Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack Review

The Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack combines quality and function in a heritage aesthetic with excellent flexibility. The bag easily adapts to various situations, from day trips and daily commutes to weekend getaways. Trakke is well known for its high-quality craftsmanship, and the products are proudly made in Scotland. Their commitment to durability and longevity is apparent throughout their lineup of bags, and this one is no exception.

This pack features flexible loading styles to accommodate various gear and situations. Its dual-zippered front allows easy front loading and on-body access to the main compartment, giving the pack even more convenience and accessibility. Trakke incorporates simple and minimal organization into their bags, with a clever design that ensures that organizational features are available when needed but out of the way when not in use, maintaining the bag’s versatility and clean aesthetic.

External Components

The Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack is made from high-quality and durable materials. The external and internal fabric is a dry-finish waxed canvas, which provides a soft and pleasant touch while maintaining durability. However, it is worth noting that this material tends to pick up and hold onto lint, dirt, and hair relatively easily. Other materials around the bag include rigid and durable cotton. While this cotton is slightly rougher to the touch, it feels very strong and like it will last a while.

Trakke uses metal hardware to help ensure longevity while also adding to the pack’s heritage style. The top lid is secured with an AustriAlpin COBRA 25mm QuickRelease Buckle, known for its strength, durability, and reliability. Around the pack, all the zippers are metal and feature a unique circular pull tab embossed with Trakke’s logo, a simple T. The exterior zippers are protected with an AquaGuard coating for extra weather resistance, providing an additional barrier against moisture.

High-quality and durable materials are always nice to see as they ensure the bag will last; however, all these also contribute to its overall weight, which comes in at about 3.28 lb or 1.49 kg. While the materials and construction are high-quality, those looking for something more lightweight may want to look at other options.

The bag’s exterior is minimal, lacking any dedicated attachment points. However, Trakke offers a degree of personalization through its removable branded hook-and-loop patch on the front of the lid. This patch allows users to either maintain the Trakke branding, opt for a more discreet look by removing the patch entirely, or customize the bag with their own patch. Trakke also sells additional patches in a variety of styles on their website.

There are two methods of carry for the Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack. There is a simple grab handle on top of the bag above the shoulder straps. Though fairly short and made from basic cotton webbing, it’s a quick and reliable way to pick up the bag. While we don’t find it to be the most comfortable option for extended carrying, it does the job adequately.

The second and primary carry method is the shoulder straps. They feature metal hardware, which, while providing a reliable and solid mechanism, may seem somewhat excessive for strap adjusters, especially with this much bulk. However, it gives them a high-quality and somewhat rugged aesthetic. The back panel has a minor amount of mesh for added comfort and includes a minimal channel for airflow, though both seem better in theory than in practice. Towards the bottom of each shoulder strap, just above the metal adjuster, is a single attachment point made from rigid cotton webbing.

The shoulder straps are relatively thin, with light padding for comfort. They have a slightly curved design to better conform to the wearer’s body. In terms of comfort, the bag is decent in most cases. However, we find that the shoulder straps tend to dig into the shoulders with heavier loads. They use metal hardware for slack keepers and pull tabs, further enhancing the bag’s robust appearance. It is worth noting that the bag does not include a sternum strap or hip belt, which may affect load distribution and stability for some users, particularly when carrying heavier gear.

Fit Notes

The Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack is available in four color options, offering an excellent selection. All four colors have a casual look to them; however, we think the black variant has the potential to blend into professional environments in certain situations. The bag design combines heritage and modern elements, featuring a top flap-style lid. The high-quality metal hardware feels robust and strong. You also get additional functionality with the zippered front loading panel for easy loading and quick, on-body access to the main compartment from either side.

Inside The Pack

The interior of the Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack utilizes a similar dry-finish waxed canvas as the exterior in a vibrant orange color that adds extra visibility. On top of the lid, a top pocket protected by an AquaGuard coating for increased weather resistance provides easy access to essential items. This pocket is a decent size, though it doesn’t span the entire front of the lid. It is ideal for storing items like a phone, keys, or a wallet. However, it lacks plush or padding, so we don’t recommend it for sensitive items such as glasses.

This pack features a semi-padded laptop compartment for devices up to 16 inches. It’s located between the main compartment and the back panel, with a convenient side-loading design for quick access to your device. However, the compartment is not elevated, which may be a deal breaker for some users. The placement of the compartment in front of one of the shoulder strap attachment points at the bottom can sometimes make removing a device slightly cumbersome. Despite these minor drawbacks, the laptop compartment provides a secure and accessible storage option for your device while on the go since its side-loading design does not require you to open the main compartment or rummage through gear in order to remove your device.

Water bottle pockets sit on both sides of the pack and flush up against it when not in use. These pockets are gusseted with elastic for extra stretch, allowing them to accommodate various bottle sizes. In our testing, they can easily fit an Owala FreeSip 24 oz bottle, although it requires two hands to insert. The elastic helps keep the bottle secure, preventing it from falling out. However, larger water bottles might struggle to fit. While you could also use these pockets for items like umbrellas, it’s worth noting that there are no drainage holes at the bottom, which may not be ideal for wet items.

On the front of the bag is a large slip pocket with a spacious compartment that spans the full length and width of the front section. While it offers ample storage space, its black interior may hinder visibility when searching for items. This pocket lacks any kind of internal organization and is a simple, open space. It is well-suited for storing flat items like notebooks, papers, or potentially even headphones, depending on their size. However, due to the lack of padding, it may not be ideal for storing tablets or other delicate electronic devices.

In front of that slip pocket is another slightly smaller pocket with a protective flap. This pocket also spans the full height and width of the front section and has a black interior. At the top right corner of this pocket is a key leash made of orange cotton webbing. While the leash doesn’t have any stretch, it is a decent length for easy access to keys.

The Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack offers two options for loading gear with a top-loading and zippered front loading panel. The dual-access design not only provides flexibility in packing but also enables quick access to gear inside the main compartment. The front panel features dual zippers at each end, allowing users to unzip from either side without worrying about configuration. This intuitive design adds accessibility and convenience, adapting to various user preferences and situations.

The main compartment is spacious and versatile. Towards the top, it features a light degree of organization, including mesh slip pockets on both sides. While not stretchy, these pockets provide visible storage for smaller items such as wallets, small headphones, or cables. The front panel includes a zippered pouch with plenty of space, adding to the main compartment’s storage and organization.

The remainder of the main compartment serves as a simple storage area, accommodating various gear like clothing, packing cubes, and tech pouches. Thanks to the dual-loading options, you can pack through the top or the front. This flexibility allows the bag to adapt to individual preferences and use cases, making it a versatile choice for different packing styles and situations.

The Trakke Bannoch Pro Backpack offers a fantastic blend of versatility, durability, and thoughtful design. Its durable materials and high-quality metal hardware ensure it will stand the test of time, while the dual-access main compartment offers excellent flexibility in packing. The minimalist aesthetic and practical features, like water bottle pockets and a dedicated laptop compartment, make it suitable for various use cases, from casual outings to professional business trips. While it may not have the most comfortable shoulder straps or the most extensive organization, its flexibility and durability make it a worthy contender if you are on the market for a flexible everyday carry backpack.