Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 20L Review

In recent years, Bellroy has released a wide range of travel backpacks, slings, and other travel gear. Though each pack may seem slightly different from its siblings, we don’t mind. These minor changes mean that every traveler can get what they’re looking for from a pack, similar to how Anker has multiple variations of its battery banks to work for every kind of port-lover. Will this iteration from Bellroy work, or will we be left wanting more? Let’s dive in!

External Components

The primary pack materials on the Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 20L are recycled and Baida nylon. If you aren’t sure what that means but are familiar with Bellroy’s packs, it feels very similar to other packs we’ve tested from the brand. It’s highly water resistant, durable, and relatively lightweight. It looks sleek and has a nice texture, too, which are touches that we’ve come to know and expect from Bellroy.

The Bellroy logo is on the pack’s front face but is minimalistic and sleek. It doesn’t shout at you and isn’t visible from a great distance. Below that, a loop works as a bike light attachment point, which is handy for cycle commuters. Or, attach a carabiner or strap to it for funsies.

The zippers are from YKK, and the central and top compartments are AquaGuard models, offering another layer of protection from the elements and spills. The pulls are simple but effective, with a paracord-like material, a knot, and heat-shrink plastic on the end. There’s a small loop on either end of the main and top compartment zippers, which is handy for getting the head going, especially if you have mobility issues.

The sternum strap has a magnetic buckle, which is easy to pop open and close but takes some getting used to. Its small size can make it challenging to open at times, whether you have large hands or range of motion issues. For most intents and purposes, the small size is welcomed, but it presents a few challenges.

The small size is more comfortable and doesn’t rub as much against your body, but tackling with one hand can be challenging. If you’re cycling or have a coffee, completing the task with the other isn’t the most user-friendly. You get used to it; however, some users with mobility issues may be unable to.

A water bottle pocket on the pack’s side works well for smaller bottles. It isn’t tailored for larger models, like a 32-ounce Nalgene, but most 16-ounce bottles should fit inside.

A loop above the water bottle pocket is handy for securing large bottles or other items you decide to stow in the compartment, like a travel tripod or poster you bought while shopping. If you don’t want to use it, the material doesn’t get in the way but can be funky-looking.

Fit Notes

The back panel is well padded and has a fine mesh exterior to promote airflow. There’s also an air channel down the center, which helps keep you cool even on super hot days.

In the middle, there’s a luggage pass-through, which is handy for trips to the airport. The material stretches when you pull it and retreats when you let go, so it doesn’t poke you while wearing the pack. It also has enough depth to work with more oversized rolling luggage telescopic handles. It’s vertical, so your pack is horizontal when you load it on, which some travelers may not like, as getting things inside your bag is harder.

The shoulder straps have comfortable padding with fine mesh, too. The lower portion is relatively thin, which can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable. It digs in slightly if you have a larger frame.

The sternum strap is on a rail, so you can make micro-adjustments, though the strap has less resistance than we’d like. Because of this, it slides around a bit too easily, and you can accidentally lose your happy place if you bump it or it gets caught on something. Essentially, you can make micro-adjustments easily, but you can lose them just as quickly, too.

Overall, the harness system is comfortable, but it can feel a bit tight on larger frames.

Inside The Pack

On the opposite side of the water bottle pocket, there’s a side compartment for stowing gear. You can access it while wearing the pack by taking it off one arm and sliding it forward. Inside, there’s a fair amount of space and a key leash, handy for stowing your keys. Snacks, a phone, and your wallet work well if you plan to use them on your journey.

There’s a quick-access pocket on the top of the bag, another handy spot to stow gear you want to get to fairly quickly. There’s a divider in the center that separates it into two sections. This is handy for organization but makes it so you can fit large items inside the pocket. Without it, you’d be able to accommodate larger items, like a packable jacket. Because it won’t fit here, you’ll have to stow it in the main or side compartment. On the left are two liner pockets, and on the right, there’s a larger mesh pocket, which works well for a phone.

The main compartment has a clamshell-style opening, which is handy for getting a good look at everything you’re trying to organize. Typically, we see this style opening on larger packs, not a 20-liter version. The whole front face folds outward so you can look at everything stowed inside. There are two zippers, so you can only open the top portion if you want to. Or, if you’re using the luggage pass-through, open it from the side facing up while you’ve got it stowed on your rolling luggage.

On the lid, there are two mesh pockets with zippered closures, which are useful for stowing things like sunglasses, a passport, and smaller tech to avoid bringing a tech pouch, and it’s easy to see what’s inside without opening the pocket because it is made of mesh.

On the backside, a laptop compartment can hold up to a 16-inch computer, which is a solid feature considering how big the pack is. There’s another liner pocket, which works well for a notebook, book, or tablet. It doesn’t have as much padding as the laptop compartment, so keep that in mind while choosing what to stow there. On the side of the compartment, there’s a mini mesh pocket without a topper that works for a small water bottle, snack, or other little item.

Overall, the Bellroy Venture Ready Pack 20L doesn’t blow us away; however, it’s a comfortable pack with ample organization and sleek looks, which is commendable!