REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
External USB port
Several pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Thin shoulder strap padding
Jangly zippers
Matein Travel Review
An affordable laptop backpack with a lot of different pockets for adaptable carrying capacity
We love this inexpensive pack for its carrying capacity and style.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
RELATED: Best Laptop Backpack of 2024
Our Verdict
The Matein Travel is an amazing steal. It has ample storage capacity for multiple laptops and enough padding to protect them in transit. The auxiliary pockets have interior pockets of their own for pens, tissues, chargers, and other accessories. We found it was really easy to stay organized with this model. All of the pockets are super easy to open and close with buttery smooth zippers. On top of all of that, it looks pretty darn good too. At a super reasonable price, it's a great all-around backpack for work, school, and travel. Check out how it compares to the competition in our review of laptop backpacks.
Editor's Note: We revised this article on December 1, 2023, to include new information and comparisons from our most recent round of testing.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Matein Travel | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Laptop Backpack on a Tight Budget | Best Value for a Great Laptop Backpack |  Best for High Capacity | ||
| Price | $40 List $17.59 at Amazon | $98.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $40 List $27.99 at Amazon | $99.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $49 List $29.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An inexpensive and versatile backpack with unique features and a touch of style | Large volume, top-notch organization, good structure, and a massive laptop compartment ensure this pack is well-loved by travelers and daily commuters | A pack with a lot of storage capacity and enough pockets for all kinds of tech and accessories | A pack that can withstand wet and windy weather with plenty of storage capacity for the daily essentials | A feature-laden option that does the trick for a low price, but there are better inexpensive options in our lineup |
| Rating Categories | Matein Travel | The North Face Recon | Yorepek Travel Extr... | The North Face Bore... | Tzowla Travel |
| Laptop Protection (30%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Storage (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Matein Travel | The North Face Recon | Yorepek Travel Extr... | The North Face Bore... | Tzowla Travel |
| Compatible Laptop Size | 15.6" | 16" | 17" | 15" | 15.6" |
| Volume | 28 L | 30 L | 50 L | 28 L | Unspecified |
| Number of Compartments | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Number of Large Pockets | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Number of Small Pockets | 2 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 5 |
| External Side Pockets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| External Water Bottle Holder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Additional Features | Key clip | Key clip, removable webbing hip belt, sternum strap, reflective material, daisy chains | Key clip | Key clip, removable webbing hip belt, sternum strap, reflective material | Key clip |
| Weight | 1.7 lb | 2.5 lb | 2.2 lb | 2.0 lb | 1.8 lb |
| Dimensions | 18.0" x 12.0" x 7.8" | 19.5" x 13.0" x 7.0" | 18.0" x 13.5" x 6.5" | 19.5" x 12.0" x 6.5" | 19.3" x 11.8" x 5.4" |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Matein Travel is different not only because of its price point but also because of how easy it is to use. Easy-pull zippers never get stuck, and sneaky features like a detachable key ring and USB port up its game even more.
Performance Comparison
The Matein Travel is an inexpensive pack that looks good and carries a lot.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Laptop Protection
This pack is well-padded. There are two padded pockets that are both large enough to hold 15-inch laptops. Within the larger of the two, there is a dedicated laptop slot with additional padding and a velcro tab to secure the computer in place. It works really well and keeps the laptop stable in transit.
During testing, our electronics stood up to the day-to-day bumps and jostles of daily commutes between work, school, and home. We even inadvertently toppled the pack off a 2-foot ledge without any damage to the contents. There isn't any formal suspension system that buffers the laptop from the bottom of the bag, but we also didn't encounter any serious issues with it. If you are really concerned about carrying super sensitive equipment, you could consider a different option but we found the padding to be totally sufficient for everyday use with regular laptops.
The padded velcro laptop sleeve at the back of the pack keeps computers protected but easy to access.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
As for protection from the elements, the exterior fabric is water-resistant. We found that it kept contents dry in moderate rainfall even when the fabric started to soak through. The thickness of the fabric as well as the padded layer underneath create a substantial barrier.
In our experience, as with many packs, the weakest parts of the weather resistance are the zippers. They are not waterproof, and there is no additional barrier once moisture gets through. Having said that, unless you get caught in a serious downpour, your equipment should stay protected, even if the pack needs some time to dry out.
The exterior fabric absorbs water pretty quickly but there are enough layers of material that the pack keeps the equipment dry inside.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort and Fit
The Matein pack is also surprisingly comfortable. It has three pads on the back — two on top over each shoulder blade and one on the bottom that runs the width of the lumbar area. The straps are about three inches wide and lightly padded. All these features together make for a comfortable carry.
There is no internal rigid structure, which we appreciate for the most part. Our only issue with it is that folders and larger spiral notebooks don't have any structure to lean against so they sometimes get a little mushed. On the exterior, the shoulder straps are easy to adjust. We didn't find it to be the most breathable pack during commutes on warmer days, but all things considered, it performed well.
Decent shoulder straps and padding along the back make this pack comfortable, even when it's loaded up with gear.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Storage
The storage of this pack is excellent. It has one dedicated laptop pocket with a sleeve. In practice, we found that this pocket can safely hold two computers. On top of that, the second larger pocket can hold an additional laptop or tablet (not that people are typically carrying three separate computers, but the capacity is there).
There are also several auxiliary pockets that are very useful. Each of the two main compartments has large subpockets that easily hold chargers, headphones, and notebooks. There are also two smaller front pockets (one larger than the other) that are great for pens, pencils, tissues, earbuds, or other small items. There is even a hidden pocket in the lumbar foam pad that sits directly against your back. If you are traveling, you could stash items in here that you wouldn't want anyone else to be able to get to while you're wearing the bag, like a passport or wallet.
This model also comes equipped with a built-in but detachable key ring so you can easily keep track of your keys. The two exterior mesh water bottle pockets work for skinny bottles but won't hold wider bottles like a Nalgene.
The secondary pocket is large enough to fit an additional laptop, charger, and other supplies.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Ease of Use
We love how easy this pack is to use. The zippers are one of our favorite features. They opened and closed so easily and never got stuck in our experience. It is very satisfying to zip and unzip the pockets of this pack. We also appreciate the different ways we could carry the pack. There are two handles at the top — a more substantial one if you really overload on weight and a standard piece of webbing to hang the bag on a hook. There is also a strip of webbing on the back that slides easily over the handle of your favorite piece of luggage for moving through an airport.
In addition, there is an exterior USB port and interior cable that allows you to connect your own power bank and charge your devices. This ability to give your phone a bit of extra juice on the go could be a nice bonus for some users.
The external USB port is a unique feature for those who want to charge devices on the go without removing the laptop.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Versatility
We really came to enjoy the functional but modern style of the Matein Travel. It comes in a variety of solid colors as well as a few more playful prints, so there is an option for most people in terms of the exterior fabric. It fits in both on a high school or college campus as well as at the office.
It looks a little techy, especially with the external USB port, but we were happy to carry it around to many different places throughout the day. It's not especially flashy, so if you are looking to really stand out, there are more exciting options out there but our testers rated it favorably in terms of its aesthetics and versatility.
Practical features like a removable key chain add functionality to this stylish and affordable pack.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Should You Buy the Matein Travel?
We would recommend the Matein Travel to pretty much anyone. It's designed as a laptop bag but could end up being your favorite backpack for school as well. It looks good for adults and adolescents and will keep electronics protected. Auxiliary pockets and easy access to contents make it a breeze to use on the move. It could even be used as a gym bag if you wanted to use one of the large compartments for clean clothes and the other for post-workout wear. For its price point, it's really hard to beat this bag.
What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?
This pack has a lot to offer at a low price, but if you are willing to spend more, you might consider the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe. It has great functionality and high-quality construction that is ready for the office. Another great pack at a reasonable price is the The North Face Recon, which has a distinctly outdoorsy look but is one of the handiest, most versatile bags we tested. If you need extra capacity and don't mind a functional aesthetic, the Yorepek Travel is a nice option as well.
—
Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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