The Ultimate Travel Companion? Mous Travel Backpack Put to the Test
For many of us who identify as “hand luggage only” travellers, packing for a short break or a city escape is a strategic art. A standard backpack often falls short, yet the prospect of dragging a wheeled cabin bag through bustling airports and train stations isn’t always appealing. Enter the Mous Travel Backpack, a contender that bills itself as a revolutionary alternative to traditional rolling luggage.
Boasting a substantial capacity of up to 45 litres when fully expanded, this backpack offers significantly more space than most everyday options, easily accommodating enough gear for several days away. What truly sets it apart, however, is its thoughtful organisation. With a remarkable 25 pockets and compartments, it’s far from being a mere cavernous bag. This intricate design means quick and easy access to essentials like your passport, keys, or water bottle, eliminating the frustrating rummaging often associated with wheeled suitcases. Crucially for frequent flyers, the Mous Travel Backpack is designed to comply with the cabin baggage restrictions of most major airlines, including the often stringent requirements of Ryanair and EasyJet.
First Impressions and the Verdict
The Mous Travel Backpack comes with a premium price tag of £299.99, prompting the question: is it genuinely a more practical solution than a conventional wheeled suitcase, and could it become a permanent fixture in a traveller’s arsenal? Our review delves into this.
Ultimately, the Mous Travel Backpack is presented as the pinnacle of convenience for travellers who are always on the move. Despite its generous size, capable of holding up to two weeks’ worth of clothing and weighing a notable 2.2kg when empty, it remains surprisingly comfortable, even when packed to its limits. The sheer volume of pockets and compartments transforms the often-arduous task of finding specific items into a simple affair. Furthermore, the innovative wraparound zip design allows the backpack to open like a clamshell, providing unobstructed access to all your belongings, a stark contrast to the traditional top-loading approach.
While the £299.99 price point is undoubtedly a significant investment that may deter some, for the discerning traveller, it could prove to be an invaluable piece of gear. If you’re weary of the limitations and bulk of a traditional wheeled suitcase, or if you’re looking to maximise your carry-on allowance and potentially save on checked baggage fees in the long run, this backpack warrants serious consideration. Its robust construction also suggests a commitment to quality and durability, meaning you’re investing in both superior build and unparalleled convenience.
Rigorous Testing: How We Evaluate Travel Gear
At our publication, we take a thorough approach to testing travel products, ensuring they live up to their advertised claims. When it comes to backpacks like the Mous Travel Backpack, our evaluation process focuses on several key areas:
- Airline Compliance: We meticulously check that the backpack adheres to the size restrictions imposed by airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet. This involves not only measuring the bag in its empty state but also after it has been fully packed to simulate real-world usage.
- Comfort and Usability: Large carry-on backpacks must be comfortable to wear. We subject them to extensive use, mimicking the experience of travelling through airports and train stations. This includes packing and unpacking items on the go to assess ease of access and overall wearability.
- Value for Money: Given that this particular backpack represents a substantial investment, we assess its practicality and ease of use compared to alternatives, such as wheeled suitcases. We also scrutinise the build quality and materials used to justify the price.
A Deep Dive into the Mous Travel Backpack
Size and Capacity
My usual go-to backpack is the Stubble & Co’s 20L Roll Top, measuring a compact 470mm x 320mm x 140mm. Therefore, the initial experience of donning the Mous Travel Backpack was quite a shift. With dimensions of 550mm x 350mm x 200mm, it’s noticeably larger and feels more substantial on the back. However, this is precisely its intended purpose. While Mous offers a range of smaller bags, this model is specifically engineered for travellers, and those extra centimetres translate directly into valuable packing space.
The main compartment alone offers a generous 40 litres of storage, expandable to 45 litres when fully extended. This provided ample room for a collection of bulky jumpers, shoes, and clothing, along with a rather substantial toiletry bag. A particularly appreciated feature is the separation of the main compartment from the dedicated tech section. This design provides peace of mind, ensuring that any potential leaks from toiletries won’t compromise sensitive electronic devices. Importantly, the backpack aligns with the cabin baggage regulations of most airlines, making it suitable for overhead locker storage, much like a conventional small suitcase.
Comfort
Even when fully loaded with travel essentials, the Mous Travel Backpack proved surprisingly comfortable to wear. The rear of the bag is well-padded, and the inclusion of a sternum strap and load-lifter straps significantly distributes the weight, preventing undue strain on the shoulders. An added bonus is the option to stow the straps and carry the bag like a duffel, which is incredibly convenient for short distances.
Design Innovation
The design of this bag is where it truly excels. The wraparound zip allows the entire backpack to open flat, much like a suitcase, facilitating an incredibly easy packing process. Gone are the days of struggling to stuff items into a top-loading opening. For quick access while on the move, such as during airport security checks, the bag offers convenient side and top access points. For those who appreciate order, the abundance of 25 pockets and compartments is a dream come true. From a dedicated water bottle holder and secure internal pockets to a discreet compartment hidden behind the straps, everything has its place, ensuring you can retrieve items without frantic searching.
Optional Accessories
Beyond its impressive internal organisation, Mous also offers a suite of modular accessories designed to complement the Travel Backpack. Options include a Document Pouch, a Tech Pouch, and a Toiletry Pouch. While the backpack’s inherent storage capacity might render these somewhat redundant for some users, the Compression Wardrobe accessory stands out as a potential game-changer, particularly for travellers attending festivals. The thought of a compact, hangable wardrobe within a cramped tent, eliminating the need to rummage through a packed bag for clean socks and wipes, is certainly appealing.
Value Proposition
As previously mentioned, the Mous Travel Backpack is a significant financial commitment, and this cost escalates further if you opt for the additional accessories. The backpack itself retails at £299.99. The accessories are priced as follows: Document Pouch (£34.99), Compression Wardrobe (£64.99), Tech Pouch (£44.99), and Toiletry Pouch (£54.99). Purchasing the backpack along with all these add-ons would bring the total to £499.95.
Comparative Analysis
To put the price into perspective, similar-sized softside suitcases from brands like Samsonite typically range from approximately £139 to £339. The fundamental difference, however, lies in versatility. While wheeled suitcases are undoubtedly practical for many journeys, the Mous Travel Backpack offers superior adaptability for fast-paced travel where constant movement and easy manoeuvrability are paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Mous backpack waterproof?
Mous backpacks are not fully waterproof, meaning they cannot be submerged in water. However, they are highly water-resistant, making them suitable for use in adverse weather conditions like rain and offering protection against spills on the exterior. The Mous Travel Backpack is constructed from 840D ballistic nylon and features a triple-layer water-resistant coating.Is the Mous backpack suitable for Ryanair and EasyJet flights?
The Mous Travel Backpack is compliant with Ryanair’s cabin bag restrictions, provided it is in its un-expanded state. While it’s likely to be acceptable even when expanded, if you prefer to avoid any potential issues, it’s advisable to use it without the expansion feature. It’s also recommended to weigh your backpack before flying to ensure you comply with airline weight restrictions.
