Triple Aught Design Axiom S2 WX Pack Review

The Triple Aught Design Axiom S2 WX Pack looks sleek and comes from a well-regarded brand, with a price tag to match. Is this a buy-it-for-life daypack, or will we want some cash back after testing? Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The primary pack material, which looks very heritage-inspired, is TexWax™ Shell, which is 15% CORDURA® Nylon and 85% cotton. The pack’s accents are 12-ounce canvas duck, which is common for packs that utilize waxed canvas exteriors. The pack reminds us of something that we’d see from Trakke, which is a good thing. The pack blends heritage styling with a modern design, which we’ll explore later.

The pack’s zippers are from YKK, our favorite zipper brand (which you already know if you follow Pack Hacker). These have a PU coating. The matte style of that coating adds a solid contrast to the pack’s fabric and ensures no water sneaks inside the bag. Plus, they’re just as, if not more, rugged than the fabric, which is a positive for this pack’s longevity.

The plastic hardware is from National Molding, a brand we don’t have much experience with, but it’s held up well and is easy to use.

In the middle of the pack’s front face, there’s a vertical line you can split open to reveal three attachment loops. We dig this design, as they aren’t in the way if you don’t plan to use them, but you can access them easily when you want to attach something.

The top handle is crafted from the canvas duck material we mentioned earlier. It’s minimalist, staying out of the way and not getting hooked on things as you pass by. There isn’t much comfort here, but it’s for short jaunts. After all, this is a daypack, and you’ll wear it accordingly!

Fit Notes

The back panel is very well-padded and has air channels to promote airflow. There’s mesh, too, which helps with breathability. It’s very comfortable, almost like a 20-year-old backpack you’ve had for years, but with modern features.

The shoulder straps are well-padded and feature mesh, too. They’re straight, lacking most modern travel backpacks‘ curvature, which may not work for all body types. There are a few places to attach gear on the outside of the straps, which is handy, but not necessary if you prefer to keep the harness system clean.

On top of the shoulder straps are load lifters, which are welcome but not necessary on a pack of this size. Still, they don’t get in the way if you aren’t using them, so we can’t scoff at their inclusion. They’re handy if you really get after it with this pack on. If not, they won’t bother you.

The sternum strap is removable and on a ladder, so you can make adjustments, but not fine-tune it as much as if it had a rail system. Still, we appreciate the inclusion and that we can take it off, as a pack of this capacity doesn’t necessarily need a sternum strap. We always prefer removable sternum straps so those who want to use one can, and those who don’t want to can take it off.

Inside The Pack

The pack has one side pocket where you would typically find a water bottle pocket. It’s versatile and built inside the pack, not external. You can stow a small to medium (think up to 20 ounces) water bottle, a travel umbrella, a small travel tripod, or other tall, skinny gear.

The front pocket is where most of your admin organization is; we dig the design. It takes up the whole front face of the pack, making it an easy place to stow large, flat items. On the lid, there’s one large pocket with no topper. There’s a zippered pocket, three medium liner pockets, and four sliders for a pen, pencil, or stylus on the backside. The zippered pocket is ideal to lock gear down, and the rest works for larger gear that won’t pop out and get lost as easily. In a pinch, you can use this compartment as your tech pouch and negate using one of your organizers to save space.

The laptop compartment is inside the main compartment but has its own access point. It’s a vertical zipper on the pack’s side, making it quick and easy to grab your laptop. If the main compartment is loaded with many small items, they can tumble out when you open the zipper to get your computer, so be careful. This might seem bad, but you can also access the bottom of the compartment here, which is handy. Still, it’s best to be careful when opening this compartment. Typically, we set the bag down with the compartment facing up to ensure nothing falls out.

The main compartment is where the real storage action is. The back side has no organization, just the laptop slider. Removing a normal-sized computer from the laptop slider inside the main compartment is nearly impossible, but smaller computers might work. Either way, your best bet is to go through the side access we just went over.

The lid has two Hypalon loops on the top and bottom so you can attach gear or pouches here. If you aren’t using them, they’re out of the way. There’s a large liner pocket and two tall, skinny pockets below it. Overall, there isn’t much organization here, which makes it more versatile. You can stow everything from large packing cubes to a camera cube or small cooler here without issue.

We enjoyed using the Triple Aught Design Axiom S2 WX Pack. It’s well designed and looks sleek at every angle. Stowing gear inside is easy, too. That said, the price will exclude many travelers, and it’s worth debating whether it’s worth the money. For budget-friendly travelers, the price is more than a few round-trip flights. That said, this pack has the durability and versatility to last years, which can be worth it!