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Honest Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro Review: For Travel
During 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a small carry-on backpack, I’ve tested more backpacks than I care to admit (especially as a minimalist). When Alpaka offered to send me their Elements Backpack Pro I was curious to see how it would hold up.
At 26L, the Pro model is marketed as an all-day backpack, but for me, it’s just the right size for minimalist travel. My first impression? The empty bag felt heavier than I usually prefer, but once packed and used, I was pleasantly surprised, by how comfortable it is to carry.
These were just my initial thoughts, though. In this honest review, I’ll dive deeper into the Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro’s performance, covering what impressed me, what didn’t, and whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
✅ 26L and it feels very spacious
✅ Sturdy material
✅ Customisable add-on accessories
✅ Made from 100% recycled polyester
❌ Empty bag weights 1.3kg (2.87lbs)
❌ You can only fit a small water bottle in full bag
❌ Optional add-ons are expensive
Backpack Features
Technical Details
Before we properly start with this Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro Review, let’s have a look at the backpack stats:
- Height: 48 cm (18.90”)
- Length: 31 cm (12.20”)
- Depth: 18 cm (7.09”)
- Weight: 1.3kg (2.87lbs)
- Volume: 26 L
- Material: X-Pac VX42 or Axoflux 600D
The backpack I’m testing is made of Axoflux 600D. I chose this over X-Pac VX42 for two reasons: I wanted a green backpack (X-Pac VX42 only comes in black), and Axoflux 600D is made from 100% recycled polyester. It’s also very durable with a waterproof finish.
The X-Pac VX42 is the material also used in sailcloths. It’s made from 100% climate-neutral fabric. It’s durable, fully waterproof, and perfect for those who prefer a sleek black design.
Compartments
Main Compartment
The main compartment provides plenty of space for all my essentials: a packing cube of clothes, an electronics pouch, and toiletries. Following my minimalist travel tips, I can easily pack for a month-long trip in this bag.
It also features a well-padded laptop compartment at the back and a smaller tablet sleeve. While I don’t find the tablet compartment necessary, I appreciate the laptop compartment’s excellent padding.
The zippers extend far down the sides, making it easy to access everything inside.
2 Water Bottle Side Pockets
The water bottle side pockets have a sleek, non-mesh design that adds to the backpack’s stylish look while remaining practical. Because of this sleek design, it looks a bit weirdly asymmetrical when you only have a bottle on one side, but I didn’t mind that at all.
While the website claims the pockets fit a 1L bottle, this is only true when the bag isn’t fully packed. For long-term trips with a fully packed bag, I could only fit a 0.5L bottle, which is perfectly fine for me as it’s what I typically carry.
Front Compartment
The front compartment includes three zipped pockets, three open pockets, and three attachment points for Alpaka’s accessory pouches. There’s also an AirTag pocket, which I couldn’t test since I don’t have an AirTag.
I use the three zipped pockets for keys, my passport and wallet, and a power bank with cables, leaving extra space in the main compartment of the front pocket.
The three open pockets seem suited for pens or a small notebook, though I don’t use them, so for me there are a few too many small pockets.
The three attachment points, made from seatbelt-like fabric, are sturdy and compatible with Alpaka’s HUB accessories (e.g., keychain, sunglasses pouch, earbuds pouch). While I like the customization options, I don’t plan on using the add-ons.
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Small Front Pocket
The “hidden quick-access pocket” is convenient for small items like tissues or chewing gum.
However, it’s not as discreet as advertised, so I wouldn’t recommend using it for valuables. It’s likely the easiest pocket for a stranger to access in a crowded area.
Small Top Pocket
The small top compartment is padded for extra protection, making it ideal for safely storing items like a camera, phone, or glasses.
Carry Comfort
I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this backpack is to carry. Despite its 1.3kg empty weight, I barely noticed it while wearing it.
The padded space-cell shoulder straps, feel a bit odd with a thin T-shirt, but they distribute weight very well. The back panel is also well-padded with a central air channel for ventilation.
The sternum strap is easy to adjust and stays secure, though my perfect position would be exactly where the attachment point for Alpaka’s HUB accessories are, so I have to put it slightly higher or lower.
Pros of the Elements Backpack Pro
- Spacious Main Compartment: Fits everything for a minimalist, month-long trip.
- Well-Padded Laptop Compartment: Provides excellent protection for devices.
- Stylish Design: The non-mesh side pockets enhance the sleek design of the backpack.
- Customizable Add-Ons: Includes sturdy attachment points for Alpaka’s HUB accessories.
- Comfortable to Carry: Shoulder straps distribute weight well, and the back panel is padded with a central air channel for ventilation.
- Durable Materials: Both material options (Axoflux 600D and X-Pac VX42) are highly durable and waterproof.
- Eco-Friendly Material: The Axoflux 600D is made from 100% recycled polyester, while the X-Pac VX42 is climate-neutral.
- Adjustable Sternum Strap: Easy to adjust and stays securely in place.
- Top Pocket with Extra Padding: Ideal for protecting fragile items like glasses, phones, or cameras.
- Versatile Size: 26L capacity is great for every day use or minimalist travel.
Cons of the Elements Backpack Pro
- Heavy Empty Weight: At 1.3kg (2.87 lbs), the backpack is heavier than I’d like. But I didn’t notice the weight when carrying the bag.
- Water Bottle Capacity: The side pockets don’t fit a 1L bottle when the bag is fully packed, but you can fit a 0.5L bottle in a fully packed bag.
- Non-Discreet Hidden Pocket: Not as hidden as advertised, making it unsuitable for valuables in crowded areas, but it’s still great for other small items.
- Sternum Strap Placement: Ideal position for my hight conflicts with the attachment point for Alpaka’s HUB accessories. I’m 1.6m (5.25 feet)
- Unnecessary Tablet Compartment: I don’t know anyone who travels with laptop and tablet.
- Expensive Accessories: Alpaka’s HUB ecosystem accessories are a bit pricey.
- Unused Attachment Points: If you don’t use the HUB accessories, the attachment points are unnecessary.
Alternatives
- Able Carry Daybreaker 2: The Alpaka’s design, especially in X-Pac material, reminded me of the Able Carry. It’s more lightweight but less comfortable to carry. Read my full Able Carry review here.
- Knack Pack Series 2: Similar in color and style, the Knack Pack is expandable (24L to 35L) and features a suitcase-style opening—ideal for those needing versatility. Read my full Knack Pack review here.
- Patagonia Black Hole: A sturdy, colorful option that’s very comfortable to carry, though it feels smaller despite being only 1L less in capacity. Read my full Patagonia Black Hole review here.
Final Thoughts: Is Alpaka Elements Pro Backpack Worth It?
The Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro is a stylish, durable, and highly functional backpack, and I was especially impressed by how comfortable it is to carry. Its eco-friendly materials, sturdy build, and well-padded compartments make it a practical choice for minimalist travelers.
If you’re looking for a versatile, well-made backpack that balances style, functionality, and durability, the Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro is worth the investment. Click here to get your own and experience the carry comfort for yourself.
However, if you’ve realized during this review that this backpack isn’t the right fit for your needs, don’t worry! Check out my post where I asked frequent travelers for their favorite backpacks, maybe you’ll find the right one for you amongst them.
Read More Backpack Reviews:
- 9 Top Minimalist Travel Backpacks (Tested by Real Travelers)
- 7 Best Sustainable Travel Backpacks for Minimalist Travelers
- 3 Expandable Backpacks Compared: Which One is Best for You?
- Bagsmart Blast 22L Backpack Review: Best Personal Item Bag?
- Knack Pack Series 2 Review
- Patagonia Black Hole 25l Review: For Travel
- Patagonia Refugio 26L Review: For Travel
- Patagonia Refugio vs Black Hole: Which to Choose?
- Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro Review: For Travel
- Able Carry Daybreaker 2 Review
- 13 Easy Minimalist Packing Tips for Travel
- Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Women
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