AER Travel Pack 2 Review 2023 | A Complete Guide

The AER Travel Pack 2 Review is a great backpack for travelers. There is a lot of space in it for all your belongings. It has a comfortable carrying handle and is spacious. In addition to the backpack, this product comes with a detachable daypack, which is perfect for carrying your essentials with you.

With the AER Travel Pack 2, you will also have a built-in rain cover, so you don’t have to worry about your belongings getting wet in inclement weather. Overall, the AER Travel Pack 2 is a great option for travelers who need a reliable and comfortable backpack. 

Allen Choi established AER, a carry design firm, in 2014 using the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. San Francisco is the company’s headquarters. What is their primary purpose of them? Creating bags that are practical and stylish, in addition to travel accessories that have features that are designed to meet the needs of contemporary travelers.

AER Travel Pack 2 Review:

Their bags often have specialized compartments and pockets for your technology, and they are designed to serve a variety of purposes, including those of a work bag, a gym pack, and a trip backpack, respectively.

Backpacks, gym packs, duffel bags, totes, sling bags, and briefcases designed specifically for use in urban environments are all part of the product ranges offered by AER.

1. The Design and Quality

Bags that have been updated with many iterations and new features demonstrate that firms pay attention to the input provided by consumers and reviews in order to improve their products and services. One of these brands is AER, by the way. The AER Travel Pack 2 is an upgraded and revised version of their original Travel Pack, which is their flagship product.

This pack does an excellent job of preserving a low profile and giving off an air of minimalism, which is one of the finest things about it. You will fall in love with how tiny the Travel Pack 2 seems to be despite its large capacity and extensive feature set. If you’re looking for a travel bag, this is one of the sleekest and most understated options you’ll come across everywhere.

This urban pack has a capacity of 33 liters and is so sleek and visually beautiful that it can be used for work trips, and weekend excursions, and it can even be compacted down to the size of a daypack.

I appreciate that the AER Travel Pack 2 has very few brandings on it and comes in muted colors like black, gray, navy, and X-PAC. Those are features I appreciate. This makes sense considering that it will draw less unwanted attention and that colors of a darker hue would not fade as quickly over time when exposed to sunshine.

Did I mention that it provides an experience that is devoid of dangles? This bag maintains its elegant appearance thanks to the four compression straps that are located on both the front and back of the bag.

You can use the straps to either loosen the bag up so that it can be used as a daypack or tighten it up so that it can be used as a journey pack. Additionally, if you want to, you may use the straps to fasten a sleeping mat or a jacket to the pack.

2. Materials and Building Process

It is evident that the AER Travel Pack 2 has a streamlined and uncluttered appearance, which makes it impossible not to fall in love with it; yet, it turns out that this bad boy isn’t just for appearances. I was not at all expecting the materials that were chosen to have attributes such as longevity and resistance to precipitation.

The structure and characteristics of each of the four colors (black, gray, navy, and x-pac) are identical; the only variation between them is the distinctive material that was utilized in the building of each individual model. There is just a difference in the materials that were utilized to construct each distinct model.

X-PAC sailcloth exterior VX-42 X-PacTM by Dimension-Polyant® is used on the Gray model and 900D eco-dyed polyester is used on the Gray version. For example, the Black and Navy versions are composed of sturdy 1680D CORDURA ballistic nylon.

Because each of these materials is well-known for its strength and sturdiness, there is no need for you to be afraid that it will break apart in a matter of months or that it will not be able to withstand the damage that comes from regular usage.

The fact that the AER Travel Pack 2 is resistant to water is another feature that I like. In addition to having a water-resistant exterior, this bag also has AquaGuard YKK zippers, which ensure that the inside of the pack remains dry, as it should at all times.

In order to raise the ante even further, the zippers include flaps that provide further water resistance, and both the front compartment pockets and the main compartment pockets are locked to provide an additional layer of protection.

Furthermore, the fact that the laptop compartment does not have zippers that may be locked, it is going to be very difficult for you to access the laptop compartment while you have the bag on your back. Moreover, it comes with Duraflex buckles, as well as EVA foam in the mesh back panel, EPE foam in the straps, and sponge foam in the side handle.

It has a sternum strap that is detachable and adjustable, a mesh back panel, cushioned top, side grab grips, and a sturdy hip belt that can be purchased separately. All of these features contribute to its overall comfort. A passthrough in the pack’s rear allows you to simply stack it on top of rolling baggage, and its 33-liter capacity makes it simple to put in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

It has dimensions of 21.5 inches by 13.5 inches by 8.5 inches and weighs 3.7 pounds. Although it is a carry-on size, it has ample pockets and a streamlined design. However, there are certain compromises that come with purchasing this bag.

The pack has a capacity of 33 liters, which means that it only just about meets the criteria for “one-bag travel.” Despite the fact that it is ideal for short excursions, it is not the right option for you if you have a tendency to carry a lot of items.

This backpack is only going to work effectively for minimalists who are able to pack their belongings very tightly for travels lasting between three and six days. Additionally, it is primarily intended for usage in a range of urban situations, thus it is not ideal for engaging in intense outdoor activities or going on camping excursions.

Compression straps make it more difficult to get to the main compartment, which is another design problem. The straps just get in the way, making it more difficult to get to the main compartment.

Because of its high construction and assortment of features, the AER Travel Pack 2 is an excellent choice for usage either as a sizable daypack with an emphasis on technology or as a travel bag for weekend excursions.

3. Comfort & Good Fit

The AER Travel Pack 2 Review harness system comes with a number of exciting new features and upgrades in comparison to its predecessor. To begin, the shoulder straps have been widened, improved, and further cushioned with thicker foams so that the weight may be distributed more easily.

Furthermore, the rear panel is adequately cushioned with mesh for ventilation, and it also functions as a baggage pass-through sleeve that can be attached to a rolling suitcase. In addition to this, it has a sternum strap that allows you to secure the two shoulder straps together, ensuring that they remain in the correct positions at all times.

In addition to this, it comes with a hip belt that can be removed and is offered separately. Belts like this assist the hips, which are the biggest muscles of the body, with carrying the weight of the pack. The sturdy side handles as well as the top handle make it considerably simpler to hoist the bag.

When the pack is full, the fact that it can be simplified by using the four compression straps that are located on the sides is a feature that I truly like. If I didn’t talk about the elements of the AER Travel Pack 2 that weren’t as thrilling, then this review wouldn’t be fair to the product.

Although the older model of the AER Pack included load lifter straps, the newer version of the pack does not have these straps. With load lifter straps, you can move the top of your backpack closer to your shoulders, thereby adding stability to the pack.

Compression straps are another area of potential discomfort. When you are attempting to reach the main compartment, the straps get in the way and make it difficult. Despite this, you won’t experience any discomfort when carrying the Travel Pack for extended periods of time, whether you’re walking through a city or making your way to an airport terminal.

4. Putting Things Away & Organizing

The AER Travel Pack 2 has a capacity of 33 liters, which means that it is suitable for anywhere between three and six days of travel, depending on how much of a minimalist you are. There is space for all of your belongings, including your clothing, technology, accessories, and even a pair of shoes!

This review of the AER Travel Pack 2 should have shown you that despite a large number of pockets and compartments available for your belongings, the pack does not interfere with your focus in any way. Whatever the case may be, should we go right into action?

5. Easily accessible Pocket

If you want to travel light, you can store your phone, your EarPods, or a snack in this convenient pouch (supposedly the most important item you can take while traveling). On the other hand, I really wished that it had a fleece lining inside so that it might prevent scratches on your phone screen or on your sunglasses.

6. Pocket on the Front

A sizable pocket may be seen on the front of the garment. It has watertight zippers, which allow you to store goods that are too large to fit in the top little pocket, such as a boarding card, food (yes, I know), tickets, headphones, and so on.

7. Water Bottle Holder in the Pocket

There is a compartment on the outside of the bag that may be used to store an umbrella or a water bottle. It is possible to enlarge it if necessary, but when it is not being used, it may be neatly tucked away.

8. Organizational Pocket

I like how practical each and every one of these compartments is. I don’t know how it is for you, but occasionally I notice that there are certain compartments in the organizer that remain unused no matter how hard you try to place objects in them. Maybe you have the same experience. It’s either too big, too tight, or too big for them to be comfortable.

A portable cord case offers nine compartments of varying sizes – two half pockets, an elasticated mesh pocket, an interior lining pocket, two compartments for stationery, a plastic keychain ring, and a larger divider pocket to store cables, chargers, and miscellaneous items. In addition, there are two slots for your stationery, which can be found on the front of the bag.

9. Most Exciting Part

If you want to utilize packing cubes rather than the compartments provided, you won’t have to worry about the appearance of a bulge on the outside of the bag since all of the pockets in this section lie completely flat against one another.

10. Storage Space for Shoes

If you need to travel with a pair of shoes, the AER has provided a dedicated container for them. If shoes aren’t your thing, you may also put your towel or dirty clothing in this space if you want to switch things up a little. Isn’t that convenient?

The only thing that bothers me about it is that it is located at the bottom, and while it is in use, it takes up room that might be utilized for the main compartment.

11. Primary Storage Area

You may use packing cubes or arrange your belongings in any other manner that you see fit in this large area that opens all the way down and lies completely flat. In addition to that, it includes a zipped compartment that is of good size as well as a mesh pocket at the top that may be used to keep smaller things.

12. Compartment for Laptops

Another big cushioned compartment can be found at the rear of the bag. This one can accommodate a laptop measuring up to 15.6 inches. It is convenient that the laptop compartment is located at the rear of the bag and that it features zippers that are watertight to keep your technology dry.

It provides a pleasant sense of coziness and safety, and its location is perfect for achieving optimal load balance. Because the last thing you want is for your stuff to be getting destroyed after each trip, here are some smart elements that I feel any travel bag should have.

13. Price

It’s not exactly affordable for most people to purchase the AER Travel Pack 2 Review. This bad boy can be purchased at retail for $230 right now. The price of the items, however, depends on a number of factors, the most significant of which are the bag’s color, design, and the materials used in its creation.

You may choose from the Black, Navy, Gray, or X-Pac editions on the official AER website. Be sure to double-check the pricing once you’ve decided whatever option you want to go with since each edition has its own one-of-a-kind price tag.

If you enjoy what you’ve learned so far in this review of the AER Travel Pack 2, but you’re interested in purchasing a travel backpack that’s quite similar to this one, you may want to read my evaluation of the Nomatic Travel Pack.

14. Warranty

A lifetime warranty is provided by AER, which, in all likelihood, will cover the product for its entire useful life. However, this only applies to defects in the pack’s materials and craftsmanship that were caused during production.

This insurance policy does not cover any damage caused by normal wear and tear on the baggage, accidents, or improper handling by the baggage handlers.

Which portion is less amazing than the rest?

The paddings at the bottom, however, have some room for improvement. It does not have a bottom that is hung to provide protection against drops and impact, which is particularly important if you are a clumsy traveler who has the propensity to drop your luggage by mistake or put it down with force.

If you do not purchase a protective sleeve for your laptop, there is a chance that it may sustain damage if the bag is dropped on the ground with sufficient force. Compression straps to fasten goods more securely

In addition to helping to keep your luggage organized, the bag has four compression straps on each side. These straps come in extremely helpful. It is possible to use the strap to fasten a sleeping mat or a garment.

Consider instead the AER Travel Pack 2 as an Alternative (Small)

If you don’t want anything large or if your frame is small, then the AER Travel Pack 2 (Tiny) of the AER range could be your solution. Because it has a capacity of about 28 liters and weighs only 3.3 pounds, it is ideal for typical and routine usage.

Its structure and characteristics are identical to those of its larger sibling, the AER Travel Pack 2, which it shares (33L). With dimensions of 19 inches by 12.5 inches by 7.5 inches, it is the more secure choice that you are able to take on an airplane with you as carry-on baggage without the risk of exceeding the carry-on limitations.

Feedback and comments from Users

The AER Travel Pack 2 is an excellent backpack for traveling that has all of the features that one could need while also being really comfy to carry about. Having said that, one of the goals of our analysis of the AER Travel Pack 2 is to draw attention to the criticisms that customers have leveled against it.

The Travel Pack 2 comes with a significant drawback in the form of its size. It is quite impractical for things like long journeys, for example. There is a limit to the number of objects that may be stuffed inside the bag given that it has a capacity of 33 liters and weighs 3.7 pounds. You won’t get a lot of use out of it as a hiking bag since it’s not that big.

Another criticism levied against the bag is that it does not come with load lifters and that purchasing the hip belt comes at an additional expense, despite the fact that the bag itself already retails at a premium price. Concerns also arise with regard to the pricing structure. It is pretty pricey, particularly if you are working with a limited budget.

In my assessment of the AER Travel Pack 2, I gave the pack a rating of 4.6 out of a possible 5 stars despite these shortcomings. But other than that, this backpack is beautifully manufactured, can be used for a variety of purposes, and looks great. It is also quite popular among the people who use it.

Conclusion

There are certain backpacks that are not built to withstand the rigors and challenges of a nomadic lifestyle. In our evaluation of the AER Travel Pack 2, we came to the interesting conclusion that the bag had all of the qualities that one would expect from a luxury carry-on, in addition to having a really good design.

With a capacity of 33 liters, it offers sufficient room for your electronic equipment, as well as some clothing, a pair of shoes, a hygiene kit, snacks, and other minor stuff. It is possible to use it for a variety of travels due to the basic design, such as vacations, and business trips, and even as a carry-on when it is compressed.

If you are looking for a backpack that is suitable for lengthy excursions or trips in the great outdoors, the only circumstance under which I would not suggest the AER Travel Pack 2 is. The AER Travel Pack 2 is not intended for such activities.

If, on the other hand, you care more about how your bag looks overall and you want it to be as durable and practical as possible, then you can’t go wrong with the Aer Travel Pack 2.

Overall, without a shadow of a doubt, I’d suggest the AER Travel Pack 2 as an excellent daily carry and a fantastic travel backpack for anyone who just needs to bring a few essentials with them. However, if you need a solution that takes up less room, the AER Travel Pack 2 (Small) is a good option for you to consider.