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If you’re after a backpack that is easy to use, durable, and budget-friendly, a roll top is the perfect option for you. Thanks to its unique top-loading design, it makes packing incredibly quick. As a bonus, most of these are also water-resistant and provide additional gear protection.
Like with any other backpack, choosing the right size, fit, and material quality is essential. To help you do this, our roll top backpacks reviews will take a look at the best roll top backpacks you can buy, with all their pros and cons. In addition, we will also break down everything you need to consider when buying so you can easily find the ideal model for your adventures.
OUR TOP PICK
Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Nylon shell provides great all-around protection
- Separate sleeve for carrying your laptop
- Zip-out divider makes organization easier
- SafeZone camera pod for protecting your DSLR
Best For: Cameras and Sensitive Equipment
Material: Nylon
Volume: 10.4 liters
Dimensions: 21.3 x 17.7 x 7.9 inches
Weight: 4.9 pounds
EDITORS CHOICE
Osprey Transporter Roll Top Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- TPU-coated nylon shell provides good water protection
- Convenient size and design for any type of travel
- Breathable back panel improves the wearing comfort
- Dedicated laptop compartment can fit a 15-inch computer
Best For: Traveling
Material: Nylon with TPU Coating
Volume: 25 liters
Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 10 inches
Weight: 2 pounds
BEST VALUE
Earth Pak Waterproof Roll Top Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Rugged 500D PVC construction makes it fully waterproof
- Front zip pocket for keeping items within hand’s reach
- MOLLE system for easily securing items to backpack exterior
- Reflective patches improve the visibility in low-light conditions
Best For: Water Protection
Material: 500D PVC
Volume: 35 or 55 liters
Dimensions: 19 x 14 x 9 inches (35-liter version)
Weight: 2.51 pounds
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Magnetic buckle closure makes opening and closing easy
- Zippered bottle pocket on the side for quick access
- Removable sternum strap design for better weight distribution
- Breathable mesh harness feel wonderful in warm weather
Best For: Quick and Easy Access
Material: Recycled Synthetic Fabric
Volume: 20 liters
Dimensions: 20 x 8.6 x 7.9 inches
Weight: 0.75 pounds
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Rugged 800D nylon shell easily resists tears and abrasion
- DWR and TPU coating for a high level of water resistance
- Welded seams prevent any leaks both in and out of the bag
- Lash points and tube holders for attaching poles when hiking
Best For: Fishing and Kayaking
Material: 800D Ripstop Nylon with DWR and TPU Coating
Volume: 45 liters
Dimensions: 23 x 13 x 12 inches
Weight: 1.8 pounds
Timbuk2 Tuck Roll Top Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Additional side zipper for accessing the main compartment
- Strong 900D polyester shell guarantees top-level durability
- Lined interior with a separate pocket for a 15-inch laptop
- Several reflective patches and a loop for installing night lights
Best For: Nighttime Visibility
Material: 900D Polyester
Volume: 20 liters
Dimensions: 20 x 17 x 3 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Secure roll top closure prevents rain from getting in
- Adjustable shoulder strap provides ergonomic support
- Small interior sleeve for packing any type of tablet
- Exceptional Poly/Nylon fabric guarantees durability
Best For: Laptops and Tablets
Material: 600D Poly/Nylon
Volume: 18 liters
Dimensions: 11 x 16 x 6 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Lightweight and breathable design is great for hiking
- External zippered pocket for stashing smaller items
- Aluminum buckle keeps the roll top secure when closed
- Attachments for securing walking poles or tripods
Best For: Hiking and Cycling
Material: 50% Polyester, 38% Cotton, 5% High-Tenacity Polyester (Bionic Canvas)
Volume: 25 liters
Dimensions: 20.5 x 11 x 7.1 inches
Weight: 2.3 pounds
Thule Paramount Roll Top Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Dual-density padded laptop sleeve provides excellent protection
- Safe Edge padding shields the bag content from bumps and hits
- High-visibility interior details make organization easier
- Water-resistant finish prevents rain showers from soaking the bag
Best For: Electronic Devices
Material: 420D Nylon
Volume: 24 liters
Dimensions: 20.5 x 11.6 x 10 inches
Weight: 2.16 pounds
Gonex Casual Roll Top Backpack
- What Makes This Roll Top Backpack Stand Out
- Stylish and functional design for everyday wearing
- Reinforced YKK buckle ensures the backpack is closed
- Breathable back panel allows excellent air circulation
- Hidden side pocket for small valuables (phone, wallet)
Best For: Casual Everyday Use
Material: 300D Polyester
Volume: 30 liters
Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 6 inches
Weight: 2.1 pounds
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.
Related Post: Ultralight Backpacking
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 with a blow up kayak, 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.
Related Review: Camera Backpack For Hiking
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.
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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.
Related Review: Adjustable Length Backpack
FAQs
Q: Why Choose A Roll Top Backpack?
Roll top backpacks are a very simple and easy way of closing your bag off and keeping the content inside safe. Besides protection, it can also be compressed more easily so it requires less space than a standard backpack with the same volume.
Q: What Is The Difference Between A Roll Top Backpack And Regular Zipper Backpack?
The main difference is the closure method – a standard backpack uses a zipper while a roll top has a top section that is rolled down and locked with straps. This type of closure makes the bag very secure and often more durable than a traditional model.
Q: Are Roll Top Backpacks Safe?
Yes, they are very safe. One could even argue that roll top bags are actually safer than any other type of backpack. They offer a secure water-resistant closure and often have a strong construction with lots of padding to support and protect your equipment.
Globo Surf Overview
Thanks to their convenient and user-friendly design, roll top bags are becoming increasingly popular among all outdoor enthusiasts. As a bonus, most of them are also water-resistant so you get additional gear protection. With the best roll top backpack on your back, you’ll be able to enjoy your activity or road trip knowing the contents are safe and secure.
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