tomtoc Navigator-A82 [Review]

The tomtoc Navigator-A82 is a 40L travel laptop backpack for those who need a reliable travel companion without the high price tag. Minimliast, stylish and budget-friend, the Navigator-A82 punches above it's weight class in terms of features. In fact, having spent a few weeks testing it, we are sure that the tomtoc Navigator-A82 is one of the best value travel backpacks available right now.

In this backpack review, we will take a closer look at the tomtoc travel laptop 40L backpack and explore all of the details.

Video Review

The Rundown

What we like

• Dual access to the packing compartment (main opening and through laptop compartment)

• Minimalist design with just enough pockets for organization

• Protective laptop and tablet sleeves

• Affordable price

What we don’t like

• Water bottle pockets can only fit slimmer bottles (does not fit 32oz Nalgene bottle)

• No hip belt for extra support under heavy load. Missed opportunity for tomtoc to offer an add-on hip belt option for those who want one.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20.5” (H) x 13” (W) x 8.66” (D)

• Capacity: 40L

• Materials: Recycled PET, YKK Woven-In Tough Zippers

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 17”

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 14”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

Similar Backpacks

Materials and Construction

tomtoc has left us impressed with the overall construction quality of the Navigator-A82. Despite being considered a budget backpack, it doesn't feel cheap. The bag uses a recycled textile made from PET plastic bottles and we were surprised to find that it's equipped with YKK Woven-In Tough zippers that have been as smooth as butter.

Where a lot of budget travel backpacks cut quality is with the internal lining and the shoulder straps. This isn’t the case with the tomtoc Navigator-A82. The internal lining fabric is feels on par with more more expensive travel bags and the shoulder straps are generously padded for comfortable carry under heavier weight.

What fits inside the tomtoc Navigator-A82 40L?

The tomtoc Navigator A82 can be dividing into two major compartments: the main packing compartment and the rear laptop compartment.

The main compartment opens much like a duffel bag for easy packing. Although the tomtoc Navigator A82 has a pretty large capacity, it isn't as roomy as some of the other 40L travel backpacks we have reviewed. With this in mind we still found that the main packing compartment can easily fit 5 days of clothes. Of course your mileage may vary depending on how light of a packer you are (we tend to overpack). Light packers can easily fit up to a week of clothes and toiletries with the right rolling technique.

The Laptop Compartment

The laptop compartment of the A82 has a convenient TSA-friendly lay-flat opening, making it easier to go through airport security checkpoints. Inside, you'll find a spacious padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate a 17-inch laptop, as well as a second tablet sleeve that can also fit a device of up to 14 inches. Can the A82 serve as a dual laptop backpack? Absolutely.

On the opposite side of the laptop sleeves, you'll find a single mesh pocket for accessories. This pocket can comfortably fit chargers, external hard drives, and other smaller tech accessories.

Our favorite feature of this backpack is the ability to access the main compartment from inside of the laptop compartment. This grants you quick access to liquids and other items needed for airport security scanning. It's a unique feature that truly sets the tomtoc A82 apart from other travel packs.

It's important to note that only the laptop compartment has lockable zippers (bring your own TSA lock). Unfortunately, the main compartment zipper lacks this security feature.

Outside Pockets

The tomtoc Navigator-A82 gives you a total 4 outside pockets for easy access to your stuff.

There are two side pockets for water bottles and we found that they could easily fit slim bottles like a 24oz Hydroflask and a 1 liter plastic bottle. However, these pockets were too narrow to fit a larger 32oz Nalgene bottle. The water bottle pockets are held in place by an elastic band to keep the pockets flat when not in use.

Other pockets include a small pocket on the top of the bag that can fit a passport, wallet and sunglasses. This top pocket is semi-hidden to give you a little bit of extra security when traveling. Lastly, we have the front pocket. This is a flat pocket that's a good spot for general small tech storage, mini notebooks and other items you need quick access to.

Size and Comfort (Back Panel and Shoulder Straps)

• tomtoc Navigator A-82 dimensions: 20.5" x 13" x 8.66"

The dimensions of this pack puts it square in carry-on backpack territory. Meaning, it would have to be placed in the overhead compartment on most airplanes. Could you use this backpack as an underseat personal item backpack? Maybe. But at its dimensions of 20.5" x 13" x 8.66" when fully packed, you will go over most airline personal size limits.

This is a soft pack, so it can be compressed as needed. tomtoc has included a flap inside the main compartment that allows you to give the bag some structure. When the flap is down, you can use the side compression straps to adjust the backpack's depth. This size control is a handy feature, especially for shorter trips.

As for comfort, tomtoc has done a great job with their shoulder straps. They are thick, very well-padded, and comfortable even when carrying a heavy load. The back panel is decent enough, with tomtoc providing four cushioned mesh panels for both comfort and breathability. However, it's worth noting that there is a quality difference between the back panel of the Navigator-A82 and more expensive travel packs.

For additional support, tomtoc has included an adjustable chest strap but unfortunately there is no hip belt. If there is one major con about this backpack, it's the lack of a hip belt.

Final Thoughts

Buy on Amazon

The tomtoc 40L travel backpack strikes a nice balance between good quality and affordability, making it one of the best minimalist backpacks available at this price range. Not only is it constructed with durable materials but the spacious compartments for clothing and tech gives you everything you need for shorter leisure and business trips without the overwhleming array of pockets and compartments that plague other travel packs.

The TSA-friendly laptop compartment is the star of the show. This lay-flat compartment will make aiport security a breeze thanks to its two padded sleeves and easy access to the main packing compartment. This feature alone puts the tomtoc Navigator-A82 above its competition.

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Knack Convertible Duffel [Review]

Convertible. Expandable. Great organization. This is the Knack Convertible Duffel in a nutshell.

Inside the main compartment of the Knack Convertible Duffel you are greeted with lots of pockets to organize your tech and travel items. A fleece lined zippered pocket protects glasses and tech from scratches while another fleece lined slip pocket gives you a safe spot for a tablet. One of the more interesting design choices are the small elastic bands that allow you to attach pens, charging cables and smaller accessories. Unlike traditional pockets, these elastic bands take up little room when not in use.

Knack goes above and beyond with designing their travel bags around airline size requirements so that you can stay compliant no matter how you decide to carry the the bag. The packing area of the Convertible Duffel starts compressed at 24 liters which is enough room to pack for a weekend while keeping the bag small enough to store under most airplane seats. 

The expanded 40 liters allows you to pack for around of week of travel while still falling under most airline carry on size requirements. To put the Convertible Duffel’s size into context, 40 liters is around the same capacity of many carry-on rolling luggage.

Switching between duffel and backpack on the Knack Convertible Duffel is one of the simplest mechanisms we’ve seen in a convertible backpack yet. Knack uses a combination metal D-rings and a simple clip mechanism on their shoulder straps. There is no fidgeting with complicated locks or special straps like with other convertibles. The shoulder straps can be tucked into a special zippered pocket on the back panel when it’s time for duffel carry and the entire process takes seconds and can be done easily on the fly.

Despite its unassuming appearance there are a few sneaky pockets on the exterior of the Convertible Duffel that aren’t obvious at first glance. The first is an internal water bottle pocket that safeguards your drinking bottle from contaminants while providing a cleaner profile. 

Against the back panel is where you’ll find an external 15-inch laptop compartment. Our one gripe with the Knack Convertible Duffle is that although the main compartment includes a zipper that be locked with a TSA lock, the laptop compartment does not. In an ideal world we would be able to lock down both compartments.

After all is said and done the Knack Convertible Duffel is a beast of a travel bag with some great features that just aren’t found in other travel backpacks. It’s versatile enough that it really might be the only travel bag you’ll need. We recommend it for frequent flyers or business travelers who need a bag they can count on for short and long trips alike.

What we like

• Clean minimalist design with tons of hidden features

• Great internal pocket placement for organization

• One-bag - expandable and convertible design makes the Convertible Duffle incredibly versatile

• Anti-microbial treatment on inside lining to help combat smells

What we don’t like

• Laptop compartment does not have lockable zippers

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19” x 13” x 5” (19” x 13” x 9” expanded)

• Capacity: 24L (40L expanded)

• Weight: 2lbs 9oz

• Materials: 420D high-density nylon, anti-microbial 150D polyester lining

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 15”

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 13”

Where to buy

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AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack

The AmazonBasics Carry On Travel backpack is a large capacity backpack for those who seek a reliable one-bag solution for travel. Style-wise, the Amazon Carry On Travel backpack can be best compared to the popular eBags TLS Mother Lode backpack but at a much cheaper price. Both backpacks are essentially suitcases with shoulder straps and allow you to carry a trip’s worth of clothing and items in one convenient bag.

What we like

• Front organizer does a great job at storing smaller items that need quick access.

• Flexible main compartment that compresses and expands as needed.

• Huge padded laptop compartment is perfect for larger laptops.

What we don’t like

• Waist strap feels flimsy and does not do a good job at distributing weight.

• No water bottle pocket on the outside of the bag.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20.1” H x 15” W x 6.5” D

• Weight: 3.64lbs

• Materials: 100% Polyester

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible

The TLS Mother Lode is one of eBag’s most popular travel bags thanks to its large carry capacity and thoughtful design that makes travel organization easier than ever. At almost 60 liters, the Mother Lode is perfect for one-bag travelers or for those who need a large airline carry-on backpack.

eBags offers the TLS Mother Lode backpack in two sizes:

• TLS Mother Lode (59.8 liters)

• TLS Mother Lode Jr (41.6 liters)

The photos and specs on this page are for the full size 59.8 liter TLS Mother Lode.

What we like

• Tons of useful organizers and pockets with a large main compartment for clothing. Perfect for 7+ day trips.

• Durable fabric and construction. Feels like it will hold up to common travel abuse.

• Great for extra large laptops - can fit a laptop up to 19-inches.

What we don’t like

• Chest and waist straps are actually pretty crappy. Chest strap has the tendency to come loose when in use while the waist strap is thin and provides very little support.

• No TSA friendly laptop compartment.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 22” H x 14” W x 9” D

• Capacity: 59.8L

• Weight: 3lbs 15oz

• Materials: 840D & 900D Twisted Polyester

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 19”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Chrome Macheto Travel Pack

Chrome offers a smarter way to travel with their Macheto travel pack. The Macheto can be converted to a duffel by just tucking away the shoulder straps in the back panel. The bag offers plenty of room for multiple days of packing with a 42 liter capacity that is expandable to 48 liters.

What we love most about the Macheto travel pack is how the main “luggage” compartment is sectioned into two separate areas to pack your clothing, shoes and other personal item. This smart design is what separates the Chrome Macheto from similar weekender backpacks that either only have one side of the main compartment sectioned off for clothing storage or leave the area as one main compartment without any netting. This separation is great for sectioning off dirty clothes or just better packing organization.

What we like

• Dual internal organizational compartments

• Large capacity allows for 2-3 days of clothes and personal items.

• 1680D ballistic nylon construction feels rugged and like it will hold up to use and abuse while traveling.

• Compact enough to fit on the overhead bin of most airlines.

What we don’t like

• No way to attach a longer shoulder strap to convert it into a messenger bag.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18” H x 13.5” W x 10-12” D

• Capacity: 42-48L

• Materials: 1680D ballistic nylon

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

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Timbuk2 Wander Backpack Duffel

The Timbuk2 Wander is a convertible backpack and duffel bag made for those who need a high-volume travel bag to take with them wherever they roam. The main compartment is incredibly roomy and at 40-liters it’s the perfect size for one-bag travel enthusiasts. For easy duffel carry, simple unclip the shoulder straps at their ends and stow them away in the back panel.

What we like

• Lots of useful pockets and storage options throughout the bag.

• Wet/dry compartment is great for dirty clothes or shoes.

• External compression straps allows you to pack for a days or a couple of weeks.

What we don’t like

• There are plastic clips that allow the shoulder straps to be stowed away when the bag is being used as a duffel. Yet these clips are poorly designed and can come loose when the shoulder straps are in use.

• No hip belt for help with heavier loads.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 22.8” H x 15” W x 7.5” D

• Weight: 3.7lbs

• Capacity: 40L

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Convertible Backpack

Born out of the popular Patagonia Black Hole duffel back, Patagonia’s Black Hole backpacks are available in a few different styles and sizes:

• Patagonia 25L Backpack

• Patagonia 32L Backpack

• Patagonia 45L Convertible Backpack

The 45 liter version of the Black Hole is a large backpack that converts to a duffel bag when you need it. Made specifically for travel, the bag opens up like a suitcase to reveal a generous main compartment that can fit multiple days of clothes and gear. Internal organizers and pockets for laptops, documents and tickets make the Patagonia Black Hole MLC bag perfect for everything from work trips to weekend adventures.

What we like

• Great to use as a airline carry-on. Convertible design allows for easy carry at airports.

• Main compartment is very roomy. Divided pockets on the one side makes it easy to store smaller personal items.

What we don’t like

• No waist-belt to help with weight distribution for when the bag gets heavy.

• No compression straps to prevent your stuff from moving around when the bag is not full.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 22.75” H x 18” W x 6.75” D

• Materials: Water resistant 450D Polyester Ripstop with a TPU-film laminate

• Weight: 3 lbs 5.1 oz

• Capacity: 45L

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

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Everki Titan Backpack

The first thing you’ll notice about the Everki Titan is its size. At 40 liters, the Titan is large enough to carry all of your daily or travel essentials without fear of running out of pockets or compartments. The bag itself is split into 3 main areas; the TSA-friendly laptop compartment, a main compartment and a front organizer compartment for smaller items. Add in tons of other pockets, organizers and hidden compartment and you have a monster of a backpack that’s perfect for busy commuters or travelers.

What we like

• TSA checkpoint friendly laptop compartment that lays flat.

• XL laptop compartment - Most backpacks can only fit laptops up to 15-inches while the Everki Titan has room for laptops up to 18.4 inches.

• Lots and lots of pockets and organizers for small items.

What we don’t like

• This backpack is huge yet the main compartment is lacking. It’s not roomy enough to pack multiple days of clothes or larger items.

• No trolley luggage pass through which is a huge con for us since this backpack can really heavy when full.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 21.25” H x 15” W x 8.26” D

• Capacity: 40L

• Weight: 4.32 lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 18.4”

Where to buy

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North Face Router Transit Backpack

At 41 liters, the Router Transit is The North Face’s largest backpack offering. Much like the smaller North Face Surge, the Router Transit is a thoughtfully designed backpack with enough pockets, sleeves and compartments for today’s modern carry. The main compartment is massive making it perfect for busy students, commuters or multi-day travelers. A separate laptop zip compartment is padded, lined with fleece and made to withstand everyday bumps and falls while protecting the electronics inside.

What we like

• Spacious main compartment with the right amount of pockets - perfect for school, travel or busy commuters who need to carry a lot.

• Large padded and fleece-lined laptop compartment that does a good job protecting your laptop/tablet from bumps and falls.

What we don’t like

• Huge main compartment goes deeper than most other backpacks - this means things can get easily lost in the abyss, especially smaller items.

• Unless you have a larger frame, this backpack tends to sag when it starts to get heavy. Chest straps helps with this but it isn’t an ideal situation.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 21.5” H x 14” W x 10” D

• Capacity: 41L

• Material: Varies per color

• Weight: 3 lb 8 oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

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