BAGSMART Blast Quick Access 28L Carry On Travel Backpack Review

Typically, budget-friendly bags cut corners somewhere. That isn’t always the end of the world, but we’re used to seeing unbranded hardware, loose threads, or unique design choices when reviewing gear on the cheaper end of the spectrum. That said, some of our favorite gear is budget-friendly, and saving money on gear means you can spend more on travel, so we’re all for that! Let’s dive in and see how the BAGSMART Blast Quick Access 28L Carry On Travel Backpack handles our testing.

External Components

The travel pack is crafted from nylon, though BAGSMART doesn’t get super specific about the denier or creation process. It appears to have some sort of coating or laminate, which adds water resistance, which we dig. It doesn’t feel that durable; however, we’ve had no issues with it holding up, even on bike rides and public transit adventures.

The zippers aren’t from one of the name brands that we can recognize and feel a bit cheap. Still, we haven’t had any issues with them popping open or breaking. They are a little rough, though, which can cause discomfort on your arm or hand if you scrape them while loading and unloading gear.

The hardware is unbranded, too, but it feels more capable than the zippers. The buckles are snappy, and the adjusters feel durable. There are no issues to report here!

Before diving any further into this pack, we should mention that it comes in two versions. There’s the standard model, which we tested, and one that extends from 28 liters to 38 for an extra 10 liters of capacity. We dig the 28L for use as a weekender or road trip bag, but the additional space is handy for longer trips or when you might want to bring home souvenirs. When extended, the bag loses some structure, and it can feel a bit saggier on your back, which isn’t the most comfortable experience.

The pack has two compression straps on each side, which are handy for cinching things down and making them more compact. As mentioned, the pack can sometimes feel saggy, and the compression straps can help combat that.

There are handles on the top and side of the pack, which help when loading and unloading it into the overhead bin, under the seat in front of you on the plane, or in the trunk of the car. They’re not very well padded, but they work fine for that use.

There’s just one water bottle pocket, which can accommodate big bottles—think 40+ ounces. You can stow other things here, too, like a tripod or trekking pole. Plus, you can secure your bottle or gear using the compression strap just above the pocket..

The back panel has a luggage pass-through, which is handy if you use this bag with rolling luggage. It leaves your bag sitting straight up and down, which helps while moving through the airport, as you can more easily grab items from inside.

Overall, the pack’s exterior looks nice, but it feels a bit cheap. It is affordable, though, with both versions costing under $80. We have no reason to think it won’t hold up, so we can’t knock it for that. However, if you’re in search of something that will last for decades to come, you may want to look elsewhere.

Fit Notes

The back panel is padded but not very firm. It’s comfortable and more structured if you have a laptop inside the bag. It’s well-aerated, too, which keeps things cool in warmer weather. The aeration is a little crunchy, though, which can be rough on your skin if you’re wearing a tank top.

The shoulder straps have a slight curve with the same padding and aeration as the back panel. They’re pretty comfortable; however, some travelers may feel that they’re too wide for their liking. Still, they’re malleable enough to work for most body types.

The sternum strap is on a rail and utilizes elastic to add comfort to the carry. It’s simple but works and is removable if you don’t want to use it.

There aren’t any strap keepers on the bag, so be prepared to deal with loose materials!

Inside The Pack

There are many secondary pockets to go over, so let’s dive into it.

The top compartment is a large dump pocket. The lid has a mesh zippered pocket, which helps lock smaller gear down. The compartment is relatively large and is a good spot for quick-use gear, like a packable rain jacket, snacks, or even a cased Nintendo Switch.

The front side has two pockets. First, there’s a horizontal pocket. It isn’t huge, but it’s a solid place to stow your phone, wallet, and snack—but not much else. The vertical pocket is larger and lacks organization, but it works well for a book, ereader, or similar-sized item.

Another pocket is on the opposite side of the pack from the water bottle compartment. There’s no organization here, either, but flat items, like a battery bank, do well in this space. It’s pretty quick to access, too, which is handy when you’re on the go.

On the side of the back panel is a hidden zippered pocket, which is good for a passport or other important documents. It’s concealed while the pack is on your back, so it’s a solid spot for sensitive items like a passport.

The laptop compartment has a clamshell opening, which takes some getting used to but offers good access to organizing gear inside. There are tablet and laptop sleeves, a handy combination for those who like to travel with both. After all, how else will you get work done and watch “Mean Girls” on full screen? There isn’t a ton of padding on the compartment, and it doesn’t have a false bottom, so using a case for both isn’t a bad idea if you take a more extended trip or are rough on your gear. There’s a hook-and-loop fastener to secure your laptop and tablet, which offers some peace of mind.

There are two mesh pockets on the opposite side of the laptop and tablet compartments on the bottom. These are handy, but the rest of the area feels like wasted space that could have been used to store tech.

There’s a shoe pouch that’s accessible from the bottom of the pack with two holes to let water and other gunk drain out if need be. This pocket shares space with the main compartment, so it essentially works like a shoe pouch sewn into the bag with a zippered opening and drainage. Additionally, you can use this space to stow damp items other than shoes that you want to be able to drain.

The main compartment opens like a duffle bag, offering spectacular access to organizing your gear. Accessing this pocket with the pack upright is challenging, and you have to set it down on the back panel to do so, which can be challenging while on the go.

Inside, a compression system forms an X across the main opening. It can’t compress much; however, if you overpack, it’s handy for keeping everything in place. Apart from that, there’s no other organization here. You can see the shoe pouch and top pocket here; they all share this area. If you load up either pocket, you’re taking space from the main compartment, which you’ll want to consider when packing your gear. As there’s no organization, we recommend using packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other segmentation devices.

Overall, as mentioned, many of this pack’s components feel cheap. Still, it’s held up well, and there isn’t anything that’s stopping us from recommending it for use. If you travel every weekend, it likely won’t last as long as one with better elements and materials. That said, for the price, it’s hard to go wrong with the BAGSMART Blast Quick Access 28L Carry On Travel Backpack!