My very first travel backpack was an expandable bag from a now-defunct company. I’ve always appreciated the versatility afforded by such a bag, so you can imagine my excitement when a new bag company reached via Instagram to let me know they had a pre-production sample of a yet-to-be-launched expandable backpack that needed to be reviewed.
Today, we take a deep dive into Almond Oak’s first official offering: the 25L+5L Expandable Travel Backpack.
Support for this site comes from our readers, and this post contains affiliate links for products we believe in. Using the affiliate links below helps the Standby With Me team create useful content for travelers like you.
Who is Almond Oak?
Almond Oak is a new UK-based brand focused around the philosophy of one-bag travel.
Dylan, the company’s founder, aims to create a portfolio of products centered around owning less & traveling more. Instead of releasing a whole lineup of bags, the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack is supposed to be the only backpack you will ever need.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| + Clamshell opening | – Friction-fit sternum strap prone to coming loose |
| + Thoughtful internal organization | – Not ideal for heavy loadouts |
| + Lightweight |
Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack Specifications
Capacity: 25 liters (30 liters when expanded)
Dimensions: 17” x 13” x 7” (43.2cm x 33.0cm x 17.8cm)
Weight: 1.7 pounds (0.78 kg)
Style: Clamshell
Zippers/Hardware: YKK zippers & plastic buckles
Laptop Sleeve: Yes (up to 16”)
MSRP: $99 (Kickstarter link)
How does the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack look?
True to the minimalist theme that Almond Oak was born out of, this sleek black backpack is devoid of any logos. The only branding on this bag is the laser-engraved “Almond Oak” found on the Hypalon zipper pulls.
The spartan design is appealing: all-black bags like this will never look out of place (I can’t say the same for some of the more colorful bags that I’ve tested). The PU-coated fabric makes this bag look a bit more premium than a standard book bag, but not so much that it attracts any unwanted attention.
How does the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack feel?
This bag uses a PU-coated 280D nylon that gives the bag a nice water-resistant quality. Both the internal & external shells are flexible without sagging which help the Expandable Travel Backpack feel quite good for such lightweight bags.
I also find myself carrying this bag via the top & side handles quite often. The handles are lightly padded and don’t feel as nice as more premium bags, they certainly felt sturdy enough when this bag was packed with 10+ pounds of gear.
The YKK stretch zippers are a nice upgrade over standard zippers, and the Hypalon zipper pulls were a pleasant surprise. This synthetic rubber material is grippier than most zipper pulls that I’ve used in the past. They feel a bit thin so I’ll keep an eye on their long-term durability, but they have held up fine through my first 10 days of testing.
How does the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack fit?
The 25L+5L Expandable Travel Backpack isn’t a large backpack, and it fit equally well on my 5’7” body as well as my wife’s 5’3” frame.
The backpack harness system is simple, but it does the job. On the shoulders, the 5mm foam padding works surprisingly well. I carried around a heavy jacket, a boatload of snacks, and a large camera cube for 2 days straight in Florida without any pinching or discomfort. The EDC/onebag community often finds itself obsessed with over-engineered details, but I think Almond Oak got it right with the Expandable Travel Backpack’s foam support: while back ventilation would have been nice, seldom will you find yourself needing extra support with a bag of this size.
The removable Fidlock sternum strap (which is much nicer to use than a plastic buckle) is also adjustable, but it did pop off a couple times while walking in crowds during testing. The plastic connectors are fitted onto an integrated rails that run vertically along the backpack straps so they can be easily slid on & off, but be mindful that they can also be forced off.
Notable Features of the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
Clamshell Opening
This design is popular with travelers for good reason: suitcase-style openings make packing & unpacking easy. The additional zippered mesh pocket helps keep things organized, and I like to use it to separate bulky items (like sweatshirts or my shoebag) from the main compartment (where my packing cubes & toiletry kit go).
Hidden Passport Pocket
When Dylan first told me about the passport pocket, I had assumed he meant either the small pocket at the top of the or the zippered pocket inside the bag. It wasn’t until I saw the press photos that I realized there was an additional hidden pocket that I had missed on my initial inspection, and having a dedicated space like this is a godsend for travelers like me who are constantly fumbling around for travel documents at the airport.
Luggage Pass-through Strap
If you ever travel with a rolling suitcase, having a backpack with a pass-through strap can be a lifesaver. This bag’s strap is oriented so the Expandable Travel Backpack can sit up vertically on your bag (which I much prefer to other backpacks that are set up for horizontal storage).
Final Thoughts
Almond Oak’s first foray into the onebag arena is a compelling offer: the market is saturated with backpacks that cost two or three times as much, so the $99 asking price ($85 early bird pricing for Kickstarter supporters) is refreshing.
The Expandable Travel Backpack incorporates all of the best features of other travel bags (good internal organization, clamshell opening, and dedicated bottle+passport+laptop pockets) while avoiding some of the premium features that make similar bags so much more expensive.
It is encouraging to see such a competitive product from someone who is personally engaging with the onebag community, and I think Almond Oak is on the right track to establish themselves as a new player in the market.
Recommended For
Onebag travelers who travel light but want the extra versatility of expandable storage.
