Pro 40L + Packing Cubes Bundle

This backpack is a lifesaver on this trip! I LOVE that it packs like a carry on suitcase but moves like a backpack. This is especially helpful in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand where the primary mode of transportation is motorbikes. It’s been completely hassle free to hop on the back of a motorbike when previously I had to book a 4 wheel car every time I needed to move with my carry on suitcase. And the fact that it’s waterproof goes such a long way in these monsoon countries. I also love the simple and sleek exterior design. I've also taken it with my on several weekend getaways. It's big enough to fit both my stuff and my partner's stuff, but small enough to take up barely any space in the trunk. What a spectacular backpack.

I chose the Pro for the ultimate comfort. I would like it to be slightly lighter, but I made the choice with that understanding. I recommend this bag for the comfort and the organization. The biggest draw back is the lack of storage for straps. If I ever have to check it, I need to find a work around. I have taken it on one trip so far and have no regrets.

Don’t hesitate to purchase. The Tortuga travel backpacks are the absolute best! We travel internationally & it’s the only way to go! So much better than paying to check a suitcase. They’re durable & excellent quality. So much space for all your travel necessities! Highly recommend.

There’s really a lot to like about this backpack and I think, overall, it’s one of the best travel backpacks I’ve come across and I have a bit of an obsession with them. To start, the materials and most of the design and layout are top quality. The exterior shell is made from some kind of X-Pac material that’s thick, durable, lightweight and both feels and looks great. The harness is super comfortable and supportive and I like the waist belt, but I have issues with the pockets. Much like many hiking backpacks, the waist belt has pockets that are impossible to use when worn because the zippers are too stiff. Actually, I have a lot of issues with all of the zippers on this backpack; they may be YKK but they’re very stiff and don’t open particularly well and the pack doesn’t have any pull tabs to assist with opening the zippers which is a big design miss for such a well thought out backpack. I also don’t care for the ugly plastic zipper pulls that I just think are ugly and feel cheap.Thankfully, aside from the zippers, everything else is absolutely excellent. There’s a really nice assortment of compartments and they’re all very useful, but the best part is they all have their own volume and don’t steal space from each other, which is very rare on these kind of backpacks. The interior lining is a light, sort of grey that looks nice and makes contents easily visible and the padded parts really feel luxurious to the touch. I also have the Tortuga Packing Cubes, and they’re a perfect fit for the main compartment, with my toiletry kit going in the large admin compartment along with headphones and other odds and ends. There’s easily enough space inside for a week-long trip with the pack fitting a surprising amount of stuff thanks to the compartment design.If the zippers worked better and the waist belt pockets were actually usable, it’d nearly be perfect, but even with the flaws, it’s still a great bag because of the design, materials and high level of quality that I think makes it worth it’s price for people who travel frequently.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro is a testament to thoughtful design and robust engineering, built to withstand the rigors of travel while prioritizing user comfort and intelligent organization. From the moment you lay eyes on it, the backpack exudes a sense of sleek, functional durability. The beautiful ripstop material, with its subtle pattern and smooth-yet-textured feel, immediately conveys the bag's strength and longevity.The exterior features add to this functional aesthetic. Water-resistant YKK zippers blend seamlessly with the clean sailcloth, and the comfortable handles—crafted from firm, plush foam and a nylon strap—make it easy to carry, even when fully loaded.Engineering ComfortThe true standout feature of the Travel Backpack Pro is its innovative strap system. The shoulder straps are expertly designed with a dense foam and a breathable honeycomb mesh pattern. This, along with a clever seam that creates a small fissure, promotes airflow to keep you comfortable in hot climates or during extended wear. The straps perfectly balance plush comfort with structured support.The backpack's fit is fully customizable, thanks to an adjustable backplate that slides into a loop-lined sleeve. This system, with its graduated measurements, allows you to precisely adjust the backpack's height on your back, ensuring a comfortable fit whether you have a shorter or taller torso. The straps also feature piping for easy sternum strap adjustment and multiple nylon strips for attaching accessories like sunglasses or a carabiner.For moments when you're not wearing the pack, the straps can be detached from the bottom and tucked away behind the adjustable back panel. This is a game-changer for air travel, allowing you to smoothly slide the pack into overhead bins without the straps getting snagged.Organized for PurposeThe bag’s interior is organized into four main compartments, each designed to make packing and accessing your belongings effortless:- Quick-Access Pocket: A small pocket on the top front is perfect for items you need to grab in a hurry, like a phone, earbuds, or passport.- Admin Pocket: The full-length front pocket unzips to fold down halfway, revealing a host of organizational features. It includes slip pockets, credit card slots, pen holders, and a mesh pocket. A soft-lined wide pocket behind these is ideal for delicate devices like an e-reader.- Main Compartment: This large, cavernous clamshell compartment features a two-zipper mesh pocket on the top. The rest of the space is open, providing ample room for packing cubes or free-packing your clothes and gear.- Laptop/Tech Compartment: Located directly behind the back panel, this padded compartment is built to protect your electronics. It features two soft-lined pockets—one for a laptop (up to 11.5 inches front to back) and a second, smaller pocket for a tablet or e-reader, both secured with a velcro strap. The compartment also includes a zippered mesh pocket for cables and accessories. Notably, the laptop pocket ends about three inches above the bottom of the bag, providing a buffer against drops.The two gusseted, elasticized side pockets can easily hold a 24oz water bottle or a portable umbrella. It's worth noting that if they are overstuffed, they might slightly encroach on the main compartment.This is, without a doubt, the most thoughtfully designed and engineered travel backpack I have ever encountered. It masterfully balances stylish durability with unparalleled comfort and intelligent functionality. The weight distribution, aided by the sternum and hip straps, makes even a fully loaded pack feel manageable. With the right planning, you could easily live out of this bag for months.For anyone serious about one-bag travel, the Travel Backpack Pro is an excellent value and my top recommendation. Its blend of comfort, organization, and durable construction sets it apart from the competition.

This is a really thoughtfully designed travel backpack that is essentially a carryon suitcase with backpack straps. It is made of a seemingly indestructible burly nylon fabric that should last a very long time. Compared to an Osprey Farpoint 40 that I also have, the Tortuga has a lot more organizational features.The main compartment is a big cavernous space which allows you to just pack it like a suitcase or use packing cubes. I like this because you are not forced to use some organization system that may not work for you. There is a mesh zippered pocket on opposite the main compartment that provides more storage. There is a zippered front pocket that is perfect for storing smaller items such as a computer mouse, keys, etc. And there is even a smaller zippered pouch at the top of this compartment for little items. The two size water bottle holders are great and should hold most water bottles or umbrellas just fine. The rear of the pack has a soft velvety-like lining for electronics such as your laptop and/or tablet. The laptop compartment has a false bottom so you don’t accidentally break your electronics if you drop you bag down.The back has so much padding for ventilation and comfort and the waistband does wonders for transferring the weight of the pack of your shoulders. At 40L, you can really pack this thing to be heavy so the hip belt is a must. I’ve used a cheaper but similarly designed 40L backpack in the past that had a tiny, insufficient hip belt that really made the pack unusable when heavy. Additionally, the shoulder straps are adjustable to fit your torso better - this really makes it comfortable to carry when heavy.The downside is that this is an expensive pack but is a legitimate “buy it for life” item. I can see this holding up to worldwide abuse for a very long time. You do get a lot of premium features and the best of a lot of different backpacks, (robust suspension system, ample organization, removable hip belt, bottle holders, ventilated back) all-in-one with this one.

I’ve been on the quest for the Holy Grail of carry-on luggage, and this 40L Tortuga backpack just might be it. At 2.04 kg (4.5 lbs), it feels a little heavy at first glance, but the weight makes sense given the robust materials and generous capacity. For comparison, my ancient eBag computer backpack weighed 3.8 lbs yet offered considerably less room—so the trade-off seems fair.From the outside in, the bag features three main compartments:A flat exterior compartment with a zipper along one side.A large, suitcase-style compartment with a three-sided zipper (though I wish it included internal straps to secure clothing).A slimmer, well-organized compartment closest to the body, designed for a laptop, accessories, and small essentials like pens or cards, with a top zipper for easy access.There’s also a small top pocket with a key leash—perfect for a passport, keys, or other quick-grab items. On each side, you’ll find a water bottle holder that looks too slim at first, but thanks to its expandable gusset and sturdy elastic, it can handle a slim insulated bottle or coffee tumbler.The bag is equipped with carry handles on the top and side, padded backpack straps with an adjustable sternum strap, and a removable hip belt that includes easy-to-reach storage pouches on each side. The harness system feels supportive and comfortable.For fit reference: I’m a 68-year-old woman, 5’6” and 190 lbs, and this pack works well for my frame. I plan to take it on my next adventure—a 28-day mix of private tours, organized group touring, and a river cruise, covering planes, trains, automobiles, and boats.Overall, this Tortuga backpack feels durable, thoughtfully designed, and travel-ready. While it’s not perfect, it may be the closest I’ve come yet to my ideal carry-on companion.

I was lucky enough to order both the Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack PRO and the Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack LITE. I am posting the same review for both products so that you can compare the two products. TLDR: These 2 bags are intended for two different types of travelers, but in my opinion, they both deserve 5 stars for meeting the needs of their respective travelers.I believe the PRO is designed for someone that is traveling, perhaps for work, and they want ONE bag to carry everything. The internal pockets provide many options for organizing all the extras you need at the office, i.e. mouse, power cord, notebooks, pens, chargers. You’re ok with taking this bag with you into the office – perfect for a streamlined travel experience for 1-3 days.I believe the LITE is for travelers that don’t need a lot of internal organization in the pack (and perhaps not traveling for work) OR has a separate bag for their computer and office peripherals. The LITE has a generous laptop/tablet sleeve, but you’d have to find space for the peripherals. The LITE feels both lighter in weight and features, but that does not indicate a decrease in quality.In general, the quality and fit and finish on both products is outstanding. I worked in a backpacking/outdoor store for 8 years, outfitting and fitting hundreds of backpacking backpacks for hikers ready to hit the trail, and both are high-quality packs. There is not a single loose thread/seam or flaw as far as I can tellIn backpacks meant for hiking, there is usually a metal or polycarbonate frame that transfers the weight of the backpack on to a padded hip belt, then transferring the weight to your hip bones. A properly fitted pack puts almost no weight on your shoulders. Both the PRO and the LITE have frames, adjustable shoulder straps and a hip belt, meaning these are packs that when adjusted properly, would allow you to comfortably wear them on your back while walking around a city while sightseeing.FEATURESBackpacking Frame, Straps, Hip Belts, and HandlesBoth have frames, though the frame on the PRO feels sturdier than the LITE, indicating to me that a heavier load would feel more comfortable in the PRO than the LITE.Both have adjustable padded hip belts, but the pads on the PRO are bigger than those on the LITE. The 2 pads on the PRO each have a zippered pocket for small items. The LITE does not have pockets on its hip pads.There are comparable adjustable sternum straps on both, and both packs have load lifter adjust straps on the shoulder harnesses.The LITE appears to be a one-size-fits-most, while the PRO’s straps can be adjusted downwards for people with shorter torsos. If you have a shorter torso, the PRO is the way to go.The handles on both are comparable and very comfortable to grip.External PocketsLITE – One pocket on the back flap that could fit 2 decent paperback novels, or one smaller hardback. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” would fit, but “The Deathly Hallows” would not. This would also be good for a rain jacket.There is another pocket up top that could handle a decent paperback, Kindle, or things like chargers. There is a clip for storing your keys. There is also a very large fleece-lined pouch accessible from the top that would fit a very large laptop or tablet.There is one stretch holder for long and narrow bottles. It would easily accept a 16 oz. soda bottle, but I don’t think one of the larger water bottles would fit. A 32 oz. wide-mouth Nalgene bottle is out of the question.PRO - There is a pouch on the back that would accept books the size of “The Deathly Hallows” AND a light rain jacket, or an 8”x12” pad of paper/notebook. The pouch at the top of the outside is perfect for glasses and a passport, and there is a clip for your keys.The laptop pocket is enormous, with TWO fleece lined pockets – one for a laptop and one for a tablet. There is a separate zippered pouch for chargers, mice etc. and you could probably slip a rain jacket into the bottom of this pocket.There is another flap that opens from the outside, that has holders for pens, cards, pouches and zippered pocket. This main opening would also be good for stuffing outerwear that you need to access quickly, like a fleece sweater.There are TWO bottle holders on the back, but they are both mean for smaller bottles; I think a 16 oz soda bottle would be the most it could hold.Internal StorageThe inside of these packs are similar. There is one main large compartment. On the inside of the flap on the PRO there is ONE zippered compartment for smaller items like underwear and socks. On the LITE, there are TWO zippered pockets on the flap.CapacityBoth of these are listed as 10L packs, but the PRO feels like it is bigger, but this may be an illusion created by the fact that there are so many pockets; if you stuff one pocket full, it will detract from the space available in the other pockets.

I couldn’t be happier with this backpack – it’s truly a travel essential. The amount of space it offers is incredible. There’s room for all your clothes, toiletries, and travel necessities, yet it never feels bulky or awkward to carry.One of the standout features is the dedicated laptop compartment, which is well-padded and even includes an additional pocket for a tablet or iPad. There’s also a convenient zippered section for chargers and cables, which helps keep everything organized and accessible.Comfort-wise, this bag really delivers. The shoulder straps are well-cushioned, making it easy to wear for long periods without discomfort. As a bonus, there are small zippered compartments on the straps – perfect for storing items like keys, earbuds, or even some cash.The quality of the materials and construction is outstanding – very durable, with strong zippers and stitching that clearly hold up to regular use. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just need a reliable bag for weekend getaways, this backpack will not disappoint.

So far I've been going back and forth between two solutions for short trips: a 25-year old duffel bag that I got free from my company, and a 10-year old Tumi bag whose wheels have completely disintegrated. The duffel bag is literally painful as the straps dig into my shoulder. The Tumi bag usually works fine for my carry-on, but one time an overzealous TSA agent rejected it because it was about 3mm bigger than what could fit into the overhead compartment testing station in the airport, forcing me to pay $75 to check it.This bag is a dream come true. When I first saw it I had a ludicrous picture in my mind of me strapping on a giant piece of luggage onto my bag. But the design is nothing short of brilliant. Visually it simply looks like a backpack, maybe a tad bigger than a traditional backback but still much less conspicuous than, say, hiking and camping backpacks.It's also really roomy. I combine it with a vacuum seal bag to compress all my clothes and easily fit two weeks of clothes (and I wear a men's XL). If you don't want to do that, it will fit a week's worth just fine, along with accessories like a laptop, chargers, and toiletries.One thing I love about this thing is that it has lots and lots of pockets. Here are the ones I found.- small pocket in the very front, about 6"x6"- front section: open 5"x10" pocket, zippered 4"x10" pocket, 4"x5" mesh pocket, 2 pen holders, and 4 slots for credit cards, hotel key cards, etc.- main section: large zippered area for toiletries across from main storage area (11" x 18"), Main storage area has depth of 4"-5"- Back section: another 5"x11" zippered area, 2 felt-like padded compartments, perfect for storing a laptop, with a strap that folds down to secure it.- Pocket on both sides to hold a water bottle, can, etc.I filled it up to about 25-30 pounds. I was expecting to flip backwards like a turtle falling on its back, but with the front harness tightened and snapped into place, I felt surprisingly balanced. The padding on the back and on your waist certainly helps with the comfort. I won't go as far as to say it felt like it wasn't there at all, but the experience was a thousand times better than having nylon straps dig into your shoulders or dragging an old suitcase with disintegrating wheels through the airport. I love how you can just take it off your shoulders and it instantly looks like a small suitcase with a handle.I appreciate that they made these in Vietnam. The craftmanship is excellent: the seams are all tight and secure, and didn't budge no matter how much I overloaded the suitcase.I can see this serving my needs for the next 25 years and beyond. I only wish they'd invented this before so I could toss out that old duffel bag sooner. Highly recommended.

I’m seriously impressed with this Tortuga backpack. It’s exactly what I needed for weeklong travel—no checked bag required. The 40L capacity is generous and the interior is thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to organize everything from clothes to tech. What really stands out is how comfortable it is. The adjustable suspension and padded hip belt take the load off my shoulders (and my back thanks me). Even fully packed, it feels surprisingly balanced. The zippers are beefy YKK and feel sturdy—no snagging, no flimsy pulls. You can see from the photos just how many compartments it has: front-load design, side pockets that fit a water bottle, and separate spots for your laptop, tablet, and accessories. Bonus: It does meet carry-on size limits. I tested it in an overhead bin and it fit like a glove. Feels built to last, and the waterproof sailcloth gives it that tough, all-weather edge. If you’re a frequent traveler or just want one really good bag that does it all, this is it.