The ALPAKA Essentials Pack 22L is designed as a first step into the ALPAKA brand. With a functional, minimalist design, the Essentials Pack is built to be your go-to everyday carry. Whether a young professional starting your career or a student looking for a reliable travel companion, the Essentials Pack 22L provides space for your everyday accessories, from laptop to water bottle, in a clean and well-constructed backpack.
Constructed of Axoflux 210D fabric, the Essentials is meant to handle the hustle and bustle of daily urban commuting. The ripstop nylon fabric handles the wear and tear of daily use quite well. As my daily carry for the past couple of weeks, the ALPAKA Essentials Pack 22L backpack has handled being pulled in and out of the trunk of my car, which stores tools, electronics and other assorted materials, like a champ, with no visible snags or scratches on the fabric.
It’s a rugged bag that also does a solid job repelling the weather. The Axoflux 210D nylon has held up well over the past couple of weeks of rain we have been dealing with in my city, and I’ve not had any concern or issue with weather seeping through. To further protect gear stored in the Essentials Pack, ALPAKA has included their Aquaguard zips. This zipper system seals the opening completely when closed, creating an almost seamless pouch when zipped up. What appears to be a silicone material closes over the zipped pouch, keeping the weather at bay for the days you find yourself stuck in the rain.
The all-black (also available in green) Essentials Pack is a 22L backpack that features four primary storage areas and one hidden compartment. A laptop pouch positioned to rest against your back will hold up to a 15-inch laptop. It provides impressive side and front/back padding within this compartment, especially considering its lightweight form factor. The aforementioned hidden compartment is tucked in this section of the bag, becoming inaccessible when carrying the bag.
Of note is the inclusion of additional padding on the bottom of the bag, something often missing from smaller form factor backpacks. This is especially appreciated as someone who tends to simply drop their laptop in their backpack when in a hurry. Not hearing the dreaded thud of my laptop hitting the ground with nothing but thin nylon cushioning is a welcome reprieve.
Working out from the main laptop compartment, ALPAKA has also included what I like to describe as a quick grab pouch designed for quick and easy access to small essentials like a wallet, phone or cards. As someone who travels frequently, the inclusion of a quick grab pouch is, for me, essential and much appreciated, even on an entry-level, everyday carry.
“As my daily carry for the past couple of weeks, the ALPAKA Essentials Pack 22L backpack has handled being pulled in and out of the trunk of my car, which stores tools, electronics and other assorted materials, like a champ…”
The next pouch is another full-size storage area with a couple of appreciated design features. It includes a closable pouch for easier access to essentials such as a laptop charger or battery bank, as well as a divider for better organization. Its simple and functional design allows for smart organization without hassle.
The back portion of the Essentials Pack features a half-length storage space with a detachable keyring system. This allows for easy storage of your keys and additional items you need quick access to. As an added bonus, along with the aforementioned storage areas, ALPAKA has included two water bottle pouches located on either side of the Essentials Pack. With the rain we’ve had, I’ve leveraged it as my go-to storage spot for my compact umbrella.
The ALPAKA Essentials Pack 22L features one grab handle located at the top, centred between the two backstraps. This padded handle is a welcome design element, is easy to grab in a hurry and handles the weight of the fully loaded pack well. While the stitching and structure aren’t quite as sturdy as the Peak Design Travel Backpack 20L, it still holds up well in stress tests and should serve people well.
The shoulder straps are fairly well padded, providing solid comfort. A center chest strap helps keep the shoulder straps aligned properly for longer carries. I’ve appreciated the magnetically secured buckle for the chest strap; it’s a welcome departure from the traditional plastic pressure clip system present on most backpacks. It holds up well when pressure is applied to it thanks to a lock-in clip incorporated into the design.
My only small critique, and this has more to do with my build and stature than the bag’s quality or construction, is that wth my slightly wider shoulders I do prefer straps that are a bit wider, as it helps distribute weight better on my frame. This will, of course, vary with the individual, and overall I’ve been quite happy with the build and design.
The Essentials Pack 22L from ALPAKA is a great, durable entry-level everyday carry. It provides accessible storage and a smart design, making it easy to access most anything you could need for your daily commute or light travel. If you are looking for a durable, simplified commuting backpack that is at home in the office or in the field, the Essentials Pack 22L is worth considering.
