Travel is easier with the right bag. This backpack handles a full trip while keeping to underseat personal item size limits.
It’s the best budget brand because of what all you get. This one bag’s features will help a senior citizen traveler, moms who travel with kids, and the passengers who pack in carry-on bags only.
Divider Panel
New for Bagsmart is a dual-level divider panel, which you can use when you need to keep travel gear separated. The only time I used it was packing my jewelry case. It protects whatever is in there.
Clamshell Access
You get clamshell access when packing: You can see a huge main compartment with a wide, duffle-style opening that makes packing clothes “simple” for women travelers…well, simpler.
Expandable
The expansion feature is very versatile for your trip: zips open to 38L for longer trips or returning with souvenirs. If you do not need or are not allowed that space, do not loosen the clips before packing. It is easy, though, to cinch the bag. And it stays put; like it does not slowly slide out to the expansion side.
I first fell in love with Bagsmart backpacks when I found out they can cinch to become more compact to fit under an airplane seat.
Shoe Compartment
Notice the vent holes in case your bag has wet stuff? Well, now they have an upgraded honeycomb-type mesh to also prevent insects from getting in there, just in case you have ocean gunk on your flip flops.
Clear Liquids Pocket
I used the clear interior pocket for packing liquids, especially if you have pre-check. You could even pack makeup there, keeping the main compartment free from powdered eyeshadow.
Purposeful Pockets
Here is a feature for every airline passenger to maximize personal item bag space. It has a pocket at the top called the brain pocket, especially for small leg room in the airplane seat.
There is also a hidden anti-theft back pocket to pack valuables like passports and extra gear.
If you do not put it in there, find other items that match that shape or could be packed there, like makeup brushes or wipes or a pair of compression socks after a long flight for example.
Get this: they have locking zippers holes for your laptop pocket, and you know what that means! This is where I could put valuables for a long flight. Line up the zippers to see the hole. Zipper clips or just use a tiny carabiner would help slow down a potential thief from stealing your travel essentials.
You don’t even have to think. The safety is done for you.
One travel tip: I like having a book at the bottom almost as lumbar support. Turn it sideways.
RFID-Blocking
The card slots are RFID-blocking. That means if a thief has the technology to steal your personal information from your credit card chips, then they just can be near you to skim it. But the RFID blocking blocks that.
I feel more secure just using an RFID-blocking wallet, but those are very helpful safety features. Pack an item that is tubular in this long pocket.
Other Features
The fabric is water-resistant.
But it is also ripstop, which is a woven fabric to prevent rips or punctures if you check it after a Christmas Market trip.
Laptop Pocket
The 180° flat-opening laptop compartment streamlines your security process. Unzip and lay it flat without removing the computer. A padded sleeve fits a 15.6″ laptop, plus an additional pocket for a tablet. The side pocket is perfectly sized for a phone or travel documents, which gives us instant access while trying to hurry through the TSA line.
Size and Value
The 28L size (unexpanded) is designed to fit most airlines’ strict personal item dimensions, which helps you avoid baggage fees.
This budget backpack is under $100 even with all of these premium features. The ultimate value is high for the discounted price.
Ease of Carrying
Carrying this backpack through airports is easy. Here are 3 reasons why:
- Weight of Backpack = 2 pounds pop up
- It has an ultra-light weight of only 2 pounds and for women, that significantly reduces strain on our back.
- But it also has a ventilated mesh back panel and padded shoulder straps to keep you cool as a cucumber, but the padded straps are not too thick or bulky.
- Tip for All Travelers: Notice this third way to carry it by using the top and side grab handles. I forget about these handles so often!
- Hold it like a briefcase from the airport security screening area to get organized.
- I also like that there is one handle for pulling my bag out from under the airplane seat.
- The second must-have feature is that a luggage trolley strap can slide over a suitcase handle effortlessly.
- Notice this part of the backpack that my husband, who is a pilot, loves: an adjustable strap for stabilizing the load, which will also give older passengers stability. My husband loves this feature because it centers the backpack on his back…not while he’s in uniform, but while we travel for vacation.
Here are the solutions for the problems airline passengers have these days: The Blast Pro 38L is lightweight for the senior traveler, highly organized for the traveling moms, and it’s versatile as an underseater or a carry-on bag.
DISCOUNT CODE
Discount 10% with code LaurieP38 for my Bagsmart backpack.