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Tortuga backpack review: travel backpack 40l.

As a solo female backpacker, I have lugged around my fair share of baggage.  I am always on the lookout for reliable backpacks to try out and recommend, so when Tortuga sent me their 40l Travel Backpack to review I was thrilled to put it through its paces, both on a trip in the UK and abroad to Barcelona and Lisbon.  I’m excited to share my thoughts on this hand luggage backpack that not only serves as a trusty travel backpack for women and men, but is also an excellent ethical choice – read on to check out my full Tortuga backpack review!

This website contains sponsored and affiliate links. If you click through the links on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. [Learn more]

I received a complimentary backpack in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own as always!

How to Choose the Best Carry-On Backpack for Travel

There are hundreds of different backpack brands and designs out there, and choosing the best travel backpack will ultimately depend on a few key factors that are most important for you. 

I’ve discussed more about what to look for in a travel backpack in this other article , and in this Tortuga backpack review, I’ll cover aspects including the size, weight and design of the backpack, the amount of storage and ease of use, as well as the cost and sustainability of the backpack.

Hopefully, after all that you’ll know if the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l really is the best carry-on backpack for you.  *SPOlLER ALERT* – I love it!

Me Wearing the Tortuga Travel Backpack in Barcelona with the Sagrada Familia in the Background - Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

Tortuga Backpack Review At a Glance

CHECK PRICES on the Tortuga Website

About the Tortuga Travel Backpacks in Detail

Tortuga is a small, founder-led business based in the US.  After a backpacking trip to Europe when they both struggled with their luggage, two childhood friends Fred and Jeremy decided to make their own backpack which solved all of the issues they had to deal with in other backpacks.

The current Tortuga Travel Backpacks have replaced the Tortuga Setout and the Tortuga Outbreaker, previous models which have now been discontinued.  Tortuga took the best of these, put it into the new Travel Backpack design, and made it even better.

If you come across the Setout or Outbreaker second-hand, they are still great backpacks, but as this review is just about the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l , I will focus on this pack.

My Testing of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l

In the past couple of months, I have certainly got plenty of use out of the backpack so I could fully try it out.

The first time I used it was for a 6-week trip to Leeds when I was travelling on the train in the UK.  I had a separate wheeled suitcase and packed the backpack lightly as a test run so I could get used to it.

Then I used the Tortuga 40l Travel Backpack as a hand luggage bag in addition to a larger check-in wheeled backpack when I flew to Barcelona for a 3-month stay. I still didn’t cram the bag full as I had my separate check-in bag, but it gave me a good idea of what this carry-on backpack was capable of.

From Barcelona, I went to Lisbon for 5 days, and used my Tortuga backpack as my main carry-on bag, with no checked luggage.  This was the real test, as I was travelling for a conference so needed a variety of clothes for meetings and exploring Lisbon, as well as my laptop and everything else I usually pack.

In all cases, the Tortuga backpack held up remarkably well and I think I have found my new favourite carry-on backpack!

Tortuga Travel Backpack Size

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l has a very apt name, considering it is a travel backpack with a 40l capacity.  The boxy design uses up every available millilitre of capacity, without losing valuable packing space that is often taken up by wheels or curved edges in other carry-on luggage.

If you want something a bit smaller, the Tortuga Weekender Backpack 30l is basically the same design but in a slightly smaller size, which would be great for weekend trips.

The exact dimensions of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l when empty is 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches or 55 x 35 x 20 cm for those working on the metric system.  The good news is that it is suitable for putting in the overhead compartments of US and international airlines.

It is too big to go under most seats though so wouldn’t be classed as a personal item – check out the Tortuga laptop backpack for that, although be careful with budget airlines who are very tight on the dimensions they will allow.

Either way, before you fly I’d still recommend double-checking the exact carry-on dimensions specified by your airline, and one thing you should be careful of is making sure the size and weight of the backpack still comes within airline restrictions once you have filled it up.

As it is a soft backpack and not a hard case carry-on suitcase, there can be some bulging if it is stuffed full.  And as it is so roomy, you might find it weighs more than the hand luggage limits when fully packed – so keep an eye on that, as some airlines have limits as low as 6 or 7 kgs!  

Appearance and Style

At first glance, the Tortuga backpacks seem a little austere – they are only available in black, and the only visible branding is a subtle turtle shell icon in the top centre of the back panel, which is also black, and small black turtle icons on the black buckles.

If it was a check-in bag I’d want some more distinguishing features or would add a colourful strap around it so I could easily spot it on the luggage carousel, but as this is a carry-on backpack it doesn’t need to stand out. 

In fact, as someone who prefers to blend in with the crowd and look as little like a tourist as possible, the Tortuga backpacks are perfect.  

The only contrasting colour is on the internal pockets which are light grey which is nice as you can easily distinguish the different pockets inside.  I suppose they might get dirty with frequent use, but as no one sees inside but you I don’t think it matters.

Durability and Material

This backpack is extremely sturdy.  I love how strong it is, and it is so well made it felt like I could throw it out of the plane and it would be fine (not that I would do that!).  As well as sturdy shoulder straps, there is a carry handle at the top and on the side of the backpack.

These are the technical details:

According to the Tortuga website , the body fabric is made from SHELL, a three-layer, laminated “sailcloth” material originally developed for the sails of racing boats.  It is durable, lightweight, and waterproof up to 200+ PSI / 13.8+ Bar.  

SHELL is 100% recycled and uses no harmful TPU, PVC, DWR, or other coatings.  The durable, water-repellent coating doesn’t contain fluorocarbons like PFAS/PFOA or any VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Tortuga uses water-resistant YKK zippers for durability and security, and there are lockable zippers on the three main backpack compartments.

Packing Compartments

I am used to having one large space with a couple of pockets, like the Osprey 40 l backpack.  However, the Tortuga Travel Backpack splits up the available packing space into smaller compartments. I found this a bit difficult to get used to at first but once I’d decided what should be packed in each place, it was much easier to find everything!

The main compartment has lockable zips and opens up like a clam shell so you can see everything inside without having to stick your arm in and feel around.  It is large enough for two standard size packing cubes, or one packing cube and whatever else you want to fit in the other side.

I am a recent convert to packing cubes and I love them as they keep my clothes neat and tidy.  You can buy Tortuga packing cubes which are a perfect fit, but mine were from Amazon and also fitted just fine.

The main compartment also has a mesh pocket which is handy for things like dirty clothes or sandals – when I went to Lisbon I rolled up some bulky clothes which wouldn’t fit in my packing cube and popped them in there which worked well.  The zips on the main compartment are lockable for extra security.

The front compartment opens halfway and has lots of handy pockets in the organizer panel, as well as a Kindle sleeve.  The zips are lockable here too so you could keep your passport, wallet or travel documents in here and know they are secure.

There is a separate laptop compartment which is a fleece-lined padded pocket, suitable for laptops up to 16 inches, and another compartment that fits a 12.9″ tablet.  There is also a smaller mesh pocket which fits my laptop charger and mouse perfectly.

The laptop compartment is closest to your back when wearing the backpack and I liked that it was close to me and protected from potential knocks coming from the outside.  The fleece felt lovely and soft too so I was confident my laptop was safe – and locked the zips on this compartment too for extra peace of mind!

The small top pocket has a key clip which is handy, although I was still nervous about putting keys in there in a pickpocket hotspot like Barcelona, so I preferred to keep those in the zippable compartment and put things like tissues and lip balm in the top.

On the front, there is also a flat pocket which comes in handy for paperwork or anything slim that wants shoving somewhere out of the way.

There are two external side pockets for water bottles and other things like umbrellas too. My Water-to-Go water bottle fits perfectly, but larger bottles might be too much of a squeeze as the pockets don’t have much stretch to them.  

Another nice little feature is the pockets on the hip belt.  They are too small for my travel wallet but useful for spare change, tissues and other bits and bobs.

Comfort and Fit

This Tortuga backpack is one of the most comfortable backpacks I’ve ever worn.  For reference, I’m around 5 ft 7 tall, or 1 metre 70 cm.

One of the best comfort features is the adjustable height, meaning you can move the height of the shoulder straps up and down to find the perfect position for you based on your height and distance from the base of your neck to the bottom of your back. 

I watched the video on the Tortuga website which shows you how to adjust your backpack and had some help measuring my back from my mum.  The velcro securing the straps is very strong so it takes a bit of effort to separate and move the straps, but once they are in the right place they will stay there!

When I first tried on the backpack, the hip belt was around my waist so it didn’t take any of the weight, but once I moved it to rest on my hips it was much better – it can take 80% of the weight off of your shoulders which makes a huge difference to comfort, both at the time and then later on once you’ve taken it off!

The shoulder straps are lovely and thick, with foam padding on the straps and back pads to cushion the weight with a breathable area around the spine.  It was also more comfortable with the sternum strap fastened to add extra support.

Added Extras

Aside from the backpack itself, there are several things that elevate Tortuga above most other travel backpack brands.

Firstly, the fact that Tortuga’s travel backpacks are made with recycled material is a big plus. Another big bonus is their home try-on program.  This means you can try out a Tortuga backpack at home to see if it’s right for you. Practice packing it to see what will fit in and adjust it to make sure it fits you properly.

If it’s not what you were expecting, as long as you send it back within 30 days of purchase they’ll pay for the return shipping and give you a full refund.  Many backpacks you buy via Amazon would probably be covered in a similar way too, but for buying directly from manufacturers it is more unusual.

Once you’ve decided to keep the backpack, Tortuga also offers a worldwide warranty that guarantees against defects in materials and craftsmanship for as long as you own your bag.  According to their website, if your backpack fails due to a defect, Tortuga will repair it, replace it, or refund your money (at their discretion), depending on product availability. 

I haven’t had any issues with my backpack, so haven’t needed to test that offer but it’s reassuring to know it’s there if I do need it.

One other thing I only noticed after digging around the Tortuga website is that Tortuga offers two yearly study abroad scholarships of $1000 and a free travel backpack to American students who want to study abroad.  The money can be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel.  I’m all about encouraging people to travel and thought this is a really cool way of helping young people to travel more. 

Affordability

The Tortuga Travel Backpacks do come in at the higher end of the budget scale, with prices currently listed on their website as $350 USD for the 40l pack and $325 for the 30l backpack.   

However, if you are travelling for a long time or heading to a remote location, having a comfortable and sturdy backpack that will keep all your belongings safe is worth spending a bit more money on.

When considering cost, you should also take into account the worldwide warranty and all the extras I mentioned above, so you know you will be covered should something go wrong with the backpack, and feel good for choosing a backpack made from recycled materials.   

User Experience

As I said earlier, I used my backpack for several different trips and it worked really well for all of them.  They were city trips, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Tortuga travel backpack further afield.

Although it isn’t designed as a hiking backpack, you could probably take this on hikes too, as it is so comfortable.  I only used it walking around cities, but don’t see why it wouldn’t be suitable for a day hike at least, and maybe more.

It was super comfy, and surprisingly roomy, as well as well made and fitting into the carry-on compartment on my flights.  It’s a shame they only have US shipping at the moment, but hopefully, it will become available in other countries soon.

Anything I Didn’t Like?

The only thing that irritated me a bit was the hip belt.  Because the Velcro strap is quite narrow, it flapped around when not fastened, and when I took off the backpack it got caught in my phone strap (that I wear like a little cross-body bag). 

The straps could get caught or tripped over if you carry it by the top or side handle or if it is sitting on the ground.  The hip belt is removable via a Velcro strap, but if you do remove it there is nowhere specific to store it when the bag is stuffed full, although it would probably fit in the front flat pocket if the pack isn’t too full.  Somewhere to stash or secure the straps would be great to keep these out of the way when I’m not using them.

However, I didn’t knock any star ratings off for this as I am very happy there is a hip belt – I’ve used a 40l backpack without one and hated it, so I will still take this over no hip belt at all!

Now I’m nit-picking, but while the zips can be locked with a padlock it would be nice if the zips locked themselves or if a couple of padlocks were included in the price of the backpack.  I usually carry my own padlocks with me anyway for hostel lockers but there are 3 compartments which could be locked, so I don’t want to bring several padlocks with me on every trip.

I also forgot to unlock the padlocks when I got to the airport security line so everyone behind me had to wait while I faffed around to unfasten them – not my finest hour! 

That said, these are minor gripes and I really did love this backpack – just a couple of things I’d love to see in a future design.

Final Thoughts on My Tortuga Backpack Review

I love the Tortuga Travel Backpack – I was actually surprised at how much I loved it!  These days I often travel with a wheeled case, or a wheeled backpack, as carrying heavy weight on my back is not ideal now I’m over 40 (eek!!!).  However, I could manage this backpack quite nicely, and it didn’t feel too heavy thanks to the adjustable padded straps and hip belt which took a lot of the strain. 

It’s a subtle design, with lots of handy features – and a huge plus is the recycled materials, worldwide warranty and the scholarship program.

Overall I have no hesitations in recommending the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l to other travellers, digital nomads and backpackers looking for an understated and comfortable carry-on backpack for travel.  I hope you’ve found this Tortuga backpack review useful – please let me know in the comments below if you’ve used this carry-on backpack and what you thought of it!

You might also like:

The Best Carry On Backpacks

Travel Backpack Essentials

What to Pack in a Carry On

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Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

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The Outbreaker collection

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You’re always planning your next escape. Trips to faraway cities and cultures you haven’t yet explored.

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A small bag for on-the-ground exploring

Your wish list of adventures is long and growing. You want to backpack through Europe, sunbathe in Thailand, and explore the markets of Buenos Aires.

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Outbreaker Duffle

A personal item for short trips or luggage overflow

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Outbreaker Packing Cubes

A system for the most organized travelers

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A bag to keep soiled clothes from ruining your stuff

Everything Outbreaker Bundle

Everything Outbreaker

The whole collection for every escape

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A carry on for the airport and a daypack for days of adventure

Overflow Bundle

Overflow Bundle

A maximum-sized carry on and personal item for the most possible packing space

Outbreaker Backpack

A maximum-sized carry on for days in transit.

Outbreaker Backpack

Matador Original Series

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Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Is the Best Travel Backpack for Your Money

A s a travel editor, packing is a routine part of my life. When you’re constantly on the road, living out of a suitcase becomes the norm and you get used to rearranging and retrofitting your packing setup to make it more efficient. Ironically, the most efficient thing I ever did to my travel setup was to ditch the suitcase entirely in favor of a new backpack, the Tortuga Setout 45L. I acquired my Setout in late 2017, prompted by a summer spent traveling through Asia and a fall in Mexico during which I had a rucksack-style backpackers’ pack. I felt both too old and, now, too experienced, to be carrying around a rucksack.

Need a travel backpack? Check out Matador’s detailed travel backpack reviews: Our favorite carry-on backpacks for your work-from-anywhere lifestyle The SwissGear Wenger Travel Backpack is the only backpack a traveler needs Peak Design Travel Pack Review: Excellent bags for your money The best Patagonia backpacks for travelers

What hooked me on the Tortuga pack is that it wears like a backpack, opens like a clamshell, and packs like a suitcase. When the brand released the new Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L this year, I knew straight away that I needed one. I’ll get into the specifics of packing below, but know this for starters – this is the backpack for those who have outgrown the vagabond rucksack days and who want something both more stylish and more functional, but who still abide by the golden principle of long-term and frequent travel: “Thou shalt not roll.” This pack single-handedly prevented me from selling out and getting a roller suitcase. Six years in, I have no plans to change course.

We hope you love the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to buy anything. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Packing space

tortuga setout front pouch

What you don’t see are my biodegradable coffee pods. Photo Credit: Tim Wenger

The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is about 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. That creates 40 liters of space to fill. The pack is big enough that you can fit everything you need even for long trips, provided you have somewhere to do laundry. I’ve reached a point where whether I’m traveling for three days or 30, I tend to bring about the same amount of stuff, and this pack makes it easy to create a routine out of your packing. I fill it up in the same order each time, and because of the see-thru mesh packing cubes, am able to view what I have already packed and what is still to come.

The Tortuga backpack is made up of three compartments. The main compartment, accessed via a zipper that wraps around three sides of the pack, opens like a clamshell. This makes it easy to access anything on the inside, rather than having to dig through stuff you can’t see in a traditional backpacking pack (or worse, having to unpack and repack it all every time you want to change your t-shirt).

The compartment that sits closest to your back when wearing has a laptop sleeve and room to store accompanying work gear. I travel for work at least once per month, and this pouch allows me to be productive while on the road. The front compartment is designed to hold small staples like a passport, notebook, pens, and a book.

Packing cubes

Unlike a backpacking pack or standard backpack, Tortuga designs its packs to accommodate three specialized packing cubes that come with them. These fit perfectly into the main compartment when fully packed.

I utilize the three packing cubes to their max. I put pants and shorts in the large one, which can fit three pairs comfortably and four if I stuff it. I use the smaller two for t-shirts, socks, underwear, and any other clothing items. When traveling for work, I typically bring one or two nice button-downs, which I fold and pack into the two zip pockets inside the main compartment. A quick iron at the hotel and they’re good to go. I then arrange the cubes into the main compartment.

Everything else I can pack into my Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

Photo: Tortuga

On top of the cubes, I place a day pack. On top of that, boots or shoes that I’m not wearing on the plane. Around the edges of the main compartment, any small miscellaneous items that are relevant to that specific trip. Another win for the Tortuga backpack is that I’ve never once had an issue zipping it up. No frustrating moments of not being able to zip the last few inches, no broken zippers, no rips. The zippers are perfect, and after 150-plus flights, they’re still as functional as the day I bought the pack.

I fill the laptop compartment with my laptop, of course. Also in this compartment, I place my charger, noise-canceling headphones, and a notebook.

In the front pouch, I keep a selection of charging and computer cables and a universal charging adapter with me at all times. These go in the zippered pouch, along with some nerdy staples like biodegradable coffee pods for hotel rooms that only have a Keurig. Outside of the zippered pouch, I keep a few pens, my passport and Global Entry id, and other small necessities. Each has a special place in one of the small open pouches.

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L vs. the competition

The Tortuga Travel Backpack is a 40L pack, giving you 5L less than the Setout due to evolving airline regulations. Still, that’s more storage space than the original Setout 35L and most other carry-on travel backpacks. Tortuga is a small business that focuses solely on making these packs, so you’re getting quality either way, but I’ve opted for the larger pack because it gives me more space while still retaining “guaranteed carry-on” status.

Any downsides?

One thing to note about the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is that when fully packed, it is definitely on the larger end of carry-on-sized bags. As such, it won’t fit in overhead bins on smaller planes, including those typically used on short-haul regional flights. I do one of two things when I run into this issue: If I’m in a hurry on the other end, I bring the pack onto the plane and weasel it under the seat in front of me. It takes some squishing and pushing, but it always works. When the flight crew does their pre-takeoff rounds, I typically put my feet on top of it to conceal its bulge.

Or, I gate-check the bag and pick it up at the baggage carousel at the end of my journey. As an added bonus, this tends to put you in good graces with the gate crew and flight staff because it frees up overhead bin space on the plane.

tortuga travel backpack uk

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Home » Gear » Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review: Time to Toss the Suitcase Out? 2024

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review: Time to Toss the Suitcase Out? 2024

How’s it going my fellow broke backpacker gear junkies? We’re back this week with a look at Tortuga’s 40L Travel Backpack.

Travelers come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s no surprise no two people are going to have the same preferences when it comes to finding the perfect travel backpack. Luckily, you have unsung heroes like me here to take the worry and stress out of selecting a bag online. Just kidding, but I do hope this can provide a little help when you’re picking your next pack.

When I travel, I typically bring the same few items every time. Aside from clothes, my laptop and journals will always find their way into one of my bags. I’ll level with you on this pack right away, Tortuga hit all my personal marks on this one.

With a tech compartment that houses everything that I need neatly in an organized fashion, while giving me the interior space to pack how I feel necessary on a trip-to-trip basis, this truly is a well thought out design for whatever kind of traveler you may be.

But I’ll let you decide if this is the pack for you or not, let’s take a look into what the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is all about.

tortuga travel backpack

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review Quick Answers: Specs

  • Price : $349.00
  • Volume : 40 liters
  • Weight :  4.5 lbs 
  • Material : SHELL200D Recycled Polyester
  • Laptop Compartment : Yes
  • Carry-On Compliant : Yes

What I Liked About the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

  • Durable Material
  • Padded Laptop and Tablet Compartment
  • Adjustable Back Panel
  • Cushioned Shoulder Straps and Hip Belt

What I Didn’t Like About the Tortuga Backpack 40L

  • No Compression straps on the right inside of the main compartment
  • Inside Zipper feels backward

tortuga travel backpack uk

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Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review: Key Features and Performance Breakdown

Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L

Interior Organization

The Tortuga Travel Backpack offers a ton of organizational features once you dive into the backpack, and I feel like one section summarizing all of it wouldn’t be fair to the work and thought I think Tortuga put into crafting this travel backpack . So, because I love you all, I broke this bad boy down into more depth below, so have a crack at it.

Laptop Compartment

Something I’ve noticed a lot of lately is companies finding new and creative ways to incorporate your potential tech needs into your carry-on luggage. In the past, I would typically carry a large carry-on duffel bag for clothes alongside my 20L Black Diamond Day Pack, housing all my electronics and journals. Needless to say, I was extremely unorganized and did not provide the love and protection for my laptop one may expect from a digital nomad. 

So all that to say, when there’s a dedicated laptop sleeve offering protection for my 16” laptop (a size not all bags could handle with such grace) it’s a big deal. This Tortuga backpack’s laptop compartment is also home to a dedicated tablet sleeve that can hold up to a 12.9” tablet, an internal zipper pocket to house charging cords, and even has enough space left over to throw in a keyboard if that’s your jam. 

This laptop/tech compartment is also the section closest to your back, so pickpocketers will have a hell of a time trying to reach over the rest of the pack to get to your goods. Not to mention the YKK Zippers are lockable, giving you an extra layer of protection if you deem is necessary.

The laptop compartment is also very well padded, so you can leave the laptop case at home and save on some pack weight.

tortuga travel backpack

The Main Compartment

The main compartment resembles that of your standard carry-on suitcase , in that it unzips entirely to expose two large, bucket style compartments. This is a design that may have been around for a while, but this was my first time using a backpack like this.

The right side is an open design, featuring no zippers or compression straps, just a good ole’ deep section to pack into. The left side is completely covered by a mesh panel, allowing you to secure your belongings down a little more. 

Let me breakdown some quick pros and cons, in my humble opinion, about this backpack.

tortuga travel backpack

Okay so starting out with pros, if you pack strategically, you should be able to get a week or longer out of this thing. The open design really gives you the ability to pack the way you like to, with options to fit their packing cubes for some extra organization, should you desire. 

Coincidently, I find the openness to be a bit of a con as well. The right side can really only be secured down, or rather organized, if you purchase the packing cubes. I think the inclusion of some sort of compression straps to give a little extra hold would’ve been really nice. Though keep in mind that this section is also the back of the backpack, so when you’re opening up this backpack you’ll more times than not have it lying flat on a bed or table. 

The other small issue I had with this main compartment was the left zippered side. The zipper feels like it’s the wrong way almost, making it difficult to access things on that side without completely opening the backpack. This isn’t the biggest deal, I would just recommend not packing anything on that side you think you may need quick access to while on the go. 

Overall I think the minimalist approach was a good choice, allowing you to pack the way you want with options to upgrade organizationally as you please.

Front Storage Compartment

The front storage compartment is the icing on the cake when it comes to all the internal storage options this pack brings to the table. 

Starting with the fleece-lined smart device sleeve, it’s the perfect size for you to throw your smartphone or kindle in when on the go. There are also dedicated spots for credit cards and pens, saving you the hassle of digging through what can sometimes feel like a bottomless pit of junk. There’s also a mesh pocket that perfectly fits a passport or wallet, as well as a zippered pocket to house any cords or headphones you may want to bring along.

Another feature I really enjoyed with this front storage compartment was the extra space below all the organizational pockets. I typically travel with a large journal and two smaller ones to jot down any notes or thoughts I have while on the go. While I did opt to keep the larger journal in the back with my laptop, the two smaller ones fit with ease in the front area.

Additionally on the front of the bag, attached to the front compartment, there’s another small stuff area with a side zipper access point. This portion does cut into the front storage space a little, but you should still be able to throw a journal or hat inside without too many repercussions. 

The Exterior

Tortuga has upgraded from their previous backpack model’s material, X-Pac VX21, to their new SHELL200D. This new material is comprised of three layers of laminated sailcloth (per their website): 

  • Recycled polyester face fabric with C0 DWR treatment
  • 45° recycled polyester cross-ply
  • Recycled ripstop polyester backing fabric

This material was originally created for use as the sails of racing boats, but Tortuga deemed it worthfully of racing you through the airport and all your travels. The material is also 100% recycled, in case you needed another reason to love this pack.

I really like the look of this material as well, with their black logo hiding in the matte black material, it truly looks and feels great. 

The exterior also features two water bottle pockets, allowing you to stay hydrated on the go. They stretch to allow different sized bottles, though I wasn’t about to fit my 64oz Hydro Flask in there. But again, a 64oz metal bottle is rather large and I don’t ever travel with it, so take that with a grain of salt. 

Fit and Sizing

Starting out with fit, this backpack feels really good on your shoulders and back, as the thick mesh shoulder straps and hip belt make for a comfortable ride.  

Another really cool feature that I’ve never seen before was the adjustable back panel. With backpacks from brands such as Osprey and Gregory, you will typically get fitted for a pack that best suits your build, resulting in the same pack varying in back frame sizes of Small, Medium, Large, and so on. But Tortuga has found a way to more or less create a one-size-fits-all pack by incorporating an adjustable back panel with the ability to slide up and down, making sure it sits on your back perfectly.

Combining this feature with the hip belt, it was nice to really get the weight off my back and onto my hips, resulting in a rather pleasant backpack experience. 

Carry Options

While the obvious carry option is the shoulder straps attached to the pack, Tortuga also tossed in a couple of handles for those times you want to slip through the airplane walkway without smacking poor fellow travelers. 

The first is placed on the top of the bag between the tech compartment and main compartment zippers, giving a balanced feel in your hand. Most backpack top handles are stitched onto the back panel of the pack as though it was an afterthought, so I did like the forethought to allow this pack to be handled like your typical luggage. 

The second is on the side of the bag, allowing the bag to be held sideways like a traditional suitcase or duffel bag. 

tortuga travel backpack

Weight and Capacity

Quick answer:.

  • Weight : 4.5 lbs
  • Capacity : 40 liters

Long Answer:

Offering 40 liters of space and a ton of different packing options, I think 4.5 lbs is extremely reasonable. I also think if you’re traveling with this type of backpack, you’re more than likely not standing on a scale and watching every last pound going into your pack. 

Tortuga says this is perfect for trips a week or longer, and I would agree. Unless you like bringing your entire flat along with you, this bag offers more than enough space and packing options to comfortably hold your clothes and electronics.

I was even able to fit my AeroPress in alongside my belongings, so add coffee gear to the list of packing options I suppose. 

Toughness and Durability

The SHELL200D feels as tough and durable as the specs lead it on to be. With the addition of the YKK Zippers, Woojin Buckles, and the waterproof nature of the material, you don’t have to worry about your belongings getting damaged in a surprise storm. 

Another thing sometimes overlooked is how easily some packs can pick up dirt. I tossed this thing on the ground when packing it, as well is carried it around the desert while I was there, and a couple lights pats cleaned this thing right up. Maybe you like a dirty bag, but people sharing the overhead space on the plane will probably appreciate this thing not taking your last adventure home with you. 

Now odds are when you’re traveling, this pack will be close by your side or on your back the majority of the time. But for those time you want to leave this thing behind or add an extra layer of security, the YKK zippers include small holes for you to throw a lock on there. 

Also, I’m not sure if you would consider this security, but I do like that the tech compartment is located against your back, giving you one less this to worry about someone trying to access it without you feeling or knowing about it.  

Tortuga Travel Backpack Aesthetics

Tying back to my earlier comments about the matte black look, I personally think this bag looks great. I like to travel under the radar when possible, and this bag isn’t flashy or attention seeking. 

tortuga travel backpack

I also really enjoy the sailcloth material, as I don’t feel like I’m carrying a massive cube of a suitcase on my back. Where some companies have tried to accomplish similar goals yet produce massive turtle-shell-looking bags, this flexible material looks and feels more organic to travel around in.

tortuga travel backpack uk

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Is The Tortuga Travel Backpack Worth The Price?

You will have noticed that this pack does not come cheap. In fact at $349 its decidedly bloody expensive so the question inevitably arises as to whether or not its worth it.

The answer is never quite so clear as a straightforward yes or no and the truth is more nuanced. In our view, good quality travel gear is worth investing in. We are the kind of travellers who use our gear a lot and spend large chunks of time living out of backpacks and cases so we well and truly value them. The Tortuga Travel Backpack has enough good features and is made from high quality materials to justify the price tag in our experience but we know that it is simply going to be over the budget of some potential buyers.

Just remember that if you do opt for a cheaper piece of gear then you will end up having to replace it within a few years whereas the Tortuaga Travel Backpack is built to last for life – in fact it comes with a pretty strong lifetime warranty…

The Tortuga Lifetime Warranty

Tortuga offers a Worldwide Warranty promising protection against defects in materials and craftsmanship for as long as you own the pack. If it fails on you due to a defect, they’ll repair it, replace it, or refund you. A little piece of mind when trekking around never hurt anyone, and with a company that stands behind its products, you can be that much more confident in your investment.

We feel that this alone says a hell of a lot about the sheer quality of this pack and we hope you keep this in mind when mulling over the price tag.

The Tortuga Travel Pack Vs The Rest

Not connived yet? Want to know how the Tortuga Travel Pack compares against its rivals? Well let’s now take a moment to see how the Tortuga Travel Pack 40L compares to other, similar packs. 

Nomatic Travel Bag 40L

nomatic 40l travel pack

When I first saw the new Tortuga Travel pack 40l, my initial thought was that it was reminiscent of Nomatics 40l travel backpack.  Both travel packs are designed for carry on, utilize space in the same way, offer similar packing options and the laptop sleeves feel similar too. Further, both are  sleek and stylish, both fashioned from high quality materials and both at a similar price point.

In all honesty I struggle to choose between the two. Both are great. If you want to know more about the Nomatic then check out our detailed Nomatic Travel Bag review.

TropicFeel Shell Backpack

tortuga travel backpack uk

If you are after something a bit different, then check out the Shell Backpack by TropicFeel. It’s basically a highly innovative backpack that adapts from a 22l daypack into a 40l travel pack. The most novel feature is probably the “pull out wardrobe” which makes packing and staying organized seriously efficient. 

It also has an attachable toiletry bag, is carry on ready and uses excellent materials. Well worth the €200 price. Read our TropicFeel Shell review for more deets.

tortuga travel backpack uk

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The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L: The Verdict

If you’re looking to get away from the roller suitcase, but keep the same packing capabilities and style, I think this pack will be your new best friend. 

tortuga travel backpack

This pack really allows you to ditch the traditional suitcase and throw everything you could need into one sleek bag. I’m a big fan of the Tech Compartment and suitcase/backpack hybrid design. I would definitely recommend this bag to anyone looking for a good on-the-go pack for week trips, businessmen and nomads alike.

Thanks for checking out my review of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L, happy travels.

tortuga travel backpack uk

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

Aiden Freeborn

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Tortuga Setout Backpack Review

A carry-on backpack that’s ideal for urban weekends away

tortuga travel backpack uk

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Tortuga Setout Backpack

TripSavvy / Rebekah Joan

Padded laptop sleeve

Padded back

Lots of storage

Packs like a suitcase

Lockable zippers

Clunky straps

Shoulder strap sold separately

The Tortuga Setout Backpack comes with a hefty price tag, but it offers enough convenience and storage features that you’ll use it for all of your travels.

  • Laptop Sleeve
  • Portability
  • Competition
  • Final Verdict

We purchased the Tortuga Setout Backpack so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

You’re about to set out on your next adventure, and you want to be as prepared as possible. You’ve got your hotel or hostel booked . You’ve researched weather-appropriate clothes. Now it’s time to pick the perfect bag to take with you. Whether you’re looking for a carry-on or a personal item, you likely want something that’s durable and can hold a lot of clothes. Bonus points if it has a laptop/tablet sleeve. We got ourselves a Tortuga Setout Backpack to see if it lives up to the hype—and its high price tag. Read on to see how this carry-on backpack handles travel, from packing it to stuffing it in a bin to lugging it around all day.

Design: Stylish and organized

The Tortuga Setout Backpack comes with a lot of perks, the first being that it doesn’t look like a backpack. With its minimalistic front and sleek fabric, you’ll have the nicest-looking backpack around. Plus, since it packs like a suitcase instead of from the top, so you’ll have an easier time organizing your clothes and toiletries .

Speaking of organization, this backpack has its fair share of compartments. In the main compartment, you have two mesh pockets for undergarments, electronics, charging cords, or whatever you want. The laptop sleeve compartment also comes with a few extra pockets for notebooks or your favorite novel. In the front pocket, you have places for your passport and pens, a hook for your keys, and more.

At first look, the Tortuga Setout’s straps look clunky. And you’re not wrong—they definitely are. But thankfully, whoever designed this bag is a genius. The backpack straps can be neatly tucked away in a sleeve at the very back of the pack. As for the hip belt (which includes pockets and provides a great place for your phone or a quick snack), it can be removed and stored in the bag. This way, you can carry the Setout like a briefcase. If you want to carry it as a cross-body bag, though, you have to buy a shoulder strap separately.

We love how easy it is to carry around the Tortuga Setout Backpack, even when it’s stuffed full.

Still, the Setout has plenty of other features to make up for the missing shoulder strap. To name a few, it has a water bottle pocket, zippers that you can secure with a padlock, weather-resistant fabric ( made from recycled water bottles ), and adjustable straps to compress the bag when you’ve overpacked.

It comes in two different sizes—a 35 liter and 45 liter, as well as a men’s and women’s fits. To determine which size you should get, Tortuga provides a handy guide . Both sizes should work as a carry-on, but be sure to check your airline’s specific requirements (particularly on domestic flights) if you get the larger version. The 35-liter size is perfect for a carry-on, but depending on the airline, using it as a personal item will be pushing it. 

Laptop Sleeve: One of the best we’ve seen

Traveling with something as precious as a laptop can be scary. What if your bag is dropped or crushed? Yikes! And if you have to shove it in a storage bin on a bus, train, or airplane, you want to make sure it’s protected. The Setout comes with padding on both sides of the laptop sleeve so you don’t have to worry about your laptop getting damaged during travel. 

Capacity: Plenty of room

If you’re planning for less than two weeks of travel, this is the perfect option. With all the pockets and a generously sized main compartment, you’ll be able to fit ample clothes and toiletries. In fact, we were impressed with just how much we could pack. 

We were impressed with just how much we could pack.

The main compartment opens up so you can pack it like a suitcase. It doesn’t look like it holds much, but when you use the front compartment as well as the main one, you can fit enough clothes for a little under two weeks. This is what we managed to get into the bag, using both compartments of the 35-liter women’s fit: three pairs of jeans, two pairs of leggings, two pairs of fleece-lined tights, one pair of pajama pants, three t-shirts, four long-sleeve shirts, one sweater, one jacket, one flannel shirt, and one hoodie.

Portability: Great suspension system

We love how easy it is to carry the Tortuga Setout Backpack, even when it’s stuffed full. The bag weighs just 3.6 pounds (35 liter, women’s fit), so you control how much weight ends up on your shoulders. We also appreciate the fact that the bag is sold in women’s and men’s fits, so it isn’t too overwhelming on small frames. 

When you have it on your back, you’ll be able to buckle up the sternum strap and hip strap to help distribute the weight evenly. The straps are padded to make sure nothing digs into your back, and the mesh material will help your back breathe. Overall, the Setout is easy to carry around, and it’s not so big that you’ll be bumping into people in crowded areas.

The bag is sold in women’s and men’s fits, so it isn’t too overwhelming on small frames.

Price: High, but worth it

The Tortuga Setout has a starting price of $179, which is high, but you won’t regret it. This is a great backpack that’ll last you through many, many adventures across oceans and countries. 

Competition: Cheaper options available

Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack: Capacity-wise, the Osprey backpack —which we also tested—is almost identical to the Tortuga Setout. Looks-wise, though, they’re completely different. The Osprey Porter 30 looks like a backpack you’d see on a hiking trail , whereas the Tortuga Setout has a sleek look to it that’s perfect for urban settings. Also, the Osprey Porter 30’s laptop sleeve isn’t nearly as enforced as the Setout’s. 

Both bags have a similar suspension system, although we think the Setout is more comfortable. We can’t say one backpack is better than the other, because it truly depends on your needs. If you don’t need to take a laptop with you, check out the Porter 30. It’s cheaper than the Setout, with a $120 MSRP. If you never leave home without your laptop, stick with the Tortuga.

eBags Professional Weekender: We also tested this eBags backpack , and while it may look similar to the Tortuga Setout, it’s very different on the inside. Yes, both of them lie flat and open like a suitcase. In fact, the Weekender can go through airport security with the laptop still in its sleeve. But the sleeve itself is flimsy and does nothing to protect your machine.

As far as capacity, the Weekender is, well, a weekender—and an expensive one at that, with a $170 price tag. The Setout, however, can hold a lot more, functioning as a weekender or as a bag for a longer trip. So, from our perspective, why get a bag that can only do one thing, when you can get a more versatile one for just a little bit more?

Interested in checking out more options? Take a peek at our roundup of the best carry-on backpacks .

Worth the price.

The Tortuga Setout Backpack is on the pricier side, but considering how versatile and spacious it is, we think it’s worth it.

  • Product Name Setout Backpack
  • Product Brand Tortuga
  • Price $179.00
  • Weight 3.6 lbs.
  • Product Dimensions 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 in.
  • Color Black for women’s fit; black, heather grey, or navy for men’s fit
  • Volume 35 L
  • Material 900D polyester
  • Warranty Lifetime for material/craftsmanship defects

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Tortuga Setout Backpack 35L Review

The Tortuga Setout Backpack (35L) has everything you want in a solid one-bag travel backpack. We just wish the hip belt was less beefy and more effective.

Our Verdict

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  • Available in both men’s and women’s fits
  • Load lifters help lift the load (literally)
  • Sleek aesthetic that blends in with a crowd
  • The hip belt is quite beefy
  • Some of the pockets can be hard to access/utilize when the pack is full
  • Doesn’t compress enough to make a suitable daypack

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 113/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

Weight (lb)

3.4 lb (1.5 kg)

21.5 in x 13.5 in x 7.5 in (54.6 x 34.3 x 19.1 cm)

Notable Materials

Polyester, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Tortuga Common Decency Guarantee

Full Review

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The 35-liter Tortuga Setout is a hit amongst one bag travelers—and for good reason! Its simple aesthetic, superb harness system, and great interior organization doesn’t leave much to be desired. But one thing we love about the folks over at Tortuga is that they’re never comfortable calling one of their backpacks perfect. The Tortuga team is always incorporating feedback from the one bag travel community and iterating their designs.

This time, they’ve released a women’s version of the popular 35-liter Setout. And, no, they didn’t do this by making the bag pink or selling it for a steeper price tag. Their design team actually tinkered with the suspension system to fit bodies with smaller torsos, narrower shoulders, and boobs.

To get into specifics, the key differences between the men’s and women’s focused fits are:

Women’s Focused Fit:

Tortuga Setout 35L Harness System Female

  • The shoulder straps are thick, padded, and curved to fit a woman’s torso. Plus, they’re set closer together for narrower shoulders.
  • The adjustable sternum strap hits just below the collarbone, not across the nipple line.
  • The padded sections of the hip belt are smaller and will fit circumferences of 25-58″. (As Tortuga explains, this is the measurement around the iliac crests—highest bony part of the hips—which is different from pant size).
  • Designed to fit 15.5-18’’ torsos.

Men’s Focused Fit:

Tortuga Setout 35L In Detroit Male

  • The shoulder straps are made of a rigid foam that’ll get more comfortable with wear as they mold to your specific body.
  • The padded section of the hip belt is more robust and will fit circumferences of 32-61″.
  • Designed to fit 17-19’’ torsos. (We’ve noticed the hip belt can become more of a “stomach belt” on torsos over 19”. This is pretty hard to avoid on travel packs though, at least in our experience.)

Everything else is the same, which is exactly what we like to see. Now, we’ve already reviewed the 45-liter version of the Setout , but we think the 35-liter deserves its own review since its size makes for a much better travel companion. And size isn’t the only difference between the two versions.

For the 35-liter, the folks at Tortuga:

  • Added load lifters (the newest 45L has this now too)
  • Updated the fabric of the Navy and Black colorways to be 100% recycled (and they’re intending to do the same with the Heather Grey colorway soon)

We’ve been testing the 35-liter Tortuga Setout for two months in Detroit, Michigan; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Cleveland, Ohio; plus a week-long road-trip through southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

With that said, let’s jump into the full review!

Materials & Aesthetic

The aesthetic of the Tortuga Setout is nothing special. And we mean that in the best possible way. When traveling, we think it’s best to blend in. And the Setout—with its subdued colorway options and minimalist look—does just that.

Tortuga Setout 35L In Detroit Male

At the time of this review, the women’s version of the Setout is only available in the black colorway that we’ve been testing. The men’s version is available in Black, Navy, and Heather Gray. We assume Tortuga will have more options for women down the line since the women’s version only recently launched. We’re just glad it’s not pink.

Tortuga Setout 35L Logo

The branding is also minimal, with Tortuga’s turtle logo on a few strategic places throughout the pack.

In addition to the simple aesthetic, the pack has a slim profile that helps you blend in with a crowd. The same cannot be said for the 45-liter version, which due to its size, can’t help but stick out whenever it’s full.

And while the 35-liter Men’s Version of the pack is streamlined, it’s still visibly bulky on smaller frames. So we’re glad that the women’s version is available. Bulky packs not only scream tourist, but you’re much more likely to be forced to check your bag.

Let’s move right along to the materials.

Tortuga Setout 35L Water Resistance

The exterior of the pack is made from a durable and weather-resistant 900D polyester that’s derived from recycled plastic bottles (yay environmentalism!). Polyester clocks in at a lower price than other common synthetic fabrics like nylon, meaning the Setout also sells at a lower price point than packs of a similar spec.

Tortuga Setout 35L Material Interior

The interior of the pack is made from ripstop nylon, which has a high strength-to-weight ratio and helps prevent small punctures from turning into full-on rips. (If you geek out about backpack fabrics as much as we do, check out our travel backpack guide where we take a deep dive into the subject.)

Tortuga Setout 35L Zippers

Finishing up the materials, you’ll find beefy, lockable #8 YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles. Since the zippers or buckles on packs are often the first to go, we’re happy to see that Tortuga went with high-quality brands that should last you a while. Plus, that lockability provides great peace of mind.

External Components

As we mentioned at the beginning of this review, the main differences between the men’s and women’s versions of this pack are found in the suspension system, which is a blanket term that encompasses the shoulder straps, load lifters, sternum strap, and hip belt.

Tortuga Setout 35L Harness System Comparison

So let’s talk about them.

The men’s version has “injection-molded” shoulder straps that take some time to break in before becoming comfortable. And they’re contoured in such a way that they taper at the chest, which, to be frank, isn’t comfortable if your chest isn’t flat. (To read all our thoughts about the injection-molded straps, check out our 45-liter Setout Review ).

Tortuga Setout 35L Shoulder Strap Male

The women’s version has thick, padded straps that utilize both soft and hard foam. They’re closer together than on the men’s pack since they’re designed to fit narrower shoulders and curved in such a way to fit a woman’s physiological torso. Plus, they’re comfortable right away.

Tortuga Setout 35L Shoulder Strap Female

Now, we’re not fortune-tellers here at Pack Hacker, but we think there’s a chance Tortuga will put these padded straps on future iterations of the men’s version. The men on the Pack Hacker team found the straps on the women’s version to be far more comfortable than the injection-molded straps.

Stowing the Tortuga Setout 35L Shoulder Straps

You can stow these straps in a velcro compartment on the back of the pack. The padded straps don’t stow as well as the injection-molded straps since they’re thicker, but it works well enough if you ever want or need to check your backpack.

Tortuga Setout 35L Sternum Strap

There’s also an adjustable sternum strap. On the women’s version, this strap sits higher on the chest for an obvious reason. There’s an elasticated section that flexes slightly when you’re walking for a more comfortable carry, and there’s a strap keeper to ensure any excess strap stays nice and tidy.

Tortuga Setout 35L Elastic Keeper

The Setout also comes with a detachable hip belt which, frankly, we haven’t been loving. It’s beefy without being as effective as the hip belts you’ll find on hiking backpacks. It’s also thick and heavily padded…meaning you’re probably going to get some sweaty patches on your hips if you wear it for a decent amount of time.

The women’s version of the hip belt is smaller than the men’s and has been designed to fit smaller hips (the hips we’re talking about here aren’t what we traditionally think of as hips. It’s measured at the highest bony part of the hips). This is a huge plus since the hip belt on the men’s version swamps smaller frames. Seriously, it looks ridiculous.

Tortuga Setout 35L Hip Belt Pocket

We do like that you can detach the hip belts as we’ve had them off more than we’ve had them on. And we love that there’s a small zippered pocket on each side of the belt to carry items you’ll want to quickly grab—like your phone or boarding pass.

You may have noticed, the suspension system on the women’s version is smaller all around. To point out the obvious, that’s because it’s designed to fit a woman’s physiological body. But if you’re a smaller man, you may enjoy the women’s version too. Don’t let labels define you, you know?

Okay—there’s still a long way to go here, folks. Tortuga does not mess around with its external components. The Setout also has:

Tortuga Setout 35L Side Handle

Quick grab handles on both the top and side of the pack. These handles are nicely padded and work well for maneuvering the backpack on a plane or any other mode of travel. But they’re not for carrying the pack in a messenger bag style. You can carry the backpack this way—we’re not going to stop you—but the bag will kind of collapse and look a little funny.

Tortuga Setout 35L Top Handle

A top non-padded handle for hanging. We’ve used it to keep the backpack off the floor in the bathroom stalls of airports because…well, we probably don’t have to explain ourselves here.

Tortuga Setout 35L Compressed

Compression straps to, you know, compress. We’re fans of these straps since they don’t interfere with any of the pockets or zippers on the pack (which is not always the case). They’re not amazing insofar as the bag can look a bit billowy even when they’re fully tightened. So we probably wouldn’t use the Setout as a daypack .

Tortuga Setout 35L Water Bottle Pocket

A water bottle pocket. We’re huge fans of water—everyone should be!—so we’re glad that the Setout has a nice place to put a water bottle or thermos. The elastic on the top can make it challenging to squeeze bigger water bottles inside the pocket, but it holds them securely, which we think is a good trade-off.

Tortuga Setout 35L Back Panel

A back panel with some strategically placed foam padding for increased airflow and decreased sweating.

And last but certainly not least are the load-lifters . While load lifters may seem like a small addition, they make a huge difference when it comes to comfort. Load lifters sit at the top of the straps and help fit the bag to your back.

Between the adjustable sternum strap, hip belt, and load-lifters, it may take you a hot minute to get the backpack to fit correctly. But once you do, the comfort will be second to none.

Inside the Pack

There is an equal amount of stuff going on inside the pack as there is on the exterior! The Setout is designed to be as functional as a suitcase, so if you’re usually a suitcase kind of person, you’ll be right at home.

Tortuga Setout 35L Quick Grab

First, we’ll look at the quick-grab pocket on the front of the pack, which we think is rather deep for a quick-grab pocket. We’ve used it to store travel documents—like boarding passes and passports—that we need to access quickly. However, it gets hard to pack once the backpack is full. And it’s not lined with anything soft, so it’s not ideal for fragile items (unless you like to live on the edge).

Tortuga Setout 35L Organization Pocket

Behind the quick-grab pocket is a large compartment full of organization options. And when we say full, we mean full. There’s a small zippered pocket that’s as deep as the aforementioned quick-grab pocket, which is perfect for items you’d rather not have disappear into the black hole that is the bottom of a backpack. There’s also a sleeve for thin books or notebooks, three pen holders, three card pockets, a passport-sized pocket, and another small, mesh pocket.

Tortuga Setout 35L Clip

You’ll also see a small metal carabiner, where you can hook your keys or other items you’d like to secure. We’ve used it to clip the Tom Bihn Padded Organizer Pouches to carry fragile items with added peace of mind (for the curious, said fragile items included a ridiculously fancy pen and jewelry).

The compartment itself also has some volume for a book or an item of clothing or two. While we’ve been digging the organization in this pocket, our one gripe is that it doesn’t zip down that far, so accessing your stuff at the bottom of the compartment can be annoying. This problem is exacerbated whenever the rest of the backpack is full.

Tortuga Setout 35L Laptop Sleeve

Moving around to the back of the pack, you’ll find a zippered compartment that’s designed to hold a laptop and tablet. The laptop sleeve, which can fit up to a 17’’ laptop, has a small amount of padding. We’ve felt okay using it without an additional laptop sleeve (sometimes you’ve got to live on the edge), but it’s probably best to protect your livelihood (a.k.a. laptop) with something a bit more substantive.

Beneath the laptop sleeve, there’s an additional sleeve for tablets or other flat items. Both sleeves are secured with a simple velcro strap.

You can also fit some additional flat items in this compartment if needed. We’ve always liked taking work with us on flights since they’re the ultimate distraction-free zone—so we’ve kept some free-floating papers here to be edited in-flight and they’ve stayed flat, which is a rarity and a huge plus.

Tortuga Setout 35L Main Open

And finally, there’s the main compartment which opens all the way around like luggage does, in what’s known as a clamshell-style (a fitting name, and a style of access we thoroughly enjoy here at Pack Hacker).

Tortuga Setout 35L Mesh Pocket

On one side, you’ll find two zippered mesh pockets. These pockets are flat and don’t have their own volume. But we’ve been able to shove a toiletry pouch or some tech accessories in them just fine.

Tortuga Setout 35L Packing Cubes

On the other side is a vast, empty bucket that’s perfect for clothing. We’ve been using the Tortuga packing cubes, which are designed to fit inside this space perfectly. We’re fans of packing cubes since they help keep everything tidy, but if you prefer chaos then, by all means, skip the cubes.

This space is big enough that we’ve been able to throw some shoes (including two pairs of heels) or bulky sweaters on top of the packing cubes with no problem.

Durability and Testing

Here at Pack Hacker, we’re constantly putting gear to the test. So, it should go without saying that we’ve run into our fair share of duds over the years.

Luckily, the 35-liter Tortuga Setout has not been one of them. This bag has been a great travel companion for a diverse array of trips—from a weekend bachelorette party in a sleepy, northern Michigan town, to long weekends in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Cleveland, Ohio, to a week in Acadia National Park. We’ve also been using it as a daily driver at our HQ in Detroit, Michigan.

Tortuga Setout 35L Shoulder Strap Comparison

While we think it’s a bit large to work as a daily driver—and doesn’t compress well enough to work as a daypack either—it’s been fabulous for everything else. And we appreciate the real, noticeable differences between the men’s and women’s versions.

As far as durability is concerned, we have nothing to report. The Setout still looks nearly as nice as it did out of the box, even though it’s seen its fair share of dirt at this point. We haven’t noticed any loose threads, tears, pilling, or anything else that would have us concerned.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

  • Dig the new colorways released with the 35L version (Black, Heather Grey, Navy).
  • We’re excited to see that the new version has load lifters.
  • We like the added security of the optional, lockable YKK Zippers.
  • We like the option to add a hip belt, but the size is still a little overkill.

Loving how the shoulder straps fit

The backpack is still looking nice—even though it’s been hanging out in a super dusty campsite.

mm

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Tortuga Setout Backpack 35L

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Tortuga Setout Review: In-Depth and Hands-On

In this Tortuga Setout review, we share our personal experience with the Tortuga Setout for men, as well as the Tortuga Setout for women.

Are you looking for a stylish carry-on backpack with great organization that suits a frequent traveler? Read on!

One thing I’ve never loved about travel backpacks is that they always seem to look more like they’re geared for hiking than city travel. You know what I mean – so many travel backpacks are a weird shade of green or orange.

Also, since a lot of travel backpacks load from the top, it’s a real pain to dig out your belongings when you need to get at something from the bottom.

The Tortuga Setout solves both of these problems. It’s a stylish carry-on size travel backpack that opens suitcase style to let you easily access the contents at the bottom of your backpack.

Tortuga Setout Review

Charles has used our men’s 45 liter Tortuga Setout for well over a year now, both for shorter road trips, as well as international travels by plane.

I’ve had a chance to test our smaller women’s 35 liter backpack for a couple of months, and I’ve really enjoyed it. Scroll down to see our women’s Tortuga Setout review. The women’s Setout is also available in a larger 45 liter size as well.

See it on Tortuga’s website here.

Tortuga Setout for Men

The Tortuga Setout holds an impressive amount in its 45 liter interior. It also includes interior cinch straps to make it less bulky!

Since we use this Tortuga travel backpack mostly for shorter trips, we eventually pulled off the removable waist straps. You can see in the photo below that we rarely did them up anyway. The padded shoulder straps were comfy and cushy enough that we didn’t need to transfer any of the backpack weight to the waist straps and we weren’t hiking for miles anyway so they were just added volume for our typical uses.

When I’m in the city, I really love that it’s so minimalist and stylish. It’s also a lot more inconspicuous than a brightly colored hiking style backpack, and I think that the muted color makes its much less obvious that we’re tourists when we travel.

It’s especially a great choice for Europe, where you’ll want a pack that’s stylish, but carries a lot for its size.

The men’s Tortuga Setout is a great choice for you if:

  • You want an easy to pack backpack that opens like a suitcase
  • You’d like a backpack that’s sleek and stylish, and that fits in perfectly in the city
  • You’re looking for a carry-on size pack with great organization that can fit a lot

The men’s Tortuga Setout is not for you if:

  • You’re looking for a backpack bigger than 45 litres
  • You’re planning on hiking more than a few hours consistently
  • You want a top loading backpack

Men’s Tortuga Setout quick specs:

  • Price: $199 (45 L) or $179 (35 L)
  • Size: 45 L or 35 L
  • Weight: 3.9 lbs (45 L) or 3.4 lbs (35 L)
  • Dimensions: 22″ x 14″ x 9” (45 L) or 21.5” x 13.5” x 7.5” (35 L)

Is the Tortuga Setout Carry-on Size?

The short answer is: Yes!

The men’s Tortuga Setout 45 liter is 22″ x 14″ x 9″. That mean that it’s small enough to work as a carry-on, but at 45 L it’s probably the most spacious pack you’ll get at those dimensions. It has soft sides, so you’ll be able to easily squish it to fit into those carry-on size cages at the airport.

At 3.9 lbs, it’s also pretty lightweight.

That said, if you’re traveling on a discount airline, especially in Europe, you’ll want to check the allowable dimensions.

If size is an issue for the planes you plan to use, there’s also a cheaper 35 L version of the Men’s Tortuga backpack.

We really love the Tortuga Setout for carryon travel, but if you’re looking for a bigger backpack, or a more hiking style of backpack, check out our best travel backpack review , where we talk about the best bigger backpacks.

Is there room for my laptop?

Yes. Both the 45 L and 35 L versions easily fit a 17” Macbook in the specialized back laptop sleeve.

We sometimes travel with my older 15.6″ Lenovo IdeaPad, which is as thick as a brick and twice as heavy, lol, and it fits with plenty of room to spare.

The laptop compartment is easy to access and separate from the main compartment, making it quick to access when going through airport security.

The laptop sleeve is both padded and suspended off the ground, protecting your laptop from sharp bumps when you accidentally put your backpack down a little harder than you expected. I learned the hard way how important a padded laptop sleeve is when I was using an older backpack and knocked a chunk out of the back corner of my Lenovo laptop when I set it down a little too hard. Luckily, it survived, but I’ve insisted on a bottom padded laptop sleeve ever since.

Organization in the Tortuga Setout

When I first opened up the Tortuga, suitcase style, I could hardly believe how big it is inside, even though it’s only carry-on size outside. The Tortuga was designed to get the most space inside as possible in a carry on size backpack pack.

There’s a separate padded laptop sleeve in back, with easy access for airport security. The front compartment has plenty of pockets and pouches for storing cables, chargers, and other electronics. There’s also a very deep water bottle side pocket.

The main compartment, in particular, seems enormous. Because it’s so large and open inside, you may want to grab some specially sized Tortuga Setout packing cubes .

It’s designed well for airplane travel, with straps that tuck away to avoid being snagged by plane conveyor belts, and a size that’s easy enough to lift onto train and into airplane overhead bins.

Is it comfortable?

Charles is 5’11”, with a medium-light build, with an average torso size, and the Setout fits him well.

One of the first things I noticed about the Tortuga is the cushy padding on the shoulder and waist straps. This adds a bit of bulk, but very little weight, and makes for a comfy carry. There’s also padding on the back of the pack, so it rests comfortably on your back yet gives your back space to breathe on those hot days. There’s also a little front strap to connect the shoulder straps to help distribute the load better.

On our last trip to Mexico, we had the men’s Tortuga absolutely stuffed, with everything from swimsuits and snorkeling gear, to extra electronics, to clothes and toiletries.

Even with all that weight, it was comfortable to carry, even without the waist straps tied up.

Can you adjust the height?

The Tortuga Setout is not height adjustable, and only comes in one size, so if you’re very tall (over 6’1″) or smaller than (5’1″) it may not work for you. Tortuga says that it’s made to fit 17-19″ torsos.

That said, the Setout does have load lifter strap suspension.

If you want a similar pack that fits a longer or shorter torso, or that’s height adjustable, check out their adjustable Tortuga Outbreaker , which comes in 35 L and 45 L sizes. It is a bit more expensive and a little heavier but it’s a great backpack pack as well.

Is it waterproof?

The Tortuga Setout isn’t waterproof, but it is made with a high quality, durable fabric that easily handled a light ran shower for us. You can also pick up a custom fit Setout rain cover if you want. See the mid-sized rain cover on Tortuga , or the large rain cover on Tortuga .

The men’s 45 L and 35 L Setout comes in heather grey, which we own, as well as black and navy.

The black and navy colors are made of recycled water bottles.

See prices and reviews for the the men’s Tortuga Setout Backpack now.

Women’s Tortuga Setout

I was really excited when we first got the original men’s Tortuga Setout, and I do love the backpack. However, as an average sized woman (I’m 5’5″), with an average build, I found it seemed a bit awkward and oversized for me. I still loved the pack, but I found that I was always passing it to Charles to carry, simply because it better fit his height and build.

So, I was pretty excited when Tortuga first brought out their women’s version of the Setout. Since we were looking for a smaller carry-on pack, I jumped at the chance to get the smaller 35 L version.

Basically, the women’s Tortuga Setout has all of the advantages of the original men’s Setout, but it’s just designed to fit women’s bodies better.

There’s also no skimping on features, which I love. I’m endlessly frustrated by companies that make women’s products smaller, but with fewer features and options!

Women’s Tortuga Setout specs

  • Weight: 3.9 lbs (45 L) or 3.6 lbs (35 L)

How does the women’s Tortuga Setout fit?

The women’s Tortuga Setout backpack has a suspension system designed for women’s bodies. It’s designed to fit women’s 15.5 to 18” torsos.

Since the women’s Setout is designed for women’s frames, I find that it fits me really nicely.

The shoulder straps are well padded, and fit comfortably but snugly to my body, and the waist straps fit nicely at the top of my hips, with plenty of room to cinch them smaller, or bigger, depending on your size.

For me, the 35 L is a fantastic size for a weekend trip, or small backpack in combination with wheeled luggage. I can easily fit my laptop, basic toiletries, cables and charges, 2 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, 2 sweaters, and an extra pair of shoes into the 35 L with room to spare. It would be a great size for carry-on luggage with an European airline, since they’re stricter with their size requirements.

For a longer trip of a week or two, I would probably use the bigger 45 L women’s as my primary backpack. The 45 L is still carry-on size with most airlines, especially those in North America, making it a great choice for flying.

See the women’s Setout backpack on Tortuga now.

Other Tortuga travel gear

Tortuga has a pretty expansive line of travel backpacks and gear.

If you’re looking for a smaller travel day bag, there’s the little 19 l Tortuga Setout laptop bag .

If an expandable travel backpack is your thing, there’s the Tortuga Setout Divide , which expands from 26 to 34 L.

Looking for something that’s easily height adjustable, but still carry on size? The Outbreaker Backpack comes at a price point about $100 higher than the Setout (depending on the exact size you get), but it is height adjustable. The straps on the Outbreaker aren’t hideaway however it’s absolutely jammed with pockets and storage.

If you prefer a shoulder bag, Tortuga also sells a Setout duffel bag .

About Tortuga

The founders of Tortuga designed the first Tortuga after backpacking around Europe. They found that their traditional top-loading backpack made it hard to access stuff, that there was limited storage for electronics, and they didn’t like that standard backpacks made them stand out immediately as backpackers.

So, they designed Tortuga packs to be great backpacks for urban travelers with plenty of storage (especially for electronics), and a cool, urban look and feel.

Did our Tortuga Setout review help you decide? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more travel backpack or gear ideas?

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Tortuga

Packable Backpack

The packable backpack for a day of sightseeing. Packs away to fit in your travel backpack.

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tortuga travel backpack uk

Lightweight

Personal-Item-Sized

  • Free Shipping
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  • Worldwide Warranty

Personal item (Fits under the seat)

18.1 x 10.2 x 6.3 in (46 x 26 x 16 cm)

7.9 x 5.9 x 3.5 in (20 x 15 x 9 cm)

11 oz (308 g)

70D ripstop nylon + Extreema®

YKK zippers, Woojin buckles

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  1. Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review

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  3. Tortuga Men's Setout 45L

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  4. Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

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  6. Tortuga Travel Backpack: For Every Urban Traveler

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COMMENTS

  1. Tortuga Travel Backpacks

    Tortuga travel backpacks are carry-on-sized, organized, and comfortable. Recommended by the Wirecutter, Pack Hacker, Carryology, and Travel + Leisure. ... but our luggage was a disaster. We couldn't find the perfect travel backpack, so we made it. Learn More Products. Travel Backpack Pro 40L Travel Backpack Pro 30L Laptop Backpack

  2. Travel Backpack Pro 40L by Tortuga

    Travel Backpack Pro 40L. Open media 3 in modal. Maximum-sized carry on for domestic, international, and budget airlines. Open media 4 in modal. Fits in the overhead bin. Open media 5 in modal. Easy to pack. Open media 6 in modal. External pockets.

  3. Travel Backpacks (V2)

    The front opening means that you can pack them like suitcases but carry them like backpacks. The Tortuga Travel Backpack is ideal for trips from one week to one year. The Tortuga maximizes how much you can bring without having to check your bag. The Tortuga Air is smaller and lighter. The Air is made for weekend getaways and short business trips.

  4. Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review

    Yep, all of those are recycled, so you can bet it puts a smile on Mother Nature's face. Better still, it's waterproof, just like the X-Pac VX21 it replaces, yet at a lower overall weight. To put that into perspective, the Travel Backpack 40L weighs the same as the 35-liter Outbreaker Travel Backpack.

  5. Tortuga Backpack Review: Travel Backpack 40l

    The exact dimensions of the Tortuga Travel Backpack 40l when empty is 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches or 55 x 35 x 20 cm for those working on the metric system. The good news is that it is suitable for putting in the overhead compartments of US and international airlines. My Fully Packed Tortuga Backpack Fits Perfectly in the Overhead Locker.

  6. Tortuga Outbreaker Travel Backpack 35L Review

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  7. Tortuga Men's Setout Collection

    For the main travel backpack I settled on the Tortuga Setout Divide.Tortuga Set Out DivideThe Tortuga Set Out Divide was 195.56USD to post to a friend in California (no shipping to EU or UK at that tome), 71.65USD to post to the UK and 48.74GBP ($64.20) UK Customs VAT.The Setout Divide arrives in a large locking plastic bag with the company ...

  8. The Outbreaker Collection by Tortuga

    A bag to keep soiled clothes from ruining your stuff. $49 Shop. Shop gear for urban travel. The Outbreaker collection has a travel backpack, packable daypack, personal item sized duffle, packing cubes, and wet/dry bag.

  9. Amazon.co.uk: Tortuga Backpack

    Amazon.co.uk Today's Deals Warehouse Deals Outlet Subscribe & Save Vouchers Amazon ... 1-48 of 161 results for "tortuga backpack" Results. Price and other details may vary based on product size and colour. ... Get it Friday, 24 Nov. FREE Delivery by Amazon. More buying choices £116.40 (3 new offers) tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L, TSA Friendly ...

  10. Tortuga Travel Backpack Review (Is It Really Worth It?)

    Yes, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is fully carry-on compliant. There are two sizes. The 30L edition is more appropriate for shorter trips (or very minimalistic travel), while the 40L is intended for trips of a week or more. I tested the 40L for this review. It would have been nice if the 40L could expand in some way beyond carry-on size for ...

  11. Review: Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Is the Best Travel ...

    The Tortuga Travel Backpack is a 40L pack, giving you 5L less than the Setout due to evolving airline regulations. Still, that's more storage space than the original Setout 35L and most other carry-on travel backpacks. Tortuga is a small business that focuses solely on making these packs, so you're getting quality either way, but I've ...

  12. Tortuga Review: Travel Setout Backpack 45L

    Tortuga Setout 45L Men's Version. The harness system is designed to fit 17-19″ torsos. The shoulder straps are padded with sturdy, injection-molded, closed-cell foam that keeps its structure. The hip belt is big, beefy, and plenty long to fit larger torsos.

  13. Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

    By creating a more simplistic design, it was able to make each bag size more than 10% lighter. The 40L model of the Tortuga Travel Backpack (V4) is 4.5 lbs (2 kg), and the 30L model weighs 4 lbs (1.8 kg). Considering these backpacks' volume and competing bags' weight, I think Tortuga met this goal to a T.

  14. Travel Backpack Lite 40L by Tortuga

    YKK zippers, Woojin buckles. Travel Backpack Lite 40L $250. Email me. Bring everything you need for your next big trip. The Travel Backpack Lite 40L is a lightweight travel backpack for trips of a week or more. This max-sized carry on bag fits in the overhead bin even on budget and European airlines.

  15. Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L Review: Time to Toss the Suitcase Out? 2024

    It's basically a highly innovative backpack that adapts from a 22l daypack into a 40l travel pack. The most novel feature is probably the "pull out wardrobe" which makes packing and staying organized seriously efficient. It also has an attachable toiletry bag, is carry on ready and uses excellent materials.

  16. Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack Review

    Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack Front Organization System. The front pocket opens up in a horseshoe fashion, revealing a lay-flat organization system. We really like how Tortuga thought this out. From the rip-stop liner pockets to the mesh pocket, to the three slots for pens, pencils, stylus… it all works really well.

  17. Tortuga Setout Backpack Review: Laptop-Friendly and Spacious

    This is a great backpack that'll last you through many, many adventures across oceans and countries. Competition: Cheaper options available. Osprey Porter 30 Travel Backpack: Capacity-wise, the Osprey backpack—which we also tested—is almost identical to the Tortuga Setout. Looks-wise, though, they're completely different.

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    Tortuga Backpacks was founded in 2010 to give world travelers the luggage that they need to have a great trip. Our bags are designed to make your trip easier. You have enough to worry about when you travel. Your luggage shouldn't be on that list. Your backpack should be a trusted, hassle-free travel companion that you'll carry for years.

  19. Tortuga Setout Backpack 35L Review

    Tortuga Setout 35L In Detroit Male. The shoulder straps are made of a rigid foam that'll get more comfortable with wear as they mold to your specific body. The padded section of the hip belt is more robust and will fit circumferences of 32-61″. Designed to fit 17-19'' torsos.

  20. Tortuga Setout Backpack Review: In-Depth and Hands-On

    Other Tortuga travel gear. Tortuga has a pretty expansive line of travel backpacks and gear. If you're looking for a smaller travel day bag, there's the little 19 l Tortuga Setout laptop bag. If an expandable travel backpack is your thing, there's the Tortuga Setout Divide, which expands from 26 to 34 L.

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    Carry everything you need for the day. The Packable Backpack is a lightweight daypack for travel that fits everything you need for a day of sightseeing. Carry your jacket, snacks, and water bottle. When you're in transit, pack the bag into its pouch and stow it in your luggage for easy, one bag travel.