Gear Review: The Ekster Grid Is a Stylish and Rugged Travel Backpack
Travelers need a dependable backpack.
Adventurers need something a little more.
That’s where the Ekster Grid backpack comes in. Ekster creates wallets, bags and accessories designed to be sustainable and make our lives more convenient.
They sent me the Grid backpack to review, and I used it for a few trips to see how it performs.
I was attracted to it because it has been touted as a great piece of gear for people who need a rugged and durable travel backpack for their travels or daily activities.
It’s made of recycled, water-resistant fabric and offers a boxy little suitcase look that gives it a lot of room inside to organize and store your laptop, cables and a host of other items.
The backpack weighs 3.7 pounds, measures 12” x 18” x 5.9” and holds 20 liters. Inside, you’ll find a laptop slot (laptops up to 16”) and two pouches in the deep main compartment. The zipper opens the flap completely, and the flap features two larger zippered pockets for items. There is one water bottle holder on the side of the backpack and handy strap that you can use to secure your pack to the handle of a rolling suitcase (pictured below).
I think the backpack has a clean and sleek look and performs quite well for daily commuters in urban settings who might be on the go walking, biking, on public transport or otherwise making their way through their days and needing a reliable and durable backpack while facing variable weather conditions.
Video: A Look at The Ekster Grid Backpack
I love it for my travel needs, as I can pack all my liquids, snacks, computer, cords, chargers and camera gear and other essentials neatly into the Ekster Grid. This helps me maintain my carry-on only lifestyle for my flights around the globe.
There is a soft padded grid pattern on the back of the pack that feels comfy on your back as you tote items through the airport. A zipper opens a slim compartment at the very back behind the padding that is an ideal spot for keeping cords or paperwork.
The straps are easy to adjust for a proper fit, and you’ll like the series of small hooks and straps around the perimeter of the Grid backpack that allow for hanging items (affixed with carabiners, for example) to carry on the outside of the pack. The side straps are nice for longer items like walking poles, tripods or even beach towels.
A smaller hidden pocket opposite the water-bottle holder is a good spot to hold phone chargers, cell phones, passports, lip balm or items that require easy, quick access.
Other features and details:
The Ekster Grid backpack has waterproof zippers and is made from recycled PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles.
The Grid comes with a water-resistant dust cover bag that you can keep and use as a laundry or beach bag.
Ekster is offering reduced pricing at $156 and free shipping within two days.
Bottom line: The Grid is stylish and rugged and would make a fantastic addition for any pack-light active traveler who needs something reliable and long-lasting for adventures. The original pricing at $195 is a bit pricy, but the company’s special price ($156 with free shipping) makes it a decent deal for anyone seeking to get a long-term backpack solution.
Thanks for reading,
JR