I am someone who does research ad-nauseum before purchasing any of my travel gear, and I had been eyeing a few of TropicFeel’s designs for a while. I try to choose environmentally friendly brands, and TropicFeel’s products are made with recycled materials. I was hesitant to fully commit given the price point, but the TropicFeel Nest is versatile and functional. In this review, I’ll share all of the features of the TropicFeel Nest Backpack.
This post is not sponsored, but if you purchase the TropicFeel Nest using my link I may earn a reward at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Alta Adventures!
Overview
Pros:
- Versatile with many useful pockets, compartments, and add-ons
- Lightweight and a great daypack
- Cool design and nice colors
- Made with sustainable materials
Cons:
- Not suitable for long trips
- When packed fully to 30L it’s bulky and uncomfortable
- High price point for value
Cost
The basic TropicFeel Nest backpack costs 224€ or $245. Each additional packing or camera cube adds roughly an additional 15-50 euros or dollars to your order.
Size and Colors
The Nest is great for a day backpack, and at 16L it fits most of my daily needs. They advertise two packing cubes, a 10L and a 5L (which I purchased), a camera cube and organizer, plus a kangaroo pouch at the bottom that expands to a total of 30L. As someone who is always trying to save on budget airlines, I try to only bring a personal item. When packed to the brim with the two packing cubes, this backpack is not the most comfortable to stow or carry. Depending on how much of an overpacker you are, the Nest may not be the best option for trips longer than a couple of days, but it’s great for a lightweight carry-on and to take around the city.
At the time of this review, the TropicFeel Nest backpack comes in four colors. I have the black, which is sleek and usually my go-to when it comes to luggage, but I wish I would’ve branched out and gotten the Desert Green. There are also Blueberry Navy and Amphora Brown.
Pockets and Compartments
Clamshell Opening
The Nest opens as a clamshell for easy access to the main compartment, with plenty of smaller mesh pockets along the inner lining (2 small and 2 larger). I love this open access to the inside of the backpack, and the clamshell is certainly becoming more popular with this style. The packing cubes fit nicely inside as well if you prefer your things to be more protected rather than keeping them on the outside of the backpack.
Laptop Storage
One of my favorite things about this backpack and why I ultimately ended up buying it was because of the separate laptop compartment in the back. I hate going through security at the airport and digging my laptop out of my meticulously packed bag, so this sleek compartment with YKK waterproof zippers is absolutely perfect. It can hold two 15-inch laptops plus a thin journal or an iPad with easy access. Note that the laptop compartment is the only zipper that is YKK waterproof.
Bottom Storage for Easy Access
Another great innovation the Nest backpack has is the bottom of the main compartment. There is a foldable area for more protected coverage and easy access from the outside, with a waterproof sack on the inside if you need to keep wet clothes or something separate from the rest of your stuff.
This extra compartment is accessible from the left outside of the backpack when you swing it over on one shoulder. I really like this feature, and you can opt to utilize it or fold it down for more space on the inside. However, if the main compartment of your backpack is fully packed it can be a bit difficult to pull things out of the bottom part without laying it down flat.
Kangaroo Pouch
The Kangaroo pouch at the bottom is nicely tucked away in a zipper when not in use, and lightly folds out to accommodate shoes, jackets, or anything larger that you want to keep separate from the rest of your stuff.
The kangaroo pouch clips securely onto the bottom of the bag with sturdy rings, but keep in mind whatever you store in the kangaroo pouch won’t be completely protected with a zipper.
At the bottom of the kangaroo pouch are additional straps that can fit a lightweight jacket.
Packing Cubes and Front Storage
The 10L packing cube is designed to fit in the outside compartment. If you pack it full it can be really difficult to fit inside the cube and zip shut. There are secure straps to hold it in place and unless packed lightly can be difficult to close as well, though they are fairly secure and I’ve never felt that they would come undone. I do like the way the 10L cube serves as an organizer on the inside, and has a hook to store when you arrive at your accommodation.
The 5L packing cube fits on the outside pocket, and when the 10L cube is in there as well, it doesn’t feel the most secure. Overall, when extended to the full 30L this bag is bulky and awkward.
Other Cool Pockets and Features
The top of the backpack has a small zipper that is great for carrying sunglasses, keys, phone, or anything else you want slightly more protected and easy access to.
The outside of the TropicFeel Nest backpack has a secure small water bottle holder (my Hydroflask 21oz can be a bit difficult to squeeze in when the inside is fully packed) and additional straps for walking poles or tripods.
Another great pocket on the Nest is the concealed passport holder. Nestled on the back side closest to your person, this tiny and inconspicuous pouch is perfect for passports, credit cards, or other documents. As someone who is constantly thinking my passport is going to jump out of my bag when I’m flying (anyone else?), I love this feature because I can quickly and comfortably reach back and feel that it’s secure. It is roughly about a hand-size deep.
Straps
The straps on the TropicFeel Nest backpack are made of padded material. I love the adjustable chest strap for extra security when I’m traveling. On the straps are also a sunglasses holder which is handy, plus extra rings for clipping on extras.
Along the back of the Nest backpack there is a sleek luggage band for easy integration on your roller luggage. I love this feature because I can easily take some weight off my back when I’m bringing my roller carry-on.
One feature I find missing in this backpack is a waist strap. I’ve taken this both on day trips and week-long trips, and after a while if the bag is packed heavily it can start to hurt your shoulders. I would love to see TropicFeel adding this feature to their backpacks for additional comfort for travelers.
Final Thoughts
The clamshell open zippers can be a bit difficult to open, as the Nest is square-shaped and they sometimes get stuck on the corners. The design can feel a bit bulky, especially when packed all the way up to 30L. I’ve had this backpack for a year now and I can see a bit of wear along the zippers.
Overall, If you’re looking for a versatile day backpack, the TropicFeel Nest is a great option. If you want something for longer-term travel or hiking, this probably isn’t the right backpack for you.