I have an Aer Go packable backpack which seems to have a similar size (20L). It weighs 1lb (about 4oz more than this Bellroy). I like it especially because of the fidlock pocket on the front, and the fact that it’s “only” $80. Thanks for this review - it confirmed for me that I still like my Aer :) Even though it’s heavier than the Bellroy, I think I like the features slightly better.
So after watching a couple of RUclips videos about this pack, I bought the Bellroy Lite Backpack to take on a weeklong trip to Aruba. This was a great test of this bag as a travel daypack vs. others I’ve used in the past since we had a wide range of daily activities: pool and beach, excursion in off road “UTVs”, snorkeling off a catamaran, and walks into town for dining and shopping. Sometimes it held a towel, sunscreen, and snacks - at other times it held a camera insert, neck gaiter, and sunglasses. Here are a few observations that others may find helpful: * Overall, the pack did very well. It held a lot, was fairly comfortable to wear for a packable daypack, and was surprisingly effective in the occasionally rainy weather (the material, while not waterproof, is water resistant, and the zippers kept water from getting into the interior of the pack). * The water bottle pocket is a little tight. I carry a 24 oz. wide mouth Hydroflask for travel. It’s a fairly skinny bottle, but whether it fit in the pocket at all was highly dependent on what was packed in the other pockets. About 50% of the time, I ended up carrying the bottle loose inside the pack, which felt risky (kudos to Hydroflask for keeping a good seal!). * The sunglasses pocket on top was very well positioned and I usually didn’t feel like I needed a separate glasses case. That said, I wish it was a tiny bit bigger - perhaps if I WANTED to have my glasses in a rigid case for protection during more intense activities. I have larger sunglasses and a larger phone and there’s no way I could have gotten both in this pocket. * The biggest issue with this pack, IMHO, is the absence of a zippered exterior pocket on the outside front of the pack. I understand that Bellroy was going for a clean aesthetic, and it does LOOK nice. But it was a hassle to always have to go INSIDE the pack for access to my most common “quick access” items. For me, those items are usually my wallet, my reading glasses, and a hero clip to keep the bag off a dirty restroom floor (or to secure it on a boat deck, as I did on this trip). These items were forced to the interior zipper pocket, making them less accessible. * Small additional issue: I’m a huge Tom Bihn fan. “Hello, my name is Shep and I’m a Bihnaholic.” I never realized how much I would miss O-rings until I had to use a pack without them. Several of my critical daypack items are already in small Tom Bihn pouches. Without anywhere to clip them, everything just sort of fell to the bottom of this pack indiscriminately. So I found myself rooting around the pack on a number of occasions looking for something I needed that had fallen to the bottom somewhere. I actually ended up using the key leash in the zippered interior pocket as a makeshift o-ring a couple of times to make it easier to yank out a pouch with important stuff in it. Bottom line: Would I take this pack with me again? Maybe. But I’d probably have to think about whether the annoyances above are worth the other benefits of this pack.
How much more packable is the Lite daypack versus the Bellroy Classic 20L? I’m wondering if the Classic would be decently packable while also be slightly more versatile (despite the weight increase).
Nice video.I want to buy a black one after seeing your video.Maybe next time you can show us more when bag on your back. You deserve more subscribers, great job.
Hey Odie, love the content you keep putting out. Is this bag packable into the Able Carry Max 30L? The Able Carry Max is a great onebag travel option, but too big for EDC. I'm looking for an EDC bag for when I arrive at my location and this Bellroy looks perfect - just not sure if it packs well into a 30L bag.
Good review, purchased one took it to the gym works well very happy
I have an Aer Go packable backpack which seems to have a similar size (20L). It weighs 1lb (about 4oz more than this Bellroy). I like it especially because of the fidlock pocket on the front, and the fact that it’s “only” $80. Thanks for this review - it confirmed for me that I still like my Aer :) Even though it’s heavier than the Bellroy, I think I like the features slightly better.
So after watching a couple of RUclips videos about this pack, I bought the Bellroy Lite Backpack to take on a weeklong trip to Aruba. This was a great test of this bag as a travel daypack vs. others I’ve used in the past since we had a wide range of daily activities: pool and beach, excursion in off road “UTVs”, snorkeling off a catamaran, and walks into town for dining and shopping. Sometimes it held a towel, sunscreen, and snacks - at other times it held a camera insert, neck gaiter, and sunglasses.
Here are a few observations that others may find helpful:
* Overall, the pack did very well. It held a lot, was fairly comfortable to wear for a packable daypack, and was surprisingly effective in the occasionally rainy weather (the material, while not waterproof, is water resistant, and the zippers kept water from getting into the interior of the pack).
* The water bottle pocket is a little tight. I carry a 24 oz. wide mouth Hydroflask for travel. It’s a fairly skinny bottle, but whether it fit in the pocket at all was highly dependent on what was packed in the other pockets. About 50% of the time, I ended up carrying the bottle loose inside the pack, which felt risky (kudos to Hydroflask for keeping a good seal!).
* The sunglasses pocket on top was very well positioned and I usually didn’t feel like I needed a separate glasses case. That said, I wish it was a tiny bit bigger - perhaps if I WANTED to have my glasses in a rigid case for protection during more intense activities. I have larger sunglasses and a larger phone and there’s no way I could have gotten both in this pocket.
* The biggest issue with this pack, IMHO, is the absence of a zippered exterior pocket on the outside front of the pack. I understand that Bellroy was going for a clean aesthetic, and it does LOOK nice. But it was a hassle to always have to go INSIDE the pack for access to my most common “quick access” items. For me, those items are usually my wallet, my reading glasses, and a hero clip to keep the bag off a dirty restroom floor (or to secure it on a boat deck, as I did on this trip). These items were forced to the interior zipper pocket, making them less accessible.
* Small additional issue: I’m a huge Tom Bihn fan. “Hello, my name is Shep and I’m a Bihnaholic.” I never realized how much I would miss O-rings until I had to use a pack without them. Several of my critical daypack items are already in small Tom Bihn pouches. Without anywhere to clip them, everything just sort of fell to the bottom of this pack indiscriminately. So I found myself rooting around the pack on a number of occasions looking for something I needed that had fallen to the bottom somewhere. I actually ended up using the key leash in the zippered interior pocket as a makeshift o-ring a couple of times to make it easier to yank out a pouch with important stuff in it.
Bottom line: Would I take this pack with me again? Maybe. But I’d probably have to think about whether the annoyances above are worth the other benefits of this pack.
What is your alternative bag if you are unable to put up with the Lite Daypack?
Great content as always b
How much more packable is the Lite daypack versus the Bellroy Classic 20L? I’m wondering if the Classic would be decently packable while also be slightly more versatile (despite the weight increase).
Hey! I’m thinking about buying it but I’m not sure if a camera in a camera insert will be ok in this type of backpack, what do you think about it?
Nice video.I want to buy a black one after seeing your video.Maybe next time you can show us more when bag on your back. You deserve more subscribers, great job.
Hey Odie, love the content you keep putting out. Is this bag packable into the Able Carry Max 30L? The Able Carry Max is a great onebag travel option, but too big for EDC. I'm looking for an EDC bag for when I arrive at my location and this Bellroy looks perfect - just not sure if it packs well into a 30L bag.
Definitely is! This or the Beer from Wandrd are my two favorite packable bags. They go in pretty much anything.
My favorite packable backpack is the Tom Bihn Daylight backpack. It’s actually roomy, lays flat in a bigger bag and has decent internal pockets.
I have AER go pack, it is really nice.
非常棒的包，超级喜欢
A packable bag should able to be packed itself into a palm size pocket. I won’t rate this a “packable” bag. BTW, Waterfield get nice packable bags.
That’s not always true…the cheaper ones perhaps. The better ones don’t pack into themselves at all/
A bag like that is going to feel like a grocery bag. I want something firmer and nice looking