Get To Know The Minimalist Pakt Travel Backpack: Review

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Pakt and may contain affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.

Wondering if the Pakt Travel Backpack is the right travel bag for you? Read on for my full review of one of the best minimalist travel bags on the market.

My first introduction to the Pakt brand happened in summer 2020 — when the only safe travel option was road tripping.

And road trip I did.

I spent most of that summer exploring in and around New York state by car, and my Pakt travel backpack came along for every ride. And in October 2020, I was finally able to bring my Pakt travel backpack on its very first flight.

It was a big one, too. I was moving from New York City to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during a pandemic, and there was only one minimalist travel bag I could count on getting the job done.

I’ve since brought my Pakt travel backpack on more flights and road trips — including a recent two-week trip exploring Northern California. In this post, I’ll tell you exactly why the Pakt travel backpack has become my travel bag of choice.

Let’s dig into my review of the Pakt backpack.

Read more: 40+ Road Trip Essentials You Can’t Leave Home Without

About the Pakt Travel Backpack

Let me introduce you to one of the best minimalist travel bags on the market.

The Pakt travel backpack was designed by the Pakt team in collaboration with travel bag expert Chase Reeves. Its design is said to be a result of feedback from travelers, and I can attest to that. The bag is truly designed with a frequent traveler like myself in mind.

What sets the Pakt travel bag apart from others is that it can actually act as a carry-on.

It has a 30-liter capacity with a dual-compartment design. You zip it down the middle and it opens in two — just as your regular carry-on would. This allows you to pack it just like a carry-on. But you can just as easily pack it like a backpack. That’s the magic of its design.

The Pakt brand also keeps sustainability in mind when producing its bags, an increasingly important topic among travelers. The backpack is made with recycled material, and it’s shipped in plastic-free packaging.

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What Makes a Good Minimalist Travel Bag?

So, what makes a good minimalist travel bag?

For me, it’s a bag that I can use for all types of trips. If I’m able to use the same travel bag for several occasions, then I’m eliminating the need to purchase additional bags for my travels. That right there is the very definition of minimalism, isn’t it?

The Pakt travel backpack is a wonderful example of a minimalist travel bag because it accomplishes that to a T.

I’ve used my backpack for weekend getaways as well as weeklong road trips. I’ve also used it as a carry-on on domestic flights and even as a personal item on international trips. Sometimes I even use my backpack to hold all my camera gear when going on an outdoor adventure, such as a hike or day trip outside the city.

Whether it’s the only bag I pack or an addition to my suitcase, the Pakt backpack has made packing for travel easy. And that’s minimalism for me.

Now that you and the Pakt backpack are well acquainted, let’s delve deeper into its specs and special features.

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Pakt Backpack Review: The Basics

Here’s a quick overview of the Pakt backpack’s specifications, all of which work together to make it one of the most functional travel bags on the market.

Dimensions:

• 17 x 53 x 32 cm / 6.7 x 21 x 12.6 in
• 4.5 lbs
• 30-liter capacity

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Design Features:

• Zip-around, dual-compartment design that can be packed like a carry-on
• Padded laptop sleeve fits most 15″ & 16” laptops
• Carry-on approved
• Waterproof pocket in the front for anything that might leak
• Harness system inspired by trekking backpacks
• Water-resistant exterior
• Exterior water bottle pocket — even a bottle of wine fits, I’ve done it!
• Secret security/TSA pocket
• Luggage strap to slip the bag onto your carry-on handle

Care Instructions:

• You can wipe, spot clean or machine wash (on occasion) at your own risk. Results may vary depending on the machine and settings.

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Pros and Cons of the Pakt Travel Backpack

The Pakt travel backpack is the best travel companion for a frequent adventure traveler like myself. Let’s go over specific pros and cons to see if the backpack would suit you just as well.

Pakt Backpack Pros

1. Its versatility. You can use it as a travel backpack, a carry-on, a road trip bag and more.
2. Plenty of outer compartments for easy access during a trip. The Pakt backpack has several top and outer compartments to store items that you want easy access to during a flight or road trip.
3. Carry-on approved. You can bring this baby on the plane.
4. Adjustable straps, comfortable waistband and extra chest strap. Heavy packer? No worries. You can adjust the harnessing and waistband on this bag so that the weight doesn’t bring you down. The chest strap is also helpful in distributing the weight.
5. The size. The backpack is big enough to fit plenty of clothes, shoes, camera gear, etc. I love being able to pack everything I need in just one bag.
6. The minimalist design. It looks clean and sleek!
7. Water-resistant material. This is especially useful when traveling to tropical places.
8. It’s sustainable. The company strives to make the bag as sustainable as possible, with recyclable materials and plastic-free packaging.
9. Durable materials and design. When you get the bag in your hands, you can tell how durable it is. It just feels like a bag that’s going to last a long time — and I’m sure it will.
10. Luggage strap. You can slip this bag onto your carry-on’s handle if you want to give your back a rest.

Pakt Backpack Cons

I really have no complaints about the bag — although I’d love to see it in more colors! Luckily forest green is one of my favorites.

Another thing to note is that the bag is on the pricier side at $295. But I’m a firm believer in paying for quality products that will last, especially when it comes to travel gear.

I have great news for you: You can use my code “travelbycarla10” for 10% off your purchase. I hope you enjoy your Pakt travel backpack as much as I do! Let me know if you have any additional questions below.