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Aer travel pack 3 review | my hands-on, travel-tested thoughts.

I test the new Aer Travel Pack 3 while on the road in Italy to see how it performs in the real world.

Product Reviews

If you follow The Savvy Backpacker, you know I’m a travel backpack dork so I was excited when Aer recently released the latest iteration of their popular AER Travel Pack. So how does the new Aer Travel Pack 3 compare to the older Aer Travel Packs I’ve reviewed in the past (read my Aer Travel Pack 2 Review and Aer Travel Pack Review ) and is the new Aer Travel Pack 3 still one of the best travel backpacks on the market? Let’s find out!

In this Aer Travel Pack 3 review, I’ll cover everything you need to know to help you decide if this is the right travel backpack for your trip.

How I Tested The Aer Travel Pack 3

I believe the best way to test a travel backpack is to actually use it while traveling since you can see how it performs in a real-world environment.

So to review the Aer Travel Pack 3 I hit the road for a two-week trip through Italy—mainly Rome and Naples where I took trains, used public transportation, and stayed in hotels and Airbnbs. For this trip, I also used my Aer backpack as my only piece of luggage so I have a good idea of how this backpack performs when fully packed out.

For reference, I’ve also continued using my Aer Travel Pack 3 on a few shorter domestic trips since this is such a versatile backpack.

Overview Of The Aer Travel Pack 3

Aer is well-known in the luggage community for making well-designed, high-quality backpacks that have a modern design aesthetic—in fact, the Aer Travel Pack 3 is sold at the NYC’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Design Store so it has some designer street cred.

The Aer Travel Pack caters to travelers who want a premium quality carry-on size backpack that is functional and has a sleek, urban vibe.

And the Aer Travel Pack 3 delivers. It’s comfortable, has a ton of smart organization, and the build quality is some of the best I’ve seen. In fact, Aer offers a lifetime warranty on their bags so they obviously believe in their products.

Aer Travel Pack 3 vs. Aer Travel Pack 2

On the surface, the Aer Travel Pack 3 and Travel Pack 2 look very similar but they’re quite different once you dive into the details.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 features multiple design and functionality improvements that make this bag much better than the older Aer Travel Pack 2 (which was already a well-regarded backpack). The most notable improvements are the updated harness system with load lifters (which was my main complaint on the v2), a slight overall size increase, and a few upgraded materials.

The TP3 ditches the old built-in shoe compartment (which I’m glad to see go), and it features new beefed-up hardware, added zipper pulls, a few pocket adjustments, and better cinch-down straps.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Specs

Here are the specs of the Travel Pack 3 ( via the Aer website )

Size and Weight

• Volume: 35 L
• Weight: 4.12 lbs
• Length: 21.5″ (54.5 cm)
• Width: 13″ (33 cm)
• Depth: 9″ (21.5 cm)
• $279 (X-Pac sailcloth exterior version)

Featured Specs

• 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior
• YKK® zippers
• Duraflex® plastic hardware
• Padded, suspended laptop pocket (up to 16″ laptop) 
• Lay-flat main compartment
• Compression straps with magnetic fasteners
• Quick-access top and side pockets
• Load lifters for support and comfort
• Handles on all sides for versatile carrying
• Expandable water bottle pocket
• Hidden smart tracker pocket
• Internal framesheet for structure & support
• Luggage handle pass-through
• Lockable zippers for additional security

My Hands-On Aer Travel Pack 3 Review

I’ve come to really appreciate the Aer Travel Pack 3 after putting it through its paces while traveling through Italy.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s certainly one of the best travel backpacks I’ve personally tried.

So let’s take an in-depth look into all the details and features of the Travel Pack 3 to see what makes this bag excellent and where it comes up short.

Looks and Aesthetics

The first thing you notice when looking at the Aer Travel Pack 3 is its minimalist, streamlined, and utilitarian aesthetics. It has a sleek, urban techy vibe. The fabric is heavy-duty and all the hardware feels sturdy.

I’m a fan of the look Aer Travel Pack 3 because it feels more refined and modern than other travel backpacks. The bag has a more elevated vibe so don’t feel like a typical twentysomething “backpacker” when I’m wearing it. I also appreciate the backpack’s subtle branding—there is a small “Aer” logo on the side of the bag and a tiny one on the shoulder strap.

I prefer the black color option but it also comes in Grey and Olive—personally, I’m not a fan of the gray color but the Olive is interesting. But, I’d always choose black.

The Aer Travel Pack also comes in a slightly more expensive black X-Pac sailcloth exterior that’s more water-resistant and lighter. The X-Pac sailcloth material has a bit of a sheen (I prefer the look of the regular version) but the extra water resistance of the X-Pac sailcloth is certainly nice.

Materials, Hardware, and Zippers

Like all Aer bags, the Travel Pack 3 is a premium product so the materials and finishings used to construct this backpack are high quality—this is also reflected in the $250 price tag. The backpack’s exterior is made from heavy-duty 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon, the zippers are all YKK®, and the buckles, fasteners, and other plastic pieces are made from durable Duraflex plastic. The padding on the shoulder straps and pull handles are thick for added comfort.

The entire bag weights in at 4.12 lbs so it’s not the lightest bag I’ve tested (for reference, the Travel Pack 3 is 35L and the 42L Cotopaxi Allpa weights roughly the same) but that’s one of the tradeoffs when using sturdy materials.

In short, you can tell they didn’t cheap out on the more minor details on the Travel Pack 3 so this is a sturdy backpack that will withstand plenty of abuse (and it’s all backed up with a lifetime warranty).

Harness System and Comfort

The harness system (i.e. shoulder straps) of the Aer Travel Pack 3 is a huge improvement from the previous generation Travel Pack 2—in fact, the old bag’s harness system was a big disappointment for such an otherwise well-designed and premium product.

Looking at the photos above, you’ll see how the Travel Pack 3 now uses a hiking-style harness that curves to fit your shoulders. This helps keep the weight of the backpack square against your back and up on your shoulders so the weight of the bag doesn’t pull away from your body (which causes added stress to your body. The Travel Pack 3 also has load lifter straps that help the steps confirm to your shoulders so it keeps the bag close to your back.

The shoulder straps are well-padded with about a quarter inch of high-density foam which helps disperse the weight of the load over your shoulders. There is also a good amount of mesh padding lining the back that adds more comfort while wearing.

The Travel Pack 3 also features an internal plastic framesheet that runs along the back of the bag for added structure & support.

NOTE: Aer sells a detachable hipbelt for $20 that can be added to the Travel Pack 3. I haven’t tried it but I assume it would make the bag even more comfortable—especially if using the bag for extended periods of time since a hipbelt distributes the bag’s weight from the shoulders to the hips.

Is The Aer Travel Pack 3 Comfortable?

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is a comfortable backpack but any bag will become less and less comfortable as you add weight—the Travel Pack 3 is no exception. That said, the bag’s hiking-style harness system makes it a great option for point-to-point city travel.

External Design Features

The Aer Travel Pack 3 features multiple smart design features that I truly appreciated after putting some miles on this bag.

The bag has three well-padded grab handles (top and both sides) which are great when you’re grabbing your bag from overhead bins, carrying your bag through train aisles, and other times when you need to carry the bag but you don’t want to throw it over your shoulder. The fact this bag has three grab handles is amazing since most bags only have one or two. The bag also has an unpadded strap on the bottom of the bag.

The bag has multiple types of zippers—all of which are high-quality YKK zippers.

The zipper on the laptop compartment has a weather-resistant coating so that will help keep your laptop safe if you get stuck in a rainstorm.

The other zippers on this bag aren’t weather-proofed but they’re still robust and the action on the zipping/unzipping is smooth.

The main zippers have lockable loops that can be secured with a small luggage lock. The zippers also have nice pulls to help make it easier to use the zippers. The previous version of the Travel Pack had zipper-pulls that made a lot of noise but this version has fixed that issue.

One tiny complaint is that the zippers of the main compartment and the front flap look so similar that it’s easy to confuse the two. I wish Aer put different colored zipper pulls to help quickly distinguish the two zippers.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 has redesigned magnetic buckles on the bag’s four cinch straps. These magnetic buckles are pretty genius because you can buckle/unbuckle them instantly, but the magnets are strong enough to keep the straps securely closed.

The cinch straps have also been moved in this latest version so they don’t obstruct the zippers—unlike the previous version where you have to unbuckle the straps to unzip the bag (it was very annoying).

Internal Pockets and Organization

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is loaded with internal pockets and organizational compartments to help keep all your stuff secure and easily accessible. In fact, it might take you a minute to remember where you put your stuff since there are so many places to stash your gear.

Let’s start with the front panel pocket which is full of multiple compartments and dividers. There’s a deep pocket in the back for documents, a zippered pocket for smaller valuables like your passport, and multiple elastic compartments for electronics accessories, pens, and other small knickknacks.

There’s also a good amount of room in this front panel so there’s space for a light jacket, etc.

On the very front of the bag, there’s a small pocket that has a weather-resistant zipper. It’s not a very deep pocket so I use this mainly for thin objects like paper documents, backup phone cables, snacks, etc. This pocket does have an internal key clip so you won’t lose your keys.

There is a super handy quick-access pocket at the top of the bag that I ended up using all the time while traveling with this backpack. The pocket is also lined with a soft and fuzzy fabric so it won’t scratch up your phone or glasses.

The pocket is large enough to hold a wallet, sunglasses case, passport, and phone (or other small items you need to easily grab while on the go).

The laptop compartment, which is protected with a water-resistant zipper, is located on the back of the backpack and it is comprised of a few different pockets.

The padded laptop sleeve can easily hold my 16″ Macbook Pro and the sleeve has a false bottom so your laptop is protected from hitting the ground.

There’s another large sleeve that can hold flat items like papers/folders, etc.

The compartment also contains a small hidden zippered pocket that offers an extra layer of security for your valuables (passport, phone, wallet, etc.).

On one side of the bag, you’ll find a small zippered pocket that can hold something like a passport and the other side features an expandable water bottle pocket. I don’t typically carry a water bottle so I haven’t tested this pocket but it looks to hold a standard disposable water bottle (not sure it can hold a large Nalgene-style bottle). Alternatively, you could put a small travel umbrella into that water bottle pocket.

Main Compartment

The Aer Travel Pack 3 has a lay-flat, clamshell-style opening, and features a single large cavernous compartment that zips completely open—which makes packing quick and easy. As you can see, it’s super minimal so I highly recommend using packing cubes to keep all your stuff organized.

There’s a small zipper pocket in the sidewall of the main compartment and then another small mesh pocket on the flap—so most of the organization is found on the outer front flap that I covered earlier in this article.

Aer rates their Travel Pack 3 as a 35L backpack so this bag can fit a solid amount of stuff but you still need to be selective in how much you pack. In my opinion, this back is geared towards people who want to travel relatively light.

If you’re a heavy packer, I recommend a 40L+ backpack or you could pair the Travel Pack 3 with a smaller suitcase.

Final Thoughts On The Aer Travel Pack 3

So is the Aer Travel Pack 3 a good travel backpack?

Yes. I honestly like this backpack and I found that it suited my travel style very well. I wouldn’t call myself an ultralight traveler but I certainly travel lighter than most. Through smart packing, I was able to fit enough stuff in my bag for about 7 days (including an extra pair of sneakers that I probably didn’t need) so had to do a wash about halfway through my two-week trip.

However, if you can’t pack reasonably light then this Aer backpack probably isn’t right for you since its 35L size is a bit smaller than similar travel backpacks. Check out my guide to the Best Travel Backpacks for my other top picks.

I love the minimalist styling of the Aer Travel Pack 3 since so many other travel backpacks have a “hiking” style that I don’t love.

I found the back to be comfortable so I had no problems hauling it around for extended amounts of time. I also thought the bag’s organization was smartly designed so I was able to access whatever I needed without much hassle.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is also extremely durable and well-made so I have no doubt in its ability to withstand being thrown around.

But the quality of the Aer Travel Pack 3 comes at a price—it’s $249 for the standard version and $279 for the water-resistant X-Pac version.

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Aer Travel Pack 3 Review

Made with bomb-proof materials, smart features, and understated styling, the Aer Travel Pack 3 is one of our most recommended carry-on backpacks.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is a beautifully designed carry-on travel backpack that’s tough, compact, and has plenty of features to keep you organized on your trip.

At 35L, this bag is on the smaller end of the range (45L being the max size for a carry-on backpack), which means the Aer Travel Pack is perfect for short jaunts, minimalist packers or two-bag travelers.

For this purposes of this review, I traveled with this bag as a single carry-on item for a two-week trip to Costa Rica. Yes, I lived out of just this bag for two weeks and had no problem making it work. Granted, I’m a light packer, but if all you need to carry are some clothes and a laptop, this bag fits the bill.

What’s more, at TravelFreak, we’ve tested, rated and ranked more than 150 backpacks, and the Aer Travel Pack 3 scores in the top five for the carry-on category. With an outstanding 9.1 score based on our 39-point backpack rating system , this bag is one of the best you can buy.

In this review of the Aer Travel Pack 3, I’ll dive into my experience with this bag, what it excels at, and the things I wish were a little different.

The Aer Travel Pack is one of our highest-rated backpacks with some of the highest scores in its class. Living up to their slogan, “Travel Every Day,” the Aer Travel Pack is streamlined for carry-on travel, finding the sweet spot of durability, functionality and value.

• Build Quality 9.7
• Comfort 8.5
• Ease of Use 9.2
• Functionality 9.2
• It functions well for one-bag travel
• Durable material brings peace of mind that the bag will not fail you when traveling
• Functional smart compartments that keep you well organized
• Lay-flat main compartment makes accessing your belongings easy
• Sleek design and minimal design
• Attachment points for extra gear on the outside
• The lack of hip straps limits comfort. I’m not a fan of add on options for features that I deem necessary 
• No rain-fly. Probably not the biggest worry but a little extra rain protection wouldn’t hurt
• Lack of larger size options. I'd love to see a 45L version of this bag as well

Who is The Aer Travel Pack 3 for?

At 35L, the Aer Travel Pack 3 is too big to be used as a daily carry, and it isn’t well-suited for hiking. As the name implies, this pack is truly built for travel. Its smart design helps utilize space efficiently and is easy to keep organized.

The Aer Travel Pack is purpose-built as a carry-on backpack for one- or two-bag travel, and that’s where it truly shines.

They also make a Small version of the Aer Travel Pack which clocks in at 28L of carry volume. At 28L, I see this smaller version working really well as a crossover bag with dual function as a travel bag and an everyday bag. On the other hand, the regular sized 35L bag is going to suit two-bag travelers who want to carry more on their back or one-bag travelers who aim to carry less.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Summary

The Aer Travel Pack is streamlined for carry-on travel. Living up to their slogan, “Travel Every Day,” they are specialized in constructing a backpack that can be used “from the office to the gym, or from San Francisco to Tokyo.”

Living out of this bag for a week or more won’t be for everyone. I am a textbook minimalist traveler so if you’re the type of traveler who likes “options,” there is no chance this pack will be able to fit all of your excessiveness (I mean that in the kindest way possible).

If the idea of packing less and carrying less gets you excited, you’ll probably love this bag. It’s for light packers or short trips, not for people who like to bring one of everything, “just in case.”

Here’s what I packed for two weeks of international travel:

• Enough clothes for a week of no laundry
• Packable daypack
• Water bottle
• Chargers & cables
• A few chocolate bars (eight, if you really need to know)

The clothes I packed were mainly made of synthetic materials, able to be rolled up and compacted down to a smaller size. If you plan on packing jeans and big sweatshirts, don’t expect to be able to fit a week’s worth of clothes in this pack.

I packed my camera gear (Canon R5 and 2 lenses) into a sling pack, so I was able to test this bag without the need to carry bulky camera equipment inside. And like that, I was set for two weeks in Costa Rica!

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is made with 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior (bluesign approved), YKK zippers, and Duraflex plastic hardware.

As I mentioned, this pack is meant for travel, not for rugged adventures, though if coupled with the optional hip straps, it could be easily used for some easy day hikes. As long as you’re not tossing the pack down a slab of granite or intend on testing its water resistance to the extreme, the materials will hold up well throughout your travels.

That being said, I love the overall felt strength of this pack. Aer definitely didn’t cheap out on the materials and it shows.

I suspect the materials on this pack will hold up for many years to come.

The pack lives up to Aer’s minimalist pursuit, offering a sleek look that is a perfect fit for on-the-go travel.

Its low-profile look gives it the versatility of a travel bag, a hiking bag or a work bag without drawing any unneeded attention to it.

One thing to note is that the Aer Travel Pack doesn’t have many colors to choose from. You can get black, grey, olive green, or black X-Pack (a lighter, fully-waterproof fabric).

I personally love black, but for anyone who likes a splash of color in their travel gear, the selection here is a bit disappointing.

The amount of black travel backpacks you see in an airport is abundant, making it easy to confuse which bag is yours. Having the option to stand out from the pack (see what I did there?) could come in handy.

The pack is built for comfort with well-padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and an internal framesheet to distribute the load. When it’s packed to the brim, though, it starts weighing on your shoulders, especially if you don’t have the upgraded removable hip belt (I did not).

With no hip straps, I had a tremendous amount of weight on my shoulders which can make a 20-minute wait in line for customs pretty arduous. Walking from terminal to terminal, even more so.

If you pack light with only a few of your belongings, the padded shoulder straps may be able to manage the weight to some extent, but for me, hip straps are a must on any pack bigger than a small daypack.

I don’t care if it’s two weeks of items or a laptop and a jacket. If you’re wearing it for long enough, the pack is going to cause discomfort if all the weight is only distributed on your shoulders. Weight tolerance will vary from person to person, so experiment with what feels best for you and find out what your body can and cannot handle.

The good news is that you can get a padded hipbelt to attach to this bag. The bad news is that it will be an extra cost.

Organization

Some bags have too many pockets, to the point where I can’t remember which pocket I put things in. Other bags have too few, and all my belongings come pouring out as soon as I open a zipper.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 really hit the Goldilocks zone for pockets and felt “just right” for me. It has smart organization features designed to give you a place for everything without being overly complicated.

The lay-flat main compartment allowed me to pack and access my clothes efficiently, the padded laptop compartment felt safe and secure, and the outside mesh pocket made accessing items on the go, quick and as the name implies, “easy”.

The Aer Travel 3 is certainly a sturdy pack. Even before testing it out, I noticed how durable this pack felt. This is definitely not the case with all packs.

There was never a point in my trip that I felt like my bag was at risk of injury.

The zippers on the back get the most wear in my opinion, especially with a bag that’s nearly bursting at the seams, and never once did I feel like my zippers were about to fail.

I would be wary of putting it to the test against anything too rugged but the 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior feels strong and water-resistant enough to hold up against an unexpected rainstorm or some light abrasion.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Features

The Aer Travel Pack 3 comes with an abundance of thoughtful features. There’s a compartment for everything—and nothing more—which adds to the ease of daily use.

Lay-Flat Main Compartment

Looking at the bag, I don’t know how I fit two week’s worth of clothes in there but I did! The ability to unzip the pack fully and carefully place your items definitely increases the functionality of the available space.

I stored a packing cube in this compartment that helped keep my clothes organized. My camera equipment was carried in the WANDRD 9L Roam Sling so the cube was used only for clothing and a few other random items.

What I felt was lacking were internal compression straps to keep everything in place.

So much is getting placed in this main compartment and though the lay-flat zipper makes it easy to open and access, items tend to fall out when there are no side walls holding them in.

Some compression straps to secure my clothes and other items would have been a helpful feature to have and would have brought some added peace of mind when opening my pack.

Padded Suspended Laptop Compartment

With an ample amount of space, padding, and a soft fabric lining, I never felt like my laptop was at risk of damage.

A lay-flat zipper on this compartment would make it easier to access my cables and hard drives that I stored in there.

Also, a few added compartments back here for hard drives or a tablet would make it easier to stay organized.

The amount of cables, dongles and tech accessories that come with traveling with a laptop can feel overwhelming. There is plenty of space in the suspended laptop compartment for all of that so to have some added organization would have helped a ton.

Load Lifters

What are load lifters? Load lifters are two small straps that are attached to the shoulder straps and back of your pack. Tightening and loosening them adjusts the closeness of the bag to your body, allowing for greater comfort and stabilization by decreasing the sway of the pack.

Load lifters may not be a necessity for everyone but they are definitely a nice feature for added comfort, especially if you are traveling with a fully loaded single-carry backpack.

Compression Design

I used the compression straps to secure a tripod which ended up working out really well.

To improve functionality and diversify the use, I would’ve liked to see these straps expand just a little bit more as they became pretty tight when I tried to secure my tripod.

Yes, I realize these straps are not specifically designed to carry things, but I can’t imagine I am the first and only person to use these straps for this.

There are so many traveling creators out there so to have these compression straps perform as a dual functioning tripod straps would definitely up the appeal for a lot of people. An added sleeve for the tripod legs on one of the sides of the bag would be a pretty awesome improvement to see too.

Lockable Zippers

It’s a small detail, but the fact that you can lock the main zippers can be a big deal for some. If you’re carrying valuable items like a laptop, camera, or other electronics, it can add a lot of peace of mind knowing you can secure your bag from unwanted intrusion.

Be aware that it is still possible for thieves to rip through zippers, so it definitely isn’t a fool-proof solution. Locking the zippers of your pack does provide som deterrence for casual thieves though.

Bottom Shoe Pocket

The pocket is relatively spacious as I was able to fit a pair of running shoes and a Lowepro RunAbout BP 18L Collapsible Backpack i n here. A couple of pairs of flip-flops or sandals would also be a reasonable fit.

In normal suitcases, shoes are often placed in with everything else which may be okay at the start of the trip when your shoes are clean, but after hikes and sandy walks on the beach it may not be so ideal.

The ability to separate your dirty shoes from your clean clothes is an awesome feature to have and somewhat of an unexpected luxury in a bag of this size.

What should be noted is that not all shoes will be able to fit in here. As I mentioned, I had a pair of compact running shoes in this pocket but a set of high heels or chunky hiking boots would make it a tight squeeze.

Easy Access Front Pocket

Easy access is the name of the game when traveling with a solo carry-on bag. Regardless of whether you’re in the airport, or caught in a rainstorm waiting for an Uber, quick access to your daily travel necessities is key to staying organized and keeping your items safe.

I really enjoyed the functionality of this front pocket. It was large enough to stow a pair of sandals and organized enough to keep my daily items readily available.

There are various different pockets and compartments within this front access pocket that are suitable for everything from a pen and journal, to a toothbrush and toiletries.

The zipper folds three-quarters of the way down to provide that easy access so you don’t have to blindly dig around to find some of the smaller items you may have stowed in there.

Expandable Water Bottle Side Pocket

Following Aer’s minimalist approach, the compartment seems pretty stealthy, with a vertical zipper that allows it to expand and give you more space for larger bottles.

At first sight, I didn’t think my wide-mouthed water bottle would fit in there but to my surprise, it did with ease.

Though the expandable option adds the minimalist look, I don’t find it all that necessary as it is a topless compartment that smaller items could easily fall out of rendering it only useful for a water bottle.

My other complaint with the compartment is the overall placement.

It is located in the upper middle of the bag which a) makes it harder to reach when it is on your back and b) throws off the weight distribution.

Heavier items should be stored near the bottom of your pack to allow the weight to be distributed on your hips, not your back or shoulders. Water is typically one of the heaviest things you carry, so to have it placed higher up on the pack is less than ideal.

Quick-Access Top Pocket

Throughout your long travel days in the airport, you are constantly transitioning from being on the move to long periods of down time whether it be on a long flight or a layover.

Throughout your day there are several items that will be going in and out of use and the potential to lose or misplace them relatively high.

All too often I am getting ready to board or deboard the plane while doing the “where’s my shit” dance, grabbing for my back pocket to check for my wallet, feeling my seat for my phone, rubbing my hip for my keys, patting down my jacket for my headphones, and bending down low for anything else that may have fallen out while I was in a daze.

A single pocket to keep these items safe and secure would surely help to eliminate that worry and the anxious scrambling to gather my belongings.

Removable Hip Belt (sold separately)

As I mentioned before, the weight of your pack should be distributed on your hips, not your back or shoulders. I can’t help but feel like I am getting taken advantage of when backpack companies are offering hip straps as an add-on option sold separately, as, to me, they are a necessity.

Hip strips not only add comfortability, but also versatility. Some may argue that a city or travel pack doesn’t need hip straps (though I would strongly disagree) but a hiking pack simply cannot go without them.

Not only is it incredibly uncomfortable to hike without hip straps, it is terrible for the body.

With the amount of walking that can go into a day of travel, hip straps are a much needed feature if you don’t want a sore back and shoulders the next day.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Dimensions and Specifications

The Travel Pack 3 measures in at a height of 21.5″ (54.5 cm), a width of 13” (33 cm), and a depth of 9” (21.5 cm). By dimensions, it is a fairly small pack. Most people who I showed this bag to and told them that this was all I was bringing, called me crazy.

The compact size allows it to pass any airline’s carry-on restrictions

Though light in weight weighing in at 4.2 lbs, it can store up to 35 L, allowing plenty of room for what you need.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Alternatives

The Aer Travel Pack 3 won’t be for everyone but there’s definitely a pack out there for you. Here are a few more options that you may prefer.

Nomatic 40L Travel Bag

If the Travel Pack 3’s 35L capacity isn’t enough, Nomatic’s 40L Travel Bag might be a better option. Though 5L isn’t a huge difference, it could just be enough space to squeeze in those few extra items that you were going to have to leave behind.

It’s loaded with 20+ innovative features like a laundry bag, shoe compartment, and an underwear and sock pocket.

It’s made with a waterproof material, not water resistant, so this bag can definitely handle a bit more ruggedness if necessary.

It measures in at 21″ x 14″ x 9″ so it is very comparable in size to the Travel Pack 3 and functions both as a backpack and a duffle bag.

It comes with a waist and sternum strap which is nice to see as not an add on.

Honestly, this pack sounds awesome and may be a potential solution to the Travel Bag 3’s shortcomings.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L offers a rugged, durable and expandable daypack that is ideal for shorter travel and everyday carry.

It works seamlessly with Peak Designs camera cubes so if you are a digital creator, this might be the pack you need.

It meets international carry-on requirements in the expanded 33L form and the collapsed 27L form.

The Travel Backpack 30L comes with expansive side pockets for tripods, water bottles and other accessories, a padded laptop sleeve, and an enlarged top pocket designed for passports, wallets, and glasses.

Tuck-away shoulder straps and optional hip strap attachments make this pack a winner in my eyes.

Able Carry Max Backpack

The Able Carry Max Backpack is a 30L pack that is built for work, play and travel.

Maybe you’re not looking to utilize your backpack as a single carry-on item and just need it for  some extra belongings. With a little bit less room and many of the same features as the Travel Pack 3, The Max Backpack could be a good option for you.

It fits up to 17” devices and is made with a strong and durable X-Pac fabric and Cordura 1000D nylon.

It provides a 25L main compartment and external pockets that allow for peak organization and the flexibility to “arrange your day, your way.”

It comes with thick shoulder support and ventilated pads to keep your back cool but it does not come with a hip straps, nor do I see an option to add one on.

Aer Travel Pack 3 Final Thoughts

There’s a lot that goes into traveling abroad, most of which can go overlooked in preparation. Having the right backpack and the right compartments not only helps you stay organized but helps you to remember the items you may be forgetting.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 really checked a lot of the boxes for me. As someone who is notoriously disorganized, I felt not only well-organized but also well-prepared to travel with this bag.

For me, what’s more important than functionality, organization, and comfort, is the reliability of the bag. All of these features become less important and the adventure can become much more taxing if a zipper breaks or a strap rips etc.

I felt safe using the Aer Travel Pack 3. I really put this bag to the test by packing more than I probably should have but it was able to hold up exceptionally well. Shoot, maybe I am one of those “excessive,” packers after all?

Though it wasn’t always easy living out of this bag for two weeks, that’s just the game with one-bag travel! Sacrifices are made to travel minimally and to have the safety and security of carrying all that you need in a single carry-on item.

Single carry-on travel isn’t for everyone, but for those who see themselves as a minimal traveler, I would absolutely suggest this bag, hip straps included.

With that being said, the Aer Travel Pack 3 can surely be used for more than just a travel pack. I can see it being a great day carrier for city or on-campus use.

The price is certainly reasonable and the surplus of features packed into a minimal and aesthetic bag makes this backpack a winner for me.

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a perfect backpack. Though the Aer Travel Pack 3 is no exception, it certainly has a lot to offer.

Aer Travel Pack 3 FAQs

Is the aer travel pack 3 too big.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is too big for an everyday backpack, but it’s perfect for carry-on travel.

Is the Aer Travel Pack 3 water resistant?

The Aer Travel Pack is made from a waterproof PU-coated fabric, but water can still get through the seams during heavy downpours.

How do you clean an Aer travel pack?

To clean an Aer Travel Pack, use a damp cloth to wipe down the outside and inside of the bag. Let it air dry.

What is the capacity of the Aer Travel Pack 3?

The Aer Travel Pack 3 has 35L of internal capacity.

How much does the AER Travel Pack 3 weigh?

The Aer Travel Pack 3 weighs 4.12 lbs in the Cordura version.

Jeremy Scott Foster

Thanks for the great review. I’ve had this bag as my EDC work bag for 6 months and I’m very impressed with it.

This pack comes in 2 sizes. Any more sizes than that would be completely impractical in the business sense. Every extra size means an enormous extra production cost.

The hip strap and rain fly are sold separately, it’s reasonable to pay extra for these, especially when most customers don’t want it need them.

The 1680d ballistic nylon is extremely strong. You could easily roll it down a granite cliff many times and it won’t tear (sure it will scuff like any material would).

My biggest gripe is not being able to replace the framesheet. I like stiff framesheet so it would be nice to be able to swap it.

I’d also appreciate some anchor zip pull tabs for when I zip up the main compartment (especially when it’s empty).

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Review: Aer’s Travel Pack 3 Is a Globetrotter’s Backpack Done Right

By: Tim Huber Published: May 25, 2022

Roughly a decade ago, Allen Choi found himself needing a do-it-all daily use bag that could go straight from home to the office to the gym. Unsatisfied with the available bags on the market, Choi opted to design his own game-changing backpack that was launched through a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 — a project that would ultimately lead to the inception of the Aer brand. Since that time, Aer has steadily introduced an ever-growing and ever-evolving range of ultra-capable bags that are engineered from the ground up for specific uses.

One such item is the San Francisco label’s latest Travel Pack. Keeping in line with the company’s MO, this third-generation bag is highly calculated, crafted from a spare-no-expense array of materials, and loaded with features that were clearly born out of years of real-world experience and daily-field testing — both at home and abroad. And while there’s absolutely no denying the high-end nature or premium quality of the bag, it can still be difficult to judge whether or not the backpack’s features and construction justify its $249 MSRP. So, with this in mind, we’ve opted to explore the latest version of this purpose-built travel pack firsthand, putting its features and build quality to the test in this hands-on review of the Aer Travel Pack 3.

VIDEO REVIEW: AER TRAVEL PACK 3

To get a better idea of what kind of utility this bag offers, have a look at our Aer Travel Pack 3 video review .

Aer Travel Pack History

Three Generations Of Perfecting Travel Packs

Meticulously developed to be something of the ultimate travel bag, the original first-generation Aer Travel Pack first debuted in 2017. Also launched via a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign, this initial model would eventually be phased out in favor of the even more capable Travel Pack 2 in late 2018. Fast forward to 2022, and after hundreds — if not thousands — of feedback notes from the public, and tens of thousands of miles of international globetrotting, Aer has finally debuted the highly-anticipated successor to its second-gen model with the heavily-revised Travel Pack 3.

First Impressions

Surface-Level Observations

Right out of the box, Aer’s third-generation Travel Pack boasts a premium quality that the user can easily feel, looking even more attractive and well-built in person with its subtle waterproof zippers , ample reinforcements, blacked-out hardware, and ballistic-grade weaved construction. Aesthetically, the backpack sports an incredibly minimalistic design that’s made all the more impressive by how thoroughly utilitarian it manages to be.

And, while it’s abundantly clear that every element of this bag has been thoroughly considered and streamlined, with an inherent purpose behind each feature, its bevy of zipper tracks can be a little confusing at first — though this issue quickly goes away after becoming better acquainted with the bag over the first day or two of use/ownership.

Quality Constructions

Only The Best Materials

Like its predecessor, the Aer Travel Pack 3 features a shell that’s crafted from insanely-rugged 1,680-denier CORDURA . This bluesign-approved, ballistic-grade exterior has been matched by an array of equally premium components such as Duraflex hardware, Hypalon label tags, and waterproof YKK zippers equipped with Hypalon and custom Aer-branded pulls. The backpack’s main compartment has also been treated to a smooth ripstop liner while its dedicated electronics and tech compartments (i.e. the bag’s laptop sleeve and smartphone pocket) have been treated to thick padding trimmed in ultra-soft fleece linings. Sitting beneath a plush, breathable, foam-lined back panel is an internal frame sheet. This internal frame chassis system provides the bag with a semi-rigid structure, enabling it to stand up on its own when packed while also affording additional support.

Third-Generation Design

Third Time's A Charm

Though the newest version of the Travel Pack looks remarkably similar to its first- and second-generation predecessors, the backpack has actually been bestowed with a slew of tweaks and updates that make for an even more capable travel bag. Hugely benefitting from ample customer feedback as well as Aer’s own field-testing, the Travel Pack 3 retains the previous gens’ Lay-flat main compartment, though loses its dedicated shoe compartment. Other revisions include an improved compression design, the addition of all-new load lifters that bolster comfort and fit, and a hidden smart tracker pocket for accommodating Apple AirTags, Tiles, or other smart tracking devices.

And, while it still measures 21.5” in length, the bag’s width has been shortened by half an inch (down to 13” from 13.5”) and its depth has increased by the same amount (going from the 8.5” to 9”). These revised dimensions also result in more volume, with the Travel Pack 3 boasting 35 liters of real estate versus the 2’s 33 liters. The gen-three is also slightly heavier, now tipping the scales at 4.2lbs — up from 3.7.

External Design & Equipment

Minimalist Yet Complex

Despite its incredibly spartan exterior design, the outside of the Track Pack 3’s shell actually packs a surprising amount of attachment points and cleverly-integrated features. This includes a pair of D-rings supplemented by a series of loops on the backpack’s two shoulder straps, a luggage handle pass-through, an integrated zippered expandable water bottle sleeve, and a redesigned compression strap setup that sees the gen-two bag’s plastic buckles jettisoned in favor of FIDLOCK-style magnetic fasteners. This same magnetic coupling fastener is also used to secure the sternum strap that connects the two shoulder straps. There are also heavily-reinforced grab handles at the top of the bag and on either side, as well as an additional grab handle tucked into the back panel between its padding. Lastly, Aer also produces a removable hip belt with built-in zippered pockets — though this item is sold separately.

Internal Storage & Organization

It's What's On The Inside That Counts

Aer’s Travel Pack 3 has been further streamlined for easy one-bag travel. Carry-on-friendly , this backpack features a luggage-style lay-flat main compartment that sits beneath a front secondary compartment that’s outfitted with a generous bevy of organizers, sleeves, and zippered compartments — both of which are secured via lockable waterproof zippers.

Also designed with ample versatility in mind, the third-gen Travel Pack sports a plethora of supplementary pockets and compartments such as a padded and suspended laptop sleeve that can simultaneously accommodate a smart tablet and a notebook of up to 16”, and a padded and fleece-lined easy-access smartphone pocket. Opposite the bag’s expandable water bottle pocket is yet another quick-access pocket, meant for storing passports, wallets, and other small essentials.

Final Thoughts On A Brilliant Pack

Overall, after the time we spent putting this bag through its paces, we went from liking Aer’s latest Travel Pack to loving it. While building on an already industry-leading design is admittedly a monumental task, Choi and the rest of the team over at Aer have managed to do exactly that. A wonderful blend of minimalist form meeting highly-utilitarian function, the newest iteration of this backpack boasts a myriad of incredibly intuitive features that were very clearly derived from real-world travel experience. And, while we honestly have absolutely no idea how Aer will do it, the continued evolution of this award-winning bag makes us extremely excited to eventually get our hands on the inevitable fourth generation of the Travel Pack.

Purchase: $249

The 15 Best Travel Backpacks

While Aer’s third-generation Travel Pack is undeniably one of the very finest travel-specific bags that money can buy, there are other options in this space that are worthy of your consideration. To help shine a light on the latest and greatest the industry has to offer, we’ve handpicked this curated list of the best travel backpacks .

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Aer Travel Pack 3 Review

As 2022 wound down, for many of us, opportunities to travel arose with much greater frequency than they had over the past couple of years. For a great many of us that meant we needed new travel bags to schlep our stuff in style as we resumed our domestic and international wanderlust. Looking for something new to try this past year, Aer had notified us about their upcoming updates to the Travel Collection and it was the perfect opportunity to both resume travel and try out a new bag. As a softgoods company, Aer takes an iterative approach to their designs. Rooted typically in real-world user feedback, they strive to refine their silhouettes with each generation, without throwing out what’s worked in the past. That’s an aspect of Aer that I have always appreciated because it means they listen to their customers and are always striving to evolve their products in collaboration with their users.

The  Aer Travel Pack 3  (TP3 from here on) is the latest revision in this line and has seen a number of updates over the previous generation which we will get into later in this review, but the gist of it comes down to a more adjustable harness, a more flexible main compartment and of course, magnets. I’ve had the opportunity now to travel multiple times in the past year (primarily in road trip format) and over the past several months I’ve been utilizing the TP3 as my clothing and tech carry on these trips. Professionally speaking, I’m a designer; personally speaking, I’m a new dad, so my experience with the TP3 is informed by these realities. So without further delay, let’s dig in and take a look at what it’s been like to live with.

Specifications

• Name: Travel Pack 3
• Format: Backpack
• Measurement: 21.5″H (54.5cm) x 13″W (33cm) x 9″D (21.5cm)
• Capacity: 35L (2135.83 cu. in.)
• Weight: 4 lbs (1.81 kg)
• Zippers: YKK
• Material: VX42 X-Pac, 1680D Ballistic Nylon or 700D Cordura
• Price US$249-275

BUY THIS ITEM

Who It Suits

Tech-focused travelers looking to live the one-bag life are going to be the primary audience. It would also suit anyone who needs sufficient space and organization for a lot of gear. Photographers would likely be able to configure this into a viable camera bag.

Who It Doesn’t  

Anyone bothered by lots of built-in organization will likely be frustrated by the layout. If you want colors other than dark neutrals you are out of luck, unfortunately. If “sleek” and “tech” are not aesthetic terms you are drawn to, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

Aer’s design language is decidedly in the tech space, which is an aspect they’ve never really wavered from. Their typically clean lines and choice of materials lean heavily into that aesthetic, which is going to be a very personal decision as to whether or not that works for you and your tastes. For me, I tend to lean towards bags that follow more of a “heritage” look and feel so this isn’t my immediate cup of tea. Despite that, I can appreciate the look for what it is and I don’t find it garish or overly complicated. Exterior branding is fairly minimal which always gets bonus points in my book but gosh Aer bags just have an abundance of zippers and very jangly pulls on them, which I find to be a significantly distracting aspect. Fortunately, if it bothers you as it does me, this is super easy to remedy by either removing the tabs and pulls altogether and installing something custom or just making simpler paracord pulls in place of the Aer branded ones. 

The TP3 is positively loaded with pockets throughout every compartment, some of which are very discreet and almost hidden which affords you tons of opportunity to stash items throughout the entire bag. In fact, when I first received the bag I swear I found a new hidden pocket every time I opened it! Fortunately, though, this multitude of pockets doesn’t wind up looking like a jumbled, confusing mess as they’re all pretty cleverly layered throughout the interior.

Aesthetically you have three different material choices to work with. One is a robust  1680D Ballistic Nylon  available in three distinct-yet-neutral colors which feature a neutral grey interior, the second is a  700D Cordura  and the third is a much more tech-forward  VX42 X-Pac  which features a bright orange liner. Each look is distinct without changing the lines or design of the pack in any significant manner. 

Construction

Aer designs their bags from their studio in San Francisco but has them manufactured in China, and though people are quick to criticize products made outside of the United States, I’ve experienced several bags from Aer over the past few years and they’ve all been very well finished. The TP3 has not been an exception to the rule. As I mentioned I’ve been using this bag for several months now for travel applications, usually being tossed in and dragged out of the various compartments of my truck on road trips with no sign of real material degradation. The extent of “wear” that I’ve observed thus far has been in the manner of a loose thread here and there. 

This is a great opportunity to bring up the fact that Aer feels very confident in their products and offers you a lifetime warranty at no extra cost. If your bag were to develop a fault, simply reach out to them and they will repair or replace the bag. While I haven’t had to utilize their warranty service myself, I appreciate knowing that it’s available to me. 

Materials & Hardware

My sample is finished in black VX42 from Dimension Polyant with a vibrant orange ripstop nylon liner and YKK AquaGuard zippers throughout. The VX material saves a small amount of weight over the Ballistic Nylon variant at 3.9 lbs over 4.12 lbs and is only slightly heavier than the 700D Cordura option (3.89 lbs). All of the touchpoints feel like they’re of a high quality, for example, all plastic hardware is from Duraflex which is a reliable manufacturer that can be depended upon. I’m also particularly fond of the top and side handles which feel so plush and easy to grab onto (a must on a travel bag). 

If you choose the Ballistic Nylon or 700D Cordura version you’re still getting all the same hardware and quality, just with a different material finish. 

The first time you take the TP3 out of its packaging you’ll quickly come to realize that it is stacked with features for streamlined travel. For instance, I love that it lays flat and zips all the way open with its clamshell design to make packing the bag very comfortable and easy. The updated harness allows for better adjustability on a greater range of body types thanks to the reintroduction of the load lifters. I appreciate all of the options for carrying my essentials securely along with my clothing. The suspended laptop sleeve is very accessible and there’s still a lot of extra space for other items in that area of the bag should you need to carry a second laptop or other similarly sized items. 

The external compression straps have been reconfigured over the previous generation to now not inhibit access to the main compartment at all, and they’ve shifted to magnetic buckles for these straps. This was a huge quality-of-life update which I am certain was based on customer feedback. I love that there is a semi-secret space to stash a small sling or day bag in the main interior so you can lighten up once you get to your destination. I often would toss the Day Sling 3 into this space when packing and it was really handy to have available once arriving at my destination when I most certainly didn’t still need a 35L pack. Speaking of hidden spaces, you’ll also find buried within a stash spot for an Apple AirTag (or similar tracking device) which is a welcome addition for peace of mind when you’re away from your bag. 

Performance

Space & Access

The redesigned main compartment of the TP3 sees the removal of the previous shoe compartment of the last generation but this omission really optimizes carry capacity and access for packing. Now for context, I’m 6’2″ and broad-shouldered, so you can imagine my clothing is not at all small, yet despite this I was able to pack very comfortably into the space provided. Generally speaking, 35L packs can be a bit tight (for me) but my go-to Peak Design packing cubes fit easily in the main cavity while still leaving me full access to the rear laptop compartment and the front tech panel for things like my laptop, chargers, a plethora of cables and perhaps a book or two. 

I do have to comment on the zippers once again though as there is an issue related to access due to them. The front and main compartment zipper paths are very close together and since each one has dual zippers (YKK #10 on the main compartment and #8 on the front), if they happen to be zipped closed on the same side, it becomes a jumbled nest of zipper pulls and I found myself frequently opening the wrong compartment when I wasn’t looking closely. This can be mitigated by intentionally making sure you close each compartment on opposing sides, but I found this small bit of extra cognitive load to use a bag to be slightly frustrating.   

Anyone who knows me knows how relentlessly picky I am about bag fit and comfort, which stems from harnesses and back panels that often don’t work well for my tall and broad frame. I am completely pleased to report that the TP3 harness is perfectly comfortable even when fully loaded. The straps are wide enough and have sufficient padding to help distribute the load evenly on your shoulders. The inclusion of the load lifters also is a very welcome feature for me as it lets me dial in the fit of the bag exactly where I want it (I prefer the top of the pack to not pull away from my back). The back panel is comfortably padded, and though I don’t typically love mesh-style panels, this one is just fine. 

A small but welcome comfort feature I’d also like to mention is the top and side grab handles. I found them to be pleasantly padded and perfectly placed on either side so that when I swing the bag off my shoulder, the side handle is exactly where my hand naturally would be in that motion and removing the pack becomes a very smooth and seamless motion. Lastly, and while I don’t have it with my pack, Aer does offer an optional padded hip belt that will attach to the bag if you want some additional weight-bearing support.

Weatherability

Now considering I spend the majority of my time in the state of California, it’s a known fact that I am unlikely to experience weather any more adverse than oppressive sunshine or persistent wildfires, so I sadly did not have any rainy days during my months of testing. However, we can extrapolate what we know about these materials and paint a very realistic expectation of how this bag will behave in wet conditions. VX42 is a highly weather-resistant material and based on my experience with it in other packs it will hold up remarkably well in the rain. To top it off, we have some very stout YKK AquaGuard zippers to seal off any openings so I feel very confident in saying that your contents are going to be just fine within the TP3 in most environments. However, if you need a bit more, Aer does offer an optional rainfly which can be deployed to fully cover the pack from the elements. 

• • Lots of clever pockets and hidden features
• • Comfortable harness with load lifters for fine-tuning adjustments
• • Improved compression that no longer obstructs front compartment
• • Improved capacity in main compartment
• • Nice grab handles throughout the pack

Not So Good

• • Too bulky and complicated to be considered a daily carry 
• • Too many jangly zippers
• • Some pockets become difficult to access when the bag is full

Aer is a brand I associate with slick designs and killer value and the Travel Pack 3 does not deviate from this formula. It is heavily feature-laden yet still sleek in its exterior appearance, available in three distinct material choices, comfortable, spacious, with a lifetime warranty, and all for under $300. We are in an era of carry where bags frequently break past that $300 barrier (in some cases, well past) so I find it refreshing that Aer is able to provide so much functionality in their bags and yet keep them at attainable price points. I really enjoyed my time with the Aer Travel Pack 3 and found it to be a worthwhile companion on the road despite some small complaints (no bag is perfect, after all). I think if the aesthetic suits your tastes, this is a great option in the 30L+ travel bag space. 

The Breakdown

Geek (performance), space & access, organization, style (design), look & feel, build, materials & hardware, stoke (experience), warranty & support, brand experience, reader's review.

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Aer travel pack 3 review.

Mar 22nd, 2022

This website is made possible by readers. I may earn a small commission when you buy through the links in this article at no extra cost to you. Learn more .

Please read the Aer Travel Pack 2 Review if you haven't already.

• Price $249 on aersf.com
• Dimensions  13″ (w) x 21.5″ (h) x 9″ (d) / 330mm (w) x 550mm (h) x 215mm (d)
• Weight  1905 g / 4 lb 2 oz
• Material  1680D CORDURA®  ballistic nylon  exterior
• Volume  35 liters

On several occasions, I have reviewed various iterations of the same bags. They give me a chance to see the evolution of not just a product but the way a brand thinks. Like how the TOM BIHN Synapse upgraded to the TOM BIHN Synik for digital nomads. Or the TOM BIHN Aeronaut to the TOM BIHN Techonaut .

Many backpacks get upgrades to get with the times and to keep up with or beat the competition, Aer is no different.

But unlike the TOM BIHN Synapse , the Aer Travel Pack 2 was already designed with the digital nomad in mind. With sleek aesthetics and functional pockets for tech accessories, the Aer Travel Pack 2 , along with similarly sleek packs like the Able Carry Max , is one of my favorite backpacks for indefinite travel.

When I heard that they would release the Travel Pack 3 , I was puzzled. What could they possibly improve from version 2? But if you know anything about Aer, it's their relentless pursuit of perfection that has found their way into my heart.

My expectations with Aer's products are usually sky high, and I am rarely disappointed. While I don't think this time will be any different, it is interesting to see how Aer can top an already perfect backpack.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 , as the name suggests and its predecessors show, is designed for travelers. Not just any traveler, but those who embrace the one-bag lifestyle, traveling indefinitely with just a single backpack.

As a hardcore one-bagger myself, I know what I'm looking for in a backpack like this.

When I travel, I want to attract as little attention as possible. I often leave my pricier accessories, such as my wedding ring, behind and dress down. At the same time, meeting new people during travel is part of the experience, and I want to look presentable and represent myself well.

For a backpack to achieve the above, it should look sleek but not flashy. It should be large enough to hold what I need it to, but not too large that it makes it too obvious that I am traveling.

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But no one likes ads, so I got rid of them. If my articles helped you, I ask for your support so I can continue to provide unbiased reviews and recommendations. Every cent donated through Patreon will go into improving the quality of this site.

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Aer has always been a master of designing stealthy, sleek backpacks. Aer has got to be in my top three when it comes to product aesthetics. The other two would probably be Able Carry and Black Ember. The Travel Pack comes with minimal branding, a small tag on the shoulder strap, and a larger one on the side.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 comes in black, gray, and X-Pac. Since I already own the Travel Pack 2 in black, I went for that X-Pac version that comes with a subtle criss-cross pattern, a trademark of the X-Pac material.

Apart from the patterns, the biggest aesthetical difference that comes with the X-Pac is the orange interiors. The color does make it easier to spot the stuff I am reaching for, but the black version offers a gray interior that attracts less attention.

Some backpacks can be too large and lack structure, such as the TOM BIHN Techonaut . The Travel Pack has the right balance of size and structure, which helps me look clean and proper. The structure and support are thanks to the internal framesheet and the robust internal organization.

I have no problem carrying the Travel Pack 3 as an everyday carry, but with some luxury of space, I would likely pack a TOM BIHN Daylight Backpack or Tortuga Prelude Daypack as a daily carry.

While it looks fine on my 6 ft frame, those who find it too bulky can opt for the small version of the bag, new with this version.

If you are an owner of the Travel Pack or any Aer product, you'll find the style familiar. It's what Aer is known for and probably one of the biggest reasons to choose the Travel Pack 3 .

The main material of the bag is 1680D CORDURA®  ballistic nylon  exterior. As a reader of this blog, you must be already familiar with the wonders of CORDURA® and why so many brands use it.

I designed a thing.

I found a 100 year old company that would create these heirloom quality canisters for me. They are handmade and will keep your tea leaves, coffee beans or anything that you need dry for years to come.

or read review

If you don't, let me break it down real quick.

CORDURA® is a fabric brand, similar to names like  GORETEX  or Polartec. They are maybe one of the most used fabrics for high-quality bags. Some brands, like the military-influenced GORUCK, even use CORDURA® exclusively.

On the other hand, Ballistic nylon is a type of fabric that was originally developed for military body armor. The word “ballistic” gained popularity because the military used the fabric for anti-fragmentation ballistic jackets during the Vietnam war, where layers upon layers of the fabric were laminated on top of each other to be durable enough to withstand exploding metal, yet at the same time remain flexible for wear.

CORDURA® Ballistic fabrics are made with high tenacity nylon 6,6 filament yarns to be dense and rugged to offer enhanced tear and abrasion resistance.

The 1680d refers to the denier count. This bag has one of the highest denier counts I've seen. Even the  GORUCK GR1 , that design was based on special operations needs, only has 1000d.

You want to note that a higher denier count does not necessarily mean a stronger fabric. It simply refers to the weight of the fabric.

If you want to know if a fabric is stronger, you should look at the “tenacity” or stretch per denier, breaking strength (tenacity x denier), and toughness of a fabric.

This is because stretch and abrasion resistance is mainly attained through molecular manipulation and how a piece of fabric is stretched, spun, or woven.

You also want to note that there is a difference between CORDURA®  ballistic nylon  and regular CORDURA® nylon (which  GORUCK  uses). Generally speaking,  ballistic nylon  weighs more but is stronger and has better tear resistance.

Nylon looks more like canvas, while  ballistic nylon  is a little shiny and has larger weaves.

One brand has a sole monopoly for zippers at this grade of backpacks when it comes to zippers. You guessed it; it's the almighty YKK. You want to note that only the laptop compartment has YKK® AquaGuard® zippers, which gives your $3000 laptop extra protection from the elements.

You can find Duraflex plastic hardware throughout the bag, such as in a D-ring for you to hang things off.

While materials have largely stayed the same as their predecessor, I noticed an upgrade of the compression straps clasps to Fidlock type clasps.

Usage: Aer Travel Pack 2 and Aer Travel Pack 3 Organization & Feature Comparison

The Travel Pack 2 and 3 are very similar packs. You'll find the experience very similar, and I would encourage you to read my review on the Travel Pack 2 if you haven't already.

In this section, I will be going through each feature again but focus more on the upgrades from version 2 and how it affects the experience.

Top Quick Access

A standard small pocket that you can access from the top. This pocket is pretty standard and can be found on most of Aer's backpacks. I keep smaller things, like AirPods or keys, that I access often.

Upgraded from version 2, this pocket is padded and felt-lined in the Travel Pack 3 . You'll feel safe having electronics that might scratch easily here.

If you don't have anything that scratches easily, then you might find this a downgrade, since the padding will cause the pocket to take up more space in the main compartment. I am in this camp, although I don't particularly mind it since the extra space it takes up is neglible.

The zipper in version 3 is also smaller and more subtle.

Front Quick Access

Like its predecessors, version 3 comes with a single zip across the middle of the front. The compartment is non-3D that takes up the bottom half of the bag. I usually have quick-access, non-valuables here, such as a portable fan from MUJI or any loose pieces of rubbish in rubbish bin sparse Japan.

If I'm a pickpocket, this pocket would be, without a doubt, the easiest target for me.

Smart Organization Compartment

The first zipper on the top nearest to you will reveal a compartment full of in-built organization. The organization is almost the same as the Travel Pack 2, except for one small, but very welcomed difference; the two pen slots have been merged into one.

While I bring along my NOMAD Pen when I travel just so that I don't have to fight for shared pens at customs, I rarely bring a pen for any other occasion. Pen slots are so narrow that you usually won't be able to use them for any other purposes. This slightly wider slot is still narrow enough to hold a pen but wide enough to accommodate something like a flashlight.

Some might organize their tech accessories into these slots. The slots are relatively wide to fit a variety of accessories, such as a Magic Mouse or AirPods Pro , but not too baggy that the accessories will move around excessively in them.

I use the Aer Slim Pouch for my tech accessories since I often switch bags. I put the pouch at the bottom of this compartment and filled the slots with my passport, portable utensils set, and flashlight, like the Nitecore MH11 .

Main Compartment

The main compartment isn't anything to shout about, but the way it is accessed in the Travel Pack 3 is nothing short of revolutionary. I've always been a fan of compression straps on one-bagging backpacks since they let you make the backpack less bulky for everyday carry.

The big issue with compression straps is that they hinder the zippers of the main compartment, like on the GORUCK GR3 and the Aer Travel Pack 2 . The Aer Travel Pack 3 has compression straps between the zippers, so you don't have to undo them to unzip.

There is a mesh zippered pocket on the inside of this compartment.

No more shoe compartment

One compartment that went away was the shoe compartment. It was a compartment, accessible from the bottom, that could fit up to size 13 shoes. The compartment separated your dirty shoes from the clean clothing in the main compartment.

I agree that it wasn't necessary.

Most one baggers would bring a pair of shoes and a pair of open footwear, like the Xero Shoes Z-Trek . Because shoes take up quite a bit of space, I usually wear them when I fly and change out to a pair of sandals after check-in. For my sandals, I would keep them into a TOM BIHN Stuff Sack . It gave me more versatility in packing, rather than an in-built organization that takes up more space than I need. For a one-bagger, every bit of space counts.

Laptop Compartment

In this digital age, multiple devices are the norm, allowing you to bring along a laptop and a tablet. Aer knows this and added a slot in here, something that was not in version 2. The slot is padded, so you won't have to worry about your devices rubbing against each other as you are on the move.

While I would only bring a single laptop, the slot helped when I had documents that I needed to carry along. I am allergic to paper, but it's hard to escape them living in Japan.

Another difference I noticed was that the zippers opened less on the Travel Pack 3 than version 2. In version 2, you could open it down half the bag, while in version 3, the zippers go down to about a quarter down the side.

I thought a quarter was just right for you to reach into the compartment and would prevent users from mindlessly and unnecessarily opening it all the way, wasting that wee bit of time.

There is a hidden padded pocket in here that I nearly missed. It's great for cables and chargers, like the Satechi Wall Chargers , that you need to pull out with your laptop.

Update: Brought it to Seoul with two 16-inch Macbook Pro in the Aer Tech Folio and was able to fit with no problem. It was a little tight trying to pull it out, but bearable.

Load-Lifting Shoulder Straps

Perhaps the biggest and most obvious upgrade is the all-new load-lifting shoulder straps. These straps are adjustable from straps on the top of the bag. They rebalance the backpack according to the length of your back and the amount of weight you are holding. You just kinda pull both of it while you have it on till you feel comfortable.

The last backpack I reviewed with this feature was the Tortuga Prelude Backpack , and I can say it is something I would look for in a one-bagging backpack.

Like the compression straps clasp, the sternum strap clasp has been upgraded to Fidlock.

The Travel Pack 2 from Aer has long been one of my favorite bags for one bagging. The Travel Pack 3 elevated that experience with a few upgrades like load-lifting shoulder straps and compression straps that don't hinder access to the main compartments.

While the upgrades are excellent, I personally wouldn't get a Travel Pack 3 if I already have a Travel Pack 2. Aer has probably shot themselves in the foot by making the Travel Pack 2 so awesome that it would be hard to justify $249 for version 3.

If you never had a travel backpack from Aer, then the Aer Travel Pack 3 is the one for you. It is $19 more expensive than version 2, but the upgrades are well worth it.

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thanks for your review. what are your thoughts on the 1680d ballistic nylon of the tp2 versus the xpac42 of the tp3?

In practical terms like abrasion and durability, you will likely not be able to feel any difference between the two. However, X-Pac just looks a bit more premium with the criss-cross pattern. Honestly, I would choose the one the looks the best to me, which is X-Pac in this case.

Strange you do not mentioned nothing about weight of the pack. For this capacity this is quite heavy pack.

I am curious between this Travel Pack 3 versus the Able Carry Max on which you prefer.

Difficult one. The ultimate differentiator for me is that if I need to pack more, I go for the TP3. If not, Able Carry Max. Despite being almost the same capacity, Able Carry has most of its organization internalized, so there is really less space than you think it has.

Hi alex, do you think it could fit a 17 inch laptop in the compartment with the false bottom? Not too many packs can fit my laptop. I’m wondering if this one can

I am pretty sure it can, although I can’t guarantee it since I don’t have a 17-inch laptop to try. Best to check with Aer.

Hi Alex, do you think it would be appropriate to use it as an EDC for a guy who is 6’4 ? On a mission to hunt for something to use it for both short trips and EDC.

I think it is possible, although I personally prefer smaller packs for EDC. You can also try the Able Carry Max , which is more compact and great for short trips.

Aer Travel Pack 3

Based on 42 review s

The Looria Grade (A - F) accounts for multiple factors, including sentiment, helpfulness, and more. Learn about our sources and ranking.

• Great for travel
• Packed well
• Comfortable to wear
• Good value for the price

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Aer Flight Pack 3 Review

The Aer Flight Pack 3 offers versatile carry and lots of storage for your gear while cruising at 35,000 feet, making it a great companion for a wide range of trips.

Our Verdict

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• Has an abundance of built-in organization
• All three carry options are comfortable
• Shoulder strap stow pocket is sleek
• Sternum strap can be finicky
• Internal organization is slightly overkill, though versatile
• Reduced handle padding for briefcase carry

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 126/145 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)

18 in x 12 in x 5.5 in (45.7 x 30.5 x 14 cm)

Notable Materials

CORDURA® Ballistic Nylon, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware, Aluminum, X-Pac, CORDURA® Nylon

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Aer Lifetime Warranty

Full Review

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The third installment of Aer’s Flight Pack brings a few new features to the table, but for the most part, keeps most of the staples of previous generations. It comes in at 20 liters, a liter larger than the second iteration, and 3.6 liters less than the first. We can’t help but wonder whether the increase in size and addition of new features are enough to warrant upgrading from the second generation to the third, or if the changes are more for looks than functionality.

We plan to get our hands pretty dirty with this one, so buckle up, and let’s get started.

Materials & Aesthetic

Starting things off with the materials, we see something familiar from the get-go. The pack material is 1680D Cordura Ballistic Nylon, which is par for the course for Aer. It’s now bluesign approved, too, which means that it’s sustainably sourced.

The material is easy to clean with just a wet rag if and when it picks up dirt and dust, which is fairly visible on the black colorway. The corners and crevices of the pack are a little harder to get clean, but a bit of scrubbing or using a brush from the sink does the job pretty well.

The material holds up well when faced with moisture considering it doesn’t have a DWR coating. The material is thick enough that it’s difficult for water to penetrate it, and it held up in 30 minutes of consistent rain snow, and sleet.

We have the Black Cordura colorway on hand, but there are Heathered Gray 700D Cordura and Black X-Pac options, too. The Black is sleek and minimalistic while the Gray is a little less industrial-looking. The X-Pac has a neat diamond pattern throughout the fabric and an orange interior compared to the gray interior of the model we have on hand.

There are YKK zippers throughout the bag, all of which perform well. The front pocket is Aer’s signature #10 AquaGuard zip, and there are loops on either side of the zip to assist in opening. When we mentioned dirt getting stuck in nooks and crannies earlier, this was one of the worst culprits.

The main compartment and accessory pocket zippers are standard #10 models, which open smoothly and are lockable. You need to purchase an additional lock, but the addition is nice for added security. At the end of the day, it’s more of a deterrent than a guarantee, as all zippers will come apart if enough force is applied, but it will slow strangers down if they try to get into your pack.

The water bottle pocket is a YKK #5 and has a Hypalon zipper pull, which can get slippery in wet conditions. The top pocket and interior accessory pocket are both YKK #5 self-locking zippers. There’s not much worse than a zipper that slowly opens in transit, and the self-locking technology in these zips is extremely sturdy.

The front pocket, main compartment, and accessory pocket zipper pulls are a paracord-like material and end with a larger piece of hard cylindrical plastic. The plastic is slippery when wet, but it’s easy enough to grab onto where the paracord feeds into the plastic when the weather takes a turn. The self-locking zippers have a standard YKK hard plastic pull, which is easy enough to use and hides nicely when not in use.

The buckles to disconnect the shoulder straps are Duraflex Stealth models, which are small but very capable—they’re also a change from the clips on the Flight Pack 2 . Sometimes you just want something simple and easy, and these buckles have that in their DNA—they just work.

The sternum strap uses a hard plastic magnetic clasp, which we had a little trouble with. It’s pretty tiny, and we found that we often had to use two hands to clasp and unclasp it. We only got half of the clip on multiple times and didn’t realize it, only for it to come open a few moments later. Once you have it clasped correctly, it works fine, but it is a little challenging to get used to.

External Components

The shoulder straps on the Flight Pack 3 have ample padding and aren’t too wide. They also have aeration, which keeps things dry in hot weather. They’re shaped like an elongated S, which conforms to your body as it works its way from your shoulders downward. They aren’t terribly rigid, so they can be manipulated to suit different body types. The right shoulder strap has a D-ring on it, which is a good place to hang a pouch like the Yakoda Supply Utility Pouch , or a flashlight like the NITECORE TINI 2 .

The straps stash away behind the back panel, which is a great way to enhance the other carrying options we’ll cover shortly. The Flight Pack 2 has a zipper at the top of the back panel to zip the straps away, and this time the system is more like a liner pocket that doesn’t fasten at the top.

When they’re stowed away, the pocket stays flush and looks nice. The zipper on the 2 looks nice when zipped, but a little odd when using in backpack mode since the top zipper stays open.

The back panel has a lot of padding and similar aeration to what we find on the shoulder straps. We’ve found that the airflow helps when the weather gets a little warmer, which is a big plus.

The back panel is broken up into two parts, and the luggage pass-through divides the two. It’s a small nylon strap, but it feels durable and secure. The back panel sides are raised, so the luggage pass-through doesn’t get in the way when it isn’t in use, and the padding ensures that the pack doesn’t wobble around too much once you’ve secured it to your luggage.

The sternum strap is removable and attaches to a rail, so you can make detailed adjustments to ensure it’s in the perfect position for you. Once you’ve picked a position, it stays put and won’t move up or down unless you put a lot of force on the strap.

The shoulder straps and sternum strap both have elastic strap keepers to maintain any extra adjustment material. Although the elastic is very tight, you can fit a ton of strap in there, which is great for those with smaller body types or who like to keep their bag tight on their back.

The water bottle pocket is integrated nicely, similar to the Flight Pack 2. Though they appear to be the same size, the Flight Pack 3 is better at fitting larger bottles like a 32 oz Nalgene . This is an excellent upgrade for those who like to stay hydrated, and we’re happy to see the small adjustment. This spot also works for a BlueTooth speaker like the JBL CLIP 4 for those who can’t go without music.

Coming in at 20 liters, you can fit a ton of gear into the Flight Pack 3. However, with a ton of gear comes a lot of weight, and even with the comfortable shoulder straps, you may want to switch up how you’re carrying the pack. On the opposite side of the water bottle pocket are two handles that make the transition from backpack to briefcase smooth.

There are two handles, one on each side of the zipper. A small piece of nylon with a button on it keeps the two handles together, which is comfortable enough. You can push the piece to the side and hold the two handles, which is even more comfortable. After about 10 minutes, it starts to get uncomfortable. This is great for heading through the airport security line if you choose to use the Flight Pack as your carry-on, as it’s quick to go onto the belt and quick to grab it off again. It also works well for public transportation when you can’t keep the pack on your back.

The Flight Pack 2 has a larger piece of material to hold the two handles together, which adds a bit of comfort during longer jaunts with the pack in briefcase mode. However, while this is a bit nicer on your hand, it blocks the zipper track. You can unclasp the button and take apart the handles to get to the zipper, but you don’t want to do that every time. With the Flight Pack 3, there isn’t as much material to get in the way, so you can easily access the zipper without removing it. That said, you do lose a bit of the comfort.

If you want to open the pack all the way, you’ll need to undo the button and separate the handles. However, for grabbing something quickly while carrying it in briefcase mode or while using it as a backpack, you can get away without undoing it. We think this is an excellent change, as it increases the pack’s functionality without taking away a lot of comfort.

On each side of the handles are rugged plastic D-rings. This is where you can attach the included shoulder strap to go into messenger carry mode. If you don’t like the included strap, you could use any strap that you wish so long as it fits on the D-ring. It’s easy to attach and detach from the D-rings, so switching from backpack and briefcase mode to messenger mode is quick.

The strap is padded and has the same aeration as the back panel and shoulder straps. It stays surprisingly cool, even when the pack is heavy. The zipper goes all the way to the bottom of the pack on the side where the strap attaches, so you can access things from the side while carrying it.

Inside The Pack

Moving to the pack’s interior, we’ll start with the front slide pocket. This one has the classic Aer YKK #10 Aquaguard zipper, which offers a bit of weather resistance. Flat like books, notebooks, and tablets items do well here, as there isn’t a ton of depth to the pocket. You’ll probably be able to fit more oblong-sized items, but they may be noticeable from the exterior.

Moving into the accessory pocket—which is the name we’ve given the second largest compartment—we have a zipper that runs about as far south as it’s able to. This makes it so that you can open it extremely wide, which is a perfect way to see all the gear you have stowed inside. The Flight Pack 2 doesn’t have as much access, so we think this is a move in the right direction.

There are two big elastic pockets on the bottom of the organization panel. The elastic on all of the pockets is tight and capable of stowing any item that will fit inside, so long as it isn’t too top-heavy. Above the two elastic pockets we just mentioned is another big elastic pocket, a pen/stylus pocket, and a smaller elastic pocket with an additional elastic pocket on top of it. As you may have noticed, we just said pocket eight times in a row. There are many storage options in this compartment, and we promise to limit our use of the word that starts with a P from here on out.

Above that line of…areas that hold gear…is a small zippered area, which is a great spot for smaller dongles or gear you don’t want to risk falling out. Behind the zippered area is a large liner pocket capable of holding a tablet, notebook, or anything that is about the size of a standard sheet of computer paper.

The Aer Flight Pack 2 has similar organization in this compartment, though without a large liner pocket. We like the addition, as there wasn’t a cemented home for notebooks or tablets before its existence.

Moving into the main compartment, the zipper doesn’t open quite as wide as our last stop. The water bottle pocket stops it on one side, but the other goes all the way to the bottom, so it sort of opens at a diagonal angle.

On the flap side of the compartment are two liner pockets with elastic tops. The Flight Pack 2 has the same pockets, but they’re capped by a hook and loop fastener. This change isn’t a huge deal for us, as we can see pros and cons for both. Having a fastener on the top ensures that whatever you stow inside doesn’t come tumbling out in transit. On the other hand, having a hook and loop fastener inside a pack you may stow clothes in is a dangerous game as far as the health of your attire goes.

There’s a large liner pocket on the back panel side of the compartment. The elastic isn’t as tight as other places on the pack, likely because of its size. This is a snug spot for a laptop charger or other cords and cables you want to keep segregated from the hubbub of the main compartment.

The laptop sleeve is behind that, which has a comforting black fuzzy material coating and fits up to a 16″ device. There’s plenty of padding as well, which adds peace of mind. The other side of the sleeve has padding too—not as much as the back panel, but enough for our liking. The Flight Pack 2 doesn’t have the fuzzy material, which wasn’t the end of the world, but we do like the inclusion here.

Moving from the largest to the smallest compartment to finish things off, we find ourselves examining the top pocket. This is the perfect spot for quick access items like cell phones, wallets, or hotel keys. We also found ourselves putting a BlueTooth speaker here while it was raining because it offers more protection than the water bottle pocket, and you can still hear the music through the Cordura shell.

The pocket has the same fuzzy material as the laptop sleeve, which is great for stowing your cell phone or sunglasses. The pocket shares space with the main compartment, so when the main compartment is packed and you’re ready to head to the airport, it can be hard to get your quick use items into the top pocket. When your phone is inside, you know it has that little bit of padding to protect it from any rugged gear it may end up sitting next to.

Overall, as you probably remember from the pocket debacle, there’s a ton of places to secure your gear inside the Flight Pack 3. There’s enough organization to sort gear you would typically bring a tech pouch and other organizational devices for. Depending on your usage, this can be a good or a bad thing.

If you like to be able to remove a tech pouch and throw it into a sling for a trip to the coffee shop, you’ll want to pack one regardless. On the other hand, not using a tech pouch does save weight and space, which is great for packing for any trip.

Depending on what kind of packer and traveler you are, you may feel like the internal organization is a godsend, or you may feel like it’s overkill. Either way, the Flight Pack 3 is another great offering from Aer that we are excited to use.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• Looks similar to the previous version
• Backpack straps’ storage compartment no longer zippered
• Now has a smart tracker pocket
• Material shows no signs of wear and cleans up well
• Top handle is comfortable to carry
• Sternum strap magnetic fastener is marked up, though it’s just cosmetic

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Travel Pack 3

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The carry-on travel backpack that keeps you moving

The Travel Pack 3 is a versatile carry-on backpack designed for traveling smart. It features a streamlined design and smart organization so you can skip the baggage carousel and stay on the go. Move Smarter™.

Product Details

• 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior (bluesign® approved)

• YKK® zippers

• Duraflex® plastic hardware

• Padded, suspended laptop pocket with soft lining (fits up to 16" laptop) 

• Lay-flat main compartment for spacious storage and easy packing

• Compression straps with magnetic fasteners for stability and security

• Quick-access top and side pockets for small valuables

• Load lifters for support and comfort

• Handles on all sides for versatile carrying

• Expandable water bottle pocket

• Hidden smart tracker pocket

• Internal framesheet provides structure and support

• Attachment points for a removable hip belt (sold separately)

• Luggage handle pass-through

• Lockable zippers for additional security

Length: 21.5" (54.5 cm)

Width: 13" (33 cm)

Depth: 9" (21.5 cm)

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