We’ve spent a fair bit of time putting the STM Myth 18L Backpack through its paces, and overall we feel it’s a strong, stylish choice for those who want a compact tech commuter pack with a few clever touches. It’s not perfect, but the pluses arguably outweigh the compromises.
From first impressions, the STM Myth feels premium. The materials are solid — 100 % polyester with a DWR/polyurethane treatment — and the reverse-coil zippers suggest a strong focus on durability and weather resistance. The bag measures about 45 × 29 × 15 cm (17.7 × 11.4 × 5.9 in) and weighs around 1 kg (2.2 lb) empty. In hand it feels reassuringly rigid, especially when empty — which gives confidence that it won’t collapse on you when half full.
One of the standout features for us is the SlingTech™ padded laptop compartment, which essentially suspends the laptop away from the bag’s edges. That gives an extra margin of protection against shocks or drops. The compartment accommodates up to a 15-inch laptop (and in some cases, even a 16-inch MacBook Pro). Around that, you get a decent internal layout with cable management features, a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket, an AirPods/earbud slot, and multiple smaller compartments for cords, chargers and accessories. We found the organizational capability well thought out and quite usable in daily life.
In terms of comfort, the Myth does well. The air-channel back panel and contoured yoke/back design distribute weight nicely, and we didn’t experience undue fatigue even when carrying a fully loaded laptop plus accessories. In addition, STM has integrated a luggage pass-through (so you can slide the bag over a trolley handle) that’s melded into the lumbar support area — a nice touch for travel. The straps are padded and stable, though we did notice that the haul (top) handle is a little narrow; when the bag is fully loaded, that loop can start to feel a bit stress-prone.
Where things get a bit less ideal is in the constraints that come with an 18-liter pack. The capacity is somewhat limited. While we were able to squeeze in a laptop, tablet, notebooks, chargers, and a few personal items, there was little margin for bulkier extras or last-minute additions. Also, because the main compartment is compact, you really need to unzip fully before trying to extract items — partial opening can feel tight or awkward. Another omission is the lack of an external water bottle pocket — you’ll need to stow your bottle internally, which uses precious volume. In wetter conditions, while the water repellent shell and zippers hold up reasonably well, we would hesitate to call it fully waterproof — it’s more about splash resistance.
Also, given its price bracket, some may quibble about cost-to-volume ratio: you are paying for design, build, and features more than sheer capacity.
In summary, we see the STM Myth 18L Backpack as a refined, feature-rich option for commuters, students, or minimal travellers who prize style, protection, and organization over brute capacity. If your daily load is moderate and you value thoughtful design (and don’t require a big exterior bottle pocket), the tradeoffs are reasonable. For heavier packers or those who carry more than “laptop + essentials,” stepping up to the 28L version—or choosing a different backpack with more expansion room—would make more sense. But as a compact, premium tech commuter bag, the Myth 18L holds its ground well.
£99.95
Available from amazon.co.uk