Matador ReFraction Packable Backpack Review

[@Paternova]

Love this bag! Used it for the MTL Jazz festival over the past week. Could fit a rain jacket, umbrella, wallets, glasses case, and like 8 cans of shit beer!

[@OneBagTravels]

Nice that they let you bring your own beer!

[@Ducayneau]

I prefer the marks and wear on a bag in a review. It shows that it has actually been field tested unlike review channels where they pull the product, direct from their sponsors, out of the box and then smugly claim it's the best bag in the world!

[@OneBagTravels]

I love "Best" reviews 🤣

[@jonuiuc]

I bought the refraction when it first came out, but it was so small, it felt smaller than other 16l bags. Mine developed a small run on the stretch fabric in the first week of use. I gave it away to a friend, and she likes it, she’s also a lot smaller than me. Nowadays I’ve settled on a Cotopaxi Batac as my packable backpack, it’s also 16l but feels a lot bigger and packs more. I like the straps more, and it fits guys my size better. The matador was lighter though.

[@OneBagTravels]

I'll have to check that one out, tried a lot of Cotopaxi gear but not the Batac yet.

[@Izsibirisluboviu]

I had an older version of freefly 16. I loved it a lot, especially the look and the size. No matter what I was wearing during my travels the backpack looked fantastic.Unfortunately the zipper broke and it's probably cheaper to replace a backpack. I absolutely hate how the new Freefly16 looks like, but love the technicality of it. On the other side ReFraction is slightly bigger, doesn't have all these straps but looks much better and can be used as a casual everyday backpack. Thank you for the review. You convinced me to get this one!

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks! And yes, the Freefly has a very technical look, but the Refraction looks much better for general travel use.

[@costive1]

Digging the new table/backdrop!

[@OneBagTravels]

I like it too, lots of natural light

[@laknicks]

Best packable backpack, small yet convenient has great organization

[@OneBagTravels]

Totally agree!

[@bani_niba]

I have this backpack. For a packable bag, it's decent. But I guess I don't like floppy bags in general. So I'm replacing mine with an Aer Go Pack 2. The Aer doesn't pack as small, but it has more structure and I like it's external pockets & internal organization better.

[@OneBagTravels]

I think I'll do a comparison video between those two for that exact reason. Refraction is smaller but less structure, Go Pack 2 has structure and carries more like a real backpack, but it larger.

[@Fnantier]

@@OneBagTravels Did you ever do this comparison? I'm currently looking at both Aer Go Pack 2, Matador Refraction and Tortuga Packable Backpack as a packable backpack to pack inside the Aer Travel Pack 3.

[@OneBagTravels]

@@Fnantier I haven't yet but those three bags are so similar I'd just go with the one you think looks the best, I think they're all good.

[@leonboy9388]

Been loving this bag too!

[@OneBagTravels]

Niccceeee

[@winm784]

Nice review on the Matador Geoff. If you had to choose, which bag do you prefer out of the Osprey 26+6 VS Patagonia MLC mini 30L?

[@OneBagTravels]

Probably the Mini MLC because I like that duffel packing style better.

[@winm784]

@@OneBagTravels That makes sense. Thank you!

[@AtmosJourney]

Good review 👍 Matador is one of my favorite pack.

[@OneBagTravels]

Lots of great Matador gear

[@josephcollins6033]

Hey! I'm still thrilled with my TomToc!!!! It's like Mary Poppins' bag!!! And, I thank YOU.

[@OneBagTravels]

Glad you still like it! I've been using their sling a lot recently and it's also great

[@josephcollins6033]

@@OneBagTravels Oh, thanks! I'll check out your video.

[@DD654-jx9kl]

I thought this version was around 12 litters, but it looks pretty good, also the foldable size is amazing!! I wonder how different the capacity is with the Cotopaxi Tasra 16 litters, have you ever tried it? I’m seriously considering getting the Cotopaxi, mostly for weekends and because many airlines are downsizing their one bag (personal item), and I’m not overpaying you Avianca airlines!! 😅 Anyways, is always nice to watch your reviews! ❤

[@OneBagTravels]

Not today Avianca! 🤣

[@KelvinHew7]

Can you do a comparison video between the Refraction, Beast and the Freefly series? I understand Matador created these series for different use case scenarios so i would love to hear your thoughts. I know you have been using the Refraction daypack for some time. You featured it in many of your videos

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah I've had it for awhile. I'd love to do a comparison between those bags

[@elliots4370]

Would a ~13 inch laptop fit against the back panel and give it a decent structure?

[@OneBagTravels]

I don't have a 13" laptop to test with this bag, but I've done that with my 15" with other frameless packs. It does work but the back padding becomes a big flat square and depending on how big the laptop is, the top corners will probably stick out making the bag look very square. I probably wouldn't want this to be my EDC bag if I was carrying a laptop every day, but for occasional use it's fine.