Table Of Contents
Eagle Creek Wayfinder Review: Best Budget One Bag Travel Backpack of 2021
Best Budget One BagTravel Backpack of 2021
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 100%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 90%
Price: $129
Weight: 2.6lbs (1.17kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x8.25”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 17”
What We Like: Zipper security systems, price.
What We Don’t: Top loading.
Built like a more standard “backpack” the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40 is comfortable in a multitude of settings. Eagle Creek has added some great travel forward features, including Secure Zip Toggles for all zippers to lock them down for busy bus stations or markets. There is a hidden electronics pocket on the side to store your cables, and the laptop sleeve is protected by a water-resistant sleeve. In addition, the price can’t be beat! This is why the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40 earned our acknowledgment as the Best Budget One BagTravel Backpack of 2021.
Compare to Similar Products
See Our Best Travel Backpack Review 2021
Buy now at Tortugabackpacks.com
- Organization 100%
- Comfort 90%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Laptop and Electronic Storage Pocket
Harness System
Cons
Boxy shape
Material Aesthetic
Weight: 5.1lbs (1.7kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Tortugabackpacks.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 90%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Slim Design
Can Accommodate a 17” Laptop.
Cons
Looks Like a Suitcase with Backpack Straps.
Weight: 3.9lbs (2.4kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Amazon.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 100%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Zipper Security Systems
Price
Cons
Top Loading
Weight: 2.6lbs (1.17kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x8.25”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 100%
- Security 70%
- Laptop Protection 60%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Great Harness System
Internal Storage
Cons
Laptop Sleeve Location
Weight: 3.17lbs (1.44kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x9”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 80%
- Comfort 60%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Multiple Access Points
Stow Away Harness System
Cons
Price
Weight: 3.42lbs (1.55kg)
Dimensions: 21x14x9”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Goruck.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 90%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Made for Travel and Outdoor Adventures
Cons
Limited Organization
Boxy
Weight: 5.15lbs (2.34kg)
Dimensions: 22x14x9”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 90%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 60%
- Laptop Protection 70%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Internal Organization
Durable Material
Cons
No Frame
Awkward Straps
Weight: 3.4lbs (1.5kg)
Dimensions: 22.75x18x6.75”
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Backcountry.com
- Organization 100%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 70%
Pros
Adjustable Hipbelt
Good Company Values
Cons
Thin Harness System
Weight: 3.5lbs (1.6kg)
Dimensions: 20x12x8”
Capacity: 35l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Huckberry.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Shoe Compartment
Slim Design
Cons
Small Size
Hipbelt Sold Separately
Weight: 3.7lbs (1.69kg)
Dimensions: 21.5x13.5x8.5”
Capacity: 33l
Laptop Size: 15”
Buy now at Nomatic.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 70%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 70%
- Weight 90%
Pros
Waterproof
Water Bottle Pocket
Cons
Odd External Material Set Up
Weight: 4.5lbs (2.05kg)
Dimensions: 21x13x6.5” (expands to 7.5”)
Capacity: 45l
Laptop Size: 17”
Buy now at Minaal.com
- Organization 90%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 80%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Included Rain Cover
Laptop Suspension System
Cons
Harness Stowing System
Weight: 3.12lbs (1.415kg)
Dimensions: 21.6x13.7x7.87”
Capacity: 35l
Laptop Size: 16”
Buy now at Missionworkshop.com
- Organization 70%
- Comfort 80%
- Security 70%
- Laptop Protection 80%
- Weight 80%
Pros
Looks Great
Waterproof Material
Cons
Hard to Organize
Limited Pockets
Weight: 3.3lbs (1.5kg)
Dimensions: 20x15x8”
Capacity: 40l
Laptop Size: 15”
The Eagle Creek Wayfinder is one of the few traditional “backpack-esque” packs on this list. It is built for airports and travel but would comfortably fit in on a college campus. The Wayfinder has a unisex and a female version, so everyone can find the pack that fits them best.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder is available in a variety of sizes; the 40l is the largest followed by the 30l, 20l, and an across the body pack. So you will be able to find the size that is right for you and your traveling needs. For this article, I will be looking at the 40l Wayfinder.
Storage
Sitting at a comfortable 40l of storage, the Wayfinder will be able to hold a week’s worth of warm weather clothes and all of your various accessories. Again this pack is very school backpack looking, so it has the traditional main top-loading pocket. Inside of the main compartment, there are five slip pockets for storing items like your passport and keys as well as a mesh zippered pocket for other small valuables.
Along the side, there is a hidden tech pocket, which is a great spot for power banks and other electronics. Also on the sides of the pack, there are dual water bottle pockets that are zippered and can store your water or other small items like bug spray.
On the front of the Wayfinder, there is a zippered pocket that is made of an easy to clean material. This pocket is made for wet items or shoes that you want to keep away from the main compartment. On the bottom of this pocket is a small drain to help with moisture control, and the drain can have a bike light attached to it for nighttime cycling. I may have called it a school bag earlier, but it functions as so much more.
Laptop Sleeve
The laptop sleeve will house a 17” laptop and has an additional sleeve for a tablet. The laptop pocket comes with a water-resistant sleeve, so you don’t need to worry about your technology if you are caught in a rainstorm.
Comfort and Harness System
The Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40 has a backpanel that uses high-density foam for ventilation and comfort. The shoulder straps are also well padded and include sternum straps with a whistle in case of emergencies. The hipbelt is lightly padded but wide enough to be comfortable and carry weight off of your shoulders. The hipbelt can also be tucked away into the backpanel when not in use.
Security and Material
Eagle Creek uses interesting Secure Zip Toggles to secure the laptop pocket. This system does not require a lock and will help keep your valuable technology safe. The main compartment does use a lockable zipper system to keep out any quick fingers while walking through busy city streets.
The backpack is constructed using 300D Dual Diamond Heather Ripstop Nylon, which is a fancy way of saying it is durable and will keep your cargo clean. Eagle Creek has also added a recycled film that you would find on the inside of your car windshield that makes the bag water-resistant. This is a very cool innovation that helps to pull waste out of the landfill and add functionality to an impressive backpack.
The Bottom Line
For $130, the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40 is a steal! It does not have the same “carry-on” look like most of the other packs on our list, and it does not have a suitcase-style opening. But it provides excellent security to your valuables and has a great laptop storage pocket and a very comfortable harness system. Other than its school bag appearance, which I really don’t mind, it is hard to find too many faults in this pack.
I like the various internal stash pockets and the zippered hydration pockets with the central locking feature for storing valuables. Eagle Creek could have easily added a hydration sleeve, and this pack would have been perfect. With the low-cost and the great design, the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40 is our Best Budget One Bag Travel Backpack of 2021.
