KEEP YOUR STRAPS SECUREBackpacks can be cumbersome when boarding and exiting an airplane.Be careful swinging a big bag like the Tortuga off of your shoulder in a cramped airplane aisle. You're liable to knock out a fellow passenger.When you're navigating a narrow space like an airplane, train, or subway, carry the Tortuga by its padded top or side handle.When carrying the Tortuga like a briefcase, use the built-in strap cover to protect the shoulder straps, chest strap, and hip belt from damage.Just unroll the strap cover from its pocket on the bottom of the bag and zip it over all of the straps. Just like that, you're protected from snags and rips.The top and side handles are also convenient for putting your backpack in and taking it out of the overhead bin. If you put the Tortuga in the bin bottom-first, you can use the top handle to easily slide it out when you've landed. PROTECT YOUR COMPUTERStore up to a 17" laptop in the Tortuga's padded laptop sleeve. Easily slide your computer into and out of your backpack at airport security.The Tortuga's laptop sleeve sits between the bag's back padding and its main compartment. By keeping your heavy laptop near your body, your pack stays balanced and doesn't pull on your shoulders.You can't help but pack the Tortuga correctly.PROTECT YOUR STUFF FROM THEFTTourist attractions, public transportation, and hostels are magnets for pickpockets.Most backpacks close at the top, with a drawstring. These bags are easy targets for even the most inexperienced thief.The Tortuga is made to keep your belongings safe. All of the zippers on the Tortuga's main compartment are lockable. Use a simple TSA-approved padlock (sold separately) to keep your gear locked up and out of harm's way.No bag is 100% theft-proof. By using a theft deterrent, like a padlock, your bag will turn away petty criminals. Thieves are looking for a quick score. Don't be the easiest mark. If you put up some resistance, thieves will move on to the next targetKEEP EVERYTHING WITHIN REACHWorld travel requires you to constantly adapt to new conditions. You never know when you might have to sprint to catch a flight, show a ticket stub you'd forgotten about, or present your liquids for yet another security inspection.Whether you're a neat freak or a total mess, the Tortuga's pockets can store everything you need within easy reach.You can use the mesh pockets on the inside cover to store your electronics, power cables, copies of your important documents, and any other small items that you don't want to get lost among your clothes.On the front face of the Tortuga, you'll find a large, quick-access pocket. This pocket is great for storing anything you will need at the airport or on your flight. Store your books, ereader, or carry-on-sized liquids here for easy access without opening the main compartment of your backpack.Other "travel" backpacks neglect to include any pockets that you can reach while wearing your bag. To grab even the smallest item, you have to take those packs all the way off. That's not very convenient.The Tortuga has four pockets that you can reach while wearing it.The main body of the pack has two side pockets for storing guidebooks, maps, water bottles, umbrellas, or any similarly-sized items.The hip belt (more on that in the next section) has two more pockets. These pockets are the easiest ones to reach when wearing your backpack. They are great for carrying cash, coins, tickets, and boarding passes.You can also use these pockets when going through airport security. I transfer everything from my pants' pockets into the Tortuga's hip belt pockets before going through the metal detector or scanner. Having my money, passport, and phone securely zipped away makes me feel safe. Storing my valuables in the Tortuga's hip belt pockets is much safer than throwing them in a bowl to go through the X-ray machine. Don't leave your money and phone lying around, just waiting to be stolen off of the conveyor belt.