For those of us deeply invested in the world of travel backpacks, the constant pursuit of the ideal bag is a familiar journey. We appreciate the expansive features and functionalities that larger backpacks offer, yet there are times when a more compact solution becomes essential. In these instances, downsizing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality or essential features. Enter the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small – a testament to thoughtful design in a scaled-down form.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Outdoor Back
The Aer Travel Pack 3 Small is precisely what its name suggests: a meticulously engineered, smaller iteration of the acclaimed Travel Pack 3. While it naturally offers less volume than its larger counterpart, its dimensions are strategically optimized for individuals with smaller physiques and adhere more readily to carry-on restrictions. This makes it an exceptional choice for travelers seeking a travel backpack designed with a more streamlined profile, particularly women.
Crucially, the Travel Pack 3 Small retains the celebrated features of the original model. Load lifters, an integrated smart tracker pocket, and the spacious bucket-style main compartment are all present and accounted for. If you’ve considered the Travel Pack 3 but found its size slightly overwhelming for your needs, the Travel Pack 3 Small might just be the perfectly balanced solution you’ve been searching for. Let’s delve deeper into what makes this backpack a standout option for discerning travelers.
Materials & Aesthetic: Premium Build, Condensed Design
Describing the Travel Pack 3 Small as merely “slightly” smaller might be an understatement when considering its 28-liter capacity. In the realm of travel backpacks, this is by no means a minuscule volume. Perhaps “condensed” is a more accurate descriptor, as this bag impressively integrates all the premium features of its larger sibling into a more manageable size.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Brand
The design language is unmistakably Aer: a rounded rectangular silhouette, the signature horizontal zippered front opening, and a strategic arrangement of straps, seams, and zippers. Despite these elements, the Travel Pack 3 Small upholds Aer’s hallmark minimalist aesthetic, characterized by its sleek, all-black colorway. This understated style ensures the backpack remains versatile and appropriate for diverse travel scenarios, from business trips to urban explorations.
When juxtaposed with its predecessor, the Travel Pack 2 Small, the Travel Pack 3 Small presents a refined appearance. Certain aspects appear cleaner, while others incorporate enhanced design elements. Regardless of whether you’re comparing it to the Travel Pack 3 or the earlier Travel Pack 2 Small, Aer’s consistent design philosophy ensures a seamless visual transition within their product line. In essence, the changes are subtle enough that casual observers might not even notice you’ve upgraded your backpack unless you point it out.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Zipper 2
Aer’s commitment to quality is evident in the choice of materials. The Travel Pack 3 Small is constructed from 1680-denier CORDURA Ballistic Nylon, a fabric renowned for its exceptional abrasion resistance and resilience to daily wear and tear. This heavy-duty nylon is a hallmark of durable backpacks, ensuring longevity and reliable performance. For those seeking a departure from the all-black aesthetic, the Olive colorway offers a stylish alternative. It utilizes the same robust 1680D CORDURA® Ballistic Nylon, maintaining the same level of durability while introducing a touch of subtle color variation.
The Gray colorway stands out with its different material composition. While still crafted from CORDURA® fabric, it employs a lighter 700-denier variant. However, past experiences with Aer’s lighter denier fabrics, notably in the Aer Duffel Pack 2, have been overwhelmingly positive. While perhaps not as impervious to extreme conditions as the 1680D fabric, the 700D CORDURA® provides ample durability for everyday urban use and travel.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Buckle Top
The emphasis on premium materials extends beyond just the fabrics. All zippers on the Travel Pack 3 Small are YKK-branded, widely recognized as the gold standard in zipper manufacturing. The metal zipper pulls, while appearing shorter than previous iterations, are noticeably wider, minimizing metal-on-metal friction and enhancing their robustness. Adding to the refined feel, cord pulls are attached to the metal pulls, effectively dampening any potential jingling noises.
Duraflex provides the plastic strap adjusters, and Woojin supplies the magnetic buckles. Both brands are highly reputable and frequently found in conjunction with YKK components in high-quality bags. The introduction of magnetic buckles on the Travel Pack 3 Small is a notable update, which we’ll explore further in the subsequent section.
External Components: Harnessing Comfort and Convenience
Aer has equipped the Travel Pack 3 Small with a comprehensive harness system that mirrors the features of the larger Travel Pack 3. From well-padded shoulder straps to magnetic compression straps, no detail has been overlooked. This is a crucial point, as “small” versions of products often compromise on features to reduce cost. The Travel Pack 3 Small, however, stands apart by offering a full suite of features in a more compact package.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Side By Side
The shoulder straps are generously padded and sufficiently wide to distribute the potentially heavy load that a 28-liter backpack can carry. While slightly wider than those on the previous model, the most significant enhancement comes from the inclusion of load lifters. These straps, a welcome addition carried over from the Travel Pack 3, significantly improve carrying comfort.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Strap
Load lifters work by pulling the top of the backpack closer to your shoulders, counteracting the feeling of the bag sagging or pulling away from your back. By tightening the load lifters on the Travel Pack 3 Small, the bag’s weight is better centered and balanced, resulting in a more comfortable and ergonomic carry. For those who appreciate a clean, dangle-free aesthetic, integrated strap keepers near the top of the shoulder straps neatly manage any excess slack from the load lifters.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Adjust Buckle
Beyond load lifters, the shoulder straps are also length-adjustable and feature elastic strap keepers to maintain the bag’s streamlined appearance. A D-ring on the right shoulder strap provides a convenient attachment point for accessories. On the opposite strap, a subtle Aer logo is placed on a Hypalon tab – a purely decorative touch.
A removable sternum strap offers additional support, essential for a backpack of this capacity when fully loaded. The sternum strap utilizes a sliding rail system, allowing for precise vertical adjustment. However, the magnetic buckle on the sternum strap is a point of contention.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Sternum Strap
While the Woojin hardware is typically reliable, magnetic buckles on sternum straps are arguably less practical than traditional side release buckles. Side release buckles are intuitively easy to clip and unclip. Magnetic buckles, conversely, require a deliberate push-together motion to detach. When a sternum strap is properly fitted, this push-together action can feel slightly awkward. Furthermore, one-handed operation is more challenging compared to side release buckles, which can be inconvenient when you need to quickly adjust your bag while holding other items.
Despite this minor drawback, the magnetic buckle functions effectively and offers the tactile satisfaction unique to magnets. However, it feels more like a lateral move rather than a significant upgrade in functionality.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Detail
For situations demanding even greater support, the Travel Pack 3 Small offers the option to attach a hip belt. Aer sells a dedicated hip belt, but the simple nylon loop attachment points are compatible with many third-party accessory straps. The necessity of a hip belt depends on the load. When carrying heavier loads, a hip belt becomes crucial for transferring weight from the shoulders to the hips. However, for lighter loads, the built-in straps typically suffice.
The back panel is crucial for carrying comfort, and the Travel Pack 3 Small’s padded foam back panel, while initially somewhat stiff, will break in over time. The two foam panels create a central air channel, which also houses a luggage pass-through. The horizontal orientation of the pass-through might not be ideal for those carrying loose items, as the bag will sit sideways on a roller bag, potentially causing contents to shift. However, utilizing packing cubes mitigates this issue by keeping items securely contained.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Carry Handle
A subtle yet thoughtful design element is the wedge shape of the back panel’s top section. This contouring, combined with the load lifters, allows the back panel to better wrap around the shoulder area, enhancing comfort and fit. This attention to detail, also observed in the Travel Pack 3, reflects Aer’s commitment to ergonomic design.
The Travel Pack 3 Small is equipped with a comprehensive set of grab handles: one at the top, one at the bottom, and one on each side. The luggage pass-through can also serve as a makeshift handle, although the dedicated handles are more convenient.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Carry Handle Studio
The top handle is notably thinner than that of the Travel Pack 2 Small, a welcome refinement. The previous version’s handle was disproportionately bulky for the bag’s size, whereas the Travel Pack 3 Small’s top handle is more appropriately scaled. A minor wish is for Aer to include a small loop between the shoulder straps for easier hanging on hooks, as the top handle’s inland placement makes it less suitable for this purpose.
The side handles, constructed from seatbelt-like material with light padding, offer comfortable carry. However, their somewhat protruding design can make them prone to catching on objects, as experienced in a doorknob incident.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Side Handle
An addition absent in the Travel Pack 2 Small but present in the Travel Pack 3 Small is the inclusion of compression straps. These straps allow you to cinch down the bag for a slimmer profile, making it more suitable for everyday carry.
While the load lifters effectively manage weight distribution, the compression straps contribute to maintaining a more compact form, especially when the bag is not fully packed. At 28 liters, the Travel Pack 3 Small is considerably more everyday carry-friendly than its larger sibling, although personal preferences may vary.
It’s worth noting that the lower compression strap on the right side, positioned above the water bottle pocket, has a tendency to detach spontaneously, possibly due to momentary tension loss and sudden movement. Interestingly, this issue appears more pronounced in the larger Travel Pack 3 than in the Small version.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Water Bottle
Finally, a fold-flat water bottle pocket is located on the right side. Unzipping the central zipper expands the pocket, revealing a stretchy mesh material. It comfortably accommodates an 18-ounce bottle like a YETI Rambler, but larger bottles may be a tight fit. The elastic lacks robust grip, so utilizing the D-ring or the upper compression strap to secure your bottle’s handle is recommended.
Inside The Pack: Organized and Efficient Interior
On the opposite side of the bag, a quick-access pocket provides convenient storage for small essentials like wireless earphones, a wallet, or a compact packable bag. It’s designed for smaller packable bags, such as the Matador Droplet Packable Dry Bag or BAGGU Standard Baggu Tote, rather than larger backpacks like the WaterField Designs Packable Backpack.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Side Pocket
At the top of the bag is Aer’s signature soft-lined pocket, ideal for protecting delicate items such as sunglasses or smartphones from scratches. While many might use a separate protective case for sunglasses, this pocket offers a convenient alternative. Note that this pocket features an all-black interior lining, unlike the gray lining used in other compartments. This darker interior can make smaller, dark-colored accessories like memory cards less visible.
The front pocket, while appearing to have a split opening, is essentially a single, large dump pocket occupying the lower half of the front panel. Despite its generous size, it lacks internal organization. This pocket is well-suited for bulky items like a compressible jacket. A built-in key strap with a robust clip is included, a notable improvement over flimsier plastic clips found in earlier Aer products.
The smaller dimensions of the Travel Pack 3 Small are evident in the front pocket. While the regular Travel Pack 3’s front pocket comfortably accommodates a compressible jacket, the Travel Pack 3 Small’s version feels more constrained for this purpose. Moreover, overfilling the front pocket can impede access to the lower pockets within the admin panel.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Keys
A notable omission from the Travel Pack 3 Small, compared to the Travel Pack 2 Small, is the shoe compartment. While some may miss this feature, its removal frees up a significant amount of space, even when stowed away. This space can be more effectively utilized for other essentials. For those who still require shoe storage, separate shoe pouches from brands like WANDRD or Peak Design offer a viable alternative. While an additional purchase, the space saved within the backpack often outweighs this minor inconvenience.
The primary organizational hub of the Travel Pack 3 Small is the front compartment, which houses a comprehensive admin panel. This panel includes a tablet sleeve, a zippered pocket extending halfway down, two liner pockets with a pen silo in between, a small stretchy mesh pocket, and two additional liner pockets. This abundance of pockets provides ample organization for tech accessories, including items like a travel mouse, charger, keyboard, memory cards, thumb drives, data cables, and a laptop stand. The compartment also offers sufficient volume to accommodate pouches in front of the pockets, provided they are strategically packed.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small 1 Compartment
Comparing the interior design to the Travel Pack 2 Small reveals Aer’s refined approach to design. Stitching and seams are less prominent, resulting in a cleaner interior aesthetic. The liner fabric itself is smoother and exhibits a slightly bluer hue.
Positioned behind the front compartment is the main compartment. Accessibility is straightforward, as the compression straps do not obstruct the zippered opening, a design carried over from the Travel Pack 2 Small, which lacked compression straps altogether.
However, the proximity of the front and main compartment zippers can sometimes lead to them catching on each other. For instance, when the bag is lying on its back, the front compartment’s zipper pulls can fall into the main compartment’s opening, causing slight inconvenience when trying to quickly access the bag.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Zipper
Despite this minor issue, the close positioning of the compartment openings along the top edge is a beneficial design choice. It maximizes the main compartment’s volume by allowing the outer walls to be as tall as possible, simplifying packing. The zippers are also lockable, offering added security when needed.
The main compartment of the Travel Pack 3 Small effectively utilizes its 28-liter capacity. It can accommodate two large packing cubes and a toiletry bag, although capacity may vary based on the specific packing cubes used. Packing cubes are almost essential for keeping clothing organized, as the main compartment lacks built-in tie-down straps, which can lead to clothes shifting during transit if loosely packed. Aer offers their own line of packing cubes and pouches (such as the Aer Slim Pouch), which are unsurprisingly designed to fit perfectly within the Travel Pack 3 Small. However, the dimensions are not proprietary, and other brands’ packing cubes and pouches should also fit well. Overall, the Travel Pack 3 Small is adequately sized for a week-long trip with strategic packing and the use of organizers.
The Travel Pack 3 Small also functions effectively as a daypack. Its size is comparable to the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L, which is also viable as a daypack. However, fully maximizing the Travel Pack 3 Small’s capacity might necessitate using a hip belt for comfortable day-long carry, as mentioned earlier.
A discreet yet valuable feature is the integrated smart tracker pocket, concealed behind the top pocket’s liner. This pocket adds a modern touch, making the Travel Pack 3 Small feel current and forward-thinking.
The main compartment lid also offers organizational features. A wide zippered mesh pocket provides a catch-all space for semi-quick-access items like extra toiletries needed during transit. The stretchy mesh allows for expansion to accommodate bulkier items such as socks or gloves.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small AirTag
Behind the mesh pocket is a wide, concealed zippered compartment spanning almost the entire lid area. Its limited depth makes it unsuitable for bulky items like jackets or thick towels. Instead, it serves as a discreet stash for extra straps, accessories, or items you prefer to keep out of sight during your travels.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Interior Pocket
The final compartment is the laptop compartment, designed for laptops up to 16 inches. A 16-inch MacBook Pro fits comfortably, while a 13-inch MacBook is fully enveloped. A sleeve with a false bottom and padding on both sides provides protection. For those who prefer not to use a separate tech pouch, or require additional storage beyond the front compartment’s admin panel, a zippered pocket at the top of the laptop compartment offers a prime location for a laptop charger or a packable hat.
Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Laptop
Conclusion: The Ideal Travel Companion for the Smart Traveler
The Aer Travel Pack 3 Small stands out as a remarkably uncompromised smaller version of the Travel Pack 3. It retains all the desirable features of its larger sibling, along with a few minor drawbacks, while its reduced size makes it a more ergonomic fit for individuals with smaller frames. If you appreciate the design and functionality of the Travel Pack 3 but seek a more manageable size for carry-on travel and everyday use, the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small is an exceptional choice. It’s a testament to thoughtful design, proving that downsizing doesn’t necessitate compromise. For travelers seeking a premium, feature-rich, and carry-on friendly backpack, the aer travel pack 3 small is a top contender.
