The sleek 30L Nomatic Travel Bag is a hybrid backpack/duffel bag. Designed specifically for digital nomads, it features everything from water-resistant material, a shoe compartment, laptop compartment and numerous tech compartments.
That’s a lotta compartments.
My first adventure with the Nomatic Travel Pack was a trip to Peru, where I explored Cusco and tackled the Salkantay Trek. Muddy hiking boots stayed neatly in the ventilated shoe compartment, my MacBook Pro fit snugly in the laptop sleeve, my bulky DSLR camera rested securely in the main compartment, and my passport was safely hidden in the RFID-protected secret pocket.
I took full advantage of the pack’s features, but I also had a checked bag to fit everything I needed for my almost two-week trip.
Nomatic 30L Pack: Overview and Specs
Features
- Seamless Carry: Transitions from duffel to backpack on the go
- Waist Straps: Includes removable waist straps for added comfort
- Room for Everything: Spacious, wide-open main compartment for easy packing
- Dedicated Storage: Ventilated shoe pocket stores up to two pairs of shoes
- Waterproof Storage: Dedicated internal water bottle pocket keeps valuables safe in case of spills
- Travel like a Pro: Dedicated pockets for travel essentials (passports, water bottles, etc.)
- TSA-Ready: Carry-on size and easy access to your laptop and tablet
Specs
- Weight: 3.27 lbs
- Dimensions: 9″ H x 19″ W x 13″ D
- Laptop Compartment: 15.25″ x 11″ x 1.5″
- Included Accessories: Waist Straps
- Materials: Polyester/Nylon Exterior, Polyester/PU foam Interior
Can the 30L Nomatic Travel Bag Fit Under an Airplane Seat?
Don’t count on the Nomatic 30L Travel Bag fitting under your airplane seat. I experienced this firsthand, having to keep it in carry-on storage on domestic and international flights. You might be able to fit it depending on the model plane and how full your pack is, but if you want a pack that’s guaranteed to fit underneath your plane seat, I recommend the Nomatic 20L Travel Pack instead.
30L Nomatic Travel Pack Honest Thoughts
Overall, any tech-savvy, jet-setting digital nomad would be lucky to have this pack. Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite and least favorite features.
My Favorite Features
Durable, Comfortable, and Built for Long Walks
Its weather-resistant material and padded compartments keep tech gear protected while offering ample space for clothing, personal items, and shoes. Plus, it stays lightweight and comfortable to carry, with wide, soft padded shoulder straps. Those came in clutch when I found myself having to walk a very long distance on the hilly, cobblestone streets of Cusco to relocate from one hostel to the next.
Too often, day packs lack comfortable straps and extra support because the idea is, “you’re only wearing it for one day filled with minimal stuff!”. But that can be so far from reality, especially as a digital nomad carrying around heavy camera and/or laptop equipment.
It’s great to see that Nomatic understands this, so not only provides padded shoulder straps, but also an adjustable chest strap and removable waist straps.
Minimalist Design for Maximum Security
The Nomatic backpack’s exterior minimalist design also keeps my stuff safe with flat, built-in zippers and no big, loose pockets–making it much harder for pickpockets to mess with.
The travel bag features a pass-through luggage strap for additional convenience and security.
Suitcase Functionality in a Backpack Design
I LOVE that I can open the Nomatic Travel Bag like a suitcase and easily see everything in there. It has the functionality of a backpack but the packing system of a suitcase–so items aren’t getting squished at the bottom of the bag all day. No more rifling through a backpack and pulling everything out just to find that one overripe banana that’s now a mess all over the bag. (Anyone else…?)
Game-Changing Ventilated Shoe Storage
I’ve never owned a pack with a designated (and ventilated) shoe storage pouch. This was a great feature on a trip involving lots of hiking. I was able to fit a pair of sandals AND my hiking boots in there. It’s great to know I’m not dirtying up the interior of my pack with mud-covered, smelly shoes.
Previously, I would keep my shoes in a plastic grocery bag when traveling. The bag would often get ripped or go missing by the end of the trip.
Bonus: You can store a wet bathing suit in this ventilated pocket as well!
(Side note: I didn’t hike with this backpack, but I did use it while exploring Cusco and Lima. So I was still traveling with all of my hiking gear.)
My Least Favorite Features
Not Always Airplane-Seat Friendly
Although the 30L Nomatic Travel Bag is advertised as being able to fit underneath an airplane seat, that was not my experience on some of my flights (especially international flights in smaller planes). Just keep that in mind if you choose to use it in “duffel bag” mode and carry a backpack with you. Only one of those items can go in the carry-on storage above, which means the other item has to be able to fit underneath the airplane seat.
Otherwise, you’ll have to check one of the bags and/or get reprimanded by an attendant. I’ll never forget an airline hostess pulling me aside to scold me for not putting my purse inside my backpack before boarding….”CONSOLIDATE! CONSOLIDATE! ONLY ONE CARRY-ON BAG AND ONE PERSONAL ITEM!” Mildly traumatizing.
Inconvenient Water Bottle Storage
Technically, this Nomatic bag has a quick-access pocket for storing water bottles. However, it’s a zipped pocket on the top of the pack. From a security perspective, it makes sense to use this design instead of exterior elastic mesh pockets. But that means every time I want to grab my water bottle, I’m removing my backpack to unzip the top pocket. I’m used to being able to not even stop walking as I reach around to grab my water bottle from a zipper-less side pocket.
Not a Hiking Backpack
The pack is not advertised as a hiking backpack, and I wouldn’t use it as one, either. It’s a bit too big and boxy, and it’s not designed for sweaty backs rubbing against it all day. So, if you’re going on a hiking expedition, this means you need to bring a second backpack that is either a) super compact and can fit inside the Nomatic Travel Pack, or b) will be a separate luggage item that can fit underneath your airplane seat (since the Nomatic pack may not fit under there). Unless, of course, you don’t mind dealing with checked bags.
Is This Travel Bag Right for Your Digital Nomad Needs?
The 30L Nomatic Travel Bag is perfect for you if:
- Your nomadic adventures mainly consist of weekend-long adventures
- You want one pack to use as a gym bag, weekend bag, and commuter bag
- You want a lightweight, extra low-maintenance pack that can keep up with boppin’ around the city or wherever the road takes you
- You need secure, padded storage for tech gear like a laptop and camera
- You’re a minimal packer who only needs room for 1-2 outfits and 1-2 pairs of shoes
- You own a separate day pack to use for hiking adventures
Side note: This exact bag is also available in a 40L size, if you’d like a bit more space.
What is Nomatic?
I’ve seen online chatter about whether or not Nomatic is a legit company, and I can assure you that it is. In fact, they’re based right down the street from me in Salt Lake City, Utah! Which is also where their products are designed. They’ve been around since 2014 when it was just two brothers trying to raise money for their first nomatic pack.
Summing It Up
I’m accustomed to thinking of digital nomads as exclusively wearing huge, worn-down backpacking packs. Since nomads require gear that can be as multi-functional, durable and agile as possible, the big ‘ol backpacking packs have been the best option for a long time.
But as digital nomadism continues to become a more viable lifestyle, it’s exciting to see how brands such as Nomatic are popping up to create functional gear to meet the needs of a modern digital nomad.
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