Pakt Travel Backpack V2 Review: Worth The Hype?

I reviewed the first version of the Pakt Travel Backpack a couple of years ago, giving it a mostly positive review. Since a new V2 version came out, I thought it was time for a thorough re-review

While some of the tweaks in this latest edition are subtle, I came away liking it even more than the original. That said, its design does lend itself better for certain travel styles than others. The way that the space is split up inside may also divide opinions.

This pack got quite a bit of initial hype, in part because it was designed in collaboration with YouTube personality Chase Reeves. I wanted to go beyond the hype and see if it’s a pack worth considering, so I tested the final production version of the Pakt Travel Backpack for several weeks on a trip in Portugal.

Overview of the Pakt

So here’s how I would pitch the Pakt Travel Backpack: if you’re looking for a medium-size (35L) carry-on where you can neatly fit all your gear into their own little spaces and where you’re constantly surprised by every zipper revealing another handy pouch, then this is 100% the bag for you. The level of organization and sub-division in this backpack is simply unparalleled.

It kinda feels like one of those capsule apartments in Japan, where you can pull down a bed out of a wardrobe, or you flip a wall around to make an office. The Pakt has been sliced up in so many different ways that you can store things in a seperated and perfectly orchestrated way.

However, if you prefer having a bigger space to quickly chuck all your stuff in, or if you just like to keep your organization simpler, then this pack not quite fit your style.

Superficially, the Pakt Travel Backpack may not immediately catch your eye. At least… it didn’t for me when I only looked at its plain black exterior design at a glance. Mind you, I think it looks fine, just not necessarily super unique or different. What actually makes this backpack compelling is the sheer functionality you’ll find on the inside.

I’ll dive into all that functionality in a moment. But there’s something important about the Pakt that other reviews kind of gloss over.

It’s one thing that I believe really makes it stand out.

And it’s the fact that it’s a hamburger, not a pizza.

Let me explain.

True clamshell design

Like many popular carry-on backpacks, the Pakt has a clamshell design. This means you zip it open along the sides, much like a suitcase, providing super easy access.

Most carry-ons open up through a middle zipper, but then offer essentially one main storage compartment. I think of these backpacks a bit as a pizza; the back panel is the base and your luggage is everything you pile on top.

What’s a bit different is that the Pakt truly has two equal halves. It opens up more like two burger buns, with your luggage in between them.

OK, this analogy isn’t perfect — and I’m probably just hungry right now. But you’ll get what I mean when looking at the image below.

As you can see, one half of the Pakt’s main interior is behind a mesh. The other half is behind a zipped panel. Between them is a pouch, which is in fact the laptop compartment.

I like this a lot. Firstly, it means your laptop will be safely hamburgered between your other luggage. It’s good to have your laptop snugly at the center — for security, load balancing, and comfort. Unlike other packs, the laptop isn’t positioned like a plank right on your back, which is cool.

I also appreciate how the main compartment is subdivided, making it easier to organize. I immediately thought about how I’d use this evenly split space.

I figured I’d use the mesh compartment for clothing I need to access easily, like socks/underwear and my most-used pieces. Other less-frequently used items can live in the other half of the main compartment, behind the laptop. Of course, you may find an entirely different way to organize.

The mesh, by the way, has its own zipper. This means you can stuff some items in the meshed divider, as well as in the compartment behind it. I like how this gives you three separated areas within the main compartment. While packing cubes can still be useful, I can also see how the Pakt can easily do without them.

There is one minor downside to this true clamshell design, which I’ll get to in the conclusion, but overall I think it’s an excellent idea that makes organization a lot easier.

Unique or clever features

The Pakt Travel Backpack has clearly had a lot of thought put into its functionality. It has a plethora of pouches, compartments, and zippers.

There are more of these, perhaps, than you will know what to do with at first. After a few days of using it, I got used to the Pakt and found everything to be within quick easy reach. In fact, I think access is truly where this backpack shines. Everything is just very easy to get to.

The Pakt Travel Backpack has all the usual elements you’d expect. There is a travel organizer with a pen and keychain holder, a water bottle pocket on the side, and so on. But there are also some less conventional features.

One nifty feature is the secret compartment. It’s hidden on the back between the top shoulder straps. It’s really a bit awkward to get into, but that’s the point. It isn’t meant for quick access, but purely to keep bank cards, a passport, or other sensitive items.

The idea is that this can prevent theft if someone is quickly rifling through your bag. When you’re carrying the back is also the most secure place, making pickpocketing from here virtually impossible.

A unique feature that I’m much more into is the detachable waist strap. Some travelers, myself included, love waist straps as they help distribute the load along your body. Others may find waist straps a bit extraneous, especially those who pack light. If that’s you, rest assured you can completely detach the waist strap and not use it at all.

Except there’s a twist: the waist strap can be transformed into a small sling pack!

Giving the waist strap this dual purpose I think is a really fun and creative idea. It lets you leave your main carry backpack at your accommodation, while using the sling as a small day-pack to go out and explore.

Finally, the front quick-access compartment has a waterproof lining. This makes it ideal to use for toiletries, swimming gear, or other wet items. Having once had an incident in Peru involving a leaking shampoo bottle and the entire contents of my backpack, I can definitely see the value in this feature!

Design + conclusion

The Pakt Travel Backpack is a premium and feature-filled backpack. To my mind, it sits in the same category as, say, the Peak Design 45L or the Nomatic 40L Travel Backpack.

That having said, I think its exterior design is perhaps not so distinguished. Its shape and materials remind me a lot of the Aer Travel Pack 2. Solid but maybe not so eye-catching.

Then again, flashy backpacks can easily draw unwanted attention. Ever since my Peak Design Everyday Backpack was stolen (with my Macbook inside, noooooo!), I’ve been more conscious of this fact. From a security sense, I can appreciate the Pakt Travel Backpack’s understated looks.

On the inside, it’s a different story. It has a number of signature design touches; I especially love the quilted look of some of the interior padding. It’s a classy touch that makes the interior feel almost… homely? When packing or unpacking, it feels really nice to use.

One minor issue I’ve had with the clamshell design is that I couldn’t so easily fit larger hiking or walking boots. Sadly, my chonky hiking shoes (for my chonky feet) were a bit too tall to fit so easily into the Pakt. While the divided main space is fine for sneakers, sandals, or canvas shoes, I felt like I was pushing it with my hiking boots. That’s not going to be an issue for everyone, but I mention it anyway.

As far as size goes, this is a 30L pack so it will easily fit virtually any carry-on size restrictions, including stringent airlines in Europe. Nevertheless, it may surprise you how much you can fit inside as the layout makes it feel very spacious.

Personally, I’m more of a 40L or 45L backpack kinda guy, as my job as a travel blogger necessitates bringing more electronics than perhaps the average traveler.

If you are a light or efficient packer, you surely won’t struggle with the 30-liter capacity. If you are going on an epic journey through multiple climates, you may want to look at something a bit bigger.

I’ve found the Pakt backpack comfortable to wear, with good padding on the shoulder straps, and load lifter straps to keep the load distributed fully on your back. The waist straps sit just a tad too high for my rather non-average length (1m94 or 6’5) but I wasn’t too bothered by this.

By the way, this pack does a good job of carrying tech gear. The laptop compartment perfectly fits my Dell XPS 15”, while the water bottle pocket easily fits my Manfrotto Compact Action tripod.

At $299 the Pakt Travel Backpack isn’t the cheapest backpack on the market. That said, Pakt’s ethos is all about sustainability and durability, choosing materials and designs that will last a long time. The pack is made from thick-threaded 900D recycled plastic (ePET) and is fully weather-resistant. Tip of the hat to Pakt for designing this product for the long haul.

In conclusion, I’ve found the Pakt Travel Backpack very comfortable to wear and easy to organize. I would probably put it in my top 5 for premium backpacks. The clamshell configuration is a great design choice that sets it apart from many other backpacks, so if you think you will like this layout, then the Pakt may well be the perfect backpack for you.

Buy it at Pakt

The Pakt Travel Backpack is available exclusively through the Pakt online store. I recommend checking out this overview of the Pakt for a visual look at all its features.