Black-and-green design, black or chromatic Razer logo, tear-and-weather resistant exterior, TPU padded scratch-resistant interior
• Dimensions (14-inch): 410 x 260 x 143mm (16.14 x 10.24 x 5.63in)
• Dimensions (16-inch): 460 x 320 x 170mm (18.11 x 12.60 x 6.69in)
• Dimensions (17-inch): 530 x 325 x 170mm (20.86 x 12.79 x 6.69in)
Inversely, people with plenty of disposable income can pay hefty sums for an ultra-premium backpack, like the handmade leather bags from Waterfield Designs. Razer is straddling the line, offering high-quality, traditional-style laptop backpacks for a reasonable — but not small — price.
The Razer Rogue Backpack V3 starts from $59.99 at Razer for the compact, adorable 14-inch variant, rises to $99.99 at Razer for the mid-sized (and my personal favorite) 16-inch variant, and caps off at $149.99 at Razer for the beefy 17/18-inch version I wasn't able to test.
A Razer-branded bag also has the benefit of being offered from a variety of retailers, too, starting from $59.99 at Amazon (with all three sizes available). Considering the design and quality of materials used, I think Razer has priced these bags well.
Razer Rogue V3 review: What I like
How much can I really write about some laptop bags? Especially when there's so very little to complain about.
The Razer Rogue V3 line of backpacks don't look too different at a glance from the traditional form factor all of us have likely worn on our back at one point or another, except they're in Razer's iconic black-and-green colorway. There's no luxurious silk or leather here; Razer used nylon and other more durable materials, and the overall construction is practically perfect.
Each bag is similar aside from the appropriate upscaling in storage space and pockets. One element each backpack shares is a large front-facing pocket with a sideways opening, adorned with the Razer logo.
In fact, this pocket is the exact same size between the 14 and 16-inch variants. Whichever size you choose based on your needs and budget, you're not going to be disappointed.
That's because these aren't specialty bags. They're not carefully tailored toward photographers or creators, or solely focused on moving your gaming setup around.
These multipurpose backpacks are just as good for school as they are for a trip to San Francisco or a jaunt to a friend's house for a night of gaming. There's dedicated space for your laptop, but the rest of the pockets and space can be used for whatever you want.
Razer was definitely thorough about the design for these backpacks, and comfort was obviously a focus as well. Both versions I tested were comfortable to wear for hours, as long as you adjust the straps correctly, and were breathable enough that I didn't suffer from an uncomfortably sweating back.
It has been nearly a year since I first wrote this review, and the Rogue V3 is still my backpack of choice. This bag has gotten a lot of use, so how has it held up over time?
It's all good news here. The zippers are tight and secure, the fabric is clean and tear-free; there's no sign of the daily wear you might expect. These are quality bags, and they're likely more durable than the high-end, leather-clad bags many people spend hundreds on.
Everything is exactly as I expected for backpacks at this price point, and then beyond that. That doesn't mean there isn't anything I want to see Razer improve in the future, though.
Razer Rogue V3 review: What I don't like
All three of the Razer Rogue Backpacks prominently feature Razer's logo on the back. Sure, you can opt for matte black lettering rather than the flashy chromatic default, but these backpacks are always very obviously going to be Razer backpacks.
Razer's branding is undeniably important to the company, but it's also a good way to shout "This bag has expensive stuff in it" to everyone around you. Not everyone is going to want to wear a Razer logo on their back, anyways.
As far as practical features are concerned, the 14-inch backpack felt like a tight fit for all the 14-inch laptops I tested (although they did fit), and it was sometimes annoying to squeeze the laptops in and out of the bag.
I also wished there was one more small pocket for more organization in the 14-inch variant, and that the second bottle holder was a closed pocket like on the 16-inch version.
Finally, the 16-inch version absolutely has enough internal volume for a slim tablet sleeve next to the laptop pocket, and I lamented not having that when lugging my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 around.
As a small aside, some more colorways would be awesome. There's a good chance these backpacks aren't high volume enough for Razer to justify designing, manufacturing, and distributing more designs, but I would've loved a black-and-blue version.
Razer Rogue V3 review: My final thoughts
✅You should buy this if ...
- You want a high-quality bag without breaking the bank
- You want a multipurpose bag that can do anything
- You need a backpack you know will last for years of use
❌You should not buy this if ...
- You want a high-end, bespoke bag from a luxury company
- You don't want to carry the Razer logo around on your back
When I left for GDC, the Razer Rogue V3 14-inch had to carry the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12), my Surface Headphones 2, my ASUS ROG Ally, my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, a book, a water bottle, and all of the various chargers, battery packs, dongles, and storage that I use as a part of my job.
Don't get me wrong, it was a tight fit, but the Rogue V3 was a comfortable, smartly designed, and expertly constructed backpack that never once gave me issue. On the ride home, the 16-inch version held it all with a ton of room to spare.
Whether you have one of the best Windows laptops or the best gaming laptops, it's worth investing in a backpack that will be comfortable to wear, efficiently carry everything you need, and protect your valuable gear.
The Razer Rogue V3 is a little loud design-wise and some may desire more luxurious materials, but the price is reasonable for the quality you're getting in return. These are easily some of the best laptop bags for basically any use case, and they're widely available from $59.99 at Razer or $59.99 at Amazon.
