dude the comp straps are quick release so you can expand the bag quickly it is built to be a work horse it has 1/2" thick back padding or is it 1/4" as for non square items that is why it has straps on it I ordered mine purely out of utility I haul wheels bankers boxes and big flat documents as well as school books all week long you will want this back pack when you have a 40+# bankers box on your back

don't think about asthetics think about utility