Troubadour Apex backpack review

11th October, 2022 - Blog

If you know me, you’ll know I’ve got a bit of a thing for backpacks. It’s not weird, but I just really love nice, stylish backpacks that are full of pockets and compartments.

I know, that sounds more than a little weird, but I also have a weakness for the colour green. So, when bag brand Troubadour got in touch about their Khaki lineup. I had to see what they had on offer.

I’ve been able to check out their Apex Backpack, and the Pioneer (review of the latter coming soon), and the Apex has become the bag I reach for in almost all situations.

The bag is made of a waterproof fabric, which may lead you to believe it could feel cheaper to the touch, but that couldn’t be further from the case. I wore it to EGX last week, and the materials are of such a high quality that I found myself grabbing the straps regularly (OK, maybe that does sound a little weird).

In fact, everything is waterproof, including the inner lining and the zippers, meaning I had no concerns during a mini downpour on the way to the station – although you may come unstuck in heavy downfall.

There’s a front pocket just under the leather-style top section which is ideal for wallets, keys, or documents, and there’s a clip in there to keep them handy, too. On each side, there’s a stretchy compartment for water bottles that instantly shrinks once you take them out, and you’ll find an additional opening at the back that lets you position it on the handles of a suitcase.

So far, so good, but it’s inside where this bag really feels like it earns that £225 price tag. There’s a small mesh pocket on the inside, opposite the kind of compartment selection that’d make your suitcase blush. There are sections for pens, notepads, and gadgets (and with the right folding, you can make them ideal for an array of cables). A zip pocket at the top is ideal for securing documents or cash, too.

Now, here’s the embarrassing part (as if professing my love for backpacks and the colour green weren’t bad enough) – I originally missed that there’s a laptop compartment on this bag. I’m not kidding, even as a tech reviewer, I totally missed the existence of the laptop section of the bag. The good news is, that means it’s less likely to be stolen, I guess?

Open up the subtle yet “easy to spot once you know how” extra section, and there’s plenty of room for a 16-inch laptop, as well as an additional sleeve that’s ideal for A4 paper and documents you don’t want to fold up. The extra sleeve is likely to be ideal for an iPad (my iPad Pro gets in there easily enough), but you may find yourself wanting to skip the keyboard attachment and put that elsewhere in the bag – otherwise, it may get a tiny bit squashed.

Still, all of the pockets in the world won’t make a bag comfortable, but there’s no such concern with the Troubadour Apex. The back of the bag is padded enough to feel soft at all times, and, as I alluded to earlier, the straps are equally comfortable. Weight distribution is very even, although you’ll need to spend an additional £9.95 for a chest strap as it isn’t included.

In summary, then, the Troubadour Apex is a great-looking backpack that’s full of impressive compartments while remaining lightweight and impressively waterproof. The vegan leather adds a touch of class, too, so whether you’re using it for work or carrying your gym wear, it never looks out of place.

Still, more active users may prefer the Pioneer – check back for my review of that in the coming days.

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