Matein is well-known in the travel laptop backpack niche.
If you’re searching for a new laptop backpack that’s travel-friendly, chances are you’ve come across the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack.
As frequent travelers and active bloggers, having a comfy backpack with easy tech access and safety features can be life-changing.
And having tried and tested Matein’s number one product, I’m not kidding when I say that it really is one of the best laptop backpacks out there!
We’ve received both the 17 and 15.6-inch versions, so will review them together and include pics of both bags.
They differ only in size and have the same accessories, so just go for the one that suits your laptop size.
So, in this review I’ll talk about:
And if they’re worth buying at all.
Let’s go!
Since its beginning in 2014, Matein has sold over a million backpacks worldwide.
The brand revolves around the foundation of living passionately, and as avid travelers, we think it’s an excellent philosophy.
Every part of their bag design is meant to encourage freedom in living and traveling while having peace of mind that your belongings are safe.
Although known for their well-designed quality backpacks, Matein also offers other types of bags.
From totes and briefcases to cross-bodies and gym bags!
The Mlassic Travel Backpack, their flagship product we’re reviewing today, is the no.1 travel laptop bag on Amazon.
They have tens of thousands of reviews and Matein itself sold up to $90,000,000 worth of products on Amazon in 2021.
What makes them even more unique is their wholesale and custom services, so companies can order backpacks in bulk and embroider their logos on them.
You can buy from their Amazon store and there will be plenty of promotions and deals.
However, you can also buy Matein bags from their website.
It’s also the better option if you are planning to buy wholesale or place a custom order. There’s up to a 30% discount for orders of 300 or more bags.
Either way, you get access to a lifetime warranty that promises to repair, replace, or refund your purchase in case of product defect.
If you prefer a video based review, then check out our Gear Specialist Orlaigh go through the pros and cons of the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack!
The 15.6'' backpack:
The 17'' backpack:
Many refer to it just as the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack, but Matein’s most beloved product is officially named the Mlassic Travel Laptop Backpack.
My first impression?
It looks well-built and super great quality, so we were excited to receive and test it out.
Let’s look at it closer…
The bag is made from a durable, water-resistant polyester fabric, which feels very solid and strong to the touch.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how well-made everything was.
The stitching is tidy, the handle on top is very sturdy, and the padding is incredibly comfortable.
In addition to the quality material, this backpack exudes thoughtfulness—every aspect of the design has a functional and practical purpose.
We’ll talk about the different compartments and pockets in more detail in a bit, but one feature I adore includes the vertical strap on the back.
This feature is meant to secure the backpack easily over a suitcase for when you’re in an airport and have multiple luggage to handle.
I figured this would also be perfect for those of you doing sports. For example, you can easily slide in a barbell pad.
The metal zippers are great too and unzipping them are easy and smooth. I also like how each zipper is engraved with the brand name, which gives it a premium feel.
I genuinely struggled to find any wrong thing about this bag, as I really do love it.
If I had to nitpick, the material inside does look kind of cheap at first glance, especially with its crinkly, sort of water-resistant texture.
But it does mean it’s easy to clean if there’s a spillage, so what initially appeared like a drawback is actually a good thing.
If we were going to use the Mlassic as an everyday laptop backpack while travelling, it has to be super comfortable.
The first thing I noticed is that this bag has what feels like the comfiest padding ever!
The back provides plenty of support and cushion for your back, which is crucial if you’re carrying the backpack for hours at a time, especially when you travel.
With that said, there is still enough airflow for a breathable surface so that your back won’t get sweaty. All thanks to the innovatively soft yet thick multi-panel ventilated padding.
This u-shaped three-dimensional ventilation design maximizes air convection and heat elimination too.
This mesh padding also gives really good support for your upper and lower back.
A travel laptop and all its accompanying gear are heavy and I often find that some backpacks can dig into your shoulder and chest after a while.
But Matein ensures that the soft back padding continues on the inside of the chest straps to prevent this problem.
The straps are also adjustable so you can easily adjust them to your build and height. While this is by no means a revolutionary feature, it’s still very useful!
What exactly makes the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack so good at what it does?
First off…
Its multitude of pockets and compartments is truly one of the bag’s biggest strengths.
In fact, it reminds me of a Mary Poppins bag—the more I looked at it, the more there was to discover!
There’s of course the laptop compartment and main compartment for packing your daily needs and tech accessories.
The laptop compartment includes a strap attached to a lycra material, although I would’ve loved for this to be adjustable so the laptop can be secured more safely.
When I placed my laptop here, there was some extra space which made it move around within the compartment.
But setting that aside, the lycra is actually of great quality and sticks really well. It’s hard to pull off and does its job at securing your valuable electronics well.
In the next compartment, you’ll find two separate netting pockets, which I really liked because they offer more organization than just one big compartment.
Plus, it also makes your items feel more secure and less cramped.
These are great places to store delicates (for travellers) or stationary and equipment (for students and office workers).
Each of these pockets also has an elastic top that helps keep the content in place. I would’ve preferred for these to be more elastic though.
And the photos we took don’t do it justice, but this pocket has amazing depth. It’s so deep and wide that you can fit A LOT here.
On the side of the bag, there are two meshed pockets. These are great for water bottles and compact umbrellas.
But its best part is actually in the front organizer, which comes with three front compartments that can be used for all sorts of items.
There’s even a keyring here!
And a handy trick I discovered for extra security: you can loop the keyring through the front zippers so that it will be harder for thieves to open up.
Not to mention a hidden pocket at the front, which can be quite useful too.
Speaking of hidden compartments, there’s an extra secret pocket at the back with generous padding. I didn’t feel any difference in the support even when I put multiple items here.
Meanwhile, the backpack straps also hold an additional plastic keyring, which is a really nice touch.
This a great place to attach things you want quick access to, like a bike padlock or even climbing quickdraws.
Overall, Matein has done a phenomenal job of thinking about each pocket and how to make them very functional for everyone, from students to travellers alike.
The bag features a built-in USB charger outside and charging cable inside, which provides a handy way to charge your phone while on the go.
I found that the additional access point at the side is very useful so you can still use your phone for GPS or other things even when it’s connected to a charger inside.
One thing to note is that this backpack doesn’t actually provide power, but simply offers easy access for charging!
While that would’ve been a cool tech feature to have, it would no doubt drive the price thorough the roof.
Matein doesn’t market this as an anti-theft bag, but I definitely think it offers enough accessories and hidden pockets that make it a solid and safe backpack to use.
First is the fact of its simple and non-flashy style, which won’t attract attention when you’re walking in the streets.
The main anti-theft pocket I really liked is the compartment behind the padding on the back, which is impossible to access by thieves when you’re wearing it.
This is great for keeping valuables like your passport, credit cards, cash, and jewelry.
Moreover, it’s rare to get hidden pockets in a backpack of this price range. So that’s a huge plus!
I’d also apply my own locks to the zippers for additional security.
I’ve talked about the well-made aspect of this bag earlier, but just have to reiterate its sheer durability.
The polyester fabric here has really good quality that’s durable and water-resistant.
If you’re ever caught in a light rain, you can be assured that your laptop and electronics will be safe inside.
However, remember that it’s not waterproof!
Your things will remain dry after a small spillage if you clean it fast, but a huge spill can seep in over time.
Check-ins in the airport can be a hassle and we love that this backpack also takes TSA into account.
You can open the compartment up to 180 degrees for a quick check through security.
Trust me, if you’re a constant traveller like us, it’s always nice to ensure the process is as fast as possible.
I feel like the reason why the Matein backpack is so popular is because of its versatility.
Anyone who has to carry a laptop around will find this backpack a wonder.
That includes university students, office workers commuting in the city, or digital nomad travelling the globe.
It’s as good for backpacking as it is for professional business use, teen and adults, men and women.
Basically, I think the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is great for anyone who wants a sleek and simple laptop backpack with high quality and fantastic organizational compartments.
If you don’t have time to read through this entire post, let me quickly sum it up…
Should you buy the Matein Travel Laptop Backpack?
The answer is a resounding yes.
It’s comfortable, looks good, has plenty of separate compartments, an anti-theft pocket, and USB port.
I personally adore this bag as both a travel and everyday laptop backpack.
The best thing is that it comes with a perfectly reasonable price tag.
It’s not expensive at all while still offering quality build and thoughtful features, and I see it as an excellent investment that can last you a long time.
You can get the 17” variety if you have a large 17 inch laptop, or go for the more compact 15.6” one if your laptop’s smaller!
That said, for those who prefer bold and eye-catching designs, you may not like this fairly basic and nondescript style.
And if you’re travelling with a camera, you might be better off getting a camera backpack instead.
Matein offers a huge range of other products, but here are some of our personal highlights:
This Elite Travel Backpack is very similar to the one I’ve reviewed today, but offers a slightly larger capacity at 40L, and is a tad heavier at 2.2 lbs.
It features a laptop, organizational, and shoe compartment, as well as the same luggage strap for convenience and anti-theft back pocket.
The Lunch Box Laptop Backpack may be more suitable for daily office workers and students.
In addition a laptop compartment, you get a built-in lunch box with insulation and leak-proof liner.
This is perfect for storying your lunch for the day without risking spills on your laptop and other items.
Regular backpacks can be great, but wheeled ones can be a great alternative if you like to have the option.
After all, carrying a backpack can get strenuous on your back after a while.
This Wheeled Rolling Backpack from Matein has everything I loved from their backpack: padded laptop compartment, organizational pockets, and a water-resistant material.
It can be great for longer trips, and also features a telescoping handle with two adjustable heights and lockable double zippers.
Meanwhile, this Waterproof Electronics Organizer is a great one to have for travel bloggers and digital nomads.
It’s lightweight, compact, durable, and makes organizing cables and electronics accessories super easy.
There’s also a padded foam to ensure that everything inside remains safe and protected.
Don't forget you can buy your product direct right here.
That’s all from us for now!
Have you tried Matein’s backpack or their other products?
I’d love to hear what you think of them, so feel free to share in the comments below.
In the meantime, you might also like these other gear reviews:
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