Bagsmart Blast 22L Backpack Review: Best Personal Item Bag?

Finding a backpack that’s truly personal-item-sized and still practical for minimalist travel isn’t easy. I’ve been travelling with just a personal item since 2018, and it’s really difficult finding a bag that’s lightweight yet has great organisation compartments and isn’t crazy expensive.

When Bagsmart released their Blast Elite 22L Backpack, I was curious. Their other bags always seemed too big for my style, but this one looked promising, and when they offered to send it to me, I had to give it a try.

It looked a bit boxy at first, but I quickly realized that’s what makes it so functional. It fits Ryanair’s strict personal item size perfectly, yet feels surprisingly spacious.

In this honest Bagsmart backpack review, I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and who this bag is really for.

Compartments & Organization

The Blast Elite 22L manages to pack in a lot of thoughtful features and compartments without feeling heavy. It’s not one of those bags where compartments eat up all your space, considering it’s a 22L bag it feels super spacious.

Here’s how I use each section:

• Laptop compartment (rear): Fully separate and padded. I always prefer having my laptop accessible without digging through everything else.
• Main compartment: Large open space with a lightweight divider and two small zipped pockets. I store my clothes and toiletries here.
• Front compartment: I keep my electronics here (like chargers, Kindle, etc). It also has:
  • A keychain leash
  • Two organizer sleeves and one pen pocket
• Top pocket: Easy access to my wallet and essentials. There’s a small zip pocket inside for extra security.
• Mesh front pocket: Great for flat or flexible items like a thin rain jacket.
• Water bottle pocket: Simple but functional.
• Hidden back pocket: Perfect for your passport.
• Hidden side pocket: I use this for my power bank.

Watch my review of the bag here:

Personal Item Size Backpack for Budget Airlines 🎒 Bagsmart Blast Elite 22L

Does It Actually Fit Under the Seat? Airline Size Comparison

Here’s a comparison between the Blast Elite’s size and the free personal item restrictions on some of the most common budget airlines:

🎒 Tired of “minimalist” backpacks that don’t actually fit airline requirements?

What I Like Most About the Blast Elite 22L

Beyond the compartments and perfect airline fit, there are a few standout features that make the Blast Elite 22L one of my new favorites, especially for minimalist travel with a laptop.

• It’s surprisingly spacious
  Even though it’s just 22L, it feels really spacious. I’ve used larger bags that somehow feel smaller on the inside. The rectangular shape really works in your favor here.
• It’s lightweight without being flimsy
  The bag feels robust, but not heavy. A lot of bags with this level of organization end up bulky, this one doesn’t. It only has 0.88 kg (1.94 lbs)
• Great price-value ratio
  It’s the cheapest backpack I own, yet it looks and feels more expensive. If you’re just getting into minimalist travel or need a solid personal item laptop bag, this is an easy win.
• Ideal for laptop travel
  This might be my new go-to bag when I need to bring my laptop. The backpack is super minimalist but still has a dedicated laptop compartment at the back.

What’s Missing: Sustainability

As much as I like the Blast Elite 22L, this definitely isn’t a sustainable or ethically produced backpack. It’s made in China, and Bagsmart doesn’t share any details about production.

If eco-conscious and fair-trade manufacturing is important to you, this bag isn’t going to meet those values. Compared to something like the Patagonia Black Hole 25L, which is made from recycled materials in a fair trade certified factory, the Bagsmart falls short.

That said, I still use it, because I already have it now and it’s functional and fits my travel style better than most. But it’s worth knowing where it stands.

Alternative Backpack: CabinZero Classic 28L

If you prefer a simpler and more lightweight backpack, the CabinZero Classic 28L is another great option for minimalist travel.

Compared to the Bagsmart backpack, it has fewer compartments but feels lighter and comes in much more colorful designs. It also fits as a Ryanair personal item.

Read my full review about the CabinZero backpack here.

Final Verdict: Is the Blast Elite 22L Worth It?

If you’re a minimalist traveler who’s always on the lookout for a true personal item backpack that’s compact, functional, and laptop-friendly, this might be the one.

It’s not the most sustainably made option out there, but in terms of value for money, organization, and airline fit, the Blast Elite 22L really delivers.

I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do, and now it’s the bag I reach for when I want to travel light but still carry everything I need.

If you’re tired of backpacks that claim to be minimalist but don’t fit under the seat, this one actually does. And with a price that’s much lower than most travel backpacks I own, it’s a great entry point if you’re just starting your minimalist journey or looking to downsize.

💸 Use the Bagsmart Discount Code TinaB22 to save 10% in the US store

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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