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Cost: $199
Capacity: 30 liters
Dimensions: 19.7″ x 14.2″ x 4.7″ (50 x 36 x 12 cm)
Style: Clamshell
Weight: 2.1 lbs (0.95 kg)
Laptop: 16” Laptop; Dedicated side access
Materials: Baida Ripstop Nylon; YKK Aquaguard Zips; Woojin Hardware
Origin: Made in Philippines
Introduction
The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30 is Bellroy’s take on a classic clamshell-style travel backpack. It brings together all the best elements of side-opening design, including separate zippered compartments, easy packing, and a carry-on friendly capacity of 30 liters.
At just 2.1 pounds or around 950 grams, it manages to stay incredibly light without sacrificing functionality. But how does it hold up in an actual use scenario?
I took this bag on a recent trip to Detroit over the holidays, flying carry-on with Delta Airlines, and it easily fit in the overhead bin. While it’s a bit tall to fit under most airline seats as a personal item, its carry-on performance was otherwise excellent.
Lite Travel Pack Dimensions
The smaller Lite Travel Pack measures around 19.7 inches by 14.2 inches by 4.7 inches, making it a minimalist pack that is much more suited for quick and light travel. There’s no question that this bag isn’t suited for longer trips, but it suits its purpose very well.
Bellroy also offers a larger 38-liter version, but this 30-liter size is well-suited for shorter trips if you prefer to travel light. It generally fits in standard carry-on sizers, though it can feel slightly snug in certain boxes due to its shape.
Capacity
Bellroy lists the capacity at 30 liters, and by using a “packing peanuts test”, the 30-liter claim seems accurate. This test is one of the easiest ways to check the capacity of a bag, and everything seems to line up with their claims.
However, once the bag is fully packed, it tends to expand to about 8 inches in depth, which is more than the stated 4.7 inches. Still, this doesn’t prevent it from being effective for travel, and the overall capacity remains sufficient for a few days’ worth of clothing and essentials.
Materials
As with many of Bellroy’s products, the Lite Travel Pack 30 features high-end materials and attention to detail.
These are some of the best qualities of the backpack, as it perfectly meshes the durability and lightweight nature of lighter travel backpacks while also retaining a quality makeup.
It’s made of midweight recycled Dura Lite nylon, which feels both durable and lightweight. Bellroy also offers an attractive range of colorways. The Clay colorway, for instance, is an orangey-red shade that stands out nicely from more common black or gray travel packs.
Hardware
The zippers and buckles on the Lite Travel Pack 30 are also well-chosen. The main pocket features a YKK AquaGuard zipper, while the side and laptop compartment zippers are coil-lock YKKs.
Although the zipper pulls themselves aren’t the type that can be locked with a built-in system, you can easily secure them with a small Micro Lock if you need extra security, making it a solid choice.
The hardware is sturdy and works smoothly, at the quality level you’d expect from a backpack of this price range and size.
External Components
Externally, the Lite Travel Pack 30 keeps things fairly simple. There are two external pockets on the front for smaller gear, a side-access laptop compartment, stowable backpack straps, and a series of fabric gear loops.
There aren’t many additional bells and whistles, keeping the weight down while still offering enough organization for everyday travel needs.
Top Organizational Pocket
The top front pocket is a large slash pocket that opens from the top and includes a small amount of internal organization, such as a key leash and a fabric divider sleeve.
This pocket is ideal for quick-access items like a battery pack, sunglasses, or a small notebook. If you’re concerned about theft in busy areas, you can attach a Micro Lock to the zipper pull and loop to keep things more secure.
Front Top Pocket
Within that same top section, you’ll find small organizational details like the key loop as well as several other “key” features, pun intended.
While not a separate compartment from the top organizational space, it’s worth noting that this segment of the front pocket is roomy enough for a range of small items you might need on the go.
Front Bottom Pocket
Below that top pocket is a slightly larger front pocket with side access. There’s no internal organization here, instead featuring a wide space that can accommodate bulkier items like a lightweight jacket or a gear pouch.
These two front pockets together can hold a surprising amount, making them great for items you don’t want to stash inside the main compartment. Of course, organization is important, and packing cubes can come in handy here.
Water Bottle Pockets
While this bag generally offers most of the features and pockets you’d expect, one missing feature on this bag is a dedicated external water bottle pocket.
Given the available surface area on the sides, adding a simple expandable or mesh pocket would have been easy without adding much weight. Given the usefulness of this pocket, it’s possible Bellroy will consider this in future iterations, as many travelers rely on a water bottle pocket for convenience.
Laptop Compartment
Bellroy’s side-access laptop compartment is designed to fit up to a 16 inch laptop, though the fit can be tight. If your laptop is on the thicker side or if you leave a dongle or mouse sensor plugged in, you may find yourself having to remove them first.
The padding comes from a thin plastic frame sheet and some back padding, providing moderate protection. The false bottom helps cushion minor impacts, but heavy drops or rough handling might surpass the compartment’s protective limits.
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack Carry System
The shoulder straps on the Lite Travel Pack 30 are functional and comfortable for moderate loads, which is good because this is a light backpack.
They’re decently padded and ventilated, and the back panel also has light padding that allows airflow.
However, there’s no waist belt option, which could lead to discomfort if you’re carrying a heavier load. The sternum strap has a minimalist design that keeps the shoulder straps in place but can be tricky to adjust on the go.
Stowability & Luggage Pass-through
One useful feature is the ability to disconnect and stow the shoulder straps behind the back panel by unclipping the bottom attachments.
This pairs excellently with the luggage pass-through sleeve, letting you secure the pack on top of a rolling suitcase handle when you want a hands-free wheeling experience through the airport.
Interior Design & Organization
Inside, the Lite Travel Pack 30 fully unzips in a clamshell style, making it easy to pack. The right side is a large compartment for clothes or larger items, while the left side of the “lid” is divided into two separate zippered pockets, one mesh pocket and one fabric pocket.
Each of these can hold smaller items, undergarments, or toiletry bags, giving you plenty of organization without needing packing cubes, though cubes will still fit if you prefer them.
The bag’s design keeps gear separated and secure, so you can easily access specific items without rummaging through the entire pack.
Packing The Bellroy Lite
Easily one of the best pros of the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30 is how straightforward it is to pack. You can pack everything directly into its compartments without cubes, or you can use packing cubes for added organization.
On the lid side, the two zippered pockets can hold items like socks and underwear or a compact toiletry bag, keeping them accessible without mixing them in with larger clothing pieces.
Thanks to the bag’s clamshell design, you can see and access all of your items at once. This not only makes packing simpler but also helps you quickly grab a specific shirt or accessory on the go, making this pack the definition of both lightweight and functional.
Carry Comfort
When fully packed, around roughly 14 pounds for my trip, this bag remained comfortable to carry thanks to the padded straps and back panel.
If you plan to add a heavy laptop or lots of gear, you could start feeling the weight on your shoulders because there’s no built-in hip belt. For shorter trips or lighter loads, though, these straps should suffice.
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L Final Score
So how does the Bellroy actually hold up when compared to other similar backpacks, and what should you be looking to use it for?
The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30 is a well-organized and minimalist travel bag that’s perfect for short trips or carry-on travel.
It offers enough internal segmentation and external pockets to keep your items tidy, and the clamshell opening makes packing and unpacking a breeze. At just over 2 pounds, it’s impressively lightweight for a 30-liter backpack.
On the downside, there’s no external water bottle holder, and some travelers might wish for either thicker straps or a hip belt attachment option for heavier loads. Still, if you prioritize a sleek design, easy organization, and minimal weight, the Lite Travel Pack 30 is a solid option for your next journey.
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