When you travel light but carry smart, your bag becomes more than storage, it’s part of your routine, your office, your security. If you’re constantly on the move, navigating airports, coffee shops, coworking spaces, and short-haul flights, your everyday carry (EDC) needs to keep up without slowing you down.
That’s exactly the role the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L was built to fill. It’s not just a backpack, it’s a modular system designed for modern travelers who value durability, security, and organization in a sleek, professional design.
Whether you’re a tech-loaded commuter, a minimalist business traveler, or someone who needs to go from street to terminal without switching bags, this 20L expandable pack delivers on all fronts. Here’s what you need to know before making it your next EDC.
What Is the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L?
The Nomatic Travel Pack 20L is a convertible backpack engineered for professionals who need a blend of everyday carry functionality and travel readiness. It starts at a compact 20-liter size, which is ideal for day-to-day commuting, and expands to 30 liters when you need extra space, for a weekend trip, camera gear, or additional tech.
Nomatic designed this pack to bridge the gap between EDC and short-term travel. The expandable design allows you to keep it slim when you’re only carrying the essentials, but gives you enough space when your load increases. Despite its structure and heavy-duty materials, it still fits under most airline seats, making it ideal as a personal item on flights, not just a carry-on.
It’s part of Nomatic’s modular ecosystem, meaning it’s compatible with accessories like their tech organizer, vacuum bags, and camera cubes, allowing you to customize how you use it.
Who Is This Pack Designed For?
If your travel style is fast, focused, and tech-oriented, the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L fits right into your workflow. This isn’t a bag built for hikers or large-scale backpacking trips, it’s for urban mobility and streamlined organization.
You’ll benefit from this bag most if you:
- Travel frequently for work and want an EDC that doubles as a travel bag
- Need a bag that blends into professional environments
- Carry a laptop, multiple devices, chargers, and accessories
- Want a secure, anti-theft design with weather resistance
- Prefer a structured shape over soft, collapsible packs
It’s particularly useful for digital nomads, consultants, business travelers, and creatives who often switch between workspaces and cities. If you move through terminals, transit stations, hotel lobbies, and co-working spots, you’ll appreciate how seamlessly this pack adapts.
What Are the Key Features and Specs?
This backpack is loaded with high-performance features and premium components, starting with its durable materials. The shell is built from water-resistant tarpaulin that handles rain and city grime with ease, while YKK zippers and magnetic hardware give the bag a premium, secure feel.
At its base size, it holds 20 liters, but when you unzip the expansion panel, it grows to 30 liters. That extra 10L of space is enough to fit clothes, shoes, and even tech pouches for overnight or weekend trips. The weight sits around 4.1 lbs (1.86 kg), heavier than minimalist EDCs, but justifiable given the structure and protection.
The bag includes:
- RFID-blocking storage for passports and cards
- Magnetic water bottle holder that disappears into the side panel when not in use
- Multiple hidden compartments for valuables
- Quick-access top pocket for sunglasses or phones
- Compression straps to keep the bag tight and secure in expanded mode
- TSA-ready laptop compartment that fits up to 16” laptops and unzips flat for screening
Inside, the organization is clean and modular. You get zippered mesh pockets, a separate tablet sleeve, pen holders, and enough cable routing to keep your tech in order. This bag doesn’t just hold things, it helps you think clearly about how you carry.
How Does It Perform in Real-World Use?
In day-to-day urban use, the Nomatic 20L excels. Whether you’re riding public transit or navigating airports, the slim form factor in its compressed mode makes it agile in crowds. The side handles are reinforced and allow for briefcase-style carry when you want a more formal appearance.
The laptop and tablet compartments are padded and easy to access without opening the main compartment, which makes security lines and quick meetings much smoother. It sits upright when placed down, so you’re not constantly chasing it as it tips over in a cafe or security line.
For short trips, the expandable 30L mode is surprisingly spacious. You can fit 2-3 changes of clothes, a tech organizer, and still have room for a book or camera gear. The pack holds its shape well, even when expanded, which helps with packing structure and carry comfort.
In wet conditions, the tarpaulin shell and water-resistant zippers do their job. While the bag isn’t waterproof, it can handle light to moderate rain without compromising the interior.
Is the Nomatic 20L Comfortable to Wear All Day?
Comfort depends on your frame and how much you carry. For average builds, the padded shoulder straps and breathable back panel distribute weight evenly, and the ergonomic shaping makes it easy to wear for hours.
If you’re on the shorter side or have a longer torso, you might find the pack sits a bit high or rigid, especially when expanded. The structure that makes it durable and protective also makes it less forgiving in movement compared to softer bags.
Still, for a structured EDC, the comfort level is solid. The back padding has airflow channels, and the pack doesn’t dig into your shoulders, even when it’s full. However, this isn’t designed for long hikes or hours of walking, it’s better for urban commuting and airport-to-office transitions.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
Pros:
- Premium materials that feel and look high-end
- Exceptional internal organization for tech and travel
- Expandability from 20L to 30L without losing structure
- RFID-blocking and hidden compartments add real security
- Durable and weather-resistant for daily use
Cons:
- Heavier than typical EDCs in this size class
- Less breathable and flexible than soft-shell alternatives
- High price point compared to simpler packs
- May feel rigid for users who prefer a slouchy or unstructured carry
In short, this is a function-first backpack. It’s not the softest, lightest, or cheapest, but it’s designed for high-output users who demand control and reliability.
Nomatic 20L vs. Competing EDC Travel Backpacks
To understand what makes this pack unique, here’s how it compares to some of its most notable competitors:
| Backpack | Capacity | Strengths | Limitations |
| Nomatic Travel Pack 20L | 20L–30L | Premium materials, weatherproof, high security | Heavier, rigid, premium price |
| Aer Day Pack 2 | 21.5L | Comfortable, clean design, great tech layout | Non-expandable, less structure |
| Bellroy Transit Backpack | 28L | Eco-materials, clamshell, stylish | Fewer compartments, less secure for travel |
| Peak Design Everyday Backpack | 20L–30L | Great for camera and modular setups | Expensive, overkill for non-photographers |
The Nomatic stands out in security, water resistance, and structured expandability. It’s the go-to if you’re carrying valuable gear, moving through busy transit hubs, or want a bag that blends into formal and casual spaces.
Who Should Buy the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L?
You should seriously consider this backpack if:
- You travel frequently and need an all-in-one EDC and personal item
- You carry a laptop, tablet, cables, and other tech daily
- You want structure, organization, and security in one pack
- You’re not concerned about shaving off every ounce of weight
- You appreciate minimalist aesthetics with maximum function
This isn’t the right pack if you need full flexibility, pack soft goods, or want something ultralight for day hikes or casual use. But if you want control, protection, and adaptability, the Nomatic 20L nails it.
Where to Buy the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L
You can purchase the Nomatic Travel Pack 20L directly from the official Nomatic website, where you’ll also find bundle options with tech organizers or camera inserts.
It’s also available through select online retailers like Amazon, REI, and Huckberry, but make sure the listing is for the updated model and sold by an authorized distributor.
Nomatic offers a lifetime warranty, covering manufacturing defects, and they maintain a solid reputation for customer service. Seasonal sales and bundle discounts are common around major holidays and product drops.
If you’re shopping secondhand, check that the magnetic hardware, expansion zippers, and strap stitching are intact, these are the most wear-prone areas over time.
FAQ: Nomatic Travel Pack 20L
Does it fit under airline seats as a personal item?
Yes, in 20L mode, it fits under most airline seats. When expanded to 30L, it may need to go in the overhead bin on smaller planes.
Can it carry a 16” laptop?
Yes, the dedicated laptop compartment is well-padded and fits up to a 16″ MacBook Pro or similar.
Is it suitable for camera gear?
Yes, especially with Nomatic’s optional camera insert. Without the insert, you can still pack a compact mirrorless kit safely thanks to the structured walls.
How does it hold up over years of daily use?
Very well. Users report the tarpaulin holds its shape and finish over time, though minor scuffing and zipper wear can appear after 2–3 years of heavy use.