I’ve been using the Bellroy 26L Venture Backpack Travel Edition as my main travel backpack for the last 6 months, and in this blog, I’ll share a detailed long-term review of what is, so far, my favourite backpack.

For full transparency, Bellroy sent me this bag as part of a package for sponsoring some YouTube videos. They did not request a review of this bag, nor did they stipulate that I had to show it online. They don’t know I am writing this blog, nor will they read it prior to publishing. For what it’s worth, I’ve spent over £1,000 on Bellroy bags over the years, so this isn’t a freebie out of nowhere.

Size & Capacity

This is a very generous size and is perfect as a carry-on backpack for all your essentials, or even as your main travel bag for lighter backpacking trips. I am writing this blog on my way home from three weeks travelling around Vietnam, and this bag carried all my clothes, electronics, and toiletries.

This bag can be paired with most packing cubes, which seem to fit it like a glove. If you want more of a camera bag setup, the Peak Design Shmedium camera cube fits perfectly.

The side pockets can hold your bottle or flip-flops, and the top pocket can easily carry your Fuji X100 or another small travel camera.

The only downside is that the 26L capacity is shared between the side pockets and the main compartment. This means that if the bag is full, the side pockets become almost unusable unless it’s for something very small, or you’re willing to force things in, which I had to do.

Materials

As with all Bellroy products, the material choice and build quality are top-notch. The outer shell is made from a tough rubberised material that can easily withstand rain showers and scuffs. You can tell this bag has been designed with heavy use in mind. Inside, there is premium mesh on the pockets, and the high build quality continues throughout.

Harness, Zips & Clips

The straps are good, but to be honest, they could be a little thicker, especially considering you can make this bag quite heavy. They aren’t bad, and at no point did they hurt or feel uncomfortable—it’s just an observation. At least they are soft and come with a great magnetic sternum strap.

All the buckles are made from metal, while the zips are weather-sealed with easy-to-grab cords. It would have been nice to have lockable zips, but it’s not a big deal.

The back panel is very soft and well-padded, especially around the lumbar area. Even without a hip belt, this bag feels comfortable without putting too much strain on your shoulders. That said, at this capacity, I would have liked to see at least an optional hip belt to help spread heavier loads.

Access

This is my favourite type of bag in terms of access. The zips go all the way around, so you can either open a portion of the bag or unzip it fully to get access to everything at once.

External Features

In total, there are three main outer pockets: one on each side and one at the top. As mentioned before, the side pockets do eat into the main compartment a little, while the top pocket has a fair amount of its own space before it also inevitably pushes into the main compartment.

The highlight of this bag is the folding tote, located in a hidden zippered pocket just underneath the top part of the bag. The tote can be zipped shut and is the perfect size for a trip to the beach, supermarket, or coffee shop while leaving the main bag behind.

There’s one unique feature I’ve never come across before. On each corner of the tote, there’s a small clip, and on each corner of the backpack, there’s a loop. The tote can be attached to the backpack using four anchor points, thus expanding the storage or at the very least freeing your hands. I used this a few times, and it was a lifesaver.

Internal Features

Internally, there are quite a few features to help you stay organised. There is a laptop and a tablet/notebook compartment with a false bottom, which easily accommodates my 14-inch MacBook.

There’s also a side pocket for small accessories and an elastic strap for holding down loose items, such as a jacket. On the front side, you’ll find two zipped pockets, with the top one having a firm insert with RFID protection for your passport, wallet, and other documents. The lower pocket I use for a cap, sleeping mask, and so on.

Wear & Tear

Despite heavy use, I haven’t encountered any significant wear and tear or problems. I’ve had no issues with strap slippage, the zips have always been smooth, and in general, there’s nothing bad to report.

Value For Money

This isn’t a cheap bag by any means. However, when you consider the build quality, material choice, and the fact that these last for years, I think it’s a worthwhile purchase—especially if you’ll be using it frequently.