Aer Journey Pack 3 Assessment

When you comply with The Savvy Backpacker, you realize I’m a journey backpack dork so I used to be excited when Aer lately launched the most recent iteration of their standard AER Journey Pack. So how does the brand new Aer Journey Pack 3 evaluate to the older Aer Journey Packs I’ve reviewed up to now (learn my Aer Journey Pack 2 Assessment and Aer Journey Pack Assessment) and is the brand new Aer Journey Pack 3 nonetheless among the finest journey backpacks available on the market? Let’s discover out!

On this Aer Journey Pack 3 evaluate, I’ll cowl the whole lot you’ll want to know that can assist you resolve if that is the suitable journey backpack to your journey.

How I Examined The Aer Journey Pack 3

I imagine the easiest way to check a journey backpack is to really use it whereas touring since you may see the way it performs in a real-world setting.

So to evaluate the Aer Journey Pack 3 I hit the highway for a two-week journey by way of Italy—primarily Rome and Naples the place I took trains, used public transportation, and stayed in inns and Airbnbs. For this journey, I additionally used my Aer backpack as my solely piece of bags so I’ve a good suggestion of how this backpack performs when totally packed out.

For reference, I’ve additionally continued utilizing my Aer Journey Pack 3 on a number of shorter home journeys since that is such a flexible backpack.

Overview Of The Aer Journey Pack 3

Aer is well-known within the baggage group for making well-designed, high-quality backpacks which have a contemporary design aesthetic—actually, the Aer Journey Pack 3 is bought on the NYC’s Museum of Trendy Artwork (MoMA) Design Retailer so it has some designer avenue cred.

The Aer Journey Pack caters to vacationers who desire a premium high quality carry-on dimension backpack that’s purposeful and has a smooth, city vibe.

And the Aer Journey Pack 3 delivers. It’s snug, has a ton of sensible group, and the construct high quality is a few of the greatest I’ve seen. Actually, Aer presents a lifetime guarantee on their baggage so that they clearly imagine of their merchandise.

Aer Journey Pack 3 vs. Aer Journey Pack 2

On the floor, the Aer Journey Pack 3 and Journey Pack 2 look very comparable however they’re fairly totally different when you dive into the main points.

The Aer Journey Pack 3 options a number of design and performance enhancements that make this bag a lot better than the older Aer Journey Pack 2 (which was already a well-regarded backpack). Probably the most notable enhancements are the up to date harness system with load lifters (which was my essential criticism on the v2), a slight total dimension improve, and some upgraded supplies.

The TP3 ditches the outdated built-in shoe compartment (which I’m glad to see go), and it options new beefed-up {hardware}, added zipper pulls, a number of pocket changes, and higher cinch-down straps.

Aer Journey Pack 3 Specs

Listed below are the specs of the Journey Pack 3 (by way of the Aer web site)

My Palms-On Aer Journey Pack 3 Assessment

I’ve come to actually admire the Aer Journey Pack 3 after placing it by way of its paces whereas touring by way of Italy.

Is it good? No. But it surely’s definitely among the finest journey backpacks I’ve personally tried.

So let’s take an in-depth look into all the main points and options of the Journey Pack 3 to see what makes this bag wonderful and the place it comes up quick.

Seems to be and Aesthetics

The very first thing you discover when wanting on the Aer Journey Pack 3 is its minimalist, streamlined, and utilitarian aesthetics. It has a smooth, city techy vibe. The material is heavy-duty and all of the {hardware} feels sturdy.

I’m a fan of the look Aer Journey Pack 3 as a result of it feels extra refined and fashionable than different journey backpacks. The bag has a extra elevated vibe so don’t really feel like a typical twentysomething “backpacker” after I’m carrying it. I additionally admire the backpack’s delicate branding—there’s a small “Aer” emblem on the aspect of the bag and a tiny one on the shoulder strap.

I desire the black colour possibility but it surely additionally is available in Gray and Olive—personally, I’m not a fan of the grey colour however the Olive is attention-grabbing. However, I’d all the time select black.

The Aer Journey Pack additionally is available in a barely dearer black X-Pac sailcloth exterior that’s extra water resistant and lighter. The X-Pac sailcloth materials has a little bit of a sheen (I desire the look of the common model) however the additional water resistance of the X-Pac sailcloth is definitely good.

Supplies, {Hardware}, and Zippers

Like all Aer baggage, the Journey Pack 3 is a premium product so the supplies and finishings used to assemble this backpack are prime quality—that is additionally mirrored within the $250 price ticket. The backpack’s exterior is comprised of heavy-duty 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon, the zippers are all YKK®, and the buckles, fasteners, and different plastic items are comprised of sturdy Duraflex plastic. The padding on the shoulder straps and pull handles are thick for added consolation.

All the bag weights in at 4.12 lbs so it’s not the lightest bag I’ve examined (for reference, the Journey Pack 3 is 35L and the 42L Cotopaxi Allpa weights roughly the identical) however that’s one of many tradeoffs when utilizing sturdy supplies.

Briefly, you may inform they didn’t low cost out on the extra minor particulars on the Journey Pack 3 so it is a sturdy backpack that may stand up to loads of abuse (and it’s all backed up with a lifetime guarantee).

Harness System and Consolation

The harness system (i.e. shoulder straps) of the Aer Journey Pack 3 is a big enchancment from the earlier era Journey Pack 2—actually, the outdated bag’s harness system was an enormous disappointment for such an in any other case well-designed and premium product.

Wanting on the images above, you’ll see how the Journey Pack 3 now makes use of a hiking-style harness that curves to suit your shoulders. This helps maintain the load of the backpack sq. in opposition to your again and up in your shoulders so the load of the bag doesn’t draw back out of your physique (which causes added stress to your physique. The Journey Pack 3 additionally has load lifter straps that assist the steps verify to your shoulders so it retains the bag near your again.

The shoulder straps are well-padded with a few quarter inch of high-density foam which helps disperse the load of the load over your shoulders. There’s additionally a very good quantity of mesh padding lining the again that provides extra consolation whereas carrying.

The Journey Pack 3 additionally options an inside plastic framesheet that runs alongside the again of the bag for added construction & help.

NOTE: Aer sells a removable hipbelt for $20 that may be added to the Journey Pack 3. I haven’t tried it however I assume it could make the bag much more snug—particularly if utilizing the bag for prolonged intervals of time since a hipbelt distributes the bag’s weight from the shoulders to the hips.

Is The Aer Journey Pack 3 Comfy?

The Aer Journey Pack 3 is a cushty backpack however any bag will develop into much less and fewer snug as you add weight—the Journey Pack 3 is not any exception. That mentioned, the bag’s hiking-style harness system makes it an ideal possibility for point-to-point metropolis journey.

Exterior Design Options

The Aer Journey Pack 3 options a number of sensible design options that I actually appreciated after placing some miles on this bag.

The bag has three well-padded seize handles (prime and either side) that are nice if you’re grabbing your bag from overhead bins, carrying your bag by way of prepare aisles, and different occasions when you’ll want to carry the bag however you don’t need to throw it over your shoulder. The very fact this bag has three seize handles is wonderful since most baggage solely have one or two. The bag additionally has an unpadded strap on the underside of the bag.

The bag has a number of sorts of zippers—all of that are high-quality YKK zippers.

The zipper on the laptop computer compartment has a weather-resistant coating so that may assist maintain your laptop computer protected in the event you get caught in a rainstorm.

The opposite zippers on this bag aren’t weather-proofed however they’re nonetheless strong and the motion on the zipping/unzipping is clean.

The primary zippers have lockable loops that may be secured with a small baggage lock. The zippers even have good pulls to assist make it simpler to make use of the zippers. The earlier model of the Journey Pack had zipper-pulls that made numerous noise however this model has mounted that challenge.

One tiny criticism is that the zippers of the principle compartment and the entrance flap look so comparable that it’s simple to confuse the 2. I want Aer put totally different coloured zipper pulls to assist shortly distinguish the 2 zippers.

The Aer Journey Pack 3 has redesigned magnetic buckles on the bag’s 4 cinch straps. These magnetic buckles are fairly genius as a result of you may buckle/unbuckle them immediately, however the magnets are sturdy sufficient to maintain the straps securely closed.

The cinch straps have additionally been moved on this newest model so that they don’t hinder the zippers—not like the earlier model the place you need to unbuckle the straps to unzip the bag (it was very annoying).

Inner Pockets and Group

The Aer Journey Pack 3 is loaded with inside pockets and organizational compartments to assist maintain all of your stuff safe and simply accessible. Actually, it would take you a minute to recollect the place you set your stuff since there are such a lot of locations to stash your gear.

Let’s begin with the entrance panel pocket which is stuffed with a number of compartments and dividers. There’s a deep pocket within the again for paperwork, a zippered pocket for smaller valuables like your passport, and a number of elastic compartments for electronics equipment, pens, and different small knickknacks.

There’s additionally a very good quantity of room on this entrance panel so there’s area for a lightweight jacket, and many others.

On the very entrance of the bag, there’s a small pocket that has a weather-resistant zipper. It’s not a really deep pocket so I take advantage of this primarily for skinny objects like paper paperwork, backup cellphone cables, snacks, and many others. This pocket does have an inside key clip so that you gained’t lose your keys.

There’s a tremendous useful quick-access pocket on the prime of the bag that I ended up utilizing on a regular basis whereas touring with this backpack. The pocket can be lined with a mushy and fuzzy material so it gained’t scratch up your cellphone or glasses.

The pocket is giant sufficient to carry a pockets, sun shades case, passport, and cellphone (or different small gadgets you’ll want to simply seize whereas on the go).

The laptop computer compartment, which is protected with a water resistant zipper, is positioned on the again of the backpack and it’s comprised of some totally different pockets.

The padded laptop computer sleeve can simply maintain my 16″ Macbook Professional and the sleeve has a false backside so your laptop computer is protected against hitting the bottom.

There’s one other giant sleeve that may maintain flat gadgets like papers/folders, and many others.

The compartment additionally comprises a small hidden zippered pocket that provides an additional layer of safety to your valuables (passport, cellphone, pockets, and many others.).

On one aspect of the bag, you’ll discover a small zippered pocket that may maintain one thing like a passport and the opposite aspect options an expandable water bottle pocket. I don’t usually carry a water bottle so I haven’t examined this pocket but it surely appears to be like to carry a typical disposable water bottle (undecided it might probably maintain a big Nalgene-style bottle). Alternatively, you may put a small journey umbrella into that water bottle pocket.

Principal Compartment

The Aer Journey Pack 3 has a lay-flat, clamshell-style opening, and incorporates a single giant cavernous compartment that zips fully open—which makes packing fast and straightforward. As you may see, it’s tremendous minimal so I extremely advocate utilizing packing cubes to maintain all of your stuff organized.

There’s a small zipper pocket within the sidewall of the principle compartment after which one other small mesh pocket on the flap—so a lot of the group is discovered on the outer entrance flap that I lined earlier on this article.

Aer charges their Journey Pack 3 as a 35L backpack so this bag can match a strong quantity of stuff however you continue to have to be selective in how a lot you pack. In my view, this again is geared in the direction of individuals who need to journey comparatively mild.

When you’re a heavy packer, I like to recommend a 40L+ backpack or you may pair the Journey Pack 3 with a smaller suitcase.

Remaining Ideas On The Aer Journey Pack 3

So is the Aer Journey Pack 3 a very good journey backpack?

Sure. I actually like this backpack and I discovered that it suited my journey type very nicely. I wouldn’t name myself an ultralight traveler however I definitely journey lighter than most. By way of sensible packing, I used to be in a position to match sufficient stuff in my bag for about 7 days (together with an additional pair of sneakers that I in all probability didn’t want) so needed to do a wash about midway by way of my two-week journey.

Nevertheless, in the event you can’t pack fairly mild then this Aer backpack in all probability isn’t best for you since its 35L dimension is a bit smaller than comparable journey backpacks. Take a look at my information to the Finest Journey Backpacks for my different prime picks.

I really like the minimalist styling of the Aer Journey Pack 3 since so many different journey backpacks have a “mountain climbing” type that I don’t love.

I discovered the again to be snug so I had no issues hauling it round for prolonged quantities of time. I additionally thought the bag’s group was neatly designed so I used to be in a position to entry no matter I wanted with out a lot problem.

The Aer Journey Pack 3 can be extraordinarily sturdy and well-made so I’ve little question in its skill to resist being thrown round.

However the high quality of the Aer Journey Pack 3 comes at a value—it’s $249 for the usual model and $279 for the water resistant X-Pac model.

James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the creator of the guide “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Funds”. He is been running a blog about price range journey in Europe since 2010.

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