Topo Designs Backpacks Review: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Adventure Companion

Hey there, fellow adventurer! If you‘re anything like me, you know that having the right backpack can make or break your outdoor experience. Whether I‘m hitting the trails for a day hike or hopping on a plane for an international trip, I always want a pack that‘s comfortable, functional, and stylish enough to wear in any setting.

That‘s why I was so excited to finally get my hands on a few backpacks from Topo Designs, a brand I‘ve been eyeing for years. They‘ve built up some serious buzz in the outdoors community for their cool, retro-inspired aesthetic and commitment to durability and sustainability.

In this comprehensive Topo Designs backpack review, I‘ll give you my honest take on several of the brand‘s most popular models, dive into what makes Topo Designs unique as a company, and compare them to some of their main competitors. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if a Topo Designs pack is right for your needs and style. Let‘s go!

About Topo Designs

First, a little background on Topo Designs. This Colorado-based brand was founded in 2008 by two outdoors enthusiasts, Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen. Their goal was to create gear that balanced functionality and durability with a clean, classic aesthetic. Basically, they wanted to make outdoor gear that didn‘t look like outdoor gear.

From the very beginning, Topo Designs has been committed to keeping their production close to home. The vast majority of their products are made in their own factory in Colorado or by partner factories in the US. They‘ve also prioritized sustainability by incorporating recycled materials into many of their designs.

Over the past decade, Topo Designs has grown from a small upstart to a major player in the outdoors space. They‘ve collaborated with big names like Chacos and Woolrich, and their bags have been featured in the likes of Outside Magazine and Gear Patrol.

So who exactly is the Topo Designs customer? Based on my own experience and observations, Topo seems to resonate most with millennials and Gen Z-ers who care about style and sustainability in equal measure. Their target market is more the weekend warrior than the hardcore mountaineer – think casual hikers, bike commuters, and frequent travelers.

The numbers back this up too. According to a recent report from the NPD Group, 73% of outdoor product consumers are now under the age of 45. And a study from Nielsen found that 73% of millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable goods. Topo Designs sits at the intersection of these two trends.

Clearly, Topo Designs has hit on a winning formula. But how do their backpacks actually perform in the field? Let‘s take a closer look.

Popular Topo Designs Backpack Models

Topo Designs Daypack

The Daypack is the bag that put Topo Designs on the map, and it‘s still one of their most popular models today. With a 22L capacity, it‘s the perfect size for day hikes, commutes, or minimalist travel.

I‘ve been using the Daypack as my go-to work bag for a few months now, and I‘m seriously impressed. The 1000D Cordura fabric feels virtually indestructible, but the bag still maintains a lightweight, low-profile silhouette. I can easily fit my laptop, a change of clothes, and some snacks with room to spare.

One of my favorite features of the Daypack is the convenient side water bottle pockets. They‘re deep enough to hold my 32-oz Hydroflask securely, and they have a little elastic to cinch things down. The expandable design is also clutch – I can shrink the bag down when I‘m not carrying much, or expand it out for those days when I need to pack extra layers.

The shoulder straps on the Daypack are remarkably comfortable for how minimal they appear. The dense foam has just the right amount of cushion, and the mesh covering keeps things breathable. I also appreciate the removable sternum strap for stabilization on bike rides.

Inside the bag, you‘ve got a laptop sleeve that fits most 15" laptops, a small zippered pocket for valuables, and the main compartment for the rest of your stuff. As someone who tends to accumulate a lot of little doodads, I do wish there were a few more pockets for organization. But the flip side of that is that the Daypack maintains a super clean, streamlined profile.

Retailing for $169, the Daypack is certainly an investment, but I think it‘s a fair price given the quality of materials and construction. This feels like a bag that will easily last me five or ten years of regular use. Plus, I love that Topo Designs offers a lifetime warranty against defects. That gives me peace of mind that I‘m buying a product built to last.

Topo Designs Light Pack

If the 22L Daypack feels like more bag than you need on the daily, definitely check out the Light Pack. With a 14L capacity, this is Topo Design‘s most minimalist backpack – perfect for quick hikes or days when you want to travel extra light.

Despite its compact size, the Light Pack doesn‘t skimp on functionality. You still get expandable side water bottle pockets, a comfy mesh back panel, and a surprising amount of internal organization. There‘s a laptop sleeve that fits a 13" MacBook, a zippered pocket on the front flap, and a couple sleeves inside the main compartment for smaller items.

For me, the Light Pack has become my go-to for coffee shop work sessions and short day hikes. I can fit my small laptop, a notebook, wallet and keys, a light layer, and some snacks, and the bag maintains a compact profile. The Light Pack also works great as a secondary travel bag to pair with a larger duffel or roller.

One thing to note about the Light Pack is that the side water bottle pockets are a little shallower than on the Daypack. My 32-oz bottle does fit, but it‘s a snug squeeze and I wouldn‘t want to put anything larger in there. If you like to hike with big 40-oz bottles, the Daypack might be a better choice.

At $139, the Light Pack is one of the most affordable bags in Topo Design‘s lineup. Considering the quality materials and lifetime warranty, I think it‘s an excellent value for an everyday backpack.

Topo Designs Travel Bag

When it‘s time to jet off on a longer trip, the Topo Designs Travel Bag has quickly become my go-to companion. This 40L duffel-meets-backpack is the perfect carry-on for domestic or international travel.

I recently took the Travel Bag on a week-long trip to Portugal, and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. The interior capacity is surprisingly massive – I was able to fit a week‘s worth of clothes plus a dopp kit, camera cube, and some extras. And when I needed to go hands-free, the stowable backpack straps were a game-changer for navigating busy airports and train stations.

Structurally, the Travel Bag holds its shape really well for a duffel. The 1680D ballistic nylon exterior is super burly, and the reinforced sides and base provide stability. I also appreciate the multiple external pockets for easy access to my smaller items in transit.

As far as packing goes, I‘d highly recommend using some packing cubes in the Travel Bag to maximize space and organization. The interior is largely one big compartment, so cubes will help keep your clothes and gear tidy.

One small room for improvement on the Travel Bag would be the backpack straps. While the padding is good, I did find myself wishing for a sternum strap on longer walks. A removable hip belt would also be a nice option to help distribute heavier loads. But overall, the backpack carry is quite comfortable and far superior to your standard duffel.

At $289, the Travel Bag is definitely a splurge, but I think it‘s 100% worth the investment if you travel regularly. The build quality is top notch, and the bag‘s versatility means you can truly use it for just about any kind of trip. Plus, Topo Designs plants a tree for every Travel Bag sold, which is a nice sustainability bonus.

How Topo Designs Compares to Other Backpack Brands

Topo Designs is far from the only brand making stylish, well-built backpacks these days. Here‘s how I think they stack up to some of their main competitors:

Topo Designs vs Fjällräven

When it comes to retro-outdoor vibes, Fjällräven gives Topo Designs a run for its money. This Swedish brand is best known for its iconic Kanken backpack, which has become a staple among fashion-conscious college students around the world.

Compared to Topo Designs, Fjällräven offers a wider range of bag sizes and silhouettes. They‘ve got everything from mini Kankens to 70L trekking packs. Topo Designs keeps its line more curated and focused on daypacks and travel bags.

Both brands excel at combining vintage style with modern functionality and durability. Fjällräven uses its proprietary G-1000 fabric on many packs, which is a densely woven, wax-impregnated material that‘s highly water and abrasion resistant.

Price-wise, Fjällräven and Topo Designs are pretty evenly matched, with most bags falling in the $100-$300 range. Fjällräven might have a slight edge in terms of global brand recognition thanks to the viral popularity of the Kanken. But in my opinion, Topo Designs offers superior organization and features, especially on their larger travel bags.

Topo Designs vs Patagonia

Patagonia is another big name in the sustainable outdoor gear space. Like Topo Designs, they‘ve built their brand on a commitment to ethical manufacturing and environmental activism.

Compared to Topo Designs, Patagonia‘s aesthetic skews a bit more modern and techy. Their bags often use thinner, lightweight ripstop nylon as opposed to the thicker Cordura and ballistic nylon favored by Topo Designs.

Patagonia also offers a wider range of bag styles catering to more specialized outdoor activities. For instance, they make ultralight backpacking packs and ski-carry bags alongside their everyday packs and duffels.

I‘d say Topo Designs and Patagonia are pretty neck-and-neck when it comes to quality and durability. Both brands use top-notch materials and have a reputation for making bags that last a lifetime. And they offer very similar lifetime warranties to back that up.

Price-wise, Patagonia and Topo Designs both occupy a premium tier, with bags starting around $100 and climbing up over $300 for larger travel bags. With either brand, you‘re making an investment, but one that I think pays off in terms of longevity.

Where to Buy Topo Designs Backpacks

If I‘ve got you convinced that you need a Topo Designs bag in your life, you‘re in luck – they‘re pretty easy to find these days. Your first stop should be the Topo Designs website, where you can see their full product line and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $100.

Topo Designs also has brick-and-mortar stores in Denver, Fort Collins, and San Francisco. If you happen to live near one of those locations, I highly recommend stopping in. It‘s a great opportunity to see the bags in person and get advice from the knowledgeable staff.

Don‘t live near a Topo store? No worries. The brand has partnerships with a number of major outdoor retailers, both online and in-store. You can find select Topo Designs bags at:

• REI
• Backcountry.com
• Huckberry
• Nordstrom
• Urban Outfitters

Bottom Line: Are Topo Designs Backpacks Worth It?

So, after putting several Topo Designs bags through their paces and doing a deep dive on the brand, what‘s my verdict? In short, I‘m a big fan.

Topo Designs excels at making backpacks that strike a perfect balance between style and functionality. Their retro-cool aesthetic is refreshingly different in a market saturated with techy, maximalist designs. And the build quality is truly top notch – these bags can handle some serious wear and tear.

Of course, that quality comes at a price. There‘s no getting around the fact that Topo Designs bags are expensive. You‘re looking at $100+ for even their smallest backpacks.

But in my experience, the cost per wear of a Topo Designs bag is unbeatable. I‘ve had my Daypack for two years now, and it still looks almost brand new after near-daily use. I expect to get at least a decade out of it, if not more.

I also appreciate Topo Designs‘ commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing. In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, it feels good to invest in a product that‘s built to last and made with care.

All that to say, if you‘re in the market for a stylish, durable backpack to take you from the mountains to the city and everywhere in between, I highly recommend checking out Topo Designs. The only hard part is picking which one!