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Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
At some point over the last couple decades, backpacks shifted away from just a grade-school necessity to a legitimately stylish adult accessory. As a mom and a travel writer who’s constantly on-the-go — and schlepping an ungodly number of belongings — I’m very much here for it. While I’ve owned quite a few backpacks, the Dagne Dover Dakota has remained one of my most trusted bags, and not only because of the ultra-modern, minimalist aesthetic.
The Dakota may not work for all situations, but I’ve found that it’s an excellent everyday backpack. And while I don’t reach for it every day , it’s held up remarkably well over nearly two years of regular rotation.
My main takeaway: The Dakota Backpack is worth it because it’s durable, looks sleek and sophisticated, and distributes weight beautifully across my shoulders. The unfussy layout also makes it easy to stay organized.
How the Dakota holds up after 2 years
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I’ve been using the Dakota for two years now, and it also still looks remarkably good after two years of use, with no visible pilling or tears — and minimal stains.
Soft but durable neoprene exterior: The material has maintained its appearance despite somewhat regular use.
Water-resistant, but not stain-resistant: I’ve found that the fabric repels light rain and minor water spills. However, I’ve had to be careful not to handle the bag right after applying skincare products on my hands right before using it, since neoprene can absorb oils. I have a habit of setting my backpack on the floor, so the bottom of the bag has a few stubborn stains — but I don’t mind those as much because they’re not really visible when I’m wearing it.
Spot-clean-only care: Machine washing the Dakota would risk chipping the hardware or warping the fabric. Fortunately, I’ve been able to spot treat stains with mild detergent, cold water, and a soft washcloth. But Dagne Dover warns that insufficient rinsing can leave water rings, so to play it safe, I typically submerge the entire bag into cold water.
How the Dakota functions at school, work, and on the road
Rebecca Strong/ Business Insider
The capacity of backpacks ranges quite a bit, but on average, they offer around 20-25 liters of space — so, at 16 liters, the Dagne Dover Dakota is slightly more compact. Still, there’s a reason why we’ve named the Dagne Dover Dakota one of the best college backpacks and the best work backpacks : it has adequate space for a laptop, phone, planner, and other daily essentials — plus a water bottle, snacks, and even a light layering piece or change of shoes.
Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
In our full Dagne Dover review , I noted that one of my favorite aspects of this backpack is how pocket-heavy it is—something you’re bound to appreciate if, like me, you hate digging through a black hole for your wallet, chapstick, or keys. Its compartments include:
– A padded laptop/tablet sleeve with a Velcro strap
– 2 upper mesh zipper pockets
– 1 lower mesh zipper pocket
– 2 side air mesh slips
– A large external front zippered pouch
– 2 external elastic side pockets
– 2 hidden external zip pockets on the back
The Dakota also comes with a matching zippered pouch, separate shoe bag, and detachable key leash.
Thanks to the trolley sleeve, the Dakota is travel-ready. I sometimes find that for long-haul international flights, I need a little more room to fit all my creature comforts. That said, the Dakota is perfect for shorter journeys, and I love that it’s slim enough to use as a personal item bag on flights. It slides easily right under the seat in front of me.
Where the Dakota really excels is comfort. Even when the backpack is filled to the brim, the load somehow still feels manageable. Part of that is the sheer size of the backpack, but I mainly credit the padded shoulder straps and squishy neoprene material — a welcome change from rigid canvas.
It’s a bummer that the Dakota isn’t machine washable. But my main beef with the Dakota is that the front zippered pouch felt frustratingly shallow for my needs. I couldn’t fit my wallet or sunglasses case, which are two items I like to keep within reach. That means I have to store these items in the main compartment, where they aren’t always as easy to find. The side elastic pockets aren’t secure enough for valuables, and the two hidden zipper pockets on the back panel would be ideal, but my wallet is too wide and chunky to fit.
What are your alternatives?
Left: The Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack. Right: The Quince All-Day Backpack.
Jennifer Gonick/Business Insider
The Dakota comes in three sizes: small (8-liter capacity), medium (16-liter capacity), and large (20-liter capacity). I chose the medium-sized Dakota because it seemed to strike a sweet spot between fitting all my must-haves yet not feeling overly bulky. That said, the small may be more suitable for people who only need space for everyday basics and a tablet (it doesn’t fit a laptop), while the large may prove more practical for people who need to pack a full day’s worth of gear — like students and commuters.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative with the same minimalist look, consider Quince’s dupe, the All-Day Neoprene Backpack, which instead costs $99.90 . In our head-to-head Dagne Dover vs Quince backpack comparison, former Reviews fellow Jennifer Gonick wrote that Quince’s similar-looking version is nearly just as comfortable to wear — although the Dakota boasts slightly better strap cushioning and a smoother gliding zipper.
However, she noted that the Dakota feels softer to the touch, is slightly wider, and holds its shape a bit better (particularly when it’s not packed). Quince’s version also doesn’t have as many storage compartments. The Dakota has the advantage of an extra external side pocket, as well as two additional zip-up pockets and a shoe bag. It’s also hard to say whether or not Quince’s backpack will hold up as well as the Dakota over time. Read more in our full Quince review .
The bottom line
At $225 , the Dagne Dover Dakota is certainly a splurge. But after two years of use, I can confidently say it’s worth the investment—particularly if style, comfort, and organization are equal priorities. I’m impressed by how well it’s held up, considering I reach for it a couple of times a week for everything from errands to work and family outings.
The Dakota isn’t perfect. I wish it had a roomier front pocket and that I could toss it in the washing machine. But it’s spacious enough to fit all my daily essentials without feeling cumbersome—and just as importantly, it still makes me feel like a put-together professional.
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