Update: Now that I've had the pack for 4 months with almost daily use, I have a few comments to add. First, I still the backpack for its simplicity and lightweight. I sometimes stuff the bag into its little pocket, and stuff the whole thing in my bike jersey pocket until I get to the store to make my purchases. Or I put 5 heavy library books in the backpack to return books, and then stuff the empty backpack in my pocket to ride home. It's just so convenient. Keep in mind that none of this is more than 20 km away. Second, on the issue of washing this--I have washed it 3 times now. It was getting dirty from my daily use, once it got some bike chain grease on it, and once it had a huge patch of oil stain from the take-out food I was carrying. I treat the fabric with stain remover, and put the backpack in a laundry net (for delicate fabrics), and throw it in the washing machine with all my other clothes on gentle cycle. Then I hang it to dry. It looks as good as new. Whether the laundry net is necessary, I'm not sure. I just didn't want the straps to get chewed up in my washing machine.
Initial review: To those considering this product, I think you need to first know what you are using this pack for. This is not the heavy-duty kind of pack you take on a multi-day hike through the bushes. This is not the kind of pack that has a structure to it to stay in shape without fully stuffing it. There is no waist or chest strap to keep the pack from falling off your shoulders if you wiggle too much.
Now that's out of the way, you can consider what this pack is good for. It's great for packing on a trip in case you needed a back-pack, as it is ultra lightweight and compact. It's also awesome for a quick grocery run around the block. I bought this to hold my work clothes/shoes so I can stuff the bag into my bike pannier. If a pack as too much structure or too much padding in the straps, it won't fit in my bike pannier. This bag is perfect for the short distance I walk between the bike locker, the shower room, and my office, while holding my clothes/shoes. I don't want to take my bike pannier off my bike everyday while it's wet/muddy from my ride. This bag's thin material and lightweight nature is just perfect for my needs.
So, while people criticize the product for what it's NOT, please consider your needs before you buy it.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2017
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Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2016
DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY:
- The backpack is made of double layered textured nylon fabric , kind of similar you find on drawstring sacks or umbrellas
- The entire backpack can be easily be folded into into a pouch that's attached inside the main compartment.
- The shoulder straps , considering the lightweight and foldable nature of the backack, are relatively comfortable and well padded with a thick mesh like material
- In addition to the very roomy main compartment there is a front zipper and two large(ish) side pockets for bottles. The zippers glide smoothly and feel of high quality
USING IT (CONS):
- The biggest issue I felt using the backpack was that because of its portable/foldable nature , its does not have any structural supports like plastic tubing or even a cardboard base whatsoever. Its literally just fabric stitched into the shape of a backpack. This means that they take the shape of whatever you put into it. If you use clothes it puffs up well and takes its original shape (as shown in the product pics) , but if you put anything heavy or firm like a tablet or a lunch box - the bag is going to sag with the weight and look ungainly. I feel that drawstring bags are able to handle and retain their shape better in this regard.
- Even with its reinforced stitching, shoulder straps and large capacity the bag is good only for lightweight use . Its good for holding a lot of clothes but wont hold up to carrying a lot of weight as the fabric appears to be the weakest link here , rather than the joints/straps.
- I felt it had more capacity that it could handle (clothes are ok) because of the thin fabric you would tend to not fill it up too much .... which again gives it an odd sagging shape
- The fabric stays wrinkled and does not look smooth anything like in the pictures
THE GOOD:
There are some good aspects of this backpack that make it useful in certain situations
- It has a very large capacity and yet folds complete to fit your pockets. Good for a day at the beach/park/zoo.
- I have the navy blue color and its much darker and looks better than the product pics
- The shoulder straps, considering its portable nature are well padded and comfortable
- Its water resistant
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I feel that this backpack is in a somewhat weird place - It's large and made like a backpack but does not have the ruggedness nor the smart shape/looks of one. It has the portability and versatility of a drawstring sack but does not retain its shape as well when not fully filled. In the end it makes me feel conflicted about it and hence I'm giving it 3 stars
Lack of Structural support gives it an oddball shape & wrinkled appearance
By Farhan K on November 29, 2016
The AmazonBasics Ultralight backpack is rather unique - It combines the characteristics of a traditional backpack with its large capacity and shoulder straps and the versatility of a drawstring bag/sack being ultralight and foldable.. It seems the best of both worlds right? Well, Somehow I wasn't too impressed on how it worked out in real life and here is my take why :By Farhan K on November 29, 2016
DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY:
- The backpack is made of double layered textured nylon fabric , kind of similar you find on drawstring sacks or umbrellas
- The entire backpack can be easily be folded into into a pouch that's attached inside the main compartment.
- The shoulder straps , considering the lightweight and foldable nature of the backack, are relatively comfortable and well padded with a thick mesh like material
- In addition to the very roomy main compartment there is a front zipper and two large(ish) side pockets for bottles. The zippers glide smoothly and feel of high quality
USING IT (CONS):
- The biggest issue I felt using the backpack was that because of its portable/foldable nature , its does not have any structural supports like plastic tubing or even a cardboard base whatsoever. Its literally just fabric stitched into the shape of a backpack. This means that they take the shape of whatever you put into it. If you use clothes it puffs up well and takes its original shape (as shown in the product pics) , but if you put anything heavy or firm like a tablet or a lunch box - the bag is going to sag with the weight and look ungainly. I feel that drawstring bags are able to handle and retain their shape better in this regard.
- Even with its reinforced stitching, shoulder straps and large capacity the bag is good only for lightweight use . Its good for holding a lot of clothes but wont hold up to carrying a lot of weight as the fabric appears to be the weakest link here , rather than the joints/straps.
- I felt it had more capacity that it could handle (clothes are ok) because of the thin fabric you would tend to not fill it up too much .... which again gives it an odd sagging shape
- The fabric stays wrinkled and does not look smooth anything like in the pictures
THE GOOD:
There are some good aspects of this backpack that make it useful in certain situations
- It has a very large capacity and yet folds complete to fit your pockets. Good for a day at the beach/park/zoo.
- I have the navy blue color and its much darker and looks better than the product pics
- The shoulder straps, considering its portable nature are well padded and comfortable
- Its water resistant
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I feel that this backpack is in a somewhat weird place - It's large and made like a backpack but does not have the ruggedness nor the smart shape/looks of one. It has the portability and versatility of a drawstring sack but does not retain its shape as well when not fully filled. In the end it makes me feel conflicted about it and hence I'm giving it 3 stars
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Haris F
Been to Hajj and back - top quality.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2018Verified Purchase
Dominique
Does the job
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2018Verified Purchase
Does the job
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2018
Folds away so smallReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2018
Walking around Paris in over 31 degree this rucksack did the job.
Images in this review
The GLow
Very good travel backpack.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2019Verified Purchase
Mr D
Not the lightest, but one of the more practical and robust available.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2019Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Very light and comfortable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2020Verified Purchase
