Customer reviews from Targus
Targus - 17 Drifter II Laptop Backpack - Black
Average customer rating
3.9
(33 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 33 reviews
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
2
1 Star
4
72%of customers recommend this product.
(
13 out of
18)
Customer Reviews for Targus - 17 Drifter II Laptop Backpack - Black
Customer Rating
5
I love this backpack
on April 1, 2026
Posted by: SS
This is the second time I have purchased this backpack. The best I've ever owned. I literally slipped on the road & slammed onto my back like a flipped over turtle, landing straight on top of my backpack - with my brand new 17" laptop in it. I booted it up in a panic as soon as I got inside...not a scratch on it. Absolutely unharmed. My last backpack lasted me over 5 years, & was in good enough shape that someone bought it off of me when I retired it. I hope they never retire this design.
I'm not an AI, I write like this because I was homeschooled.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Customer Rating
5
Very durable
on March 27, 2026
Posted by: Jim
have been using mine daily at work since 2018. Travel all over the world. Very durable but is now fraying on the shoulder straps and a side pocket. All zippers still work like new.
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Customer Rating
5
Great Product.. Replaces a 17" backpack (12/yo)
on January 21, 2026
Posted by: Al from Asanté
Verified Purchase:Yes
I did not think this particular backpack would have the same 'space' for errata (overnight stuff) as the last one, but it does. Different features, slightly different design but fully workable. I recommend this product because of the quality of the materials and construction. :{)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Posted by: Neddy
Verified Purchase:Yes
Bought this backpack for my boyfriend who prefers large, multi pocketed backpacks. His old Targus one from 10 plus years ago was falling apart. He is very happy with the new model. He was able to fit his laptop and his little mini computer, notebooks , etc all in it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Customer Rating
5
Re-Purchase Ol' Friend
on October 29, 2025
Posted by: Father Francis
from Tucson, Arizona
Third one of these backpacks I've purchased in 30 some years...Will purchase again if I'm still alive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Posted by: Christis1974
from Macon, GA
Verified Purchase:Yes
Great backpack. Sturdy, lots of room. Worked well as a present for my husband for work.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Customer Rating
3
Good basics, but failure points from skimping
on November 28, 2024
Posted by: csaba2000
from Portland, OR
Over the last nearly 20 years, I've used a Targus pack daily, in commuting to work and also as a carry-on when I fly. They've lasted a bit shy of 10 years each. On the first one, it was the zipper that gave out. The more recent one, purchased in 2015, was the Targus Drifter II, 17". At the time, I read that it could be too big to use as a carry on, and once in a while I manage to make it too thick to fit below the seat in front or into the bit, but taking a few things out has always done the trick.
Basically, I like this pack, but when I see that they are selling pretty much the identical thing to 10 years ago, I'm surprised they haven't shored up a few flaws. The first is the rubber handle. 20 years ago, the handle at the top of the pack was a good, thick rubber. But for the Drifter II, there were a lot of gaps in the rubber, and after about two years, the rubber started to rip, and it just got bigger and bigger. In the end, I wrapped black duct tape around the handle, so that it is functional, but doesn't showcase so well.
Basically, I like this pack, but when I see that they are selling pretty much the identical thing to 10 years ago, I'm surprised they haven't shored up a few flaws. The first is the rubber handle. 20 years ago, the handle at the top of the pack was a good, thick rubber. But for the Drifter II, there were a lot of gaps in the rubber, and after about two years, the rubber started to rip, and it just got bigger and bigger. In the end, I wrapped black duct tape around the handle, so that it is functional, but doesn't showcase so well.
The Drifter II is one of the few packs with O-rings on the front part of the shoulder straps. These are really handy if you want to drape a second pack, or perhaps hook in dry cleaning. Unfortunately, it seems to be that these rings are made out of plastic and not something sturdier, which I discovered when one ring broke when I hung a secondary pack onto it.
Ultimately, the reason that I'll have to get a new pack in the near future is that the zipper and fabric at the top of the pack is being destroyed from the inside! The velcro fastener in the main compartment seems to like the top of the compartment, and little by little, the seams and fabric holding the zipper in the top compartment seem to be degrading (the zipper itself has kept working like a trooper the whole time), so that zipping the main compartment is becoming moot. More duct tape on the inside of the pack held this at bay for a while, but I think these three issues are something that Targus ought to attend to.
Ultimately, the reason that I'll have to get a new pack in the near future is that the zipper and fabric at the top of the pack is being destroyed from the inside! The velcro fastener in the main compartment seems to like the top of the compartment, and little by little, the seams and fabric holding the zipper in the top compartment seem to be degrading (the zipper itself has kept working like a trooper the whole time), so that zipping the main compartment is becoming moot. More duct tape on the inside of the pack held this at bay for a while, but I think these three issues are something that Targus ought to attend to.
Response from TargusBy Targus Support, December 2, 2024
We are sorry to hear about the issues you have had with the Drifter. We have passed the feedback provided about the handle and rings on the straps to our product development team. We are happy to inform you that our backpacks have a limited lifetime warranty, and our customer support team would be happy to assist you with it. Please contact them at 877-482-7487 Monday thru Friday 10 AM to 7 PM EST.
Written by a customer while visiting Targus
Customer Rating
1
Drifter II is poopoo
on October 29, 2024
Posted by: MD2020
from Nevada
I replaced my Drtifter II that I had owned and used daily for nearly 10 years. Everything about the bag was perfect, it was durable, comfortable, had plenty of storage, and never had any problems until the last year of its life.
This new drifter II is NOT the same bag. I have had the new one for about 6 months and within the first week, the zippers on the main compartment and laptop compartment failed. The bag also feels inferior to the one I previously owned due to the fact that the material does not seem as stiff or durable.
I am stuck with the bag as I am traveling internationally but I am looking out for a replacement. No more Targus brand for me.
This new drifter II is NOT the same bag. I have had the new one for about 6 months and within the first week, the zippers on the main compartment and laptop compartment failed. The bag also feels inferior to the one I previously owned due to the fact that the material does not seem as stiff or durable.
I am stuck with the bag as I am traveling internationally but I am looking out for a replacement. No more Targus brand for me.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from TargusBy Targus Support, November 19, 2024
We are sorry to hear that you are having issues with the zippers. Our backpacks have a limited lifetime warranty and our customer support team would be happy to help you with a claim. Please contact them at 877-482-7487 Monday thru Friday 10 AM to 7 AM EST
Written by a customer while visiting Targus