The MATEIN Extra Large 17-inch TSA Anti-Theft Backpack is a budget travel and work backpack built around a 17-inch laptop sleeve, a 40L main compartment that unfolds 180 degrees for TSA checkpoints, and a built-in USB charging port. For roughly $40 it targets the gamer-student who needs to carry a 17-inch gaming laptop, peripherals and a change of clothes for LAN tournaments and weekend trips. This MATEIN backpack review covers build, laptop protection, organization, comfort and verdict.
- MATEIN Extra Large 17″ at a Glance
- Build Quality & Materials
- Laptop Protection & Padding
- Storage & Organization
- Comfort & Carry — Straps / Back Panel
- Use Cases — Daily / Travel / Esports Tournament
- Verdict — Is the MATEIN Extra Large Worth It?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Gaming Backpack Reviews
- Related Articles
MATEIN Extra Large Backpack, 17 Inch TSA Friendly Travel Laptop Backpack | Business Work & College Bookbags, 20+ Pockets, Anti-Theft Hidden Pocket, Computer Bag, Gifts for Men & Women, Black
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MATEIN Extra Large 17″ at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Laptop compartment size | Fits up to 17.3-inch laptops |
| Total capacity (L) | 40L expandable main compartment |
| Material | 1680D water-repellent polyester |
| Water resistance | Water-repellent coating (showers, not submersion) |
| USB charging port | Yes — external USB-A pass-through with internal cable (power bank not included) |
| RFID-blocking pocket | Not on this model |
| TSA-friendly checkpoint | Yes — main compartment unfolds 180 degrees for x-ray scan without removing laptop |
| Anti-theft features | Hidden zippered back pocket against the wearer’s back; lockable zipper pulls |
| Approximate price | around $40 |
Build Quality & Materials
MATEIN builds the Extra Large around 1680D polyester, a heavy-denier weave that strikes the budget-bag sweet spot between weight, abrasion resistance and price. The fabric carries a water-repellent coating that will see off light rain and coffee spills on a commute but is not designed for submersion or sustained downpours — if you are caught in a heavy shower, the contents will eventually wet through and a rain cover is the right answer. Stitching is double-stitched at high-stress points such as the strap anchors and handle, which matters for a bag that will routinely carry 7+ pounds of laptop and accessories. Zippers are mid-grade YKK-style sliders rather than the premium YKK aqua-guard found on flagship bags, but the lockable zipper pulls on the main compartment let you slip a TSA padlock or carabiner through them — the basic mechanism behind the bag’s anti-theft marketing. It is honest budget construction: not the lifetime build of a $200 SwissGear, but engineered to hold up to several years of daily use at a fraction of the price.
Laptop Protection & Padding
The dedicated laptop compartment is sized for machines up to 17.3 inches diagonal — wide enough to swallow a desktop-replacement-class gaming laptop such as the ASUS ROG Strix G18 review or a Lenovo Legion 16. The sleeve is built with a foam-padded back, side and bottom wall, and a velcro retention strap that keeps the laptop snug against the padded spine. The padding is moderate-density rather than the high-density EVA foam of premium bags, which means it absorbs the bumps of a daily commute well but you should still avoid free-falling the loaded backpack onto concrete. The laptop sleeve sits against the padded back panel, which is the safest position in a backpack — the wearer’s back acts as a second cushion against impacts. For travelers heading into the cargo hold or rough handling, an internal hard-shell laptop case adds the extra protection the bag’s mid-grade foam does not provide.
Storage & Organization
The MATEIN organizes 40L across three main zones. The dedicated laptop compartment opens to lay completely flat for TSA. The expandable main compartment swallows a change of clothes, a hoodie, a 17-inch gaming mousepad and a full-size mechanical keyboard with room to spare — this is the bag’s calling card and the reason it earns the Extra Large name. A separate front organizer panel holds a clutch of cables, chargers, a power bank, pens, a small notebook and the inevitable handful of USB sticks; the dedicated pen loops and zippered mesh pocket are well judged for the kit a gamer-student actually carries. Side mesh pockets accept a 1L water bottle or a folding tripod. The hidden zippered pocket on the rear panel sits against the wearer’s back and is genuinely difficult for a pickpocket to access in transit — passport, cash and phone live there in transit. A built-in luggage strap on the rear panel slides the bag onto a roller suitcase handle, which matters for a 40L bag at full load.
Comfort & Carry — Straps / Back Panel
At a 40L extra-large capacity the comfort engineering carries the bag, and MATEIN does the basics correctly. The shoulder straps are S-curve contoured with mesh-covered foam padding, a thoughtful detail that follows the natural shoulder shape rather than running straight. A removable sternum strap and waist strap distribute load off the shoulders, which a 17-inch gaming laptop plus a change of clothes genuinely benefits from. The back panel is foam-channeled with three vertical air-flow channels — not the suspended mesh of a hiking pack but a real attempt to keep the wearer’s back cooler under load. The top haul handle is padded and structured rather than the flimsy nylon webbing common on cheaper bags. For all-day carry with a heavy gaming laptop, the MATEIN is more comfortable than its price suggests, but enthusiast travelers who routinely carry a 17-inch laptop should expect to feel the load on the shoulders after long airport days.
Use Cases — Daily / Travel / Esports Tournament
Three buyers will get the most out of the MATEIN. The first is the daily commuter or student carrying a 17-inch gaming laptop between home and class — the comfort, the lockable zippers and the hidden back pocket suit the urban-commute threat model. The second is the weekend traveler who wants a single-bag carry-on for short trips: the 40L expandable capacity carries a laptop plus 2 to 3 days of clothes, and the TSA-friendly laptop sleeve speeds up airport security. The third is the esports tournament attendee who needs to carry a gaming laptop, a keyboard, a mouse, a mousepad, headphones and a change of clothes to a LAN event — the bag’s calling card is precisely this load. It is less suited to multi-day backcountry travel or true rugged use, where a purpose-built travel pack with full waterproofing earns its higher price. For the budget-conscious gamer who needs a single Extra Large bag to do daily work and weekend travel, the MATEIN is well judged.
Verdict — Is the MATEIN Extra Large Worth It?
At around $40 the MATEIN Extra Large is a strong choice for the budget-conscious gamer who wants a single backpack to carry a 17-inch laptop, peripherals and a weekend’s clothes. The 40L expandable capacity, the TSA-friendly laptop sleeve, the USB charging passthrough and the hidden anti-theft back pocket cover the essential features that more expensive bags charge two and three times the price for. The compromises are honest: mid-grade water resistance rather than full waterproofing, no RFID-blocking pocket, and the foam padding is moderate rather than premium. For the buyer pairing it with a 17-inch machine from the best RTX 5070 gaming laptops roundup, the MATEIN is the budget-bag default. Travelers who fly weekly, or who carry a $3,000 gaming laptop and want flagship protection, should step up to the SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart or a KROSER hard-shell.
Pros: 40L expandable capacity; TSA-friendly 180-degree lay-flat sleeve; USB charging passthrough; hidden anti-theft rear pocket; lockable zipper pulls; luggage strap; comfortable contoured straps for the price.
Cons: Water-repellent only, not waterproof; no RFID-blocking pocket; moderate foam padding rather than premium high-density EVA; mid-grade zippers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MATEIN backpack include a power bank?
No — the USB charging port is a pass-through, meaning you supply your own power bank inside the bag and the cable routes to an external USB-A port. You can pair it with any USB-A power bank; for travel see our power bank buyer’s guide.
Is the MATEIN truly waterproof?
No — the 1680D polyester has a water-repellent coating that handles light rain and spills, but in a sustained downpour the contents will wet through. Carry a separate rain cover for serious weather.
Will a 17-inch gaming laptop actually fit in the MATEIN?
Yes. The sleeve is sized for laptops up to 17.3 inches diagonal and comfortably swallows a 17-inch gaming laptop such as the ASUS ROG Strix G18 review. Some thicker 18-inch desktop-replacement laptops will not fit — for those, step up to the KROSER 18.4-inch XXXL.
Is the MATEIN airline carry-on compliant?
At 40L expanded it is at the upper boundary of US domestic carry-on. Most US airlines accept it; some budget international carriers with stricter sizers may require it under-seat. Always check your specific carrier’s measured limits.
More Gaming Backpack Reviews
- Lenovo Laptop Backpack B210 15.6″ Water-Repellent Review
- Volher Anti-Theft Slim Business Travel Backpack Review
- SHRRADOO Anti-Theft Backpack with Combination Lock Review
- SWISSGEAR 1900 ScanSmart 17″ TSA RFID Backpack Review
- KROSER 17.3″ Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port Review
- KROSER XL 17.3″ Hard Shell Saferoom RFID Backpack Review
- KROSER 18.4″ XXXL Gaming Backpack Hard Shell Review
- MATEIN 17″ Travel Work Laptop TSA Carry-On Review
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