Finisterre Nautilus 23L Backpack Review

Upon initial inspection, we dig the look of the Finisterre Nautilus 23L Backpack. That said, in our previous experience with rolltop backpacks, the internal organization can sometimes hamper the overall experience. Will the Nautilus feel the same, or will it be more seamless in everyday use? Let’s find out.

External Components

The primary pack material we’re working with here is 500D high-tenacity ripstop nylon. This fabric does well in terms of durability and water resistance, surviving a trip to a hostel in New York City that included rain, sleet, and snow. The rolltop assists with that, but we’ll get there.

The logo is noticeable; however, it’s sleek and stylish enough that it doesn’t bother us. It isn’t huge, either, which makes it look more like an accent than branding.

The hardware is from Duraflex, which works as you’d expect it to. The zippers are from YKK, both of which brands are the best in the business, at least in our experience. The pulls are paracord-like and simple but effective. They stay out of the way when you aren’t using them and are easy to use when you do. What else can you ask for?

This pack’s primary closure is on the top in the form of a rolltop. The edge has plastic inside the fabric to help you start the roll, which makes opening and closing the pack easy.

A metal hook on the front side secures the roll, and there’s a fabric loop on top of the back that you connect it to. The orange loop is easy to spot, even in poor lighting conditions. We found this system easier to use than others we’ve tested, and it stayed secure throughout the day, whether commuting to work or heading through the airport.

There’s one water bottle pocket, and it blends in with the rest of the pack nicely. It can handle a large bottle, like a 32-ounce Nalgene, which is handy for those who like to stay hydrated. When the bag is full, it can be challenging to fit it inside, so you might want to slim down to a smaller travel water bottle for trips that require more gear inside the main compartment.

Fit Notes

On a recent trip to New York City, this backpack’s harness system performed pretty well to tour Queens before check-in time at the hostel. Things only became slightly uncomfortable after roughly six or seven miles of walking. That said, most packs don’t perform well under these circumstances, especially with a laptop, tech pouch, and a long weekend’s worth of gear and camera equipment inside. Overall, it performed well. What components made that happen?

The back panel is well-padded and has a layer of mesh to help with breathability. The brand name is molded into the foam, creating air channels to promote airflow. On a warm day, it can get hot, but this is common. Overall, the panel keeps your back comfortable and your gear inside safe.

The shoulder straps are well padded, and have the same fine mesh to promote airflow. There isn’t much functionality here; however, they look sleek and stylish compared to other daypacks we’ve tested. We dig additional features, but they aren’t always the prettiest. These things are rad looking!

The sternum strap is on a rail covered by a fabric welt, which looks nice, even if you remove the strap. This is a nice inclusion but isn’t super helpful if you plan to use the sternum strap, which we always do.

Overall, this pack does what we’d expect it to as far as comfort is concerned. How much gear does it hold, though?

Inside The Pack

First, let’s talk about the laptop compartment. It’s separate from the main gear storage area and is accessible from the top of the pack. We prefer this over side access because it would be incredibly challenging for your laptop to slide out of this compared to a side access model. It also offers easy access and plenty of padding to protect your computer.

A side pocket opposite the water bottle storage area is a small zippered compartment that’s a solid option for snacks, your wallet, or other small gear you want quick access to. It’s easy to forget about, too.

A front pocket takes up most of the pack’s face. It’s accessible from the side; you can quickly get inside by slinging the back onto one shoulder. It’s a reasonably large pocket, making it ideal for larger snacks, a hat, gloves, or a book. It shares space with the main compartment, so it can be challenging to fit larger gear here when that is fully packed out.

The main compartment has a ton of space to work with and little organization. It’s only a 23-liter pack, but most of that space is here, so there’s a lot to work with.

In our experience, adding internal organization to a rolltop and having it be useful is challenging. Due to the nature of the design, it’s hard to access the organization on the back side of the pack. Still, designers continue trying. We found it to work reasonably well on this pack.

A large pocket with a button closure is a solid spot to stow a notebook, paperback, travel documents, or other flat items. Two smaller liner pockets are big enough to fit your wallet, passport, or similar-sized gear. They’re mesh, so they stretch, allowing you to stow bulkier things, like a Bluetooth speaker. There’s one more small pocket with a zippered topper, where you can stow coins or more sensitive things, like an AirTag.

Apart from those four pockets, there isn’t any more organization. The rest of the real estate is yours to build on. If you choose to leave the land wild, you may struggle to stay organized and find your way; however, you can do that. Keeping everything in line is fairly easy with packing cubes, a tech pouch, and other organizers.

Overall, the comfort and design of this pack perform well in daily use and on a weekend trip. Anything longer than that, and you’ll run the risk of running out of space; however, paired with a travel sling, it’s very versatile. Load up and head out!