This Cult-Favorite Travel Backpack Brand Just Launched the Perfect Carry-On
Separate compartments for laptops and small items make it easy to keep organized.
Over the past decade of reviewing travel backpacks and gear, I’ve made no secret about my love for Tortuga Backpacks. I’ve been testing their bags since way back in 2014, just a few years after they launched, and have seen firsthand how they’ve thoughtfully iterated and evolved their core products over time. Although you’ll get a great bag no matter which generation of Tortuga you buy (they have an excellent resale market for gently used packs), I think their latest product line is the best one yet.
This includes their core product, the Travel Backpack Pro 40L. This is what most travelers will buy if they want a backpack as their main piece of luggage (you can read my full review here). But they also recently released a smaller, 25L Daily Carry Pro that I’m even more excited about. It’s basically a shrunken-down version of the 40L Pro backpack and is perfect for those of us who tend to pack really light, quick trips and weekend getaways, or as a personal item paired with a suitcase for longer getaways.
What makes the Tortuga Daily Carry Pro an ideal, personal-item sized travel backpack? And should you buy it? Let’s get into the details with this in-depth review.
The Bag: Tortuga Daily Carry Pro
PRICE: $250 | Buy Now
Note: Tortuga offers 20% discounts to students (including university students), teachers, military and dependents, first responders, medical professionals, and Peace Corps Volunteers—another thing to love about the brand.
KEY SPECS
Material: ECOPAK™ EPX200 waterproof sailcloth
Size: 25L carrying capacity
Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches (45 x 30 x 19 cm)
Electronics: Fits up to a 16" laptop and 12.9" tablet
Trolley Sleeve: Yes
PROFESSIONAL’S TAKE
A personal-item–sized backpack with lots of travel-friendly organizational features. At 25L, it fits under the seat but still carries everything you need for a flight or quick trip away.
Size and capacity: Surprisingly spacious for a personal-sized item
At 18 x 12 x 7.5 inches (45 x 30 x 19 cm) and with a 25L carrying capacity, this backpack is on the smaller side. It’s designed to work as both a personal item and an everyday carry (EDC) backpack that you can use while commuting and getting around town. I’ve had this for about 6 months have mainly used it for travel — though I could see it being handy if I needed to pack gym clothes, shoes, and lunch on top of my usual work setup on a day-to-day basis.
That said, the boxy design allows a lot of flexibility for packing and I can easily maximize the space. In many ways, it feels larger than other bags with a similar carrying capacity and I have no problem packing everything I need for a weekend getaway in this pack.
Design and quality: Simple and well-made, though not the most stylish
Like most Tortuga bags, this pack has a simple, boxy aesthetic and comes in one color: black. The branding is fairly discreet, which is another pro. Although it’s not the most fashionable bag—I definitely get more compliments when I’m wearing the Charlie 25 by Remote Equipment—I appreciate that it’s understated and streamlined enough to blend in / not look totally dorky.
But the focus for Tortuga is more about functionality. And where they lack in aesthetics and design, they more than make up for it in quality and durability.
Comfort and fit: great to wear, but wish it had a hip strap
Recently, my husband grabbed my bag to carry it inside and immediately said, “Wow, this backpack is so comfortable.” I agree, but I’m not surprised. Every Tortuga backpack I’ve used over the past 10-plus years has been cushy and comfortable.
The cushioned shoulder straps are substantial without feeling bulky, and the padded, mesh back panel adds breathability. The adjustable sternum strap help shift weight off my shoulders, which makes a noticeable difference when the bag is fully packed.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect 20–30L backpack, and it’s surprisingly hard to find a non-hiking bag in this size range that includes both sternum and hip straps. Unfortunately, that’s the case for this pack as well — the sternum strap is much appreciated though I would have liked a hip strap as well.
Packing for a trip? Shop my Amazon storefront for travel essentials.
Functionality and organization: A compact pack designed with travel in mind
My absolute favorite part of all Tortuga backpacks is their organization and travel-friendly features. This bag is no different. It’s small, lightweight, yet has so many ways to keep organized on the go. Let’s break it down.
First, the bag has three full width compartments:
The rear, which has several pockets and a laptop sleeve designed for your laptops and tablets. Since this is separate from the main compartment, it makes it really easy to take your laptop in or out.
A middle, main compartment with a clamshell opening and some inner mesh pockets that are ideal for clothing, shoes, and your bulkier items.
A slim front pocket with a half-moon opening and additional organizational pockets.
In addition to the main compartments, it also has two exterior pockets for holding water bottles (I also like using these for umbrellas), a small top pocket that fits my Kindle perfectly, and a discreet side pocket that’s really easy to access when you swing the pack off one shoulder. I like using this one for passports, tickets, and other items I’ll need frequently while on the move.
Should you buy it?
Overall, yes, I’d recommend the Tortuga Daily Carry Pro for anyone looking for a compact backpack with lots of travel-friendly features to use on quick trips or as a companion to their carry-on suitcase.
Pros of this backpack include:
Travel-friendly design thanks to its clamshell opening and many, many pockets
Simple, all-black design
Strong, durable, and long-lasting
Two water bottle pockets
Personal-item friendly size
Cons of this backpack include:
$250 may feel pricey for some, but I think it’s worth it since the backpack is durable, well-made, and comes with a lifetime warranty. This isn’t a cheap backpack that will rip after a couple of uses.
At 25L, it’s a fairly small backpack—about as large as you can get as a personal item on most airlines—so it serves a really specific purpose. It may not be the best option as your main travel bag for most people/trips.
Only comes in black
No hip straps (but has sternum strap)
