MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack Reviewed in 2025

Initial Thoughts Of The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

When you unpack the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack, you will immediately notice the many separate compartments and the durable feel of the material. Budget-friendly backpacks can sometimes feel cheap or flimsy, but this backpack feels substantial and dependable.

The zippers and separate pockets are the next thing you notice, mostly because the more you look at the pack, you realize there are more and more separate zipping compartments, some of which are intentionally hidden.

You are almost immediately struck by the intuitive design of this pack, and it is clear it was designed with the digital nomad in mind. It is both a work backpack for everyday use and a travel backpack. The pack has a 30-liter capacity, which even makes it large enough to be a weekender bag if you pack smart.

When you first put the pack on, the cushioned straps and back give the pack a soft and comfortable feel. Additionally, while this backpack has tons of storage compartments and lots of features, including a USB charging port, it feels shockingly light, as it weighs just under two pounds. Overall, the initial impressions of this budget-friendly travel pack are overwhelmingly positive. But in order to know whether or not this is a travel laptop backpack worth purchasing, some thorough testing was necessary.

A Well-Designed Travel Backpack Built With Endless Organization

Before diving into how the Matein Travel Laptop Bag performs in real-life scenarios, it is important to understand the bag’s design and how it works. After all, while this bag isn’t huge, it has a lot going on in its shape, materials, and design.

The Shape And Design of the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack has a 30-liter capacity and measures 18.3” high, 13” wide and 7.8” deep. This places it on the slightly larger side of the backpack spectrum, but mostly in its depth. The design is smart in that the pack is light, and when it isn’t completely full, looks no larger than a standard pack. Only when the pack is filled to the max can you tell it has a slightly larger-than-normal storage capacity, and this is mostly due to the multiple zipping compartments.

The Five Zipping Compartments

This bag has a whopping five zipping compartments. There is a small diagonal zipper perfect for things like headphones, hand sanitizer, and maybe a lip balm. Next, there is a slightly larger pouch that you find on most backpacks. This pouch has a key ring and multiple organizational pouches within, allowing you to secure sunglasses, a cell phone, a book, and various other items without them getting jumbled around.

The next compartment would typically be the last and largest on a standard backpack. It has the full height capacity. This pouch is great for packing lunch, clothing, or other various items you might need throughout the day. The last pouch unzips like a clamshell, allowing you to open the back a full 180 degrees. This fourth zipping compartment is also where you find the laptop sleeve.

Lastly, there is a zipper pouch that goes across the back. This pocket is an anti-theft area, allowing you to put a wallet and even a passport and keep it out of reach of any pickpockets.

A Travel Pack Built With The Digital Nomad In Mind

There are some features that are very clearly geared towards those who take their work on the road. The most notable digital-nomad-friendly feature is the external USB charging port. This is likely to come in very handy for those who travel all the time and are often out of the range of a power outlet. There is also a sturdy strap that runs horizontally along the back of the pack, which allows you to easily connect this backpack to the handle of wheeling luggage.

This bag is essentially perfect for those who frequently travel and bring work along on these travels. Whether it is a daily trip to the coffee shop or an international business meeting, this bag is up for the task.

But this pack is not waterproof and does not claim to be. It is also not the best active backpack. It has many compartments that are great for organization, but if you are looking for a large pouch to fit tons of groceries or sports equipment, this bag is less than ideal – at least in its design.

How The Matein Travel Backpack Functions in The Real World

The real test when it comes to a travel backpack is how it performs in the real world in various conditions. For the most part, the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack passed these tests with flying colors.

The organization is even better than initial expectations. By keeping your keys and wallet in the theft-resistant back pouch and on the key ring helps keep two of the most important possessions in an easy-to-reach and safe location.

The laptop pouch works great for most laptops, and having additional compartments helps keep it separate from water bottles and food that could cause damage. The materials also held up for the most part. The zippers work well but are not of premium quality. So there are occasional snags on the backpack’s interior material, and it is best to zip and unzip the bag carefully. This is not ideal, but fairly standard when purchasing a budget-friendly backpack.

Is The Matein Travel Backpack Really Water Resistant?

This Matein backpack is made with water-resistant 600D polyester, but it is by no means waterproof. In fact, the company makes it clear that while it should hold up in a brief light drizzle, it is not recommended in wet conditions. A better option would be the Gregory Border Traveler if you need to ensure your things stay dry.

It makes sense that this back is not waterproof, based on its price. The only issue is this pack is likely to hold some valuable electronics, and the USB port is exposed to the elements. Therefore, it is important to keep this bag fairly dry, or at least remember to protect your electronics by having a separate reliable dry bag within this backpack in case of rain.

Notable Features of The Matein Laptop Travel Backpack

17-Inch Laptop Pocket

One great feature of the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is the laptop pouch. The pouch is found within the large clamshell pocket. This makes it easy to unzip the pack and run the bag through security (although some airports require the laptop to be completely removed from the bag).

Additionally, the pouch fits upwards of a 17” laptop and fits smaller laptops with a protective shell. This is fantastic, as many backpacks have a pouch for a laptop, but these pouches are not large enough to also fit a laptop with its protective case. This is a great feature for those who bring their laptop everywhere and like to keep it safely in a case.

USB Charging Port

Another notable feature of this pack is the USB charging port. Charging ports are becoming popular on bags, especially on travel packs. This is a notable accessory for a budget pack, and it works well.

The only two negatives with this feature are that it does not come with a power bank or a protective cap for the port. It is understandable that, for the price, this pack does not include a power bank. But the downside is there is no separate small compartment for a power bank since these power banks come in all shapes and sizes. There are two amply-sized mesh pouches next to the receiving end of the USB port, though, and these pouches should fit most power banks.

It would be nice to have a protective cap on the outside of the port as well. After all, traveling backpacks are bound to be exposed to all sorts of weather. Without protection, this USB port is likely to have a shorter shelf life than if it had a protective cap.

180-Degree Clamshell Compartment

The 180-degree clamshell compartment where the laptop pouch is located is both a blessing and a curse. This clamshell design allows you to take the bag through an X-ray machine, but this only works if security is lax. After all, many TSA agents will require you to take a laptop completely out of a bag.

It can be handy if you use this bag to pack clothes for a weekend trip. If, however, you don’t use this compartment for either of these purposes, then this clamshell design can actually be detrimental. Because the zipper goes all the way to the bottom of the bag, it is possible to not zip the bag all the way, and therefore possible for smaller items to fall out. This can be remedied by making sure the two zippers meet on the top of the bag – but it is something the user must remember consistently.

Theft-Resistant Pocket

Arguably the best design feature of this bag is the anti-theft pocket located on the backside of this pack. Since the pack is worn on your back, it leaves outer zipper pockets vulnerable to theft. This pocket, however, is covered by your back when wearing it, making it practically impossible for others to see or access.

Further, there is a layer of padding under this zipper. So even if you place a thick wallet, passport, and other items in here, it doesn’t cause your back any discomfort.

Multiple Carrying Options

When it comes to travel bags, it’s always great to have multiple carrying options. The most common way to carry this bag is as a backpack. The backpack straps are padded, adjustable, and breathable, making this the most logical carrying option.

There is also a carrying handle on the top of this bag. This carrying handle is also padded and breathable, which is great when you are carrying a different pack on your back and you need to carry this bag for a longer distance using only one hand.

Lastly, there is a strap that goes horizontally along the back of this backpack. It makes for a perfect fit for a rolling luggage handle. This makes getting to and from an airport even easier, as you can have both wheeling luggage and this backpack together.

Detachable Key Ring

The detachable key ring is a nice feature to have. It makes it easy to always find your keys. This bag has lots of zippers and spaces, so having a place for important items you need frequently makes finding them easier.

A better design would have been to have used a simple clasp mechanism. Instead, you need to use the included key ring to attach your set of keys. So if you have multiple sets of keys, you will need to attach and detach them from this ring. This can get potentially time-consuming. If you have only one set of keys, this design works wonderfully.

Carryon And Travel-Friendly Design

In addition to the handy travel strap to help this bag connect to wheeling luggage, this bag also has ideal dimensions for various traveling needs. Its size makes it compliant with most airlines as both a carry-on bag in an overhead compartment and even as a personal item.

You might not be able to completely fill this pack if you want it to fit under the seat, but its multiple compartments make this a practical personal item bag for those who need to maximize their luggage space when traveling by air.

Is The Matein A Good Value For The Price?

The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack retails for around $45 at the time of publishing but is often on sale for as low as $30. The fact that this well-made and intuitively designed travel backpack is less than $50 makes it a great value. If you are able to snag this backpack on sale for closer to $30, then you have landed an incredible deal.

It is hard to find a decent backpack these days for under $40. Most of our recommended bags with key features land over $100 like the Osprey Farpoint or the Gregory Border Traveler.

The fact that the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is at this great price point and executes almost every function a digital nomad could want from a travel bag makes it an exceptional value. This is the ideal value travel laptop bag for those who frequently bring a computer along but can’t afford a high-end travel pack like our top choice the Stubble & Company Adventure Bag.

Final Recommendation For The Matein Travel Laptop Backpack

With so many great travel backpack options on the market, it can be hard to make a decision. In the end, based on design, performance, and price, there is no question that the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is worth purchasing. At less than $50, and sometimes as little as $30, this backpack overperforms its price point.

It has tons of organization options, and the entire bag was well thought out by people who clearly understand the needs of a digital nomad. The anti-theft zipper pocket on the back of the pack is such a great compartment for those who travel in cities. This feature alone makes this bag worth considering.

The additional features, like its carry-on size compliance, multiple carrying options, and the included USB charging port, just make this great backpack deal an even better one. In fact, if you work remotely or live nomadically, you should not think twice and consider purchasing this bag whenever you see it on sale (which is often).

The only reason you may want to reconsider purchasing this travel backpack is if you live somewhere with temperamental or severe wet weather. While this bag is water-resistant, it is by no means weatherproof. This lack of water resistance also includes the USB port. So if you need a reliable waterproof travel bag to protect your electronics at all times, you should look elsewhere. But for everyone else, the Matein Travel Laptop Bag is a great pack to add to your backpack arsenal.