Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack 25L + 5L Review

Finding a backpack that walks the line between daily carry and one bag travel is always tricky. Go too minimal, and you end up with a flimsy daypack that doesn’t hold up to airport hopping. Go too hardcore, and you’re stuck lugging around something that feels overbuilt for a quick commute. Therefore, finding the right balance is crucial.

That’s what the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack 25L + 5L aims to do: hit the sweet spot of being a lightweight, expandable design that packs up to 30 liters yet weighs less than 2 pounds. After spending time with it, we think it makes a compelling case for anyone chasing minimal weight, subtle aesthetics, and flexible carry—though it’s not without quirks you’ll want to consider before committing.

External Components

The main material is a 280D nylon fabric with a PU (polyurethane) coating for that oft-needed weather resistance. Inside, a 100D nylon lining keeps things lightweight while adding a bit of durability. Both fabrics feel smooth and slightly slick, giving the bag a composed look that wipes down easily when the inevitable smudges come. Fret not, as scuffs and dirt marks won’t stick around as long as you wipe them quickly with a rag as soon as possible.

At under 2 pounds, this is impressively light for a backpack that can expand to 30 liters. Weight-conscious travelers will immediately appreciate that the bag doesn’t eat into their packing allowance. Instead, you can dedicate most of your weight budget to what matters: your gear and, let’s be honest, the souvenirs you’re buying. The trade-off, of course, is that the thinner materials don’t provide much inherent structure. Fully packed, the bag holds its own just fine and even stands upright. But when partially filled or loosely packed, it can look saggy or lumpy depending on where your gear sits. If you like your packs looking sharp and presentable no matter what, this might be a sticking point.

Aesthetically, it’s clear this backpack draws inspiration from brands like ALPAKA and Able Carry—if those two collabed on a lightweight-focused offspring, this would be it. Unlike those brands’ burlier offerings, though, the emphasis here is on shedding ounces without sacrificing too much functionality. Branding is subtle, with Hypalon zipper pulls bearing the Almond Oak name, but not much else. Beyond those tiny details, you’d be hard-pressed to identify who made the bag, which is a bit interesting considering that Almond Oak is fairly new to the scene at the time of writing, and this is one of their first offerings.

The harness system sticks to the essentials: two padded—albeit thinly—shoulder straps, a lightly padded back panel, a sternum strap on a sliding rail, and a luggage passthrough. That’s it. There’s no hip belt, load lifters, or anything similarly fancy, but with a max capacity of 30 liters, we never felt like one was necessary. Even when fully packed, the bag’s just not that demanding to maneuver thanks to its featherlight starting point.

The FIDLOCK magnetic buckle on the sternum strap is a welcome upgrade over basic clips, though we still yearn (a little) for the simplicity of side-release buckles. In any case, the magnetic buckle snaps together easily, releases with one hand, and the sliding rail makes it simple to dial in the perfect position. Down below, Duraflex hardware keeps things reliable when it comes to adjustment, so no worries there either.

The shoulder straps and back panel don’t offer much airflow. You’ll probably notice sweat buildup on hot days since there’s no mesh or fancy ventilation channels. That said, the EVA foam feels comfortable enough for those extended back-and-forth walks around the airport, and because the bag never gets excessively heavy, we never felt overloaded. It strikes a balance well-suited for city commutes and short travel stints.

Fit Notes

Fit-wise, the pack works for a variety of body types. For those with smaller frames, it looked proportional and not too intense, and it also didn’t pull backward even when fully packed. The straps sit in a natural position—neither too close to the neck nor sliding off the shoulders—making it a versatile fit across frames.

There are also carry handles on the top and both sides that add flexibility, which comes in handy in airports or when stashing the bag under a seat. They are quite thin, even for a modestly-sized travel backpack, so temper expectations if you’re expecting Cadillac-levels of padding and cushion.

Inside The Backpack

Despite its minimal structure, the bag includes a thoughtful selection of secondary compartments. First up is the water bottle pocket. It’s made of a stretchy mesh, located on the side, and comfortably fits a 21-ounce Hydro Flask. Larger bottles in the 30-ounce range are hit or miss, depending on how full the main compartment is, so just watch out for that. Fitment can be a bit tight upon initial insertion when the bag’s packed to the brim, but that tightness goes away once the bottle’s nestled inside.

A discreet zipper on the back panel provides a slim stash spot for essentials like a passport, cash, or a travel wallet. The pocket is flat and low-profile, so you won’t notice it when it’s empty. Conversely, fitting anything too shapely can impact comfort. Larger items like a passport wallet may not fit, but bare passports slide in just fine.

The laptop compartment is one of this bag’s highlights for its level of protection. It accommodates up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro and includes a respectably-sized false bottom for drop protection. A soft lining and additional EVA foam padding create a cushioned, secure feel. There’s also a small mesh pocket near the top for accessories, though packing bulky chargers here can eat into the main compartment’s space or press against the laptop. Other travel backpacks have similarly positioned tech accessories pockets that we use. However, this backpack’s small size simply leaves less room for it to be comfortably utilized. We found a separate tech pouch more practical, but the option is there.

The front pocket is accessible via a zipper on the left side, just underneath the prominent fabric welt. This pocket feels designed with left-handed users in mind, while right-handed users may need some adjustment since most bags favor right-side access. There’s enough space inside for small pouches, a Kindle, or everyday accessories. What you see in our photos is of the pre-production sample; the production version includes a zippered mesh pocket that’s divided inside. That level of organization is serviceable, though one of our Pack Hacker Pro Members wished for more dedicated slots (like pen holders or additional smaller pockets), and not having just one zipper across one pocket that’s divided anyway.

The main compartment opens clamshell-style, offering full visibility and access to your gear. Interestingly, the clamshell opens to the right—opposite from what you’ll find on most packs. In practice, this always made us think we were opening the bag upside down. It’s not a functional flaw, but if you’ve developed muscle memory with traditional openings, expect some initial frustration. It’s one of those things you never really notice until someone does it differently—like realizing that you always hold your phone with the speaker in your right hand when you’re watching in landscape mode.

Inside, the compartment is roomy enough to hold packing cubes for a week or two of clothing. Minimalist packers could stretch it for two weeks of travel, while overpackers will find themselves reaching for the expansion zipper. On that note, expansion pushes the capacity from 25 liters up to 30. Though fully expanded, the bag may no longer comply with stricter carry-on regulations—you can’t say we didn’t warn you.

On the lid side, a mesh zip pocket offers space for smaller items or accessories. We find it ideal for slim pouches or items you want separated from clothing. The flat layout means your packing style largely determines how well the bag holds shape. Overload it and it bulges; underpack it and it collapses. When dialed in, though, it’s efficient and easy to manage.