AmazonBasics Tote Backpack | Rating: 6.1/10 | Hacker Pack (2023)

our judgment

Technical details

full review

On a budget? Then read on, because it doesn't get any cheaper than the AmazonBasics Tote Travel Backpack.

We usually don't pay much attention to the brands under consideration."cheap,"but AmazonBasics has a pretty good track record of churning out tons of kits that get the job done for a low price. And let's face it, they're not going away anytime soon.

After trying theAmazonBasics Packing CubesFor almost two years, we've been impressed with its durability and have been curious to try other AmazonBasics products. We by no means expect this to be the case.best travel backpack, but if you are looking to reduce costs, this can be an interesting option... provided you can transport your equipment, of course.

Let's see if you're up to the task!

materials and aesthetics

Let's face it, the AmazonBasics isn't the most aesthetically pleasing backpack we've tested. There's really nothing fancy, but nothing offensive either: it's just a normal black backpack.

However, we know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we allowed our Instagram audience to share their thoughts. 46% said they liked the look of the packaging, which is not a bad result.

The branding on this pack is surprisingly minimal, with the most prominent logo at the bottom of the pack, plus some smaller logos on the zipper pulls. We don't think an AmazonBasics logo is necessarily the most elegant, but it's pretty small. We think if it were black on black, similar to the design of zipper pulls, it would be much more understated. Amazon doesn't need more ads, right?

This backpack is available in black, navy blue and red. We think the black looks good, but the navy and red are a bit harsh and seem to make the bag look even cheaper. The black is definitely more subtle and shows fewer blemishes and less road grime, which we like.

As far as overall size, whether full or not, this bag is very bulky and will only get "lumpier" the more you pack. We won't mince words here, there is nothing streamlined about this pack and even when you try to pack it efficiently the items within the pack still seem to stick out. That means it's compatible with most airlines, which is great.

AmazonBasics is made of 100% polyester. It's nothing out of the ordinary, although it's a common material for backpacks because it's lightweight, flexible, and durable. But there are definitely lighter and more durable materials out there. The polyester also means that this backpack is not weather resistant. So if you have a rainier climate, we recommend getting a rain fly.

When it comes to buckles, to be honest, they suck. We would even say that they are somewhat dangerous. These things are difficult to use and we easily pinch our fingers on various occasions.

Well, we wish we had better things to say about this bag, but we'll let the complaints continue. Let's talk about these zippers.

The zipper on this bag broke after two months of use. While the main compartment zipper is from SBS, a fairly reliable brand, the rest is unbranded. While all the zippers open and close smoothly, durability is the issue here.

Simply put, a cheap backpack is made of cheap materials and we really didn't expect anything more. While the broken zipper is a pain, it didn't affect the overall integrity of the bag and that's really all we can ask for at this price.

external components

Moving on to the external components, let's dive right into the harness system.

The adjustable shoulder straps are a bit flimsy, but they're well-padded with polyfoam for a surprisingly comfortable carry. The back panel is padded, as are the shoulder straps, but our problem is the bottom of the back panel. If you're just carrying a heavy item in the bottom of your bag, it's going to sag into your lower back, which is far from ideal. However, we have found that this is not much of a problem when the bag is fully loaded and the weight is distributed all around.

In addition, there is also an adjustable chest strap, which unfortunately cannot be removed or hidden. This is a bit annoying as it always hangs when unlocked, but it's "okay". The pack also comes with a hip belt, but it's pretty flimsy and doesn't really help distribute the weight of the pack. However, it is detachable so you can take it off when you don't want to use it.

AmazonBasics Travel Backpack Concealed Harness System

All these straps can be hidden by placing them on the fixing points. While we haven't had any issues with the clips themselves, many reviews on Amazon say they broke. Still, the hidden strap system is easy to use, if a bit bulky.

If you prefer to carry your backpack messenger-style rather than on your back, the AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack also comes with a strap so you can do just that. It works, but it's not really our thing. However, it gives you the chance to do what works for you.

There is a sleeve to pass the luggage on the back of the backpack, but that seems a bit useless to us. While we don't mind tossing a backpack on top of your rolling luggage, this thing is just too big to function properly. Unless you're training for a rolling luggage marathon, you probably don't want to wear this.

There are two quick release handles on the top and on the right side of the bag. These aren't the best and are severely lacking in comfort, but they'll suffice in a pinch.

There are compression straps on both sides of the backpack which, in addition to compressing the bag, can of course also be used to attach a jacket or tripod. They hide the zippers a bit, but that is a common situation that we have seen in many other backpacks. One could even argue that they make it a bit more difficult for a thief to get into that bag.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that there is no pocket for a water bottle. It's not a big deal, but we're missing it.

inside the package

Let's start with the quick release pocket on the front. This is useful, but it's pretty deep, so be prepared for smaller items to get lost inside. It's not as "quick" as we'd like, but it's still a great place to keep your passport and other travel essentials.

The front compartment of the AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack is very convenient, and we've found it holds all of our tech gear well. There is also plenty of room for a sweater if needed.

Starting at the top, there are two sleeves ideal for notepads or other similarly sized items, with a pair of pencil holders in the middle. Underneath are two large mesh pockets that are the perfect size for a keyboard, but extremely versatile and you can put whatever you want in them. Finally, on the flap of this compartment there is a sleeve. We had a hard time using this space, but it's there when you need it.

The main compartment has a clamshell design that opens like a suitcase, making it very easy to pack. There is a large mesh pocket on the left side where we store the hipbelt and messenger strap when not in use. So there's a big bucket of space to fill on the right. There are two internal compression straps here that can help keep everything together, but we recommend using them.packing cubeto further organize and subdivide this space. Plus, they help keep your bag from becoming a wrinkled mess.

This main compartment can also be expanded using the external compression zipper on the side of the pack. This shrinks the pack by about 2 inches, which means you can pack more stuff. That's great if you're really trying to maximize what you can take with you, but we find the bag a bit too heavy for our liking in this state, and recommend leaving it closed if you can.

Finally, there is a large compartment at the back of the bag that can accommodate a 17-inch laptop. There's plenty of padding and space here, but that can be a bit tricky since everything you put in here takes up space in the main compartment. This is problematic when the bag is filled to the brim because it makes it difficult to place the laptop. If you have extra space in the laptop compartment, it's a great place to keep flatter items or documents.

durability and test

At the time of this review, we had been testing the AmazonBasics Travel Backpack for three months. It was seen all over the UK and on a trip to Porto, Portugal. While we can announce that this package will include a large number of equipment andhe mustGetting it from A to B has some durability issues and concerns.

The first problem we encountered was with the zippers. One flew out of the main compartment while I was packing, which is never a good sign. Although zippers still work, it's getting harder and harder to trust them as we continue to use them.

Also, there are a lot of loose threads around the backpack and the seams in the front compartment are starting to tear. These are things that get worse over time and it does not bode well for the future.

We know, and you'll know if you've made it this far, that the AmazonBasics Carry-On Backpack won't last a lifetime, but it should at least last a trip abroad. And honestly, what else can you expect for around €50?

Still, it feels like a gamble every time we pack this suitcase. There is a certain feeling when you hold a durable backpack in your hands: it gives you a reassuring feeling that nothing can go wrong during the trip. But that has a price. And, unsurprisingly, we can't say we have that feeling with this package. But considering this bag is about a quarter of the cost of your mid-to-high-end travel backpack, it could still be a good option for the budget-conscious traveler.

Vonhacker team pack

Created March 7, 2019 • Updated December 21, 2020

newsletter view