We’ve seen plenty of cases from VRS Design — previously known as Verus — but Ark Backpack ($100) is the first bag we’ve seen from the company. Though Ark seems to be VRS Design’s first foray into bags, you wouldn’t know it by taking a glance at the backpack. Ark is a soft, water-resistant pack that can hold up to a 15” MacBook. It’s got plenty of pockets, an air mesh padded back panel for comfort, a luggage transport sleeve, and there’s even a reflective strip near the bottom of the bag to aid walkers. The pack comes in gray (as seen here), black, or a black camo pattern.
VRS Design may have no prior reputation as a bag company but our initial impression is that Ark is competitive with similarly priced backpacks. The laptop section is deep and well-padded, and the main compartment is large enough for headphones and other accessories. A smaller front pocket is flanked by two fold-out side pockets which can hold pens or pencils. A back pocket is hidden away on the rear of the bag — it might be a good place to keep your iPhone if you’re on a long walk and won’t be using your device for a while. There are no leather accents or other expensive-looking touches here, but Ark Backpack is a good option within its price range, and we look forward to seeing if VRS Design will expand its bag line in the future.