Nike Hoops Elite Backpack Review

8.7
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Nike Hoops Elite Backpack Review Review Facts

If you have come here today hoping to find an excellent all-purpose backpack then you are in luck. That really best sums up the Nike Hoops Elite Backpack as while it is not quite flawless, it deserves to be dubbed “elite”. And when we say it is an all-purpose pack, we mean exactly that.

While it was designed to be used for your sports gear, it can serve several other purposes, as well. Many people, in fact, have found it to work great for schooling events and such. Whether you are going to college or even if you have a little one who needs a well-designed backpack, the Nike Hoops Elite can do the trick.

However, it is not a pack that is overflowing with compartment after compartment. It is incredibly spacious for its size but really only has a couple of additional pockets to work with. And, while somewhat steep in price, for the most part, this pack has also been built quite well. Let’s just say that most of you are going to be quite pleased with it.

If you are interested in checking up all the details about this Nike elite backpack then you should definitely find time to read this detailed review.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros

There are Max Air units in the straps

Features an innovative zip system

Equipped with wet/dry separation

It can be used as a school backpack

Quite striking in its appearance

There is plenty of space inside

Features a water-resistant bottom

Weighs less than two pounds

Cons

The zippers have been known to break

Not 100 percent waterproof

Not a ton of compartments

Comfort

What many of you are going to find out is carrying this pack for extended periods will not be too strenuous on your back or shoulders (if you need help in this field make sure u read our guide on the best posture correctors). Though, do keep in mind that this will depend on the load that you are carrying (which is going to differ from time to time). Nonetheless, you will still find this most comfortable to carry, and there are a few reasons why.

For starters, let’s talk about the design of the shoulder straps. They have been equipped with Nike’s Max Air units. As you can see from the photos, these units encompass roughly 70 to 75 percent of the straps. They add cushioning to them, and this is going to prevent them from digging into your shoulders.

Of course, it also helps that these same straps are fully adjustable. They offer excellent flexibility regarding their length and will be suitable for users of many different heights and sizes. Oh, and lastly, this pack is also not going to sag while you walk (thanks to the design of the back).

Features

One of the primary features that make the Nike Hoops Elite Backpack stand out is its innovative and unique zip system. It does not merely open from one or two directions. Instead, it implements what can be best described as an “X” formation system. Some zippers run down the sides and also one around the top.

With this diverse of a system, it allows you to open and access your items from all angles. It is just going to add convenience to your overall experience is. Now, moving on to the design of the storage compartments, there are not too many to work with.

Outside of the spacious main compartment, all you have is the side pockets. On the plus side, however, there is a mesh sleeve located in the main compartment. This can allow you to separate your dirty or wet gear from your dry equipment. As for the side pockets, they can work great for some smaller items (such as hydration drinks).

Use

Arguably the most impressive aspect of this pack is how practical it is. No, it is not loaded with several different storage compartments, but that does not hinder its practicality as much as you would think. Due to the plethora of ways in which it can be utilized, it makes the pack quite diverse as a whole.

Technically, it is advertised as a basketball backpack, but it can be used for so much more than that. It is perfect for really any physical activity. From soccer to basketball to a general fitness backpack, this pack can store quite a few of your most needed valuables. The interior mesh sleeve also allows for wet and dry separation, so do not forget that.

But, you also do not have to limit the use of this pack to just sports and fitness. Even for college and general schooling, this can work great. Heck, it can even be a great gift for your child. Of course, be prepared for the other kids to get insanely jealous of your kid and his new pack.

Color

When it comes to style, color, or anything to do with physical appearance, it is always going to be subjective. Regarding whether or not the Nike Hoops Elite Backpack “looks good,” it is going to be no different. However, and this is going out on a little bit of a limb, it is safe to say that most of you will be quite fond of the visual style of this backpack.

On top of the fact that there are a few different colorways available, each of them is clean and elegant. In specific, the charcoal, black, white, and the gold option is going to leave many of you with a smile on your face, granted you can stomach the Nike logo on the front (which should be fine if you like buying Nike products).

If for whatever reason, though, you would prefer a different option, Nike also sells this in other colors such as blue, midnight navy, and red. You will be able to find most of them on Amazon.

Durability

For the most part, this is a well-built backpack that is worth the price of admission. It is comprised primarily of polyester, and while this synthetic fabric is not the most durable you will find in travel backpacks (such as nylon and canvas), it makes for a robust and well-defined core as a whole.

As for the denier, which is arguably just as important as the fabric itself, this sports 600-denier polyester. Relativity speaking, this is a reasonably high denier count, and when coupled with the double-stitching, it means that you are not likely going to rip and tear this sucker.

However, there was a reason this section started with “for the most part.” It has been documented by several reviewers that one of the most significant issues with the Nike Hoops Elite Backpack is the durability of its zippers. They have been known to break and fail within a few months. And, while zippers can typically be repaired, this is still a potential nuisance that you may not want to deal with.

Size

Just by looking at the photos, you would probably assume that this pack would be limited in the amount of gear that it can hold. While your standards may be higher than some, many will agree that this holds far more than what meets the eye. And, while Nike does not really provide an internal capacity measurement, you can still gauge how much this is going to hold.

For the record, and this is provided, it is 13 inches wide, 21 inches tall, and 9 inches deep. And, to put it bluntly, the interior space is just insane. Going back to why this would work so well for educational purposes, it can hold several school books and even a laptop. You could even fit three fully inflated soccer balls inside and your cleats.

This really should give you a pretty good idea of what this bad boy is capable of. Granted you do not have a ridiculous amount of gear to account for, you should find the main compartment spacious enough for your needs.

Waterproofness

Let’s get this out of the way; the Nike Hoops Elite is not waterproof. If you leave it and your interior contents exposed to raging downpours, everything is going to become soaked. This pack is merely not going to be able to keep up with that much rain. With that being said, the 600-denier polyester construction does make it somewhat water-resistant.

As the thread count is higher with this backpack, water is going to take a bit longer to pass through the tiny gaps between them. So, in light rain, this is still going to be okay and will keep your interior gear safe and dry.

Additionally, the bottom has been given special attention and has been made with a completely separate water-resistant material. This will allow you to set this pack down with no worries of water seeping through the bottom. Keep in mind. However, it will get through if you physically immerse the bottom in water.

Weight

It does not matter how you intend to utilize the Nike Hoops Elite; you are not going to need to concern yourself over the weight. The reason for this is the bag clocks in at a minuscule 1.7 pounds in total weight. You read that right; this bad boy only weighs 1.7 pounds in total.

Yes, the more items you place inside, the higher this weight is going to inflate. But, with a base weight of 1.7 pounds, it does not matter as there is only so much you are going to fit inside this anyway. The material will also only handle a specific load so you can’t overdo it.

What is nice about the ultra-lightweight nature of this bag is the fact that it can work great if you need to wear it for several hours a day. No, you probably will not want to take it as a hiking backpack, but it is never a bad thing to own a pack that is not bogged down by unnecessary weight.

Brand

When it comes to dealing with companies that you are unfamiliar with, it can be a bit scary as you do not know what to expect. Sure, it is always nice to give a new company a chance but, sometimes, you want to stick with the hand that feeds you. That just so happens to be Nike in this little idiom.

And, if you have never heard of Nike, then you have either been living under a rock for the last several decades or are entirely cut off from society. Yeah, Nike is that much of a juggernaut. In their annual report that they release, it was estimated that the company generated right around $36 billion in 2018 alone.

They are the number one sports brand in the entire world and for a good reason. The solace here is you know that Nike dedicates their time and craft to making the best equipment possible for their loyal consumers. Such is the case with their Hoops Elite Backpack.

Bottom Line

There is no questioning that this is a well-designed pack. Sure, everyone has their own opinions, but Nike has done quite an excellent job with their design. The Hoops Elite is an all-purpose bag that can handle all different types of uses. From carrying your sports gear to your school books, you are sure to find a use for it.

It is also quite spacious so you will be able to account for quite a few essentials with it. At the same time, there also was not an emphasis on organization, and it shows. With really only a few pockets (plus the interior mesh sleeve) at your disposal, some of your gear can end up getting cluttered a bit too quickly.

The Nike Hoops Elite Backpack, all in the meanwhile, is also a joy to carry on your back. It is not packed with ample ventilation or anything like that, but its well-padded shoulder straps are sure to please you.

Then again, the zippers could be seen as the downfall of this design. This is ironic, seeing how they are uniquely designed and great when working correctly. That is the issue, though; they have been known to break within a few months. Still, all in all, many of you will be quite happy with the results of the Nike Hoops Elite.