Introduction

Back in 2022, I bought the first edition of the Pakt travel backpack, it was something I wanted for a long time- even before it existed. I made an unboxing post here, if you’d like to read it.

I loved that bag. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, but there were things I wanted to change with it. I also hoped and prayed that they made a smaller version of it to use as an everyday backpack, and well, they listened to all of us who were begging them for that.

At some point in early 2023, Pakt released a range of new products- three of which stood out to me. First was their Version 2 of their beloved travel backpack, secondly, a smaller backpack that, as shown on the advertisement for the travel backpack, the smaller bag fits in its own compartment in the travel backpack. Something like that was just what I wanted.

Lastly was the thing I had been wanting since I first laid eyes on the original travel backpack all those years ago- an every day version on that exact backpack! And lo and behold, I got my wish. I bought all the bags together from America, since I have to pay delivery and customs fees, it worked out the best to just buy them all together instead of multiplying the charges by three.

I’ve had the bags for a few months while writing this, so as well as the initial unboxing photos, I’ll be able to give a small review on how the bags have held up. I having yet been on an international trip with the new travel bags, so please keep that in mind. I go use the everyday backpack, well, everyday though.

I have made an entire YouTube video unboxing all these bags, where I go more into the specifics and capacities (as someone who isn’t a professional bag reviewer lol) so I will link that here if you would like to watch it! Would help me out so much!

The Travel Backpack 45L

The Travel Backpack 45L (£277.00)

Firstly, can we all just appreciate how beautifully boxed these bags are? They all came in seperate boxes, wrapped in Pakt branded paper- complete with a little Pakt sticker. On the inside of each box there is a detailed diagram of each individual bag, might just seem like a small detail but I love things like that. Shows thoughtfulness from the company. I’ll link each bag, as well list the prices, for anyone who found this blog who are interested in purchasing the bags.

This bag came in two sizes, the 35L and the 45L. Considering I’ve had… issues in the past with fitting in all my stuff into the last, smaller bag, I opted for the bigger of the two. I still can’t confirm if they’re okay with it on the planes as carry-on, but from the eye, it doesn’t look much bigger, especially when it’s not full. Unlike the last one this one has an expandable pocket. It’s meant for the smaller backpack (purchased separately, obviously) to fit inside but you could easily fit at least 5-7 t-shirts in it if you rolled them.

The bag opens “suitcase style” like the last one, one side has the mesh lining, the other side has a laptop pocket. It fits my 15” MacBook in it, but not when it’s in a case. But that’s dependant on the case you have. Just know that it’ll be a tight fit if you have a 15” or 16” laptop. The weird little zipped area from the last big isn’t in this bag. What was that meant for? Shoes? I don’t know. But that also means the waterproof pocket has also been removed which I wasn’t happy about. That pocket was really handy for going through security at the airport.

On its places, the only small pocket in the outside of the bag is what they’re calling the “admin panel” or the “admin pocket”, which is, the only part of the bag with any kind of built in organisation. All three bags have the exact same pocket, which I do like, I just wish they didn’t take away the other pocket. A wash bag/dopp kit will not fit in the admin pocket for easy retrieval in the airport security line. But, you can open both sides of the back from top zippers now, not just the back side like on the last bag. This makes getting out electronics and toiletries easier, but it’s also more zips to get locks for, if travelling to unsafe places or you’re someone who just likes to put locks on their bags. Just me? Alright then.

The material of this bag is a lot different, and I am not a fan. It picks up every particle of dust and if you have pets, you’ll be taking their fur on your holiday with you. I don’t know why they did this. The only material was perfectly fine, why did they try and fix what wasn’t broken? But oh well, it’s here now. The shoulder straps are nice but very thick and hard, not the most comfortable if wearing with a tank top, sports bra or anything with exposed shoulders, and depending on how small you are, the straps may rub the base of your neck.

I do like this bag, I’ve only had chance to use it once or twice for more local trips, but it’s cute. It has a little AirTag compartment too- all the bags have one. I don’t own AirTags but I wanna get some now just to try out the little pocket. Also, the waist trap that turned into a little bag has also been removed. Which I have mixed feelings about- I never used that little bag and it was a PAIN to get in and out of the bag, so I understand why they removed it.

The Everyday Backpack 15L

The Everyday Backpack 15L (£149.00)

I would have done these bags in size order, but I can only seeing myself using this bag in conjunction with the travel bag, or while on a trip so thought I’d put this bag next. It’s very thin- probably the thinnest backpack I’ve ever seen. It has the same admin panel on the front, and a compartment under that, and then one main space which has a laptop compartment and space for a notebook or tablet and you wouldn’t be able to fit much more in. Maybe a hoodie or some snacks. This definitely isn’t a bag you could take to school or work especially if you had to carry around books, files or folders. But, it’s 2024 so if everything is digitalised, then sure.

The main selling point for this bag was the straps which they say, can be configured many different ways. Now, I might just be unimaginative, but I can think of maybe 2. Including the standard way. And these are thin, silky straps, having them in any other configuration other than the standard way just doesn’t sound practical or comfortable but maybe that’s just me.

The Everyday Backpack 22L

Ah yes, my baby. I love this bag so much. It’s exactly like the travel backpack, but smaller. And it doesn’t open up like a suitcase, but I was surprised with how much you can actually fit in it, and due to its thick material, it keeps its shape and never “looks full” I guess. It’s the same material as the other two bags, but for some reason, even though I’m using this bag almost everyday, doesn’t tend to pick up hardly any dust.

I’m the type of person to notably keep a lot of stuff in my bag: reusable shopping bags, my wallet, sunglasses, two portable battery packs, a notebook, a pen, chopsticks, a full set of metal cutlery, glass and (biodegradable) plastic straws, hand sanitiser and all of that fits without even putting a single thing in the main compartment.

These straps are, well, the goldilocks of straps. They’re thicker than the ones in the smaller backpack, but not as thick and hard as the ones on the travel backpack. I like them a lot. The bag domes with a strap to put in your chest, forgot what they’re called, but either way I don’t use that, as I’m never carrying anything heavy with me. You are able to move this strap a lot more than you could on any of the previous bags though, which is a nice addition.

I have stayed at my parents house with just this bag multiple times and in my experience, I was able to fit all the stuff listed above, as well as a set of pyjamas, leggings, a tee and a hoodie, 2 pairs of socks and underwear- as well as my laptop and iPad, which have a seperate dedicated compartment at the back of the bag, which is nice. I’m usually really fussy with backpacks, they have to be big, but not bulky, they have to be spacious but still have organisation- but not so much organisation that I get overwhelmed with all the little niche pockets- and somehow, this bag does it right. It has one pocket to little niche pockets but the rest is just open space, with a seperate laptop and iPad compartment. My 15” laptop does fit in this bag (and the smaller one too- if I forgot to mention) but it’s an INCREDIBLY tight fit.

I took a picture of my bag all full of stuff, and yes I even bought a new hydroflask for the occasion, as the bottle compartments on all 3 bags are not the biggest, and a YouTuber said that specific size hydroflask is the biggest that could fit and from my own experiments, that seems to be the case.

Thank you for reading my… Unboxing? Review? I’m not too sure. I’m just very passionate about bags- big or small.