Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 Review

The Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 balances compact design and practical utility, making it ideal for shorter or warmer-weather adventures. It combines a compact form factor with convenient features suitable for various use cases. The main compartment’s clamshell-style opening makes packing and unpacking intuitive, suiting those interested in one bag travel.

Kelty is well known for its tents, sleeping bags, and camping gear, perfect for everyone from backyard campers to experienced backcountry hikers. Their reputation for making high-quality outdoors-focused products includes reliable, affordable, high-quality products. Their Redwing series has been a staple in their lineup for a while, and this edition comes in three different sizes: 30, 40, and 50 liters. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a day hike, the Redwing Traveler delivers practical performance without any unnecessary complications.

External Components

The Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 is made with 600D recycled ripstop polyester with a subtle grid pattern. It adds texture while maintaining a lightweight, flexible feel that’s also still rugged and durable. The back panel incorporates steel and high-density polyethylene components for structural integrity, creating a solid frame without excessive weight. Throughout the pack, smooth-operating YKK zippers are equipped with simple rope pulls in accent colors that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. The pack’s interior lining is made from a lighter-colored fabric, making it easier to see items inside. This particular colorway uses a light shade of forest green that complements the accent color of the zipper pulls, creating a cohesive aesthetic throughout the design.

Branding is pretty minimal, with just the Kelty logo on the front and the pack’s model name displayed in a lighter color below it on the front. The pack includes three nylon grab handles. One on top and then one on each side. These provide a decently comfortable carry experience despite their lack of padding or internal structure. As for attachment points, two loops at the bottom can be used to clip on extra gear. There are also two compression straps with plastic buckles on the sides of the bag that can also be used to attach extra gear. These compression straps can also be used to secure larger or more awkwardly-shaped items stored in the side pockets.

The shoulder straps of the Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 are comfortable despite being somewhat thin. They feature memory foam-like padding that conforms nicely to the body during extended wear. Each strap includes a convenient nylon attachment point located slightly high up on the strap, perfect for securing accessories via carabiner or hanging items like sunglasses when not in use. The non-removable sternum strap runs on a smooth rail, allowing customizable adjustment for an optimal fit. Its plastic buckle connects to just one side, preventing uncomfortable pressure points against the chest. The adjustment mechanism is easy to use yet secure, adjusting without hassle but remaining firmly in place once set, with no signs of slippage even during active movement.

A non-removable yet stowable hip belt offers padding similar to the shoulder straps, except slightly more dense. It connects using a chunky plastic buckle in the center that is pretty easy to adjust. Each side of the hip belt includes a convenient mesh slip pocket with an elastic opening, perfect for small everyday essentials like keys, cash, or wireless earbuds. When you don’t need it, the hip belt tucks away into dedicated pockets built into the back panel. While convenient, it is better in theory than practice, as the dense padding and hardware tend to create noticeable pressure points against the back. There’s no luggage pass-through, limiting functionality for combining this with roller luggage. However, this pack is large enough for one bag travel, which may be a non-issue. The back panel itself offers minimal foam padding but, more concerning for active users or those in warmer environments, lacks any ventilation system, which could lead to a less-than-ideal experience during extended wear.

Fit Notes

The Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 has a practical, somewhat outdoorsy aesthetic that balances function with a fairly minimal design. The dense foam padding combined with its structured frame helps give it rigidity and shape, which is particularly helpful when carrying a lot of gear. It has a somewhat significant footprint, but that is to be expected given its capacity. Its supportive harness system helps provide a comfortable carry experience, which is nice, even if it can be somewhat cumbersome when not in use.

Inside The Pack

The Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 offers intuitively designed exterior storage options that add to its versatility. Each side features an expandable water bottle pocket with elastic gussets that help give it a streamlined profile when empty, while still accommodating larger bottles when needed. While practical, these pockets lack drainage holes, which is something to consider when storing wet items like an umbrella or a sweaty water bottle. Behind each water bottle pocket, you will find zippered compartments with J-shaped openings extending to the bottom of the pack, providing secure storage for taller items like trekking poles or a compact tripod.

Behind those J-shaped zippered pockets, another spacious slip pocket provides additional storage for more gear. These pockets accommodate larger or oddly-shaped gear that ordinarily would not fit elsewhere, though their depth makes retrieving smaller items potentially challenging. A clever buckle system above these pockets connects to the front of the pack, creating Kelty’s signature “wing” side pockets that securely hold oblong objects and can provide additional attachment points for gear.

The pack features a felt-lined top pocket large enough to hold larger smartphones like an iPhone Pro Max with room to spare for quick access to everyday essentials. The scratch-resistant lining offers welcome protection for sunglasses or other delicate items. Below that, the front admin compartment opens via a U-shaped zipper, revealing a comprehensive organization system including a tablet-sized slip pocket, two medium slip pockets, two dedicated pen slots, and an additional zippered mesh pocket. A conveniently anchored key leash with a plastic carabiner keeps your keys easily accessible while preventing them from getting lost in the rest of the compartment. The remaining space in this compartment holds various loose items, providing an excellent balance between organization and flexibility.

The main compartment on the Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 utilizes a practical clamshell-style opening, making packing and accessing your gear straightforward and efficient. Inside, you will find internal compression straps that effectively secure packing cubes and other gear, preventing unwanted movement in transit. One thing to keep in mind is that the front-loading design requires you to place the bag on its back panel for packing, so be careful where you set it down. If you open it completely on dirty ground and pick it up, you may risk dirt or debris transferring to your clothing when worn.

Two conveniently located mesh zippered pockets in the lid provide additional organization without adding bulk. The mesh construction allows for visibility of contents, making it easy to identify smaller items without digging through all your gear. There is a medium-sized pocket positioned at the top and a larger vertical-zippered pocket underneath that extends the rest of the length of the lid. While the mesh lacks stretchiness, it provides excellent organization potential for small essentials that might otherwise get lost in the main compartment. The organization strikes a good balance between accessibility and security for all your smaller travel items.

A dedicated laptop sleeve against the structured back panel provides decent protection despite minimal padding. The interior is lined with a soft felt material designed to prevent scratches on your devices, similar to the top quick-access pocket. One standout feature is the dual-access design of the laptop sleeve. Your device can be accessed from both the top and the side, allowing you to grab your laptop without unpacking or digging through the main compartment. This thoughtful design element significantly enhances convenience, especially in transit or traveling.

The laptop compartment also doubles as a hydration sleeve for outdoor adventures with a loop to hold it at the top and an opening for the hydration reservoir’s tube. This versatility makes the pack equally suitable for urban commuting and outdoor adventures. The remainder of the main compartment provides ample space for clothing and other gear, which you can pack loosely or in cubes based on your preference. Internal compression straps with plastic buckles secure your belongings during transit, functioning much like those found in traditional suitcases to prevent shifting and maintain organization throughout your journey.

The Kelty Redwing Traveler 40 successfully bridges the gap between travel pack and hiking backpack, offering users a versatile solution for diverse journeys. Its clamshell opening provides exceptional accessibility, while the robust harness system delivers comfort for extended wear. The thoughtful organization system balances structured compartments and flexible space, accommodating both urban commuters and outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, this pack is an excellent value for those looking for a pack that combines practicality and durability. It is particularly well-suited for travelers who need organization and accessibility and appreciate the flexibility to transition between urban environments and outdoor adventures without changing gear. For one bag travelers who don’t mind the extra weight in exchange for versatility and durability, the Redwing Traveler 40 is a worthy option.