This Backpack Replaces Your Carry-On?! Knack Bag Review for One-Bag Travel
Is the Knack Pack worth it? Our in-depth review covers the Series 2 expandable backpack's features, comfort, and how to pack it for a weekend trip.
Finding the perfect travel backpack can feel like an endless search. You need a bag that can seamlessly transition from your daily commute to a weekend getaway, all while keeping your belongings organized and secure. After testing a dozen backpacks, the Knack Pack has emerged as a serious contender for the title of the best backpack for one-bag travel.
This comprehensive Knack Bag review will cover everything you need to know about the Series 2 Medium Expandable Knack Pack. We’ll explore its standout features, from the hidden water bottle pocket to the game-changing expandable luggage compartment. We’ll also provide a detailed packing guide to show you just how much this bag can hold, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your everyday carry and short trips.
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Why the Knack Pack is a Game Changer
What makes the Knack Bag stand out from other bags on the market? It's all about its dual-purpose design. The Knack Pack functions as a sleek, professional everyday backpack for your work essentials, but with a quick zip, it transforms into a spacious travel bag. This eliminates the need for multiple bags, making your life simpler and your travels lighter.
The Series 2 Medium Expandable Knack Pack, in particular, strikes the perfect balance between size and capacity. It’s compact enough for daily use without feeling bulky, yet the expandable section offers a surprising amount of space for a few days' worth of clothes. This thoughtful design means you can leave the office on a Friday and head straight to the airport without having to repack.
A Closer Look at the Key Features
Let’s dive into the specifics that make this bag so functional. The bag features multiple compartments, allowing for organized storage of your essentials and enhancing overall usability. Knack has clearly put a lot of thought into the internal organization and user experience, resulting in a bag that’s both practical and stylish.
Expandable Luggage Compartment
The star of the show is the patent-pending expandable packing compartment. When unexpanded, the bag maintains a slim profile, perfect for your everyday carry. But when you need more space for a short trip, a durable YKK zipper reveals a hidden compartment that adds an extra 4.5 inches of depth. This section opens like a suitcase, making it incredibly easy to pack and access your clothes.
It’s large enough to fit 2-3 outfits, and you can use packing cubes to maximize the space and keep everything organized. The mesh flap helps compress your clothes and keeps them separate from the main compartment. The main compartments are specifically designed to work seamlessly with a packing cube, allowing for efficient organization and easy access to your belongings.
Dedicated Laptop and Tech Pockets
Protecting your electronics is crucial, and the Knack Bag excels here. The padded laptop compartment is located in the back panel, offering excellent protection for laptops up to 16 inches. The side-zip access on certain models makes it easy to grab your computer at airport security without digging through the entire bag.
Inside the main compartment, you’ll find a fleece-lined, padded pocket that keeps your iPad, Kindle, or even sunglasses safe from scratches and protects delicate electronics. The front compartment is designed for tech organization, with multiple smaller pockets and a mesh pocket to hold chargers, ear buds, a portable charger, and other small items. A removable key leash ensures you never have to rummage around for your keys again.
Smart and Discreet Pockets
One of the most praised features in any Knack Bag review is the hidden water bottle pocket. This zip-away side water bottle pocket is there when you need it and disappears when you don’t, maintaining the bag’s sleek design. It’s stretchy enough to accommodate a variety of water bottle sizes.
There’s also a hidden pocket on the back panel, perfect for storing your passport or wallet securely against your body. In addition to this, some models include a secret pocket designed specifically for discreetly storing sensitive documents or important items. This thoughtful feature adds an extra layer of security when you’re navigating crowded places.
Knack Bags use durable YKK zippers, and certain models, such as the Series 2 Knack Pack, feature lockable zippers for added protection of your valuables and improved overall safety.
Comfort and Durability
A bag is only as good as it is comfortable to carry, especially when packed full. The Knack Pack features a molded, comfort-cool foam back panel that allows for airflow, reducing sweat during long commutes.
The shoulder straps are well-padded, and the removable, adjustable sternum strap helps distribute weight evenly for a more comfortable carry. The bag feels balanced and supportive on your back, with thoughtful weight distribution that enhances comfort even when fully loaded.
The bag is constructed from custom-developed, durable, and water-resistant body fabric, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in a light rain shower. The high-quality YKK zippers are also water-resistant, and the custom pullers are easy to grip.
For those who travel with rolling luggage, the luggage pass-through sleeve on the back is a lifesaver, allowing you to slide the backpack securely over your suitcase handle. When using the pass-through sleeve, the backpack straps can be conveniently tucked away in a dedicated pocket to keep them out of the way and prevent strap adjusters from falling out.
Aesthetics and Design: How the Knack Pack Looks and Feels
The Knack Pack Series 2 is a masterclass in blending style with substance. Right out of the box, the medium expandable Knack Pack impresses with its sleek design and premium 420D nylon fabric, giving it a polished, professional look that’s equally at home in the boardroom or the airport lounge. The subtle logo print adds a touch of sophistication without being flashy, so you can carry it confidently in any setting.
One of the standout features is the hidden water bottle pocket. This clever design keeps your water bottle tucked away when not in use, preserving the bag’s streamlined silhouette. When you need hydration, the side water bottle pocket stretches to fit a range of bottle sizes, then zips away for a clean look. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in maintaining the bag’s modern aesthetic.
The shoulder straps are thoughtfully contoured and generously padded, making the Knack Pack comfortable to carry even when fully packed. The removable sternum strap offers extra support for heavier loads, and you can easily detach it when you want a more minimalist look. The back panel is designed for airflow, so you stay cool during long commutes or while navigating busy airports.
Inside, the main compartment opens clamshell-style, just like a suitcase, giving you easy access to everything you’ve packed. The expandable luggage compartment is a true game changer for short trips, offering enough space for extra clothing or gym clothes without adding bulk when you don’t need it. Packing cubes fit perfectly inside, helping you maximize every inch and avoid wasted space.
Organization is where the Knack Pack really shines. The fleece lined tablet pocket keeps your tech scratch-free, while the dedicated laptop compartment is padded and positioned for both security and convenience—especially handy when you’re breezing through airport security. Smaller pockets and mesh pockets throughout the bag provide easy access to essentials like earbuds, chargers, and other small items, so you’re never left digging for what you need.
The front pocket is ideal for items you want to grab quickly, and the hidden pocket on the back panel is perfect for stashing valuables like your passport or wallet. The removable key leash is another thoughtful touch, ensuring your keys are always within reach. The compression strap in the back compartment keeps your gear secure, whether you’re carrying a few items or packing for a weekend away.
Travelers will appreciate the luggage pass through sleeve, which lets you slide the Knack Pack over the handle of your rolling luggage for effortless airport navigation. The bag’s dimensions are airplane seat-friendly, fitting easily in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you—no more wrestling with oversized carry-ons.
The Knack Pack Series 2 comes in a range of colors, including classic black, gray, olive, and blue, so you can choose the style that best fits your personality. Whether you’re using it as an everyday backpack, a travel backpack, or both, the Knack Pack series is built for long bag life, with durable materials and high-quality construction that stand up to daily use.
What I Actually Packed in My Knack Bag (REAL Trip)
Here’s what I fit inside for a real weekend trip—laptop included.
This bag was fully packed but not overstuffed, and everything stayed organized.
Clothing & Shoes
- Short sleeve shirt
- Long sleeve shirt
- Black jeans
- Black leggings
- Pajama top + bottom
- Jacket
- Bra
- Underwear
- Socks
- Flats
- SodaStream bottle (yes, it fit!)
Toiletries & Personal Care
- Face wash
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Detangler
- Wet brush
- Deodorant
- Face cream
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
Tech & Essentials
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Wireless headphones
- Phone charger
- Notebook
- Pen
- Glasses case
- Pink wallet
- Passport holder
- Keys (on the built-in key leash)
- Lip balm
Even with everything I packed, the bag didn’t feel overstuffed at all. Every item had a clear designated spot, and the expandable clothing compartment made the wardrobe section incredibly easy to load. I still had unused pockets and slots - enough room for makeup or more small essentials - so it easily could’ve handled more.
Is the Knack Pack Worth It?
After using the Series 2 Medium Expandable Knack Pack, the verdict is clear: this is one of the best backpacks available for those who want a single bag for work and travel. The thoughtful design, from the expandable compartment to the hidden pockets, solves many of the common frustrations of one-bag travel.
Knack Bags offers a range of packs, including Series 1 and Series 2, each with unique features and upgrades. When comparing the medium knack pack in both series, the medium size stands out for its balance of capacity and organization, making it suitable for daily use and short trips. The medium size option provides enough space for a 15-16 inch laptop and adapts well to different gear needs, while the Series 1 and Series 2 packs offer distinct internal layouts and design improvements to fit various preferences.
While some might consider it an investment, the quality of materials and construction suggests this bag will last for years. The ability to seamlessly transition from a professional everyday backpack to a capable travel bag provides a level of convenience and versatility that is hard to beat. If you’re looking to simplify your carry and invest in a bag that truly does it all, the Knack Pack is an excellent choice.
Happy Travels! 🌍