The Lowdown
★★★★☆ (4.4/5 stars)
Pakt gets it right where a lot of travel brands don’t. They make bags that are simple but have everything you need. They’re built to last, good for the planet, and look good without sacrificing usefulness. The quality blew me away. It’s clear they put a lot of thought into the zippers, pockets, and handles. After putting these bags through their paces, I totally get why people rave about them.
Great For: Travelers who pack light, people who work remotely, anyone who cares about the environment, folks who want bags that do a lot without looking bulky.
Not For: People who like traditional hiking backpacks, those who need a ton of storage space, or anyone who prioritizes the lowest possible price over quality.
Pakt’s Idea: Less Stuff, More Living
Pakt was started by experienced travelers who wanted to make gear that had everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s a breath of fresh air in the travel gear world. While other brands pile on features just to make a sale, Pakt gets rid of anything that isn’t essential.
Their Environmental Goal
The company started with the Pakt One carry-on bag and now makes all sorts of travel gear that’s good for the planet. They want to encourage people to think about environmental issues. This isn’t just for show – they really put their money where their mouth is when it comes to materials, manufacturing, and packaging.
What They Stand For:
- Simple designs that still do everything you need
- Caring about the environment every step of the way
- Making things that last
- Building gear that travelers have tested and approved
The Pakt Travel Backpack V2 (35L) – The Star Player
Check out the Pakt Travel Backpack →
Starting at $275 (35L) | $295 (45L)
This backpack is designed to make travel easier. It’s got over 20 features, including a section that expands to give you more room.
What’s Great:
- Opens like a suitcase: It unzips all the way around, so you can see everything inside. This makes packing and finding your stuff super easy.
- Nice materials: It’s made from tough, recycled nylon on the outside and lighter recycled nylon on the inside. The materials also have a coating that keeps water out.
- Good organization: It has plenty of pockets and compartments, but it’s not so divided that you can’t fit bigger items.
- Comfortable to carry: The straps and back are padded, so it’s comfy even when it’s full.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- The organization is almost too good – It can take a little while to figure out where everything goes.
- It’s not cheap
- The simple look might not appeal to everyone.
The Pakt One Travel Duffel – The Legend
$245 (28L)
This bag started as the Malcolm Fontier brand in 2010. It came back in 2017 after tons of people begged for it to be relaunched. It’s a classic for a reason.
What’s Special About It:
- It’s a mix between a duffel bag and a backpack.
- It has a super simple look.
- It’s incredibly tough. Some people say they’ve used theirs for over 10 years.
- It’s the perfect size to carry on a plane.
How It Performs:
This bag combines the space of a duffel with the convenience of a backpack. It’s really the best of both worlds. I’ve taken it on a bunch of flights, and it’s always fit in the overhead bin.
The NEW Aero Travel Backpack – The New Kid
See the Aero Travel Backpack →
Pakt’s newest bag is all about being lightweight without sacrificing strength. I haven’t used this one as much, but my first impressions are that they’ve taken what they learned from the V2 backpack and made something even better.
Everyday Collection – For City Life
Check out the Everyday Collection →
The Everyday Slings (3L and 5L) and Everyday Backpack (22L) bring Pakt’s travel-tested designs to everyday life in the city.
Cool Features:
- Same high-quality materials as the travel bags
- Sizes that are perfect for city use
- Simple branding that’s good for professional settings
- Prices that are more affordable than the travel collection
Image: Pakt
Material Science: What Makes Pakt Different
The Story Behind the Fabric
They use strong, recycled nylon on the outside and lighter, recycled nylon on the inside. The materials have a water-resistant coating that doesn’t have harmful chemicals.
What This Means:
- Water resistance: Spills and light rain roll right off.
- Durability: The nylon can handle rough treatment at airports.
- Good for the environment: Recycled materials that still work great.
- Peace of mind: No harmful chemicals.
Hardware That Lasts
Zippers: They use YKK zippers, which are known for being tough.
Buckles: Simple designs that work well.
Stitching: Clean and reinforced where it needs to be.
How Pakt Stacks Up
vs. Peak Design (Travel Backpack 45L)
Pakt is better at: Simpler design, being more sustainable, having organization that makes sense
Peak Design is better at: Having more ways to customize the bag, having features specifically for camera gear, having more color choices
vs. Tortuga Setout (35L)
Pakt is better at: Having better material quality, looking nicer, being more comfortable to carry
Tortuga is better at: Being cheaper, having more pockets on the outside, having a separate laptop compartment
vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack
Pakt is better at: Having a cleaner design, being built better, not being over the top with features
Nomatic is better at: Having more features for gadgets, being cheaper, having more color options
vs. Away Travel Backpack
Pakt is better at: Being more sustainable, being more comfortable, being better for travel
Away is better at: Being a recognizable brand, being easier to find in stores, having a matching luggage set
Taking a Closer Look at Sustainability
Materials & Production
Recycled Content: Both the inside and outside fabrics use recycled nylon.
No Harmful Chemicals: The water-resistant coating doesn’t have those forever chemicals.
Made to Last: Built to last for many years
Responsibly Made: They’re open about who they work with.
The Impact
Pakt isn’t just talking about being sustainable – it’s part of how they do business. They make bags that last a long time, which goes against the idea of buying new travel gear all the time.
Things to Think About:
- Making high-quality materials creates more emissions
- They last so long time so it’s good in the long run
- Using recycled materials cut down on raw materials
- Easy to repair design to make product last longer
Is the Price Worth It?
Pakt Prices
Travel Backpack V2: $275-$295
Pakt One: $245
Everyday Collection: $65-$175
Accessories: $35-$85
What You’re Paying For
40% – High-end recycled materials and coatings
25% – Ethical processes
20% – Design and testing
15% – Operations and sustainability
Is It A Good Deal?
Cost Per Year (If it lasts 10 years):
- Pakt Travel Backpack: $27.50/year
- Cheap backpack (lasts 3 years): $33/year
- Brand Competitor (lasts 5 years): $45/year
It’s worth it if you care about sustainability and you travel a lot.
How Durable? Here’s How the 8-Month Test Went Results
Still in Great Condition
- Zippers haven’t failed
- No fabric damage
- Hardware is fine
- Color is perfect
- Water resistance works
Showing Age
- Some wear in contact areas
- Handles are getting dirty
- Marks on the bottom
Conclusion
These bags will last. You will expect 8-10 years of usage for travel.
Having a Pakt Travel Set
Bags That Work Well Together
Their bags have 28-45 liters of room. Enough for 3 days with 28L and up to 7 days with 45L.
How The System Works:
- Daytrip bag (Pakt One 28L)
- Trip bag (Travel Backpack 35L/45L)
- Different accessories that combine the travel bags
- Accessories
Packing Accessories
Check out the 6-Piece Packing Cube Set →
Pakt’s packing accessories are combined with bags and gives efficient space.
Is Pakt For You?
Perfect if:
Traveler who cares: Who wants the best.
Minimalist: Like travel essentials
Professionals: Nice gear
Someone who invests: Cares more about quality than cost
Options If:
Cost is #1 consideration: There are other options that fit budgets
Features: Want too many features.
#1 Brands: Like brands such as Patagonia or REI
Specific: Need specialized gear for usage
Summary
Pakt performs and is a great band. This is a brand that cares about people who support travel.
The Pakt promise:
- Design that works
- Build quality
- Good investment
- Good sustainability plan
Improvements:
- More color options
- Different sizes
- Better pricing
Conclusion
Pakt travel bags deliver quality. if you want to invest in gear choose Pakt.
Rating: ★★★★☆
- Design: ★★★★★
- Build: ★★★★★
- Value: ★★★★☆
- Innovation: ★★★★☆
- Sustainability: ★★★★★
Where to Buy
Brand Direct
Retailers
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