Nordace Backpack Review: Is the Siena Pro Worth It?
(This bag was sent to me for free by the company, however, all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links, which means that any purchase may give me a small commission at no extra cost to you)
Here’s my honest review of the Nordace Siena Pro backpack.
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Nordace Siena Smart Backpack Review
My Verdict
I’ve been using my Nordace Siena Smart backpack for a few years now and I absolutely love it. This bag has accompanied me on countless trips around the UK and abroad - from road trips to cruises and long haul flights.
I have the largest 17 inch backpack, which is super spacious and very well organised, making it perfect for all types of travel. I do find that this size is slightly too big for everyday use, which is fine for me, but if you want a reliable everyday bag I would recommend one of the smaller Siena Pro bags.
Quick Facts About the Siena Pro 17 Backpack
Best for: Travel and flights
Capacity: 26L
Under-seat travel: Yes, in my experience
Everyday use: Slightly too big for me
Organisation: Excellent
Comfort: Great
Would I choose this again: Absolutely
Is Nordace a Good Backpack Brand?
Nordace bags aren’t cheap, so you want to make sure you’re actually buying something that’s worth the money. I’ve found that their bags are good quality and genuinely last the test of time. It’s not just me - Nordace have a 4.3 rating on Trustpilot from 9,000 individual reviews.
With a huge variety of bag types and sizes, Nordace really do have something for everyone. There are 17 collections to choose from, with an option for every demographic. Whether you’re after a school bag, baby bag or something for every day use, you’ll find it on the Nordace website.
Siena Pro Backpack Full Review
I decided that I liked this bag as soon as I tore through the packaging and held it in my hands. I received the Nordace Siena Pro in the largest size, 17 inches, and found that it not only fit me well, but came in a pretty blue colour that matched my existing Tripp luggage.
Examining the bag closer, I found that it had a variety of useful pockets and features, including a slot for phone charging through a power bank, which is not something that I’ve had in previous bags. I planned to use this new backpack for travelling and hoped that it would replace my Herschel Little America bag, as it seemed much more useful.
After receiving this one I actually decided to resell my old bag. While it looked aesthetically pleasing, I used to get so frustrated with it as it only had two main pockets, and I could never find whatever I was looking for, and hoped that this new bag would be easier to organise.
While my first impression of the bag was very good, I was excited to put it to the test properly during my upcoming trip to Bucharest, and see whether the bag was as practical as it was pretty.
When packing for the trip, I initially felt that the bag might be a bit too big. As my partner and I were travelling together, we decided to pack most of our clothes and toiletries into a shared checked bag, which left lots of extra space in my backpack. I wondered whether it would feel bulky to carry around a bag that was half empty, but I needn’t have worried.
The extra space became very useful when I arrived at the airport, giving me plenty of room to store my cardigan and coat instead of carrying or wearing them. Usually I just wouldn’t have the space to store them in my carry on, so this was really helpful and stopped me from feeling overheated and stressed in Gatwick’s busy South Terminal.
I love how the backpack looks with my Tripp suitcase!
Does the Nordace Siena Pro 17 Fit Under an Airplane Seat?
The next challenge presented itself when we arrived at the gate to board our flight to Romania with Wizz Air. As I hadn’t paid for a large carry on bag, I worried that the budget airline might deem my Nordace backpack to be too large for the carry-on included with my ticket.
Checking the Wizz Air website, the bag appears to be just under the free carry-on allowance, and I boarded the flight with no problems.
Upon finding my seat on the plane, I was also pleased to find that the bag fit perfectly under the seat in front of me. It was a little bit of a tight squeeze and required a bit of jiggling, but I quickly managed to get it stored away safely at my feet. This was a huge bonus for me as I hate having to get items out of the overhead locker when travelling by plane, and I much prefer to have everything that I need within easy reach.
I’m sure that this was well planned by Nordace, and I was impressed that they’d managed to design such a large and spacious bag that fits so well in the small space reserved for under seat storage on budget airlines.
Once we arrived at our Airbnb in Bucharest, I emptied the bag in preparation to use it while out and about over the next few days. We planned to spend our first full day of the trip at the luxurious Therme Spa, and the second exploring the city, meaning that the bag would serve different purposes on each day.
I ended up just using the backpack on the first day, when I visited the spa, and found it to be very useful. I was easily able to fit everything I needed for the day into the bag, and it fit well into my assigned locker. On the second day, we simply decided to use my partner’s bag instead as it was smaller and we didn’t need to bring as many items out with us.
Update: My Nordace Siena Pro 17 After 2 Years
Two years on, my Nordace Siena Pro backpack is still my go-to travel companion. It’s flown across the world with me on long haul flights, and also travelled to locations around the UK.
The bag itself is holding up really well. It doesn’t have any damage, the pockets are still intact and the zipper continues to work well. I’ve even added the Siena Pro Tote Bag to my collection!
Nordace Siena Pro 17: Pros and Cons
Pros
This bag is super spacious, with a 26 litre capacity
There are lots of useful compartments that help to keep the bag organised
It has large straps, which are comfortable and make the backpack easy to carry
The luggage sleeve means it slots neatly onto my suitcase when travelling
My laptop can be safely stored in the bag’s laptop sleeve
This bag it cute, comes in a range of colours, and looks great
Cons
The 17 inch bag is slightly too big for everyday use, and can feel bulky if you aren’t carrying that much
It is a tight squeeze under an airplane seat, although my personal experience is that it does fit
Some of the features might be unnecessary if you’re using this as an everyday bag
Who Should Buy the Nordace Siena Pro 17?
You should buy this bag if you’re someone who travels regularly, and you want a backpack that can fit all of your essentials.
Which Nordace Siena Pro Size Should You Choose?
If you want an effective everyday bag, then I recommend choosing one of the smaller sizes. The Siena Pro 13.3 inch and 16 inch bags are still spacious with room for a laptop, but are less bulky than the 17 inch bag.
There’s also a mini option, the Siena Pro 11 inch backpack, which is small but perfectly organised. The bag has 15 pockets, with dedicated space for a tablet instead of a laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nordace Siena Pro 17 worth it?
In my opinion, yes! This bag is absolutely worth it. I’ve been using mine for a few years now and it’s still my go-to backpack for any trip.
Does the Nordace Siena Pro 17 fit under an airplane seat?
I’ve had a great experience with taking the Siena Smart Backpack on flights. Amazingly, my 17 inch backpack fits right under the seat in front of me, which is ideal.
Is the Nordace Siena Pro 17 too big for everyday use?
In my opinion, yes it is. I love this bag but the 17 does feel too big for everyday use. If you’re looking for a decent everyday bag, then I recommend buying the Siena Pro in a smaller size.
What is the difference between the Nordace Siena Pro 15 and 17?
The main difference here is that the 17 is slightly bigger than the 15, and is designed for a larger sized laptop.
How much can you fit in the Nordace Siena Pro 17?
You can fit absolutely loads in the Nordace Siena Pro 17! Enormous and really well organised, I’ve never struggled to fit everything I need into this bag.
Discount and Where to Buy
While these bags are stocked in a number of online shops, I recommend purchasing yours from the Nordace website itself.
This is where you will find the full range of sizes and colours, often for a cheaper price than what they sell for on Amazon. Plus you can use my link for an additional 10% discount only on the Nordace website!
Ready to Order Your Nordace Bag?
You can order the Siena Pro, or any of the other Nordace bags, with a 10% discount by using my link.