This is a quality gig bag and very easy to use. It offers great protection for gigging around town and road travel. Of course you would need more protection for checking at the airport. Is it different than the previous bag, yes but once you get used to it, it's super simple to get the stadium in and out. I have the XL version and I used the provided top insert to protect my Helix from the additional items that I load on top. I took a half star off simply because the price is a bit high. However, If you look around, you can find rebates for purchases made at sweetwater. I received a $ rebate which effectively made this bag $ for me.

This thing is awesome. I agree at first view it isn't as pretty as the old bag but this thing is a tank and can hold ALOT. The Stadium XL, my full sized gaming laptop, my tablet, wireless unit, cables. The hidden Air Tag compartment is nice and the power bank integration is solid. Ibwould trust taking this thing on a plane.

Think this a great gig bag/backpack. Allowing you to carry your Helix Stadium in and out of a gig leaving both hands free for your guitar and other stuff.

Now if I am going to doing a lot of traveling with it, I'd also have a hard case for some additional protection.

Think this a great gig bag/backpack. Allowing you to carry your Helix Stadium in and out of a gig leaving both hands free for your guitar and other stuff.

Now if I am going to doing a lot of traveling with it, I'd also have a hard case for some additional protection.

Hilarious how much hate there is for this bag... seriously, people are emotional about it. It's not for everyone, but it's perfect for me. If you want a well made compact bag for the stadium XL, this is great. Lots of padding, and room for what I need to carry... a few cables, iPad, pencils and note pad. I tossed the internal velcro retainer thingy, it's just not necessary and seems like its for the smaller non-XL stadium.

I have zero problems getting the board in and out of the backpack. Zero. No snags of buttons or knobs, no need for more hands.

Contrary to some claims I've seen online, it does have grab handles on the top and side. They could be more beefy, but they get the job done.

Some people hate the roll top. I get it. I don't mind it at all.

The bag is surprisingly comfortable to wear. (I'm 6'4")

I really appreciate that the logos are small and subtle, and that the bag isn't oversized.

My only complaint is the price. Given the $ price of the modeler, I'd love to see this included... asking another $ for a soft bag is crazy. Thankfully you can find them discounted since so many people are returning them.

I read all the negative reviews and was surprised when I received the bag because this Helix bag is awesome! It has a very modern design with a folding top, and it's extremely easy to get the Helix in and out. It's a compact bag but has tons of space for gear - laptop, iPad, etc. It's perfect for fly gigs since I can bring this as my personal item (hopefully), plus a carry-on and a checked bag. The latches are super nice, and I feel my Helix is very well protected inside. The USB charging port and AirTag pocket are an extra bonus! I really don't understand all the negative reviews.

The Helix Stadium XL unit looks like it will slip out of the cloth case. There is no zippered closure. Instead there is

A rectangular piece of Velcro covered cardboard to hold the $ Helix unit in place. Buy the hard case instead.

I am a big fan of top-loading (vertical) bags, and this one works great. Sturdy, protects the Stadium well, easy in/out, and looks good!

The quality of the bag is well built, however the main compartment and front pouch are significantly smaller. There is not a lot of room for many wires, the power plug, or if you have an added pedal. The older helix bag would have room for my wah pedal, a vocal pedal, and several wires. I need to carry an extra bag now for the extras. In addition, the way the bag opens for the main unit can be a bit awkward when pulling the helix in and out of.

The quality is good, but the functionality lacks.

The backpack looks great but is terribly inadequate. Way too small which makes it too difficult to get the unit in or out the backpack. The storage provided is awful for taking the unit out for a gig. Very little room for essentials or spare stuff (batteries, cables, wireless unit, etc.). The clips for closing the bag are cumbersome and the straps just as bad. The whole design is flawed.

I returned it and the great people at Sweetwater replaced it with the standard Helix Floor bag for me. I have a Helix floor and backpack. It's a great backpack and the Helix Stadium XL fits well into it, provides easy/safe access and plenty of storage. Let's you have one package for everything you may need for a gig or recording session.

Overall, this a quality bag that is built to last. That said, it is way too expensive. Almost $ for a nice backpack is ridiculous.

Also, I thought there were a few things about the original Helix backpack that were better. The main thing is the new fold over closure. I prefer the zipper of the old one. You could insert the Helix with one hand and zip it up with the other hand. This new artsy fartsy foldy flappy thing requires two hands to open and then you no longer have any hands left to insert the Helix. Poor design! I also miss having the one small zippered pouch for easy access to power cord, picks, capos, etc. That was awesome and I have no idea why they got rid of that.

L6 really dropped the ball on this one.

The main compartment. You have two clips on the side you have to separate. Then unroll the top like a paper grocery bag. That's 8 inches of material you have to reach into to get to the unit. There are compartments on the back. You have to reach around/over/under the bp straps to get to them. Not a good design at all.

My plan is to get an equipment blanket or a couple of towels to put inside an OG Helix backpack and use that instead.