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Did you know that there are over 100 billion stars in the sky?! That number may seem high until you reflect on how many different travel packs I and my colleagues here have been asked to test over the years (it’s way more).
In fact we have tested and rejected so many that these days I only even bother to put pen to paper/finger to keyboard/generate request to ChatGPT, unless I get something real good to write and rhapsodise about (or something real shit to warn you about).
Well today I come to spread the good news about Pakt. Minimalist travelers, digital nomads, and weekend wanderers alike Pakt’s flagship products with their clean designs and thoughtful features.
In this post, we’ll break down the brand itself, and then dive into some of their most popular products.
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Why Travelers Love Pakt: Brand Overview
In recent years, travel gear has evolved. More travelers are ditching bulky suitcases, break-easy carry-on cases, and plastic-heavy packs in favor of resilient compact, sustainable options that make travel all that bit better. Brands like Nomatic, Gomatic and Tortuga have really raised the standards.
Well Brooklyn based Pakt outfit started as a passion project in 2017, when founder Malcolm Fontier relaunched a cult-favorite travel bag originally designed for a documentary by Minimalism.
What began as a single product soon grew into a full lineup of travel essentials designed for people who know that less is more.
What Sets Pakt Apart?
- Sustainability-first: All Pakt products come with plastic-free packaging and a commitment to responsible manufacturing.
- Minimalist ethos: You won’t find any unnecessary pockets, flashy logos, or gimmicky add-ons here. Every feature on a Pakt pack has a clear purpose.
- Thoughtful design: Bags and gear are all designed to be intuitive and versatile, without over-complication.
Pakt’s Top 10 Products Reviewed
Let’s meet some of Pakt’s best products.
Pakt Travel Backpack (35L & 45L)
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
The flagship Pakt products leading the charge is a direct challenge to the chaos of traditional backpacks. You don’t have to dig around in a black hole for your socks — it opens flat, like a suitcase, with two clean compartments that make packing (and finding) your stuff incredibly straightforward.
In use, it feels balanced and thoughtfully structured. The padded straps and back panel are surprisingly plush for a minimalist bag, making airport sprints or long walk commutes bearable, even fully loaded. It’s not flashy. In fact, it’s a little stealthy — simple lines, matte fabric, no big logos.
Downsides? Well, some of you prefer a simpler ‘all in one’ design. And because it’s designed around flat packing, bulkier items can sometimes be awkward. It’s also amongst the priciest travel packs that we feature on this site.
This excellent backpack is best suited for travelers who like to know exactly where everything is — and who don’t mind editing their packing list down to the essentials.
Pakt One Duffel
This bag originally existed back in 2010 under the Malcolm Frontier brand before been relaunched in 2017 when Pakt launched. With a quiet elegance, it looks like a duffel but works like a suitcase — you unzip it, and there’s this satisfying clamshell opening that divides your things neatly into two sides. That’s quite novel for a duffel.
Carrying it feels casual. The shoulder strap is comfy enough for airports or train stations, though you won’t want to lug it across a city for an hour. There are no backpack straps here which is a conscious choice. It wants to be carried like a classic duffel but behave like structured luggage.
It’s ideal for travelers who don’t love the formality of a roller or the heft of a backpack but still want their gear organized.
Downsides? It’s soft-sided, so if you overstuff, it starts to bulge awkwardly. And the lack of backpack straps could be a dealbreaker for some.
Pakt Travel Duffel 25L
This is the kind of bag you grab without thinking. Need a gym bag? Done. Weekend trip? Perfect. It’s light, unstructured, and simple in the best way.
In hand, it feels soft but durable. It doesn’t have the rigidity of structured luggage, so it molds to whatever space you have — under a train seat, in an overhead bin, or tucked behind your front seat on a road trip. There’s a laid-back quality to it — it doesn’t demand careful packing or fussy organization.
That said, its flexibility is both a blessing and a curse. If you like bags that hold their shape when half empty, this isn’t that. But if you appreciate something that disappears when not in.
Pakt Aero Travel Backpack 35L
The brand new Aero Travel Backpack is lightweight, minimalist travel backpack designed for efficient organization and ease of use. Weighing just 2.3 lbs (1.04 kg), it features a clamshell-style main compartment divided into two halves, allowing for suitcase-like packing
Compared to the standard Pakt Travel Backpack 35L, the Aero is significantly lighter and more streamlined, focusing on simplicity and weight reduction. While the standard version offers more compartments and features, the Aero prioritizes a minimalist design without sacrificing essential functionality.
As for the downsides, the shoulder straps and back panel may feel too thin or firm for some users, potentially affecting comfort during extended wear. Also, personally I am not a fan of the fabric – while it’s light, it’s too expensive to ‘feel’ like this to the touch.
Pakt Packing Cube Set
The Pakt Packing Cube Set is designed to slot perfectly into Pakt’s travel bags, especially the Pakt Backpack and Pakt One. The mix of sizes—including large, small, and a clever double-sided cube—makes it easy to separate clothes, gear, and tech. Lightweight yet durable, the cubes feature mesh tops for quick content checks and smooth zippers that won’t snag. Packing feels streamlined, organized, and just plain satisfying.
The quality is solid—ripstop nylon feels tough but light—and the layout fits minimalist packers beautifully.
Are there any Downsides? Sure. They may be a bit pricey for what they are, some users find the cubes smaller than expected and you really only a perfect fit if you already own a Pakt bag.
Pakt Sling
The Pakt Everyday 5L Sling is a compact, versatile bag designed for daily essentials.
Despite its modest size, it offers a spacious main compartment with smart internal organisation, making it suitable for city outings, airport transits, or everyday use. The bag features a large zippered front access pocket, a quick-access back pocket, and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap.
PErsonally I love all things sling and find this one to be really useful. Compared to the smaller Pakt 3L Sling, the 5L version provides additional space, accommodating items like an iPad Mini (although would you?), headphones, and other daily necessities. It
Pakt Everyday 22L Backpack
The Pakt Everyday 22L Backpack is designed as a compact daily driver—perfect for commutes, work, day trips and light travel. The clean lines, durable weather-resistant materials, and smart internal organization make it ideal for carrying a laptop, charger, a jacket, and those little essentials without overcomplicating things.
For me the major downside is that $200+ is far too much to pay for a day pack. At 22L there is limited space for bulkier travel gear and for me, 5L too short even for use as a proper commute sack.
Is Pakt Worth It? Final Thoughts
If you appreciate simple, sustainable, and intelligently designed travel gear, Pakt is 100% worth considering. Their products aren’t for everyone and they are not cheap.
If you want something at a lower price point you might look elsewhere (Nomatic, Tortuga). But if you value versatility, quality, and a clutter-free setup, Pakt gear fits beautifully into a modern, mindful travel lifestyle.
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You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
