Roll top backpacks are popular for a number of different reasons, often as they offer a much more simple and easy closing solution than many traditional backpacks. There can be a lot of difference in quality with these products, therefore choosing the best rolltop backpack is important.

In finding the best roll top backpacks, there are a number of key features that are going to be important. Here we will explore those key features and we have also completed roll top backpacks reviews to show you the best products that are available to you.

How To Choose A Roll Top Backpack – Buying Guide

Size

The size of your backpack is always going to be a crucial part of the buying process. You want to ensure that you are going to have enough space for all your items but you also don’t want to carry any extra weight when you don’t have to.

This depends a lot on the activity that you are going to be doing. If you are heading out for just a day, for example, then you wouldn’t really need anything over 20 liters in capacity as that should be more than enough to store all of your belongings.

If you are going to be staying somewhere for a few days then you are going to want a bit more space than that and will be thinking about taking something a bit bigger with more storage options. If you think you might need a large bag sometimes and a smaller one at other times, it’s good to look for a bag that can pack down and possibly have compression straps.

It’s also worth noting that a fully-packed 40 liter bag is going to be very heavy, for example. If you are going to be getting a bag at this size you will want to ensure that you have padded shoulder straps, waist and sternum straps as well as back support too.

Material

The materials are going to be very important to the overall quality of the bag, especially in its ability to be waterproof and durable. A few different materials can be used and they will all have their different qualities.

One aspect that is important to check is the denier rating of the material. This is an indication of how thick it is and you ideally you want the number to be as high as possible. This will indicate that the bag is going to have a high level of tear resistance.

You will also want to check whether or not the material is going to be waterproof. Some materials like PVC are but there are other basic materials like nylon which will simply have a water resistant coating on them. If waterproofing is going to be important to you then make sure to look for a material that is suitable.

The materials on the other areas of the bag are going to be very important too as you want to ensure that the buckles and the zips are high-quality as this is going to be an area of weakness on many types of backpack.

Use

Before buying any item it’s important to know exactly how you are going to be using it. These bags come in all different shapes and sizes with features like waterproofing not applying to all the roll top bags that are available.

Waterproofing is a good example as if you are doing an activity such as kayaking then you will want to make sure your contents are going to be safe when you go into the water. Getting the best dry bag is also another option for this.

Some of these products are made for a specific use in mind such as the Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack which has been made with camera enthusiast in mind with its section to easily store a high-powered camera.

The backpacks are also going to be great for camping, backpacking and hiking for when you need a high-quality bag even though there are other great bags available. The roll top bag can be highly convenient though and is great at keeping all your contents secure.

Organization/Compartments

With a backpack it’s important to know where you are going to put your things and some bags will suit you more than others. Having multiple compartments is a useful way of being able to store your items efficiently so that you are able to have easy access.

The first thing that you need to check is whether or not the main compartment is going to be big enough for everything that you are going to need. This will depend on how long you plan to be traveling and where you are going to be traveling too.

Some of these bags have specific areas for certain items such as a laptop. This will give them a safe space in which to be placed while you are on the go. This is great for a variety of reasons as you’re going to be able to keep your electronics safe.

Having pockets on the outside of the bag is a good idea too. Even though they are unlikely to be waterproof, this is a good place to store essential items that you want quickly to hand. Having water bottle holders are also going to be very useful, especially for those planning on a hiking adventure.

Fit And Comfort

The fit and comfort of the bag is going to be important, especially considering that these bags are going to be very heavy once they have been loaded onto your back. You need to make sure that you are receiving adequate support from all areas.

The straps are going to be the most important part of this as they need to meet a couple of different standards One of those is that they need to have enough padding to be comfortable to carry for the whole day and you also want to check they are highly adjustable as well to ensure a great fit.

There are two other main straps that you can have, which are both vital on heavier bags. They are the waist and sternum straps that are going to be able to stake more weight off the shoulders and allow you to carry the backpack for even longer.

In terms of comfort, another important feature is that the backpack is going to be breathable. This is usually done via mesh. On the back of the backpack, you want to make sure it also has padding but it’s also important to have a channel that is going to aid ventilation.

FAQs

Q: Why Choose A Roll Top Backpack?

A: Roll top backpacks are a very simple and easy way of closing your bag off and keeping the content inside safe. It’s very quick and easy to do and will often give the contents of your bag a lot more protection than with other more traditional bags.

Also, do the roll top action and the way it’s folded, this allows the bag to be waterproof and sometimes it will even be able to float on the water. No water is able to get between the creases which makes this bag ideal for more extreme weather environments.

Q: What Is The Difference Between A Roll Top Backpack And Regular Zipper Backpack?

A: There are quite a few different mechanisms when it comes to closing a backpack with cords and zippers being two of the more traditional method. With these though, there is the potential for them to come loose and they also aren’t going to be waterproof.

The roll top might seem like a very simple and fragile design but it is actually very strong and durable. Also, the likes of cords and zips are much more liable to break than a roll top which works on a much more simple system.

These features mean that the bag is able to be a lot more secure than other types of bag. Some people might still prefer the traditional types of backpack or simply don’t need the extra protection but roll top bags are a very quick and easy way to make your bag very secure.

Q: Are Roll Top Backpacks Safe?

A: There is a good argument to say that roll top bags are actually safer than any other type of backpack. They are very well made and often comes with a lot of padding that is going to be able to support all of the weight when you are on the move.

Also, the added weather protection that a roll top backpack can bring will also make sure that clothing and other aspects like key communication equipment are going to be kept dry at all times and thereby increasing your level of safety.

Globo Surf Overview

Roll top bags are becoming increasingly popular and it’s easy to see why. They are very easy to use, don’t break very easily and are at the minimum very water resistant and are often waterproof, which makes them ideal for a multitude of different adventures.

Before you head out and buy one there are other key aspects to consider with the main one being size. It’s important to get a bag that is going to be suitable for your needs and not too big to weigh you down and not too small so that you aren’t able to carry all of your things.

After that you need to check whether the other features of the backpack are going to be right for you, such as whether or not it’s going to have enough support while you are wearing it. The compartments are also going to be important depending on your needs and whether or not you are carrying things such as a laptop or a camera.

Once you have decided all of that then you are going to be in a great position to choose the best roll top backpack for you. Once you have, you’ll be able to head out to your favorite activity knowing your contents are going to be as safe and secure as possible.