Aer 16" Travel Pack 3 X-Pac 35L

4.5 stars! This backpack is almost perfect. The build quality is excellent and there are numerous pockets to help you me stay organised. The bag's internal panel behind the laptop compartment helps the bag stand up on its own.The X-PAC has kept all my electronics dry when I've been caught in the rain. The bag is versatile, from an EDC to a one bag travel. It also fits under the airplane seat in front of you!A couple downsides include the weight (1.7kg on its own, I’ve read it is sort of unavoidable with good padding and build quality) and the straps can be a bit uncomfortable under moderate to heavy loads. Under heavy loads, with the load lifters, backpack and chest strap all tightened up to be most supportive, the straps become uncomfortable over the trapezius ... More4.5 stars! This backpack is almost perfect. The build quality is excellent and there are numerous pockets to help you me stay organised. The bag's internal panel behind the laptop compartment helps the bag stand up on its own.The X-PAC has kept all my electronics dry when I've been caught in the rain. The bag is versatile, from an EDC to a one bag travel. It also fits under the airplane seat in front of you!A couple downsides include the weight (1.7kg on its own, I’ve read it is sort of unavoidable with good padding and build quality) and the straps can be a bit uncomfortable under moderate to heavy loads. Under heavy loads, with the load lifters, backpack and chest strap all tightened up to be most supportive, the straps become uncomfortable over the trapezius muscle and lower neck area. Otherwise there are no issues with comfort. I do wonder if may just be me as I have not read similar feedback online. The heavier loads only occurred recently on an interstate trip. Other interesting points include the magnetic fasteners for the chest and compressions traps. These take some getting used to with the chest strap is minimally easier to clasp/unclasp one handed. The magnetic fasteners for the compressions straps don't provide confidence in hanging things off of them (as would standard buckles) but so far in my experience, I haven't had them detach unexpectedly. Overall I’m very happy with the bag and expect it to last me a long time.

DURABLE and REFINED CARRY-ON BAG

I took a 10 day trip recently where I used the bag. I am traveling lighter these days, so I conducted a-lot of research for a carry-on bag before deciding on the Travel Pack 3. The bag is durable in its construction. I utilized packing cubes to keep clothing organized. This bag meets the 9x14x22 inch measurements I wanted to comply with most airlines' carry-on restrictions. I noted that I could surpass the 9 inch mark if I packed it with a bulge in the middle. I'm looking forward to refining my packing necessities before taking a 10 day trip overseas. Do your research on bags that meet your needs. I would definitely buy this back-pack bag again.

Darn near perfect

No backpack carryon is perfect but this comes very close. After a year of international travel this pack continues to amaze me with its versatility. It’s very good as a weekend getaway bag or compliments a small wheeled carryon perfectly for a week long business trip. 1 very minor criticism would be the empty weight of the pack. 1 area for improvement, which would make me buy it again without shopping for an alternative first, would be for the luggage pass through to be a significantly wider band (maybe a flexible mesh the same width as the shoulder straps). When traveling I usually use a carryon spinner and the Travel pack 3 and the thin pass through strip is sometimes problematic when rushing to catch a connection. These two points shouldn’t sway your opinion to ... MoreNo backpack carryon is perfect but this comes very close. After a year of international travel this pack continues to amaze me with its versatility. It’s very good as a weekend getaway bag or compliments a small wheeled carryon perfectly for a week long business trip. 1 very minor criticism would be the empty weight of the pack. 1 area for improvement, which would make me buy it again without shopping for an alternative first, would be for the luggage pass through to be a significantly wider band (maybe a flexible mesh the same width as the shoulder straps). When traveling I usually use a carryon spinner and the Travel pack 3 and the thin pass through strip is sometimes problematic when rushing to catch a connection. These two points shouldn’t sway your opinion to purchase it. Safe travels!!

Duffel Pack 3 to Travel Pack 3 X-Pac

After using Duffel Pack 3 for almost two years, I needed to find a larger bag for my recent & ongoing work travels. I naturally looked at the Travel Pack 3. I happened to be in SF for work last week and made sure to stop by the B&M shop to take a closer look at the item(s). After some consideration I went with the full size TP3. Jared who was working the shop on Sunday informed me that the full size TP does not technically qualify as a personal item as it is too large but that I might get away with it. I took the risk and brought it on the Delta flight as a personal item (+ a carryon) and thankfully faced no problem.The bag fits SO much more than my DP3 and is about the same height & depth. It's not overly large for my 5'10 height and like all Aer products the bag ... MoreAfter using Duffel Pack 3 for almost two years, I needed to find a larger bag for my recent & ongoing work travels. I naturally looked at the Travel Pack 3. I happened to be in SF for work last week and made sure to stop by the B&M shop to take a closer look at the item(s). After some consideration I went with the full size TP3. Jared who was working the shop on Sunday informed me that the full size TP does not technically qualify as a personal item as it is too large but that I might get away with it. I took the risk and brought it on the Delta flight as a personal item (+ a carryon) and thankfully faced no problem.The bag fits SO much more than my DP3 and is about the same height & depth. It's not overly large for my 5'10 height and like all Aer products the bag has the perfect balance of form & function--I chose the X-Pac version and love the smooth surface and the subtle patterns, although the aqua guard zippers are definitely stiffer.The only 1% downside of what would've otherwise been a perfect purchase was that only after I arrived here in LA did I notice the tiniest single thread snag on the top handle. With its slick & smooth surfaces the snag sticks out like a sore thumb, but not enough to do anything about it.Special thanks to Jared @ Aer SF who took his time to chat with me and help me make my decision!

First trip: very impressed.

Just got back from a weekend trip where I used this pack for the first time. As someone who doesn't travel more than a few times a year, I wouldn't normally spend this much money on a pack, but it has been absolutely worth it for me.Materials quality: the bag definitely feels solid. The zippers feel like they should hold up well over timeSize: fit all of the usual things I'd need for a weekend, including: macbook air, ipad, dji mini 3 + case, headphones, a light zip up hoodie, and various bits and bobs in the admin compartment. There was still plenty of room for more! My only complaint here is that the laptop/tablet compartment and top quick access pocket does feel a bit tight.Carry-on capability: this pack fit perfectly under American Airlines main cabin and ... MoreJust got back from a weekend trip where I used this pack for the first time. As someone who doesn't travel more than a few times a year, I wouldn't normally spend this much money on a pack, but it has been absolutely worth it for me.Materials quality: the bag definitely feels solid. The zippers feel like they should hold up well over timeSize: fit all of the usual things I'd need for a weekend, including: macbook air, ipad, dji mini 3 + case, headphones, a light zip up hoodie, and various bits and bobs in the admin compartment. There was still plenty of room for more! My only complaint here is that the laptop/tablet compartment and top quick access pocket does feel a bit tight.Carry-on capability: this pack fit perfectly under American Airlines main cabin and first class seats (domestic flight) as a personal item.Comfort: straps were pretty comfy. Lots of adjustment available, and the chest strap helps distribute the load. I do wish they included the hip belt though.Looks: very minimal, but I like it.Overall: very happy with my purchase. time will tell if the pack holds up, but I feel pretty confident it will.

Great pack, straps undersized for broad chested people.

Overall, this is an excellent travel pack. Well thought out, great organization, perfect size and capacity for a traveling dad carrying stuff for two kids. However, my one gripe as a large chested man is the lack of inclusive sizing on the chest harness. For reference, I wear a 3xl tall t-shirt. I would greatly appreciate a plus size harness option in the same vein as what Gregory Packs have done for hiking/backpacking backpacks. As is, the padding on the straps stops short of my armpit, making long term carry uncomfortable. I would buy this again just to get an inclusive sized harness.

Perfect pack for traveling with multiple electronic devices

Perfect. I've tried a number of different backpacks for travel over the years and there has always been some kind of compromise. For what it's worth, I'm not a hardcore traveler. But I often like to bring several pieces of bulky electronics with me -- a Steam Deck, an ILC camera + lenses, a tablet, headphones, and various and sundry other bits. It all gets a bit bulky and difficult to pack.Originally, I just had a random Osprey backpack, but I found that it was hard to get at stuff at the bottom of the pack. I also had a Peak Design Everyday Backpack, which had some good aspects -- the side access -- but the dividers always left me feeling like i was wasting space inside, and the straps were insanely uncomfortable with any but the lightest of loads. Then there was ... MorePerfect. I've tried a number of different backpacks for travel over the years and there has always been some kind of compromise. For what it's worth, I'm not a hardcore traveler. But I often like to bring several pieces of bulky electronics with me -- a Steam Deck, an ILC camera + lenses, a tablet, headphones, and various and sundry other bits. It all gets a bit bulky and difficult to pack.Originally, I just had a random Osprey backpack, but I found that it was hard to get at stuff at the bottom of the pack. I also had a Peak Design Everyday Backpack, which had some good aspects -- the side access -- but the dividers always left me feeling like i was wasting space inside, and the straps were insanely uncomfortable with any but the lightest of loads. Then there was my Goruck GR1, which opened my eyes to the glory of a full clamshell main compartment with no dividers! But it's not quite deep enough to easily pack my electronics, and the back panel is extremely sweaty if you load it heavily.Which brings us to the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small. It's just slightly deeper than the GR1, which was perfect for storing my steam deck vertically with respect to the backpack's depth. This alone fixed all my issues with the GR1's main compartment. On top of that, the Travel Pack 3 Small has a bunch of extra compartments which I found useful for storing passport/wallet/keys when out and about. But the TP3 still has very comfortable shoulder straps, and seems to heat my back up less than the GR1 did.Generally, I'm just totally satisfied with this backpack. It's hard to imagine something that could be more suited to my specific needs.

This pack is incredible

I was on the hunt for a new edc pack that could also be utilized for short trips. After much research, I decided on the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small in X-Pac. I could not be happier with my decision. The build quality is very high, the aesthetic is pleasing and minimalist, and the comfort is by far the most of any edc pack I've had. The organization and pockets are well thought out and plentiful, without being too much. And the laptop sleeve is impressive. Its highly padded and elevated from the bottom, and lined with a soft material. Oh, and that orange interior really does it for me. This pack checked all the boxes for my needs. One thing I kept reading in the reviews was that the aquagaurd zippers were hard to use. I have had zero trouble with any of them. Overall, ... MoreI was on the hunt for a new edc pack that could also be utilized for short trips. After much research, I decided on the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small in X-Pac. I could not be happier with my decision. The build quality is very high, the aesthetic is pleasing and minimalist, and the comfort is by far the most of any edc pack I've had. The organization and pockets are well thought out and plentiful, without being too much. And the laptop sleeve is impressive. Its highly padded and elevated from the bottom, and lined with a soft material. Oh, and that orange interior really does it for me. This pack checked all the boxes for my needs. One thing I kept reading in the reviews was that the aquagaurd zippers were hard to use. I have had zero trouble with any of them. Overall, this is as close to a perfect edc/travel pack (for my needs) as I've come across. If had to replace it for some reason, i.e. theft or loss (hopefully not) I wouldn't think twice. 5/5.

Uncomfortable bag, but great organization

I did a great deal of research before I purchased this bag, as I am sure you, the reader, are doing right now. Unlike many of the people commenting in this section, this bag has NOT exceeded my expectations. The organization, material and thoughtfulness of this bag is excellent, but the first thing I note as a BIG negative is the comfort. In my opinion this bag is not - contrary to what many have proclaimed online - a comfortable bag for carrying around all day. In fact, it is one of the most uncomfortable bags I have ever worn for extended periods. This is a tremendous disappointment as I purchased the TP3S for travel and every day carry (my own "One Bag To Rule Them All type thing). Despite the load lifters, hip straps and sternum strap, this bag when fully loaded ... MoreI did a great deal of research before I purchased this bag, as I am sure you, the reader, are doing right now. Unlike many of the people commenting in this section, this bag has NOT exceeded my expectations. The organization, material and thoughtfulness of this bag is excellent, but the first thing I note as a BIG negative is the comfort. In my opinion this bag is not - contrary to what many have proclaimed online - a comfortable bag for carrying around all day. In fact, it is one of the most uncomfortable bags I have ever worn for extended periods. This is a tremendous disappointment as I purchased the TP3S for travel and every day carry (my own "One Bag To Rule Them All type thing). Despite the load lifters, hip straps and sternum strap, this bag when fully loaded is terribly hard on my back and shoulders. Unlike the military and outdoor packs I am used to carrying, this bag gives me a great deal of back compression and that "pulling" sensation away from my back. I purchased the hip straps for this reason, but I have found the hip straps to be essentially useless and for some reason, whether it is my size/frame, or the bag itself, the bag never sits comfortable under a load greater than around 15lbs for longer than half an hour. This bumps it down by 2 stars for me - a bag should be comfortable, but I do recognize that not all bodies are the same. My last issue with this bag is the "Fidlock buckles." They are unreliable and do not do as good of a job at bag compression as their standard plastic clip counterparts. They are prone to coming undone under the combination of tension and backward movement. Meaning that if you have them under tension (which of course you will since they are designed for that) and something brushes against your bag, pushing the buckle slightly in, up or down, the magnetic locks can come undone. I still like the bag, and maybe I myself need to spend a few months with the bag before it breaks in for me, but I am still disappointed in the overall performance. TLDR:: Bag is uncomfortable for long periods of use when loaded over 15lbs. Hip straps were useless for redistributing weight on a 6'0" 195lb person. Magnetic buckles are a gimmick and not as useful as the regular ones.

You won't find another pack like this!

What can I say--or not say--about this pack? After trying out at least ten high-quality, high-priced backpacks that would be good for both everyday carry and occasional time in the outdoors, this was the one for me. I needed something extremely water resistant, durable, capable of holding around 25L in the main compartment and fitting under an airplane seat, comfortable while lugging heavy loads, and also something that, quite simply, looks nice, stylish, and elegant. This pack offers so much more than others in the same category: the comfort/cushioning is next level, and what sets it beyond the City Pack Pro (X-Pac), which I also tried, are the load lifters, which are great for keeping the pack against your body and "high" rather than "sagging" (something that ... MoreWhat can I say--or not say--about this pack? After trying out at least ten high-quality, high-priced backpacks that would be good for both everyday carry and occasional time in the outdoors, this was the one for me. I needed something extremely water resistant, durable, capable of holding around 25L in the main compartment and fitting under an airplane seat, comfortable while lugging heavy loads, and also something that, quite simply, looks nice, stylish, and elegant. This pack offers so much more than others in the same category: the comfort/cushioning is next level, and what sets it beyond the City Pack Pro (X-Pac), which I also tried, are the load lifters, which are great for keeping the pack against your body and "high" rather than "sagging" (something that happened with the City Pack Pro). The external laptop compartment is the best I've seen: great protection and ease of use for my giant 16" MacBook Pro with an "Armorbox" shell. The compression straps also work well, making the bag look great whether it's maxed out or carrying a small load. And if you like pockets and organization, this pack has more than enough to please you, all with that great bright-orange color to make it easy to see contents. There are two small downsides with this pack, but they're sacrifices that needed to be made so it could have some of those great features above: 1) it's fairly heavy for a bag this size (but without that weight, there goes the cushioning and protective layers for the laptop); abd 2) the water-bolder holder isn't the best I've seen, but it will work well, especially if you can latch the top of your bottle to the D-right right next to where that top will be. The boxy shape is something you either do or don't like, aesthetically, but it certainly maximizes carrying-capacity for a pack with these dimensions. All in all, there's no other pack on the market that does what this one does, and I'm glad I found it. I've only recently acquired it, so I can't speak to durability, but it appears extremely well made, and AER customer service is AMAZING. I have no doubts that they'll take care; they've already gone above and beyond accommodating all of my requests and answering all of my questions.