Based in Boulder, CO, their products are made by experts and tested in real outdoor situations. Matador says their gear gives you what you need and nothing you don’t. But are they really that good? We tested all their products to see if Matador is worth your money.
What’s the Story? Matador’s Vision
Matador makes gear for people who want to travel smart. They started with the idea of keeping things simple and useful. They’ve become known for gear that stays out of your way when you don’t need it but works great when you do.
They focus on making travel gear that works in any situation. They use smart designs, new materials, and creative ideas to make products that bring outdoor know-how to travel. This thinking shows in everything they make, from their main backpacks to their handy travel extras.
What They Believe:
- Easy to Pack, but Still Strong
- Smart Designs for Travel
- Made for the Outdoors, Perfect for Travel
- Simple Look, Lots of Use
A Look at All Their Products
Great Backpacks
Matador GlobeRider35 Travel Backpack
Price: $290 | Size: 35L | Weight: 3lb 7oz
The GlobeRider series might have been designed for travel, but I’ve found the 35 does a great job adapting to everyday use.
Main Things:
- Opens Two Ways (Like a Suitcase or From the Top)
- Comfy, Removable Belt
- Fits as a Carry-On
- Made From Recycled Nylon
- Strong YKK Zippers
How It Works: 4.7/5
The GlobeRider35 is Matador’s best backpack. It combines great materials with a smart design. The two ways to open it fix common travel problems, and the quality makes the price worth it.
Matador SEG28 Travel Pack
Price: $240 | Size: 28L | Weight: 2lb 14oz
The Matador SEG28 also has completely removable hip straps–a nice touch–compression straps on the sides of the bag, zipper locks on both ends of most of the zippers for security, and super sturdy grab handles all over the place.
Cool Things:
- Front Pockets Grow Bigger or Smaller
- Zippers Lock for Safety
- Lots of Grab Handles
- Removable Hip Straps
How It Works: 4.5/5
The SEG28 is great for adventures. It has safety features and is strong enough for tough trips. The pockets that can change size are very useful.
Backpacks That Fold Up
Matador ReFraction Backpack
Price: $89 | Size: 16L | Weight: 4.4oz
The ReFraction Packable Backpack is proof. It has thicker shoulder straps, an extra secondary pocket and is generally less saggy and more structured than the On-Grid. Looks like a complete upgrade, right?
Better Things:
- More Padding on Straps
- Extra Pocket
- Stronger Shape
- Good Zippers
How It Works: 4.4/5
The ReFraction is Matador’s new and better foldable backpack. It’s more comfy but still folds up small.
Matador On-Grid Backpack
Price: $69 | Size: 16L | Weight: 3.5oz
One of the things Matador products are known for is packability—and the Matador On-Grid Packable Backpack is no exception.
Good Things:
- Very Light
- Water-Resistant
- Folds Into Itself
- Simple
- Not Too Expensive
How It Works: 4.2/5
The On-Grid is a good way to try Matador’s foldable idea. It works well and doesn’t cost too much.
Travel Extras
Matador Laundry Bag
Price: $39 | Size: 30L | Weight: 2.1oz
The Matador Packable Laundry Bag’s huge 30-liter size is a worthy match for one bag travel, while still being easy to carry to the nearest laundry room.
Useful Things:
- Big Enough for Long Trips
- Can Carry It Many Ways
- Folds Up Small
- Strong
How It Works: 4.6/5
This travel item is often forgotten, but Matador makes it well. It solves a common travel problem with a smart design.
Matador Flatpak Dry Bag
Price Range: $29-$49 | Sizes: 8L-25L | Weight: 1.4oz-3.2oz
From what I’ve seen so far, the Matador Flatpak Drybag strikes an impressive balance between weight and durability.
Good Points:
- Not Too Heavy, But Still Strong
- Folds Flat
- Many Sizes
- Sealed Seams
How It Works: 4.5/5
The Flatpak shows how Matador can make old gear new with smart ideas.
How They Make It
Good Materials
Matador uses good materials:
What They Use:
- Recycled Nylon
- Strong Fabric That Resists Tears
- Coating to Keep Out Water
Strong Parts
Every zipper and strap is made well:
Good Parts:
- YKK Zippers
- Strong Buckles
- Strong Stitching
Good for the Earth
Matador cares about the environment. They use recycled materials.
Is It Worth the Price?
Are They Too Expensive?
Matador is a high-end brand, so it costs more:
How Much:
- Cheapest: $29-$69 (small items)
- Mid-Price: $89-$149 (better bags)
- Expensive: $200-$290 (travel backpacks)
How They Compare
Matador vs. Peak Design
- Matador: Easier to pack, made for travel
- Peak Design: More ways to use it, good for photos
Matador vs. Patagonia
- Matador: New designs, better organization
- Patagonia: Lasts forever, many sizes
Matador vs. Osprey
- Matador: Looks modern, folds up
- Osprey: Very strong, lots of sizes
Does It Work in Real Life?
How Strong Is It?
After using it for a year:
Good Points:
- Doesn’t Wear Out Much
- Zippers Work Well
- Stitching Stays Strong
- Colors Don’t Fade
How It Works in Different Places
In the City
- Good: Looks good, keeps things safe and organized
- Bad: Maybe too expensive for just city use
On Adventures
- Good: Keeps out water, folds up, strong
- Bad: Not made for very hard outdoor trips
Working Remotely
- Good: Protects laptops, keeps things organized
- Bad: Not made for lots of tech gear
What About Problems?
What They Offer:
- Returns allowed
- Repairs offered
How Good Is It? 4.3/5
People say Matador’s service is good,
Who Should Buy Matador?
Perfect If:
- You Like to Pack Light: You care about packability and efficiency
- You Want Good Quality: You’ll pay more for great materials
- You Like Adventures: You need gear that works in different situations
- You Work Remotely: You need to look good but also be practical
- You Care About the Earth: You want materials that are sustainable
Maybe Not If:
- You’re on a Budget: Other options are cheaper
- You Need Special Things: For photos, hard outdoor trips, or tech gear
- You Like Old Designs: You don’t like new ideas
- You Need Many Sizes: They don’t have as many sizes as other brands
What Makes Them Special?
What’s Good About Their Designs
Design Philosophy Strengths:
- Folds Up Small But Still Works
- Solves Travel Problems
- Looks Good
Examples:
- Backpacks that open two ways
- Pockets that fold
- Dry bags that fold flat
What’s Next?
Matador’s new bag pulls double duty on your travels. They want to keep making travel easier while staying true to their ideas.
What to Expect:
- More tech features
- More sustainability
- More sizes
- New materials
The Final Word
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Matador Equipment has found a good spot in the travel gear world by mixing outdoor know-how with travel ideas. While the price is high, the quality, strength, and smart design make it worth it for serious travelers.
Good Things:
✅ Folds Up Small
✅ Good Quality
✅ Solves Travel Problems
✅ Looks Professional
✅ Good for the Earth
What Could Be Better:
❌ Expensive
❌ Not Many Sizes
❌ Not Made for Specific Needs
Where to Buy
Best Places:
- Matador Equipment Website – All products, free shipping in the US for orders over $50
- REI Co-op – Good advice
- Amazon Matador Store – Fast shipping
In Conclusion
If you see your gear as something that will last a long time, Matador Equipment is a good choice. They make things that make your travels better, not harder.
We love how Matador has thought through so many of the common pitfalls our old travel accessories fell into.
Whether you travel every weekend or live on the road, Matador has gear that is small, useful, and looks good. The price is high, but you get what you pay for.
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