Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

Price and Where to Buy Tortuga Travel Backpack: $199 on Tortuga's website.

Pros:

• Fits carry-on requirements for most airlines
• Four pockets can be accessed without taking off the backpack—two on the side, and two on the hip belt
• Unzips all around so that you can pack it like a suitcase
• Interior mesh pockets keep everything organized
• Front pocket offers easy access for things like boarding passes
• Padded laptop compartment protects fits a screen of up to 17"
• Padded hip belt distributes 80 percent of the bag's weight off of your back and shoulders
• All zippers are lockable (lock not included)
• Built-in strap cover protects the shoulder/chest/hip straps when you are using the padded top or side handle to carry the backpack like a suitcase
• Money back guarantee—you can return the (unused) backpack for up to 30 days for a full refund, and Tortuga will also pay return shipping

Cons:

• Fairly heavy: weighs 3.65 lbs when empty
• High retail price

How Tortuga Travel Backpack Rates:

• Usefulness: 10/10. Backpacking backpacks are hard to pack and access, but rolling suitcases aren't best for active trips. The Tortuga travel backpack successfully combines the design of a suitcase with the ease of carrying of a backpack.
• Value: 6/10. $200 is pretty pricey for a backpack. The Tortuga's construction and high-quality materials do justify the price if you want to splurge.
• Durability: 10/10. Uses YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles to reinforce the common fail points on backpacks.
• Cool Factor: 7/10. The overstuffed backpack is kind of a hard look to pull off, but at least the sleek black design of this pack is unobtrusive.

Final Verdict: If you want to use a backpack when you travel, but need something more professional than a hiking pack, the Tortuga travel backpack is a good bet.

(Photo: Tortuga)Editor's Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and "cool factor." Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at[email protected].