Matador’s 24-liter Adventure Pack fits any overhead bin and still handles day hikes and overnights.
Published October 15, 2026 06:00AM
I own a lot of backpacks. It’s an occupational hazard. I have racks of them in my garage, all hanging in anticipation of their specific use case. Long, multi-day hikes through the backcountry? I have a pack for that. Quick mountain bike spins around local trails? I have a backpack for that (a hip pack, actually). But the perfect travel backpack, the carry-all that can be my trusty companion for planes, trains, and automobiles, has eluded me. Until Matador Equipment made the Adventure Pack, a 24-liter backpack designed specifically for modern adventure travel. I’ve carried this pack on trips for the last four months, and I’ve decided it’s the best travel backpack I’ve ever owned.
Matador Equipment 24L Adventure Pack
Pros and Cons
+ Perfect size for carry-on/day use
+ Two ways to access the main compartment
+ Thoughtful pockets and organization
– Shock cord webbing feels flimsy
Matador Adventure Pack Review: Getting the Details Right
How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
First, let’s talk about size. At 24 liters, it’s big enough to serve as the only bag I need on overnight trips where I don’t need a lot of gear. You can stuff a lot of layers, underwear, and camera equipment into this thing. But it’s small enough to fit into any overhead bin, even on the tiny jets that leave from my small-city airport. Matador makes a larger Global Travel backpack that can fit everything you’ll need for a multi-day trip, but it’s too big for some overhead bins. The Adventure Pack hits the sweet spot. It’s also small enough to use as a day pack for side missions while you’re on the road. I’ve ditched my clothes in the cabin or hotel room and stuffed the pack with camera gear, a couple of layers, and snacks for day hikes and rides. I even took it on a boat while fishing the Yellowstone River. The size makes it super versatile.
Second, Matador got a lot of the obvious things right. For instance, the pack has two expandable water bottle pockets. A lot of backpacks only have one, and some have none. Can you imagine? Before the Matador came into my life, I was using a Thule backpack that was great in so many different ways, but it only has one water bottle pocket. With two expandable sleeves working as holsters, I can load one with a reusable bottle and the other with a sandwich for the plane, so I don’t have to buy those expensive snack boxes in the air.
There’s also a large top pocket for miscellaneous items, the little things you don’t want in your pockets but need access to all the time, like gum or headphones. Again, some backpacks, like a Yeti pack I used often in the past, skimp on this catch-all pocket, but Matador makes sure it’s large enough. And I love the robustly padded laptop sleeve with a false bottom, so I can throw this bag around and not worry about my money maker crumbling under pressure.
Matador didn’t stop with the obvious details. They incorporated a handful of smart features that come in handy on the road, like two ways to access the main compartment: a top-loading zipper and a large clamshell zipper that lets you pack the main body like a suitcase. The clamshell zipper also gives you quick access to the middle of the main compartment, so you can organize your gear to grab a book or extra layer on the fly without digging through the whole bag.
For the extra-cautious traveler, there’s an RFID-blocking, hidden “Smuggler’s Pocket” in the center of the back panel. Unless you know it’s there, you’ll never find it. There’s even a tiny location-tracker pocket for your AirTag if you’re worried about someone stealing your kit.
The Features That Won Me Over
Personally, I like the three burly grab handles that let me snatch the pack from the overhead bin when I’m rushing off the plane to catch a connecting flight. A passthrough sleeve on the back panel lets you attach the bag to a roller bag handle so you don’t have to wear it all the time. It’s also a comfy carry thanks to the well-padded shoulder harness and back panel. I’ve had long days lugging this fully loaded pack through the airport, or running through it, and it never creates hot spots or pressure points.
Gear protection is a priority for me because I travel with a computer and a couple of cameras, so the recycled waterproof nylon and sealing zippers are really important. It’s not a full dry bag, and you’re not going to use it as a flotation device in case of a water landing, but it will keep your gear dry in a rainstorm—I know from experience.
Where It Falls Short
The only thing I don’t love is the shock cord webbing on the outside panel, which feels a little flimsy. It’s fine if you want to stuff a rain shell or fleece into it, but it’s not robust enough to handle something like a bike or ski helmet. I’m always traveling with helmets, so this is an issue for me.
But that’s a minor complaint that’s specific to the Goldilocks way I travel. Most people wouldn’t think it’s an issue.
And at $199, it’s not the cheapest pack in the travel category. But considering the waterproof materials which have kept my expensive computer and camera equipment dry in recent months, I personally think the extra expense is justified.
Who Is the Matador Adventure Pack For?
I’ve used this backpack on almost every trip I’ve made in the last four months. Most of that travel has been by plane, and I think it’s the perfect carry-on backpack for frequent flyers, especially if you want a sporty carry that can handle hikes when you’re away from home. It’s too big for an everyday-carry work backpack, unless you want it to double as a work bag/gym bag so you can get a workout in on your way home from the office.
For me, it’s my go-to “go” bag. I have another trip in a week that will have me in multiple airports and living out of a van as I travel through Utah. The Matador Adventure Pack will be my trusty companion throughout.
