Why This Topo Designs Backpack Stole Our Reviewer’s Heart (and His Passport)

When you travel with a bag for seven flights and eight hotels in ten days, you get to know it intimately. That’s exactly what happened to WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar during a spring break trip to Ireland and Scotland. He packed a carry-on roller bag and the Topo Designs Rover Trail pack as his personal item. By the time he landed back home, he was convinced it’s the best backpack he’s ever used.

The Denver-based company makes gear that looks good, lasts forever, and packs in smart features without feeling overengineered. The Rover is no exception. At the top, there’s a zippered compartment that flips open to reveal a rucksack-style opening with a drawstring. Inside that compartment, you’ll find a key clip and an additional zippered mesh sleeve. Cizmar used it to double-bag his passport and his daughter’s passport. After clearing TSA, he clipped in his car keys, zipped the passports into the mesh sleeve, and never worried about losing anything.

The main compartment has a J-shaped zipper running along the side, so you can grab items at the bottom without unpacking everything on top. On a flight, Cizmar pulled out his travel pillows from the bottom without disturbing his fleece or toiletries. The side pockets have some stretch, so they hold water bottles—or, as he tested, cans of Diet Coke.

At 22 liters, this pack works as a personal item or a day hike bag. There’s a lightly padded waist belt that tucks away when not needed, and a foam backing layer with a side zipper to protect a laptop or tablet. The bottom has clips and nylon loops for strapping on a sleeping bag or dirty gear.

Cizmar owns several Topo Designs bags, but he calls the Rover Trail the most versatile. It’s the one he’d recommend to anyone looking for a first bag from the brand.