TomToc Navigator Travel Backpack 40L Review - Best Budget Travel Backpack Duffel

On sale $80.99 on Amazon right now - amzn.to/3OWbDXY
📏 - Specs:
TomToc Navigator T66 40L Travel Backpack
Cost: $80.99
Capacity: 40 liters (35 peanut test)
Dimensions: 20.5" 13" x 8.7” (52.1 x 33 x 22.1 cm)
Style: Top loading
Weight: 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
Laptop: 17” compartment
Materials: Recycled polyester fabric; YKK Zips
Origin: Made in China
💼 - Tomtoc Navigator Backpack 40L
amzn.to/3OWbDXY
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Tomtoc Navigator Backpack 40L Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Size and Capacity
1:21 - Materials and Hardware
2:02 - Exterior Features
3:56 - Laptop Compartment
5:31 - Carry System
6:42 - Interior Components
7:40 - Packing the Navigator
9:15 - Wrap Up Summary
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Thanks for watching my Tomtoc Navigator Backpack 40L Review! If you have questions or comments about any of my travel or gear reviews, please let me know in the comments!
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[@Ducayneau]

With sites seemingly always pushing the most expensive, high end gear, it's refreshing to see a review of quality yet more budget friendly products. Another great review, especially with the true capacity demonstration.

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks! Yeah, I try and have a range of bags on here, the prices of some packs has gotten out of control.

[@CorsairMaverick]

Finally someone that addresses a 40L carry on bag with actually carry on tests and pictures… 👏

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks, and it's more like 35 liters

[@IntriguedLioness]

​@@OneBagTravelsas someone who never ever stuffs my bags I agree that it is more like 35, perfect size IMO

[@Dclake]

I love this bag taken mine on three trips and no complaints yet. I have used it under seat when it's not packed out.

[@OneBagTravels]

Nice, thanks!

[@AnnieGill7]

Nice review! It looks like a great bag. There are many people that cannot afford those outrageously expensive travel bags! So this was an awesome review. Thank you.

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks for watching!

[@drummermiller]

I’ve been using this bag for a few months. I really appreciate that you measured it as there is no way it’s 40L but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good bag. I like its simplicity and versatility. One downside is that the top pocket opens down when the bag is stored so items can fall out. I prefer function over form so for the price this bag is a great choice. I agree on the comment about somehow adding one more quick access pocket for passport or phone storage.

[@OneBagTravels]

One extra pocket would be great

[@Sebas66301]

Bag arrived the other day and I was extremely impressed! It’s minimalist and for the value it’s a keeper if this one breaks or has a fault I’ll just order another one ! Great review on the bag also

[@OneBagTravels]

Nice, glad you love the bag!

[@johndoherty8707]

Excellent job. Very helpful to show how it fits on your body loaded.

[@OneBagTravels]

Glad you liked it!

[@captainbilgewater]

I'm addicted to watching reviews of this bag. It seems perfect for me, but haven't taken the plunge yet. Great price too. Yours was the first vid that gave me a good idea of what it looks like when full, so thanks for that.

[@OneBagTravels]

Come back with an update on your thoughts if you decide to get it.

[@Klp85]

I’ve taken it Korea and Philippines. Over night stays at a family members house. It’s my go to. Go for it! I have used it as a personal bag and overhead storage.

[@eds8984]

​@Klp85 will it fit in the personal item test guide at the airport?

[@Klp85]

@@eds8984 didn’t bother to check

[@OneBagTravels]

@@eds8984 I forgot what flight I took this on but it's a little big for the personal sizer box.

[@JuicedupGorilla]

Hey, nice review, thank you for giving more budget friendly options! Could you please consider reviewing the Forclaz Travel 500 organizer 40L backpack (from decathlon) it is a decent alternative too.

[@OneBagTravels]

That's a good one, it's on my list to check out

[@ScottStephenSmith]

Would second this request! Just ordered both to compare with plans to return one.

[@KamilleN16]

Thank you!

[@zing999]

Another excellent review. I've been wondering how the Navigator stacks up. Thanks!

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks!

[@jaketakes]

I was waiting for your review! But ended up getting it anyways and I'm using it now. I got it for ~$60 and figured it was worth a shot. Great backpack for the price, especially because I prefer less built in organization. Though I wouldn't mind one more small quick access pocket for passport/wallet

[@OneBagTravels]

I think a small pocket on the inside lid would be a good upgrade.

[@IntriguedLioness]

I am someone who also does not prioritize inside pockets and purchased this because of that. My phone is my wallet and my passport is usually on me I have not found the need for another pocket, but it sounds like you enjoy yours as do I!

[@trailcarver3018]

OUTSTANDING review. Nice to see intelligent, concise reviews like this. I don't even care about the product!

[@OneBagTravels]

Lolz, glad you like the content though! =)

[@jasecola]

I bought this for sec but returned it. It was very comfortable and I think it's great for the price, but, as your liter test showed, I found it to be able to pack less than my 35l Tortuga Setout backpack. While I don't need/like hip belts on bags 40 liters or less, I would love to see some load adjusters put on this thing in future iterations. With all that said, I just bought the 28l version of this bag and noticed that they put an improved side handle on which hopefully makes it's way to the 40l version. I do like the 28L version which has worked as a personal item for me. As for the 40l, I still think it's a pretty great bag, especially for the price. Part of me kinda wants to get it again for an upcoming overseas trip.

[@OneBagTravels]

I feel like this is one of those designs that could be greatly improved by adding some of the things you suggested, I think they're trying to keep the price low, but they could add a lot of value with just a few tweaks, but it would probably raise the price over $100

[@jasecola]

@@OneBagTravels Agreed. If they did make those tweaks and it went to $100-$130 bucks, I think it would still be a helluva deal when many travel bags are pushing the $250-$350 range. I'll definitely be awaiting their V2 iteration. I'm a pretty big fan of a lot of what TomToc is putting out these days. Some really great value gems in their product lineup.

[@jooky5]

Nice review! Any plans to review the 28l? I’ve been eyeing up as a frontier-friendly laptop bag

[@OneBagTravels]

I don't own the 28L version right now but it seems to be popular enough to warrant a closer look

[@IntriguedLioness]

I purchased the TomToc 40 l long before it came to the states and at a very very reduced price. Before I received the bag I was initially impressed at the large opening and cavernous duffle space and questioned if I would be concerned about the dual laptop opening or would even use it. The large cavernous interior is second only to my TomBihn and it is my favorite design of the bag. The duel laptop opening has not been a concern and have even accessed via the interior once or twice when the bag was unpacked at my destination. I actually don't mind the aesthetics and although I am sure the side handle was created only to pull to remove from an overhead bin I sometimes carry a wraparound neoprene as I often carry this suitcase style. In suitcase style the pleather (vegan😂) strip and simple design with no obnoxious labeling gives it a very dignified look in my opinion. As someone who is not big on interior pockets I think when you have it open to scan through TSA it reveals anything that would not be clothing or packing cubes and I have not once needed to remove any items for inspection. I find the straps adequate and comfortable for a 5'4" female frame and as someone who does not place water bottle pockets at the top of my list I find the two pockets perfect for a large water bottle in one and an umbrella or tripod in the other as the cinch straps help hold in any tall item and I can loop the cinch straps through if necessary. Great bag on my opinion and great review! Cheers! _(When you review a bag I already have I don't know if I'm proud to say we have the same taste in one bag travel or if I'm just relieved that I don't have another bag for my wish list.)_ 😂

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks for the feedback, glad to see you have the same general thoughts on the bag I did. You have so many bags, are there any of your favorites I haven't looked at yet? I have the TB techonaut I'll be working on doing a review soon.

[@sirrebral]

Nice summary as usual. Am I wrong in thinking that the size of the hard panel at the bottom is a design oversight that conflicts with the external compression straps' purpose of cinching the pack's depth down as small as possible? For example, one might want to get the 28L version to fit a sizing box for times when flying the occasional low-cost carrier that limits allowable bag depth to 6 inches (15 cm).

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah I can see that, the bottom panel is kind of a fixed size because of the panel. It's not completely ridgid though and can bend a little. Also if you have the bag really underpacked and cinch the straps down the bottom panel can fold in a little. But yes, in general you're right, it gives the bag good structure, but makes it not as flexible for compression.

[@NinjaPenguins9000]

Great review, thank you! Would be great if you could use measurements in inches and centimeters as well :)

[@OneBagTravels]

I include them in the description so I'm not boring people with a bunch of numbers =)

[@Soft_Pixel]

I was just looking at this bag! It seems perfect as a onebagger's first bag. I'm not sure if I want the 28L or 40L version though.

[@OneBagTravels]

40 is closer to 35 liters if that helps

[@craigo2142]

Have really enjoyed finding your channel and reviews. I'm 71, male, and travel frequently to various cities in the US. Been using a roll-on, but have decided backpack might be better. Any suggestions for light weight, not many external pockets, and no laptop sleeve. Pretty basic for travel and not work. Maybe a personal size and carry-on suggestion. Thanks

[@OneBagTravels]

I think duffels work well for this, large compartment, easy to pack, not usually a laptop sleeve and very lightweight for the volume. The problem is many duffels don't have great backpack carry straps. I think a good compromise is a bag like this that has a laptop sleeve, but it's rather small and doesn't take up much room, same with the Patagonia MLC, very similar pack with a smallish laptop sleeve. If you want a small duffel duffel, Osprey Daylite and REI Big haul are good duffels, but neither has great backpack straps. Tom Bihn makes some good crossover options, like the Aeronaut and Techonaut, they are duffel style designs with a few external pockets, and decent carry systems, comes in multiple sizes. AER has some good options too, like the Capsule duffel is a good carry, has a laptop sleeve but it's not huge.

[@IntriguedLioness]

I agree with the two that OBT lists in the reply and I can suggest two others. Rick Steves has long been a proponent of one bag/no wheels travel and has a great carry on convertible duffel. And either online or if you're ever in England you can pick up a CabinZero witch barely has a tablet sleeve on the inside and is so lightweight I've lived weeks in it traveling with only lightweight clothes through SE Asia!

[@OneBagTravels]

@@IntriguedLioness Great suggestions, I haven't tried the Risk Steves bags but Cabin Zero has some great options. Also worth noting is Cabin Zero has an amazing international shipping policy. They offer free international shipping over a certain amount ($62 in the US, $102 international) and it's FAST. I just ordered their Classic Pro last night at 8:30 pm and not a notice at 2:45 am this morning that it had already shipped. 6 hours from purchase to shipment is an amazing turn-around time. It will take a few days to get to me, but I'm always super impressed with their ability to get gear half way around the world so quickly and cheaply.

[@craigo2142]

Thanks for your input. I will check them out.@@IntriguedLioness

[@craigo2142]

Thanks for the recommendations. I am excited to try backpack since I do like public transport and not having to pull/push the luggage through streets, etc. @@OneBagTravels

[@terrycoye3373]

Excellent review, as always. Id like a bag that could be used for both longer and shorter trips. How well do you think this pack would handle smaller loads, say half of what you included in this vid? Can it be cinched down reasonably well and stay functional (and not look like a sloppy mess)?

[@OneBagTravels]

The bag is a little floppy, but not too bad considering it doesn't have a frame sheet. It may look a little weird if it was half packed and scrunched down with the compression straps, but I don't think it would affect the functionality.

[@IntriguedLioness]

​@@OneBagTravelsI have actually used mine as a laptop bag once I reach my destination a few times and cinched down it seems to hold it's form fairly well IMO

[@enriquediaz7547]

Or may be a bit “dangly” but the side compression straps could be used to attach those MOLLE style pockets such as those from one Tigris, helikon tex, etc.

[@OneBagTravels]

That could work, maybe on the back side straps.

[@thundercat6963]

Can you do a video comparison between then TomToc 40L and the Quechua NH Escape 500 32 for a value bag comparison?

[@OneBagTravels]

Good comparison, I'll add it to my list

[@flying3809]

Thanks for the video. Is the bag water proof ?

[@OneBagTravels]

Nope

[@mhew86]

How would you compare this against the Patagonia Mini MLC? Would love to see a comparison video on these 2 backpacks.

[@OneBagTravels]

Great idea, these bags are very similar, side opening vs top opening and thicker straps on the Navigator are the biggest differences that stand out to me.

[@zing999]

@@OneBagTravels - maybe make it a 3-way comparison by adding eBags Moderlode since MiniMLC is in a higher price category?

[@OneBagTravels]

@@zing999 That would be a good comparison, the style is slightly different but Motherlode Jr is a similar price to the Navigator. This may have to turn into a "best budget travel backpack" roundup.

[@KefDS505]

I really enjoy your reviews. As a suggestion, please consider providing the dimensions using the metric system as well as you do it for the weight.

[@P0WSEETr]

In the description

[@OneBagTravels]

Good suggestion, sometimes I do that in the video but it feels like I'm just rattling off numbers so I put all the specs in metric in the description as well.

[@IntriguedLioness]

​@@OneBagTravelsas someone who has lived 2/3 of my life in Europe and Asia where in the metric system is the norm I remember when you did start listing.... I didn't even catch it when you didn't today!

[@asianck]

Thanks for at least putting the dimensions in the description! I would much rather hear ur thoughts about the bag in the video than just a bunch of numbers, so cheers! 👍

[@DNYS8N]

What happened to the top loading feature on these? Doesn’t look like they have it anymore

[@OneBagTravels]

Not sure, I didn't see the older model. They do have a laptop backpack with a top opening also called the Navitator as well 🤷‍♀️

[@user-qr5og5gg6i]

When the bag is full it will weigh more than 7 kg which is the maximum allowed on Carry on to international destinations

[@OneBagTravels]

The bag only weighs as much as what you put inside it 😆

[@chinaaa4602]

Hi, do you have any alternatives? A bag without waist band and compression straps?

[@OneBagTravels]

Patagonia Mini MLC is comparable to this pack. It has removable hip belt and no compression straps.

[@JSpar121]

3:30 I noticed one of the side pockets was ripped. Was this due to pushing the limits or is it a durability issue?

[@OneBagTravels]

It's not ripped, that's just the elastic on the bottom of the pocket.

[@ThinkDifferentish]

Will it fit under the seats on the airline? I hate fighting to use the overstuffed overhead bins.

[@OneBagTravels]

Technically it should fit under most airline seats, but it's probably not going to count as a personal item

[@valueink]

What’s the best travel backpack you recommend?

[@OneBagTravels]

The best travel backpack is the one that works best for someone so will depend on what you're looking for in a travel backpack. But my favorites are this one, Patagonia Mini MLC, Osprey 26+6, Evergoods, CabinZero, new Tortuga Lite coming out soon is promising as well. I go into more depth on some of those in this review video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoTJi2ychZapp5Isi=0UTLUAalSmHl6YgM

[@brotherfranciz]

9:22 - I think you mean function over form? You said the bag is comfortable and easy to pack ('function') and the only downside is the aesthetics and that it looks boxy ('form').

[@OneBagTravels]

Yeah that sounds like what I meant to say 😆

[@mistsrider]

Do you miss the hip belt that tends to be standard for other bags this size?

[@OneBagTravels]

I think this bag could benefit from a hip belt, however I tend to not pack super heavy, I don't generally carry a camera, laptop or heavy electronics so I don't usually see the benefit of a hip belt at 35L and smaller bags. I think if you were carrying more weight it would be nice to have a hip belt.

[@mokisan]

Budget $80 Backpack reviewers has some serious issues of budget. But regardless nice review.

[@OneBagTravels]

Compared to the price on some backpacks, $80 is a bargan

[@bigdicktyrone]

amazon basics is $40

[@pkruk]

In my opinion, the lack of a good hip belt in a 40-liter backpack is a big downside.

[@OneBagTravels]

I measured it being closer to 35 liters but yes, a hip belt would be a good option

[@IntriguedLioness]

If you don't carry a ton of tech and don't overpack it is very comfortable without a hip belt IMO

[@alfonsohshk8998]

What the f… are inches? Are you addressing your videos just to US citizens or also to the rest of the world? Nobody is using inches anymore, be international and not small local

[@OneBagTravels]

Inches are how far worms can travel in each movement, it's a commonly accepted international standard unit of measurement.

[@alfonsohshk8998]

@@OneBagTravels I have not sailed the seven seas yet, but I have visited 67 countries so far, worked in Engineering and studied for over 20 years in 2 Continents away from Europe and (including top UK Engineering companies) my experience tells me that the Amish worms who walk in circles around your navel are just the ones intellectually not capable to use the metric system alone or in combination with the demodé imperial system. Voilà !

[@OneBagTravels]

@UCDuQK%F0%9F%98%86KDI1GHrnEMKwgcdXIg Touche my friend! Haha, the Amish worms on my navel have convinced me to switch to the metric system 😆

[@alfonsohshk8998]

@@OneBagTravels no need to switch, juat use both, metric and imperial, for the videos, so you help the non-Amish! Voilà ! 😇