Brand new in STM's range is the Impulse rucksack. It's designed for laptops with up to 16in screens: our test laptop with 15.6in screen fitted snugly. See all laptop bag reviews.
The main zip pocket (which STM calls the ‘technology compartment') at the rear houses both a laptop and a tablet, thanks to a second soft-lined pouch. We managed to squeeze in an iPad which had a full-body case on it. See also: Be.ez LE bag Pro review.
Another zip compartment at the front can be used for a laptop power supply and other accessories, but there isn't as much room in it for your gear as you get with Dicota's BacPac Challenge. You'd struggle to fit in a pair of shoes, for instance, but if you need only carry your gadgets, it should be fine.
We like the open left-hand pocket into which you can fit a half-litre drink bottle, and the zipped pocket on the other side for small accessories.
The front zip flap opens to reveal an organiser where you can keep pens, documents and other small items. Below it is another front pocket which is an ideal size for your laptop's power supply, but there's no obvious place to keep your smartphone.
The straps are reasonably well padded and there's a chest strap as well. Across the middle is a strap through which you can slot the telescopic handle on a wheeled bag. However, when the Impulse is packed with gadgets, this strap is pulled too tight to go around a handle.
If you don't like black, the Impulse also comes in grey with orange zip pullers. Both bags have top-quality YKK zips all round and a reflective tab so you can be seen at night, although it's so tiny, we wouldn't rely on it for protection. The bags' lining is water-resistant polyester, so your laptop should be protected if you get caught out in a rain shower.
