The NUBILY 17-inch Waterproof TSA Travel Anti-Theft Backpack is the rainy-climate specialist of the budget travel bag bracket — built around a properly water-resistant outer shell rather than just a DWR coating, with a 17-inch laptop sleeve, a TSA-friendly 180-degree lay-flat opening and a USB passthrough for around $40. This NUBILY backpack review covers build, laptop protection, organization, comfort and verdict.
Prime NUBILY Laptop Backpack 17 Inch Waterproof Extra Large TSA Travel Backpack Anti Theft College Business Mens Backpacks with USB Charging Port 17.3 Gaming Computer Backpack for Women Men Black 45L
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
Quick answer: Our top pick in 2026 is the Laptop compartment size — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
NUBILY 17″ Waterproof at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Laptop compartment size | Fits up to 17.3-inch laptops |
| Total capacity (L) | Approximately 35L main compartment |
| Material | Heavyweight water-resistant polyester with PU-coated zippers and reinforced seams |
| Water resistance | Water-resistant — heavier-denier polyester sheds light to moderate rain meaningfully better than budget DWR-only competitors |
| USB charging port | Yes — external USB-A pass-through with internal cable (power bank not included) |
| RFID-blocking pocket | Not on standard 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 wearer’s back; lockable main-compartment zipper pulls |
| Approximate price | around $40 |
Build Quality & Materials
NUBILY’s standout build feature is genuinely heavier-denier water-resistant polyester — a real step up over the DWR-only coatings of the budget bracket. The fabric will shed light to moderate rain meaningfully better than the Lenovo B210, Volher or basic MATEIN bags, and the contents stay drier in sustained showers. The bag is not fully submersible-waterproof — no zippered backpack with conventional zippers is — but the rainy-day protection is the bag’s calling card and the reason to choose NUBILY over its peers in wet climates. Stitching is double-stitched at every stress point with reinforced seams at the strap anchors. Zippers are PU-coated and lockable on the main compartment. For the buyer who lives in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, the UK or any consistently wet climate, the NUBILY’s water resistance is genuinely useful.
Laptop Protection & Padding
The dedicated laptop compartment is sized for laptops up to 17.3 inches diagonal — wide enough for a 17-inch gaming laptop. The sleeve is foam-padded on the back, side and bottom walls and sits against the bag’s padded back panel — the safest position for laptop transport. Padding density is moderate, well judged for the daily commute and standard carry-on travel use cases. The main compartment unfolds 180 degrees flat for TSA, the same fast-pass principle as the SwissGear ScanSmart at a fraction of the price. The combination of TSA lay-flat plus water-resistant shell makes the NUBILY a strong choice for the buyer who flies regularly through rainy-climate airports.
Storage & Organization
The NUBILY organizes around 35L across three zones. The dedicated laptop compartment with lay-flat sleeve takes the rear position. The main compartment opens to lay flat for TSA and holds a change of clothes, a hoodie, peripherals, a power supply and a few books with room to spare — well judged for a weekend trip. The front organizer panel includes pen loops, cable straps, key clip and a small zippered pocket. The hidden zippered back pocket sits against the wearer’s back for passport and cash in transit. Side mesh pockets accept a 1L water bottle or folding umbrella. A built-in luggage strap on the rear panel slides the bag onto a roller suitcase handle. The USB pass-through is positioned for easy cable access.
Comfort & Carry — Straps / Back Panel
The NUBILY fits contoured padded shoulder straps with a sternum strap to take load off the shoulders during longer carries. The back panel is foam-channeled with vertical air-flow grooves — mainstream comfort engineering for the price. The top haul handle is padded webbing. Under a full 35L load with a 17-inch gaming laptop and a weekend’s clothes, the bag is comfortable for a 30-minute commute or a half-day of airport-to-hotel travel. The heavier polyester shell does add weight over lighter budget bags, which is the trade-off for the water resistance — for all-day all-out airport comfort the SwissGear 1900’s suspended-mesh back panel is the next step up, but the SwissGear costs three times as much.
Use Cases — Daily / Travel / Esports Tournament
The NUBILY is purpose-built for the rainy-climate traveler who carries a 17-inch laptop through airport security regularly and wants meaningfully better water resistance than budget DWR-only bags. The water-resistant shell, the TSA 180-degree lay-flat opening, the 17.3-inch sleeve, the USB pass-through and the hidden rear pocket cover the essentials for this use case. It is also a credible esports tournament bag for the attendee carrying a 17-inch gaming laptop, peripherals and a change of clothes — the 35L capacity is well judged. It is less well suited to office commuters with a 15-inch laptop, who will find the bag oversized; the Lenovo B210 or Volher Slim is the correct bag for them. For the rainy-climate traveler on a budget, the NUBILY is the bag this guide most strongly recommends.
Verdict — Is the NUBILY 17″ Waterproof Worth It?
At around $40 the NUBILY 17 Waterproof is a strong choice for the rainy-climate traveler who carries a 17-inch laptop through airport security and wants better water resistance than the budget DWR-only competition. The water-resistant heavier-denier polyester shell, the TSA 180-degree lay-flat opening, the 17.3-inch padded sleeve, the USB pass-through and the hidden anti-theft rear pocket cover the essentials for the use case at the budget price. The compromises are honest: not fully submersible-waterproof, no RFID-blocking pocket, and the heavier shell adds weight over lighter budget bags. For the buyer who lives in the Pacific Northwest, the UK, Northern Europe or any consistently wet climate and travels with a 17-inch laptop, the NUBILY is the value pick. Buyers wanting lifetime warranty and premium build should step up to the SwissGear 1900 ScanSmart. The NUBILY remains the best mid-budget answer when the climate is the deciding factor and the buyer wants TSA fast-pass and water resistance in the same bag without paying premium money for ballistic-nylon construction or a lifetime warranty they may not need.
Pros: Genuinely water-resistant heavier-denier polyester shell — a step up over budget DWR-only competition; TSA 180-degree lay-flat sleeve; 17.3-inch padded laptop sleeve; USB charging passthrough; hidden anti-theft rear pocket; lockable zipper pulls; 35L travel capacity.
Cons: Not fully submersible-waterproof — conventional zippers limit absolute waterproofing; no RFID-blocking pocket; heavier than lighter DWR-only budget competitors; moderate foam padding rather than premium high-density EVA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NUBILY truly waterproof?
Water-resistant rather than fully waterproof — the heavier-denier polyester sheds light to moderate rain meaningfully better than DWR-only competitors and keeps contents dry in sustained showers, but no zippered backpack with conventional zippers is fully submersible-waterproof.
Does the NUBILY include a power bank?
No — the USB port is a pass-through. You supply your own power bank inside the bag and the cable routes to an external USB-A port. Pair it with any USB-A power bank from our power bank buyer’s guide.
Will a 17-inch gaming laptop fit in the NUBILY?
Yes — the sleeve is sized for laptops up to 17.3 inches diagonal and comfortably swallows a 17-inch gaming laptop. For thicker 18-inch desktop-replacement laptops see the KROSER 18.4-inch XXXL.
Is the NUBILY TSA-friendly?
Yes — the main compartment unfolds 180 degrees flat so the laptop compartment lies separately on the x-ray belt without the laptop being removed. This is the same fast-pass principle as the SwissGear ScanSmart at a fraction of the price.
More Gaming Backpack Reviews
- Lenovo Legion Active 17″ Gaming Backpack Review
- Lenovo Legion 17″ Armored Gaming Backpack Review
- MATEIN Extra Large 17″ TSA Anti-Theft Backpack Review
- 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
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are accurate as of publication and may change.
