Incase ARC Travel Pack review
Finding the right travel backpack can feel like an impossible task, especially when there are so many to choose from. There are backpacks for business travelers as well as backpacks for leisure travelers and hiking backpacks for adventure travel. In my search for the best backpack I’ve found that more often than not I need an option that works well in different circumstances.
Out of the dozens of travel packs I’ve tried over the years, I’ve almost exclusively used the Incase ARC Travel Pack on my trips. Not only did I take the ARC Travel Pack on most of my short weekend trips where I needed to take a laptop with me, but I have also used it on longer trips to destinations in the Middle East and Europe.
The ideal travel backpack if you want to be on the road for several days without giving up a bag
The Incase ARC Travel Pack is both a backpack and a suitcase. Its butterfly-style packing system allows you to maximize space for packing clothes and other essentials, while having a separate laptop compartment and plenty of extra pockets. Although it’s on the pricey side, its durable exterior and versatility make it a solid addition to your travel wardrobe.
One of the things that makes the ARC Travel Pack my pick is the way it can be expanded for extra storage when needed – I even took it on a 16 day trip to Europe when I wanted to avoid carrying a bag to give up. The ARC Travel Pack allowed me to carry more clothes as well as my laptop and work essentials which would not have been an option with other backpacks I have tried.
If you’re looking for a backpack that looks professional and can withstand frequent travel, consider the ARC Travel Pack. After testing this backpack for more than a year, I have found that it has more pros than cons, making it a staple of my travel wardrobe for any type of trip.
One of the biggest advantages of the ARC Travel Pack is its size – and its ability to go even bigger. In its unexpanded size, the backpack measures 19 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 8 inches deep for a total packing capacity of 25 liters. However, this backpack works in a similar way to expandable luggage as it has a side zip that allows you to increase the volume if needed. In the expanded setting you’ll find 33 liters of packing capacity – meaning this bag can be expanded by up to 8 liters.
The regular size of the bag is big enough for most things I need when traveling. However, the benefit of being able to expand it makes it ideal when I’m packing not only my laptop and work gear, but also clothes and toiletries. Being able to zip up the capacity of the backpack and then compress the entire bag with external straps gives you the opportunity to avoid a checked bag.
About that name. ARC stands for “A Responsible Carry” and refers not only to the recycled material the bag is made from, but also to the fact that it has built-in benefits for the user, such as: up, as well as RFID blocking technology.
The ARC Travel Pack is made from a recycled polyester fabric which makes it very easy to keep clean. I usually wipe my bag down with a damp cloth after each use and it still looks brand new after taking it around the world when most bags would show heavy wear and tear. Although I have the navy blue shade, the Travel Pack is also available in black and smoked ivy. The durable exterior is water and stain resistant, just what you need when looking for a long-term travel companion.
When considering a quality travel backpack, you also need to consider the organization available – and I’ve found the ARC Travel Pack to meet my expectations. The backpack features a top zip compartment with hidden zip pockets inside for travel documents and other items you want to keep close but only accessible to you. And it also has a dedicated place for your water bottle to keep you hydrated on the go.
If you’re planning to travel for several days, the butterfly opening on the ARC Travel Pack helps set it apart. When opened, it looks more like a suitcase than a backpack. So instead of cramming everything into the bottom of a bag, you can pack it like a suitcase. In other words, you can fit essential tools like packing cubes to fit more.
As previously mentioned, the organizational compartments in this backpack help set it apart from the rest. If you want to keep dirty shoes away from everything else, the Travel Pack even has a dedicated shoe compartment. Although I personally use it for travel snacks, having a separate spot for items of your choosing is a great option.
Inside the bag you’ll also find a dedicated and soft laptop compartment, which Incase says is big enough for a 16-inch MacBook and a 12.9-inch iPad, although I found it big enough for my 17-inch HP Pavilion.
On longer tours with a fully packed bag, the comfortable, padded shoulder straps make it easier to carry. (Or, if you prefer to carry it by a handle, there are both top and side options.) It also comes complete with a trolley sleeve, so you can slip it over your carry-on bag for easy transport.
Ultimately, it’s the variety of organizational features and massive capacity that help set this backpack apart. If you’re going to be on the road for a long time and want to avoid checking out a bag, this backpack not only has room for your electronics, but also for several days of clothing and additional compartments for all your other travel gear.
The main thing we don’t love about this bag is the way the internal compartments work for specific types of travel. The ARC Travel Pack is not your typical backpack that is open at the top where you can reach in and file your hand through. Instead, it has a side zip with which the backpack can be opened like a piece of luggage.
I’ve found this style to be great for long trips when I’m trying to pack a lot and be as organized as possible, but sometimes I would prefer a traditional backpack for easy access to my stuff – especially on shorter trips or for the day -today use. On the other hand, the ARC Travel Pack allows you to use the top zipped compartment to keep things you usually need close at hand during travel, such as: B. Your passport, vaccination card, pen and headphones.
In addition, the high price of the Incase ARC Travel Pack is worth noting. At $250, it’s an investment. However, if you travel enough with just one backpack and can take advantage of the large packing volume, the price can easily be worth it – especially when you consider how much money you could save by not giving up a bag.
| Dimensions |
19″ x 13″ x 8″. |
18″ x 12″ x 7.8″. |
21.7in x 13.6in x 9.5in |
|---|---|---|---|
| capacity |
25 liters; 33 liters when fully developed |
28 liters |
45 liters |
| Weight |
3.7 pounds |
1.68 pounds |
3.32 pounds |
| hand luggage size? |
Yes, with most airlines |
Yes, with most airlines |
Yes, with most airlines |
| packaging style |
Butterfly style with additional laptop compartment and side storage |
Backpack style with separate laptop compartment and additional pockets |
Low profile style with compression features, separate laptop compartment and additional pockets |
| Colors |
3 |
15 |
3 |
| Price |
$250 |
$30 |
$220 |
If you’re looking for a travel backpack that works well for many types of travel, the ARC Travel Pack is worth a look. This bag has loads of hidden compartments for easy organization, and the way it expands makes it ideal for longer trips when you need to take a lot of stuff with you. The durable materials the bag is made of also help it stay in good condition longer than many bags I’ve tried.
However, there are smaller bags that are better suited for shorter trips and everyday use when you need to reach inside at all times to get what you want.
However, if you are looking for a high capacity travel backpack with a suitcase style packing method in a sleek design, look no further than the Incase ARC Travel Pack.
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