Packable Backpack

This bag is an item I really wanted to love but it just didn't do all the things for me.The most attractive aspect is its ability to be folded and stored without using a ton of space. It's incredibly lightweight and looks great. Once you get it out of its compact/stored state it's all about swallowing up whatever you need to bring with you. Unfortunately, I think the pictures in the ad are a bit deceiving. I interpreted the photos as if the bag was a lot larger than it really is. While it's not a small bag, it's certainly not something I'd expect to handle 3 days worth of clothes and the essentials needed for a weekend trip. BTW - unless you're just brining swim trunks - it can't!That being said, I was impressed with the durability of the materials. The vinyl-like main fabric makes it lightweight but also strong. It features a padded section inside that is able to handle a laptop or tablet, however, I'd approach that carefully. This is a versatile bag, but I'm not sure I'd trust that it's going to protect expensive electronics if you're going to be banging the bag around and not being careful. (That's kind of how I roll.)When it comes down to it I think the backpack is great, but it's a bit pricey for what you get. It will and does all the things you'd expect. In black, I think the color looks great and isn't super flashy. Plus, when you're not using it, you can fold it into itself and throw it in the glovebox of just about any car!It's not a 5-star bag though. While I'm aware that the size is clearly stated in the ad, I believe it may have been a bit overstated in the photos - but I'm not going to consider that in this review. What IS an issue is how well it will NOT protect your laptop/electronics you carry. I'm also very cautious about using it in rainy weather (even light rain!). The material is strong - but thin. Water is not something this backpack is going to keep out - and because many people don't have $60 bucks to drop on this AND a separate bag that's waterproof, being able to keep out the rain matters. Life teaches you that you can't have everything - and this bag can relate. It's missing a few things necessary for 5-stars, but it's certainly worth your money if you can live without them!

I'm a big fan of the idea of this bag and its design. Is it a replacement for your everyday bag? Definitely not. It's not fit for carrying a bunch of things around for work and school. However, it's perfect for keeping in a car or suitcase and having available if/when you randomly need a backpack. It's pretty amazing how small it packs down. It's super lightweight, and it has a surprising amount of features and space given its small size. It seems well made, though I haven't battle tested it yet. I'm glad to have it around if I need it.

Wow! Top quality bag with great zippers. Very sturdy yet light weight and packable. Very user friendly design and the chest strap is an added bonus. Shoulder straps are nice and padded while being breathable and light weight. The pockets are well thought out and placed exactly where they should. Even with only 1 water bottle the pack maintains balance and functions flawlessly. Comparable to the Matador freefly but $20 less. Would buy again.

I think this Tortuga Packable Backpack will be ideal for my month-long trip to Eastern Europe next month. Along with my roller bag and larger carry-on backpack, I need something lightweight for daily excursions—just enough to hold a water bottle, rain gear, snacks, and those inevitable little purchases. This packable backpack fits the bill perfectly.I really like that it has lightly padded, breathable straps and a sturdy top grab handle. The adjustable sternum strap makes it even more comfortable to carry, which is great for long days of walking. Best of all, it weighs well under a pound, so it barely adds to my luggage weight. I’ll keep it in my roller bag—either folded into its self-store pocket or packed flat—ready to pull out for day trips.Lightweight, comfortable, and practical, this backpack feels like just the right travel companion.

Good ultralight option for overnight trips—possibly two nights if food is minimized, a partner takes the food and the other takes the tent, or bikepacking. Easily fit my ultralight setup: solo tent, mummy bag, pad, pillow, and small camp stove. Internal space handles about a day’s worth of food; side pockets fit 1–2 water bottles.Not ideal for packing layers or extra clothes—those may need to be strapped externally.Bottom fabric appears to be ripstop with a black-and-white grid; side pockets use tough elastic mesh. Design minimizes excess straps—nice touch, though minimalist hikers might trim even further.As with many ultralight packs, this isn’t great for urban or everyday use. It has no internal structure, so laptops, pens, or hard items shift and poke unpredictably. Think of it as a frameless tote bag worn as a backpack.

Bought this Tortuga packable backpack thinking it’d just sit in my suitcase as a “maybe I’ll use it” kind of thing. Joke’s on me. I ended up dragging it around almost every day. Packs down to about a fat sandwich, then opens up into way more space than it looks like it should have. One afternoon in San Francisco I shoved in a thick hoodie, a couple bottles of water, a giant subway sandwich. Straps aren’t fancy, but they didn’t chew up my shoulders either. Honestly felt like I was carrying air.The material feels a bit on the thin side but for something that disappears into your luggage until you suddenly need it, it’s a total win.

This is such a great travel backpack when you want something small, lightweight, breathable and fast to throw together. I really like it for short overnight trips that you might take for work or just fun, where you don't want to carry the larger bag. The material is very nice and I can not believe how lightweight but still sturdy it is. The zippers are sturdy and strong. I highly recommend this backpack.

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Perfect for Travel or a day trip.This is my honest review… I Love it!!!! You can put it in your luggage to have a back pack on vacation. The material it is made from is quite strong and the zippers work great! My favorite thing is the small size and the padding on the straps. Smaller bags like this j have had in the past had no padding in the straps. This thing is just great!!!Made from strong materials and great zippers!I’m going to keep this in my car for those moments with the family when we have a lot to carry.

This is a top notch, simple travel backpack. The materials are very high quality, keeping the bag strong and lightweight at the same time. It easily packs into itself via the smaller pocket near the top of the pack. It has an adjustable sternum strap and two water bottle sleeves on either side. The primary zipper can also be locked with a small travel lock, which is a nice touch for added security. With all of that said, it is an expensive backpack for how simple it is at $80 (at the time of this review). However, I have no doubt that it will last a very long time with some simple upkeep. If you’re looking for a lightweight (300g or 10.6oz) travel backpack and don’t want to have to replace it for years to come, I would 100% recommend this one.

This Tortuga backpack is really nice! I really like the branding with the turtle shell. I have never heard of this company before but I was in need of a light backpack.I’ll pack this with my other luggage so that I don’t have so many bags, but I can pull this out to run around during the day. This is great for travel. It’s a handsome looking bag too!The bag is packable and compacts down to a size of a pencil case. The zippers all seem to work smoothly and well. Be aware that the bag is not super structured, as it is meant to be lightweight and collapsible. It is not meant to be a bookbag or laptop bag as it doesn’t have the protection you’d need for that. It is great for a jacket, water bottles (two side pouches), snacks, and some sunglasses. A trip to the beach or a quick hike. It seems easy to clean. The straps are very comfortable and I appreciate the chest strap to keep the shoulders in place. It’s very well made.Size-wise, it looks smaller than a book bag, but can probably fit just as much at full capacity. The pouch that it fits into ends up being the outer compartment.I would 100% recommend this bag for traveling, day trips, or even as an overnight bag. Its slim design should make packing lightly a lot easier.

This packable backpack came as part of a set. Unfortunately, the chest clip straps are slightly misaligned so the whole bag shifts while wearing. It's annoying. I tried emailing Tortuga for an exchange, got nothing but crickets. They never replied. I really wanted to use this on a recent trip but had to give it to a family member whose shoulder height counters the sewn angle. I'm upset about the bag but more upset that the company didn't reply when there's a production issue.

Traveled to Central Africa for 2 weeks. I used the packable backpack everyday as a day pack carrying camera, binoculars, jacket, snacks, deer, chargers, travel papers. The pack was ripped T both corners by the time I was done.

I read a lot of reviews before purchasing. So it was not spontaneous buy. I like the design, the way it packs. But, after the first use, I noticed that the backpack simply tears apart. This is not what you would expect after the first use. I also note, it was not overloaded. Otherwise, it is okay

The very first time I used the pack, it split in two places. And the bag was only half full: a fleece shirt, Kindle, AirPods, and water bottle. I don’t know if it’s just a poor bag, or they have poor quality control. I hope that Tortuga will refund the purchase or replace it.

I appreciate how convenient it is to pack while still boasting really good capacity. My one nit pick is that the side pockets don’t really comfortably house a water bottle as they can easily allow it to fall out. Otherwise, I would recommend this bag!

I recently took the Tortuga Packable Backpack on a two-week trip to Japan, and my feelings about it are mixed. Here's a detailed rundown of my experience, including a significant issue I encountered and how Tortuga's support handled it.

Initial Impressions:

I was initially impressed by how easy the Tortuga Packable Backpack was to pack. It barely took up any space in my Alpaka Elements Travel Backpack, which was a huge plus since I was trying to travel light. The bag's compactness and portability seemed ideal for day trips and exploring different cities and districts in Japan.

Usage in Japan:

During my daily commutes and explorations around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, I used the Tortuga Packable Backpack primarily to carry a power bank, charging cables, and various items I purchased along the way. Surprisingly, the lack of internal pockets didn't bother me much. The main compartment had enough space for my needs, and I appreciated the simplicity.

Quality Concerns:

Unfortunately, about a week into the trip, I encountered a significant problem: one of the straps started coming apart. The wear and tear of commuting involved the stitching on the strap starting to come apart and the material of the strap fraying. Given the daily use and the demanding environment of Japan's bustling public transport, this was a major issue. Everyone uses bags in such environments, so durability shouldn't be an issue. Additionally, there was a lot of walking involved as I explored various shrines, temples, cities, malls, and attractions. Even in restaurants, the bag was placed in a basket to avoid contact with the floor. Given these conditions, I believe the strap's failure was due to a manufacturing defect. If the bag can't withstand being taken on and off throughout the day, it's not the ideal travel packable backpack that I needed it to be.

Customer Support:

On a positive note, Tortuga's customer support was excellent. They were responsive and acted quickly to address the problem. I contacted Tortuga while overseas, and after showing them where the backpack was failing, they sent a replacement to my home address. Despite the issue, I was impressed by their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Interim Solution:

After the strap issue, I needed a reliable backpack for the remainder of my trip. I purchased a Yoshida & Company Porter Future Backpack from their Shibuya location. This backpack was a game-changer – sturdy, stylish, and perfect for my needs. It handled the daily grind of commuting and exploring without any issues. On my flight home, I used the Porter backpack as my personal item, with my Alpaka Elements Travel Backpack as my carry-on and the Tortuga Packable Backpack stashed back inside.

Post-Trip Update:

When I got back home, the replacement Tortuga Packable Backpack was waiting for me in the mail. I haven't opened it yet, partly because I'm still enjoying the Porter backpack and partly because I'm wary of encountering the same quality issues again.

Conclusion:

While the Tortuga Packable Backpack has its merits – easy to pack, lightweight, and spacious enough for daily essentials – I can't wholeheartedly recommend it for rigorous daily use, especially in a demanding environment like Japan's urban commutes. The strap coming apart was a significant letdown, though Tortuga's stellar customer service somewhat mitigated the disappointment. If you're considering this backpack for light, occasional use, it might work well. However, for more intense travel needs, you might want to look elsewhere.