TropicFeel is a very popular brand in the travel gear market, best known for its waterproof sneakers. The brand also manufactures backpacks and luggage, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re wondering whether TropicFeel backpacks are worth the high prices, you’ve absolutely come to the right place!
At A Glance: Best TropicFeel Backpacks
This detailed review examines the features of different TropicFeel backpacks and offers a comparison of the brand’s best-selling models. If you’re thinking about buying one of these bags but you’re still not sure if it’s the right option for you, just keep reading and you’ll figure it out by the end of this detailed review of TropicFeel backpacks!
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TropicFeel Shell is an award-winning travel backpack known for excellent quality and versatility. This is a 20-liter backpack that can be expanded to a 42-liter bag, which is absolutely amazing. It easily adapts to your needs, it’s extremely durable, and it’s got plenty of pockets and accessories to help you keep everything in it neatly organized.
This versatile backpack is made from recycled nylon and polyester with a waterproof coating. It features thick padding in the back system for maximum carrying comfort, a sternum strap, and a hip belt. There’s also a luggage strap in the back and multiple compression straps on the front and sides.
The Shell backpack features one main packing compartment with a clamshell opening. This compartment has a laptop sleeve, a tablet sleeve, and a lot of room for clothes and other items. It works really well with the TropicFeel wardrobe system because it fits perfectly inside the bag, but it’s a little awkward without the accessory.
The thing is, if you just pack clothes inside the backpack without the wardrobe system, stuff could fall out when you grab your laptop. The good news is that it’s possible to access the main compartment through the top flap as well, so you can easily reach any items at the top without having to rummage through the bag.
The bad news is that you have to pay extra for the accessories. Realistically, you need at least two to make the most of this bag (one for the main compartment and one to attach to the front panel), and that will raise the cost of the bag by another 100 Euros.
This bag also features a stowable kangaroo pocket at the bottom and an extra zippered pocket on the back panel.
The Hive backpack is an expandable bag excellent for travel and outdoor adventures. It’s made from recycled polyester and features a weatherproof exterior, which means that the weather conditions should never impact your travel plans.
The backpack has one main packing compartment with a clamshell opening. There’s a laptop sleeve inside with a few small zippered pockets for accessories. It’s possible to expand the capacity of this compartment to easily fit the TropicFeel wardrobe system, which is one of the best accessories for this backpack.
The toiletry bag or the tech pouch are other accessories to consider for this bag. They both attach to the Magnetic FidLock panel on the front, for maximum convenience and ease of access. You do get one free accessory with this bag and it’s the Adaptable Bum Bag. It can be used as a standalone bag for necessities, or you can slide it into the back panel and use it as a hip belt.
Additionally, this backpack also features a kangaroo pouch at the bottom and a detachable divider in the front panel pocket. The divider lets you add an extra external compartment to the bag, so you can store even more items inside it.
The back panel is heavily padded for maximum carrying comfort, and it features a convenient luggage strap. The adjustable straps are also padded, ventilated, and can be secured in place with a sternum strap.
The Nest backpack is one of the brand’s most simple, and yet most versatile options. It features a very simple design with a spacious packing compartment that’s easily customizable to perfectly fit your needs. This can be an excellent EDC backpack, a great work bag, and even your favorite travel backpack. But you’ll need to get into TropicFeel’s ecosystem to make the most of the bag.
Because the bag is so highly customizable, it’s also very reliant on the brand’s various organizational systems. It’s worth noting that the Nest backpack is not compatible with the TropicFeel Wardrobe; instead, you can use it with the camera cube, the packing cubes, or just the simple organizer.
The backpack is made from durable and recycled materials, plus it’s water-repellent. It’s got a dedicated laptop compartment in the back, as well as another secret zippered pocket on the back panel. The main compartment features a clamshell opening for easy packing, but it also has three different access points.
On top of that, there are a few zippered pockets inside for things you want to keep organized, as well as a kangaroo pouch, side mesh pockets, and a stretchy side pocket on the front panel. This backpack does not have the Magnetic FidLock panel on the front, so it’s not compatible with those accessories.
It is compatible with the smart packing cube and there are attachment points for the cube on the front panel.
The Shelter backpack is one of the largest TropicFeel backpacks and an excellent option for people who need something with a large capacity. The capacity of this bag expands up to 66 liters, making it an excellent choice for travel, backpacking, and any multi-day adventure.
This backpack has a standard capacity of 30 liters, and that can be expanded up to 54 liters with the roll-top opening, compression straps, and the kangaroo pouch at the bottom. To get the maximum 66 liters, you need to also purchase the detachable daypack from TropicFeel.
The bag features a clamshell opening in the main compartment, which offers easy access to the items inside. There’s a dedicated laptop sleeve inside, as well as a few additional pockets for any computer accessories. It’s also possible to access the backpack from the top; the roll-top closure is versatile and allows you to expand the capacity of the main packing compartment.
Additionally, the Shelter pack has an excellent back system with lots of padding and ventilation. There’s a convenient sternum strap and a removable hip belt, for maximum carrying comfort. On top of that, the bag features multiple attachment points on the front panel that are worth TropicFeel accessories as well as plain old carabiners.
The price is my only issue with this backpack. It’s an expensive bag, to begin with, but if you want the full package – the Shelter backpack and all four accessories for it – you’ll probably need to spend around 500 Euros. The laundry bag alone retails for 50 Euros, and I honestly don’t think it’s worth the money.
The Nook backpack is one of the smaller and more affordable options from this brand, and generally a good option if you don’t need a backpack with a huge capacity. This capacity of the bag is 14 liters and can be expanded up to 34 liters. Such a versatile bag can work for everyday carry, hikes, and even weekend getaways, so the Nook is a great option for many people.
The only catch is that you need to buy at least the Smart Packing Cube to turn this into a 34-liter backpack. The cube offers an additional 10 liters of capacity, and it can be stored inside the back compartment.
The main reason why I think this is the best everyday backpack from TropicFeel is because it’s the only one with two separate packing compartments. The bag has a roomy main compartment that’s compatible with their organizers, as well as a zippered laptop compartment in the back.
You get a laptop sleeve, a tablet sleeve, a packing cube sleeve, and several smaller pockets, plus it’s all super easily accessible.
The main compartment features a drawstring opening, and it can expand to add an additional liter of storage to the bag. The pack also has stretchy pockets on the sides, attachment points on the front panel, and a luggage strap on the back panel. The back system is padded and ventilated, so the Nook backpack is comfortable to wear even when it’s filled to capacity.
The Waterproof Daypack is TropicFeel’s simplest backpack. But that’s because it’s not really meant to be used as a standalone pack, but rather as a detachable daypack along with the Shelter pack.
You can still use this as a standalone backpack if you want, but keep in mind that it’s not the most functional pack out of the bunch. It features a 12-liter capacity that can be somewhat expanded with the rolltop closure. Also, this pack has detachable shoulder straps, but not the best padding or ventilation throughout the back system.
On the other hand, it’s a fully waterproof backpack, so a solid option for any adventures in wet weather. Or for trips that include boat rides, especially if you’re worried about the items inside the pack getting wet.
This bag doesn’t have many pockets to speak of, and it’s not compatible with most TropicFeel accessories because of the small size. It does have stretchy straps on the front panel that can hold an item of clothing or a similar bulky item, but the organizational features could definitely be improved.
Then again, it’s a really small bag and it’s not like you can fit that many items inside that you’ll struggle to find them.
The Packable Daypack is the cheapest backpack from TropicFeel, and it’s an interesting option. The bag is made from a durable ripstop and features excellent ventilation in the back system, but no padding. That’s because the backpack is supposed to be packable so that it can be stored inside a tiny pouch when not in use.
This is not a good standalone backpack, but it’s a great bag to have in addition to a bigger pack, duffel, or even suitcase. Fold this inside its zipper pocket and just throw it in your luggage so you have an extra bag to store all your belongings.
The pack features rolltop closure, stretchy side pockets, and attachment points on the front panel. It’s even got a convenient sternum strap, which isn’t often included in backpacks that are this small.
The standard capacity of the Packable Daypack is 18 liters, and it can be expanded up to 22 liters. That’s a good size for an everyday backpack, and it should fit most items you would need for a short hike or a day out exploring.
Overall, if you’re looking for a compact backpack you can bring on trips in addition to a bigger piece of luggage, this is certainly an option worth considering. But it’s not the only backpack of its kind by TropicFeel, so keep scrolling.
The Cruiser backpack is another packable and lightweight option from TropicFeel. I prefer this backpack to the Packable Daypack, simply because it’s much better as a standalone bag. This also folds and packs inside a zipper pouch, so it’s a great option for people who like having additional bags that they can just carry inside their jacket pockets.
The backpack features a ventilated back system with a sternum strap. It’s got roll-top closure, stretchy pockets on the sides, and attachment points on the front panel. It’s also entirely weatherproof, so great for any adventures that include wet weather or just bodies of water.
The Cruiser pack also features a zippered compartment on the back panel, which is large enough to fit a computer. The only downside is that there’s no thick padding here, so you will feel the laptop against your back when you’re wearing this bag. But that’s a small compromise to make for such a functional and affordable pack.
Another thing to note is that the pack is made from recycled materials, so you can feel good about buying it because it’s sustainable. Overall, it’s a pretty useful bag to have, but I will say that it’s a little overpriced for what’s essentially a thin piece of fabric with a few zippers.
The Lift Rollerbag is TropicFeel’s version of luggage with wheels. The bag has stowable backpack straps so you can still wear it like a backpack if you want, but it also features in-line skate wheels and a telescopic wheel handle that allow for easy maneuvering.
The roller bag is carry-on sized, so it’s a great option for air travel. It’s also compatible with almost all of TropicFeel’s accessories – the tech pouch, the camera cube, the toiletry pouch, the front pouch, and the wardrobe, so you can really customize the luggage to fit your travel needs.
On the other hand, it’s still a great piece of luggage even without all the accessories. The main compartment is spacious and can easily hold all the clothes you might want to take on shorter trips, there’s a dedicated computer compartment on the front panel, and the bag features several external pockets for easy organization of all the smaller items.
The shoulder straps can be hidden inside a compartment in the back, so they don’t get in the way when you’re rolling this around. It’s also worth noting that the wheel handle is compatible with the luggage straps of other TropicFeel backpacks, so you can easily travel with multiple pieces of luggage if you want.
TropicFeel backpacks are pricey, but ultimately worth the money because they’re really good bags. However, the price of the backpack is just the tip of the iceberg – if you really want to make the most of your TropicFeel backpack, it’s necessary to purchase at least one accessory from their Ecosystem for it.
The accessories are priced from 40 Euros to 100 Euros, and it’s generally cheaper to buy them with the backpack because you can get a discount. In my opinion, 40 Euros is a lot of money to spend on a 5-liter packing cube, especially with so many cheaper and better alternatives out there.
So, if you can afford to spend 300-400 Euros on a backpack, consider TropicFeel because they’re amazing when you’ve got the entire Ecosystem. But if you’re on the fence because of the price and you’re not willing to pay 50 Euros per packing cube, you’re better off with other brands.
One thing I really like about TropicFeel bags is that you don’t really have to consider what type of backpack you want. They’re all very versatile and can be customized with accessories, so any backpack can work for travel, everyday carry, hiking, and other adventures.
But you should consider what backpack size would work best for you. Keep in mind that nearly all of these backpacks are expandable, and can easily go from a small EDC pack to a bag you’re comfortable taking on a 5-day trip. The sizes of TropicFeel backpacks range from 12 to 66 liters, so there’s definitely at least one pack that’s a good size for you.
If you’re still not sure which TropicFeel backpack would work best for you, consider one of our favorites, depending on what you’re looking for in your ideal bag!
The TropicFeel Shell backpack is the most versatile option offered by this brand and an excellent choice for anyone who wants one backpack to use for multiple purposes. It’s very durable, comfortable to wear, and water-resistant. If you get yourself a few of the TropicFeel backpack accessories, you can easily adjust this bag for any adventure you might have in mind.
The Shelter backpack is the best option if you want a bag to take on multi-day adventures, whether that’s a road trip or a backpacking expedition. It’s extremely versatile thanks to its expandable capacity, and it’s compatible with multiple accessories that will help you adjust this backpack to your needs. This is a very durable and sturdy backpack with a comfortable back system, but it’s also one of the priciest options.
The Cruiser backpack is TropicFeel’s lightest backpack. It folds and stores into one of its pockets, so it’s the ultimate packable bag. This is great for people who like having an extra bag to use, whether they’re going on camping trips, or just traveling to a foreign country. It’s a waterproof backpack with a comfortable back system and a couple of pockets for organization.
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TropicFeel backpacks are expensive mostly because of the material and design. The backpacks are very sturdy, long-lasting, and highly versatile, which allows the brand to price them higher. Also, the packs alone aren’t wildly expensive, but if you want the accessories from the ecosystem, the price rises quickly.
Yes, TropicFeel backpacks are water-resistant at the very least. Some of the brand’s backpacks are also fully weatherproof and the exact amount of water resistance depends on the model of the backpack.
It’s worth it to get a TropicFeel backpack if you can afford to buy one and several accessories for it without stretching your budget too much. Expect to spend around 300 Euros for a pack with 2-3 accessories – if that’s an acceptable price to you, then great. If not, I don’t think it’s worth it to get in debt over a backpack, especially because there are so many other, more affordable alternatives.