The Stubble & Co Travel Backpack 40L promises suitcase-style access in a carry-on backpack with full waterproofing. After weeks of testing across airports, trains, and rainy city walks, here’s whether it delivers and how it compares to three popular alternatives.
Build quality and materials
Stubble & Co built this bag to handle weather. The main body uses 600D recycled PET fabric with a bonded waterproof backing, while the base features a TPU-coated ripstop material for abrasion resistance. Every seam is waterproof-bound, and the zippers are water-resistant throughout.
The zipper choice will raise eyebrows in the EDC community. These are not YKK or Zoom zippers. Stubble & Co uses Coats zippers instead, a company tracing its roots back to 1755 in Scotland. Less recognized in consumer markets, Coats has a strong reputation in industrial and technical applications. Stubble & Co told me they switched after experiencing failures with YKK and have since seen a significant drop in defects.
The main compartment uses size 8 zippers, smaller than many competitors. In practice? Zero issues, even when the bag is stuffed full.
What matters most is the overall weather story. The waterproof body combined with water-resistant zips means you can skip the rain cover in most situations. I’ve been caught in rain multiple times with no water entering the bag. For extended downpours, a rain cover still makes sense. But for typical travel weather, the built-in protection is more than enough.
That protection comes at a cost: 2.2 kg empty weight. It is the heaviest bag in this review. Whether that tradeoff works depends on how much you value staying dry without fussing with accessories.
Organization and packing
The clamshell opening changes how you pack. Lay the bag flat, unzip it like a suitcase, and everything is visible and accessible. No more digging through a top-loading hole to find your jacket at the bottom.
The G-hook buckles add a step to opening, but you adapt quickly. The top portion of the main compartment stays easily accessible even with the buckles in place.
Inside, the bright orange lining makes finding gear straightforward, even in dim hotel rooms or overhead bins. It is a small detail that proves surprisingly useful.
The laptop compartment sits at the top with a false bottom for protection. It easily fits a 16-inch laptop alongside a tablet. Top-mounted placement means you grab your laptop without digging through clothes. The compartment even folds out slightly on the sides for easier access.
My favorite design choice is the dual-access top admin pocket. It opens from both the exterior and the main compartment. When packing with the bag laid flat, organization becomes effortless. For items you need on the go, a vertical front pocket handles quick-grab access.
Two mesh pockets on top add extra storage for accessories like cables and chargers. The 40-liter capacity gives most one-bag travelers enough room without encouraging overpacking.
Comfort and carry
When fully packed, the bag carries well. The padding on the back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt is generous. It makes the inherent weight far less noticeable when you are not overloading it.
Is it as comfortable as the Osprey Farpoint 40? No. But that comparison is not entirely fair. The Farpoint is essentially a carrying system with a backpack attached. The Stubble & Co is a more traditional travel backpack that prioritizes features and weather protection over raw carry comfort.
The load lifters genuinely contribute to comfort. One detail I particularly appreciate: the sternum strap includes a slight stretch. When you walk and breathe, your chest naturally expands and contracts. This stretchy section accommodates that movement while keeping the shoulder straps positioned. A small touch that makes a noticeable difference on longer carries.
The detachable hip belt is nicely padded with pockets on both sides. One fits a regular smartphone, though I would be cautious in crowded urban areas since these pockets are exposed. A stretchy mesh pocket on the other side handles quick-grab items. On lighter loads, I have removed the hip belt entirely with no issues.
Grab handles deserve praise. The top handle is minimal but solid, with reinforced stitching that feels built to last. A side handle provides additional control in tight airplane aisles.
The shoulder straps tuck away for flight storage. An interesting detail: you can lock the attachment buckles for added security.
Airline compatibility is mostly good at 55 x 35 x 20 cm. On larger aircraft, the bag slides into overhead bins easily. On smaller regional planes like Widerøe domestic Norwegian routes, the 40-liter size can exceed smaller bin dimensions. Worth knowing before you board.
How it stacks up against the competition
Four popular travel backpacks, side by side:
| Feature | Stubble & Co 40L | Peak Design 45L | Osprey Farpoint 40 | Cotopaxi Allpa 42L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 40L | 30-45L adjustable | 40L | 42L |
| Weight | 2.2 kg | 2.05 kg | 1.54 kg | 1.42 kg |
| Price | $290 | $300 | $200 | $255 |
| Materials | Recycled PET, Coats zips | Recycled 400D nylon, UltraZips | Recycled 210D nylon, LightWire frame | 840D TPU-coated nylon |
| Laptop | 16 in | 16 in + tablet | 16 in | 15 in |
| Opening | Clamshell | Rear, side, and front | Front-panel zip | Suitcase-style clamshell |
| Weather | Waterproof body + water-resistant zips | Weather-resistant shell | DWR coating only | Highly water-resistant TPU |
| Warranty | 2 years | Lifetime | All Mighty Guarantee | Lifetime |
The Osprey Farpoint 40 wins on comfort and weight. At 1.54 kg, it is the lightest by a wide margin. Its LightWire frame and harness system are unmatched for long walks with heavy loads. The tradeoff is minimal internal organization and an outdoorsy look that reads more trail than airport lounge. At $200, it is also the best value.
Get the Osprey Farpoint 40 Here
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offers the most access points and modularity. Its adjustable 30-45L volume, lifetime warranty, and camera-cube compatibility make it a strong pick for tech-heavy travelers. But it divides opinion on comfort under load, and at $300 it is the most expensive option.
Get the peak desig travelbacpack 45L here
The Cotopaxi Allpa 42L delivers the best built-in organization at the lightest weight. Its segmented suitcase layout eliminates the need for packing cubes. The downsides: comfort drops off with heavy loads, and the bag can feel floppy when not fully packed.
Get the Cotopax Alpa 42L here
The Stubble & Co stands out on weather protection. No other bag here matches its waterproof body, waterproof seam binding, and water-resistant zips as a complete package. If rain is a regular part of your travel life, that advantage is real.
Get the Stubble and Co travel backpach 40L here
Who should buy this bag
The Stubble & Co Travel Backpack 40L is built for urban travelers and digital nomads who move between cities with some walking involved. It excels at protecting your gear from the elements while keeping everything organized and accessible.
Best features:
- The waterproof construction eliminates rain cover anxiety
- The dual-access top pocket is genuinely clever
- Clean styling that works in airports and cafés
Biggest dealbreaker: The 2.2 kg weight. If you count every gram, look at the Osprey Farpoint 40 or Cotopaxi Allpa 42L instead.
Value check: At $290, it sits in premium territory alongside the Peak Design. The materials, waterproofing, and feature set justify the price for the right traveler. If weather resistance is not a priority, the Osprey at $200 offers better value.
This is not a hiking pack. For 20-mile treks or backcountry adventures, look elsewhere. But for airport-to-hotel-to-café travel with occasional rain? It is an excellent choice. Consider pairing it with a packable daypack for longer daily explorations.