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The NeatPack Foldable Daypack is a solid 20-liter packable daypack that folds into its own built-in pocket — built from water-resistant ripstop nylon with abrasion-resistant SBS zippers, a hidden bottom security zip, a padded (if snug) 10-inch tablet sleeve, zippered inside and front pockets, and two side mesh bottle holders. It packs down to roughly 8” x 8”, comes in five colors, and is backed by a lifetime warranty when registered. The trade-offs: the shell is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and the shoulder straps aren’t padded, so it’s best kept light and dry. For how a 20-liter pack fits the wider daypack sizing picture, REI’s daypack guide puts 11–20L right in the everyday and day-hike range (REI: How to Choose Daypacks). Here’s my full hands-on NeatPack Foldable Daypack review.
Foldable daypacks are cool.
Read my NeatPack Foldable Daypack review to learn more about this particular backpack from NeatPack.
Foldable daypacks are lightweight yet durable backpacks which, as the name suggests, can be folded and packed inside itself, in a pack-in pocket. When packed, these daypacks take up very little space. Most of them are roughly the size of a small and flat make-up bag or toiletry bag.
So you can easily stuff it into your carry on size backpack or suitcase.
Even if it’s already full.
A daypack like this is a must have if you are traveling a lot, and especially – tend to overpack. And it’s a great solution for all your day hiking trips and sightseeing trips.
You can easily stuff it into your carry on size backpack or suitcase.
Returning home from a trip and don’t have any space in your large suitcase anymore?
The daypack will come in handy in these situations. Put the excess stuff in the daypack and carry it on board. Problem solved. Traveling long-term and want another backpack, but you will not need it all the time? Get a foldable daypack. It’s small, cheap, lightweight and convenient. Whenever you need it, unpack it and use it. As simple as that.
Wearing NeatPack Foldable Daypack
Table of Contents
NeatPack Foldable Daypack Review
I am using a packable daypack since summer 2017.
Right now I have the blue NeatPack daypack. This daypack, just as the most other packable daypacks, is made of water resistant ripstop nylon. This material is lightweight yet durable. The NeatPack daypack has abrasion resistant SBS zippers. Its capacity is 20 liters.
For more details, photos and user reviews check it out on Amazon!
The NeatPack features several compartments and pockets, which will help to organize your things.
There’s a roomy main compartment with an unpadded sleeve at the back that has a Velcro closure. It can accommodate a 10” tablet in its protective sleeve as well. But it’s tight fit. After putting a tablet in the pack’s sleeve you may not be able to close the Vecro closure. As the end of the tablet will likely stick out.
There’s a roomy zippered inside pocket, which is also a pack-in pocket where the daypack itself can be folded into. Just turn it inside out to use it as a pocket!
There’s a deep front zippered pocket and two side mesh pockets for water bottles / umbrella.
The cool thing about this packable daypack is – it has a hidden bottom zip pocket! It can be used for storing valuables, wallet or documents! Or you can put in there your flip flops (6.5 US / 37 EU fits perfectly, larger might not fit).
Secret Pocket – NeatPack Foldable Daypack
The daypack comes with 2 D-rings, which are attached to the front of the bag. The D-rings can be used for attaching carabiners or for extra safety against pickpockets. It’s easy to use them – just bind the zippers together to the D-ring with a carabiner.
Of course, there’s a handle on the top of the daypack.
How to Pack NeatPack Foldable Daypack
It’s very easy to fold the NeatPack daypack.
Turn the pack-in pocket inside-out.
Fold the daypack in two, then fold the sides and push it in the pack-in pocket.
Close the pack-in pocket. Done!
It takes very little space when folded – it’s the size of a small make-up bag.
Yes, it’s not the smallest and lightest daypack possible, as there are more compact options such as Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil. But Sea to Summit has only 1 compartment, and it’s not padded at all. The NeatPack’s back is slightly padded, and it has several compartments, which is good for organization.
How Big or Small Is This Backpack
For context on where a 20-liter packable sits in today’s market — capacity, weight and pack-down size — this packable-daypack comparison is a useful reference (Nomadasaurus: Best Packable Backpacks).
Now let’s look what’s inside of my NeatPack daypack:
– An iPad (9.7”) in its sleeve – in the sleeve at the back of the main compartment
– 3 paperback books – in the main compartment.
– Long sleeve (ladies S size) – in the main compartment.
– Travel umbrella – in the main compartment.
– Eyeglasses in their case – in the main compartment.
– 5.5” smartphone in its case – in the zippered inside pocket.
– Amazon Kindle in its case – in the zippered inside pocket.
– Keys – in the zippered front pocket.
– Small make-up bag – in the zippered front pocket.
– Passport – in the hidden pocket at the bottom.
– 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) water bottle – in one of the outside mesh pockets (a bigger bottle – 33.8 fl oz / 1 liter – fits in as well).
– Paper bag with a couple of pastries – in the main compartment, on top of the books.
As you can see I was able to fit in quite a lot, and it wasn’t even full.
The daypack is durable and I felt OK carrying all of this stuff.
However, I wouldn’t put more stuff in it.
As then it will be not that convenient to carry it. The straps are not padded and my shoulders most probably would start to hurt after carrying heavy pack for hours on end. The back’s slightly padded, though.
When I carried almost empty daypack, I noticed that the inside pocket (which is more like a pouch) kept bouncing when I walked. As it is a pack-in pocket for the daypack, it’s a loose pouch. So, don’t carry anything heavy in it , like a smartphone (sunglasses are OK), when the daypack is almost empty. Put it in the main compartment instead.
When I had my tablet and a few books in it then the inside pocket was not moving. So, it’s not really a problem.
The backpack is backed by lifetime warranty. Just register this packable backpack on the website of NeatPack to be eligible for it.
Available in several colors: black, blue, navy, green and red.
Dimensions (unfold): 18” x 10” (46 x 25 cm).
Dimensions (folded): 8” x 8” (20 x 20 cm).
Get a 10% discount with a code LATVIA10 (Only on Amazon.com)!
For more details, photos and user reviews check it out on Amazon!
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This post originally appeared on Una’s blog We Are From Latvia.
Text: Una Baufala.
Disclosure: Although NeatPack travel daypack was sent to us to try out, my opinions shared are my own.
Book Your Trip Like a PRO
1. Book Your Flight. Find cheap flights using Kiwi.com, Momondo.com. Or subscribe to Dollar Flight Club, if you don’t want to be searching for the flights yourself. Momondo usually is my first choice.
2. Book Your Accommodation. Booking.com, Agoda.com and Airbnb. I use Booking and Agoda at least a dozen times a year, and Airbnb – when looking for a long-term stay. My best tip is to ALWAYS compare the price. Sometimes the same hotel is cheaper on Booking.com, other times – on Agoda. Always compare the price!
3. Buy Your Travel Insurance. World Nomads and SafetyWings are two companies I can recommend. World Nomads offers some extra benefits, that will be important for those doing some higher risk activities, while SafetyWings is significantly cheaper. SafetyWings is only $9.25 / week.
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NeatPack Foldable Daypack FAQ
Is the NeatPack Foldable Daypack worth it?
For light travel, sightseeing and day hikes, yes. The 20-liter NeatPack folds into its own pocket, is water-resistant, organizes well (main compartment, zippered pockets, two mesh bottle holders and a hidden security pocket) and is backed by a lifetime warranty when registered. Its weaknesses are unpadded shoulder straps and a shell that is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, so it is best suited to lighter, drier loads.
Can the NeatPack Foldable Daypack fit a tablet or laptop?
The padded back sleeve fits a 10-inch tablet, though the fit is snug and the Velcro closure may not fully close with a larger device. There is no dedicated laptop sleeve, so laptops are best carried in the main compartment or left at home.
Is the NeatPack Foldable Daypack waterproof?
No — it is water-resistant ripstop nylon, not fully waterproof. It sheds light rain and splashes, but sustained or heavy downpours can wet the contents, so carry a rain cover or keep the pack out of the rain when it matters.
How small does the NeatPack Foldable Daypack pack down?
It folds into its own zippered pack-in pocket, ending up roughly 8” x 8” (20 x 20 cm) — about the size of a small make-up bag. That lets it tuck easily into a carry-on or suitcase.
Is the NeatPack Foldable Daypack good for hiking?
It works well as a light summit or secondary daypack: 20 liters carries a layer, snacks, water and a camera, and the two side mesh pockets hold bottles. Since the shoulder straps aren’t padded, keep day-hike loads moderate to stay comfortable.
