Airback Go Review

The world of travel has changed noticeably in recent years. Air travel, in particular, is characterized by increasingly restrictive baggage policies from airlines. Where generous carry-on luggage was once a given, many airlines today only allow a small piece of luggage that can be stowed under the seat in front of you at no extra charge.

This presents a particular challenge for photography enthusiasts who don’t want to forgo their analog camera equipment, even on a short weekend trip to a European metropolis.

This is where the Airback Go comes in, a backpack that advertises an integrated compression system. The promise: to fit significantly more content into a carry-on compliant format. But how does this concept perform in practice, especially when traveling with photo equipment?

Background on the Airback Brand

Airback is a relatively young company in the travel luggage market, born out of the need to find a solution for common travel problems like lack of space and baggage fees. Various bags and suitcases are available. In this test report, we will look at the currently smallest backpack.

Material, Size, and Build Quality

The Airback Go presents itself in a simple, urban design. The main material used is 100% recycled Nylon 900D, which is provided with a wax coating on the front and a PU coating on the back.

Variants with different colored fronts are offered. Available colors include Black, Blue, Light Blue, Beige/White, and Dark Green. This test focuses on the dark green version.

The front feels pleasantly soft and gives the backpack a special look. However, I would have a slight concern that the material might show significant signs of wear after many years of use.

The dimensions of the Airback Go are explicitly designed for the requirements of “small carry-on luggage” (under-seat luggage) for many airlines, measuring 40 x 30 x 15-20 cm (length x width x depth). The volume is stated as 16 to 32 liters, with the higher figure achieved through the use of the compression function and an expansion pleat.

An important point not to be overlooked is the backpack’s own weight, which is stated as 1.3 kg. Considering the often strict weight limits for carry-on luggage, this is a factor that must be taken into account when calculating the total load. In this regard, one might have wished for a lighter construction to allow more leeway for the actual luggage.

The backpack’s build quality makes a good impression. The zippers, which are exposed to high stress when the backpack is fully packed, could, in my opinion, be a bit smoother. Especially when they are under tension, they sometimes snag a bit, particularly when compared to other backpacks.

Features in Detail

The backpack can be opened completely. This is very useful when packing and provides a good overview of the contents. On the left side, there is a compartment for shoes, and above it, another smaller lockable compartment.

On the other side is the central and namesake feature of the Airback Go: the integrated compression system. This consists of a large, airtight compartment in the main body of the backpack, which has a valve. Using a separate, small electric pump, the air is sucked out of this compartment, thereby reducing the volume of the contents, primarily clothing.

The pump is sufficiently powerful to remove the air within one to two minutes, depending on the fill level. Instead of the pump, a vacuum cleaner can also be used to remove the air. The compression compartment is sealed with a special, robust zipper, which is, however, a bit difficult to close. Loops at the ends make it easier to close.

This compression function creates a clear separation within the backpack. The clothing is stored separately and does not come into contact with other items, which is advantageous from a hygienic perspective and for protecting camera equipment.

Logically, it’s not possible to state exactly how much clothing fits in the compartment, as it depends on various factors like the person’s size, materials, etc. For me personally, the size is very suitable for clothing for a weekend. A long pair of trousers, two to three t-shirts, underwear, socks, a sweater, and pajamas fit in without problems, and there is still some space left.

Once compressed, the compartment holds the clothing in a firm, compact block, which ensures a certain level of order in the backpack. However, a disadvantage of this design is the reduced access to the compressed items. If you spontaneously need a warmer sweater on the go, you have to open the backpack and deflate the vacuum compartment, which can be cumbersome.

In addition to the compression compartment, the Airback Go offers a range of other organizational options. A padded laptop compartment, designed for devices up to 15 inches, is located directly on the back. In addition to a laptop, a tablet or documents can also be stored here. Opposite, there are two pockets for cables or other small items.

This compartment is accessible separately and can be secured with a TSA-approved lock. The usefulness of an integrated lock for a piece of luggage of this size, which you usually carry with you at all times, is questionable. An included, flexible lock might be a more practical solution for some users to also secure other compartments if needed.

Another quickly accessible compartment is located on the top of the backpack. This is ideal for storing items like your smartphone, wallet, passport, and keys, which you need to have readily available during security checks.

The positioning allows for convenient access when the backpack is placed under the aircraft seat. An integrated key ring is also located in this compartment. Unfortunately, it cannot be removed, and the key ring itself is rather basic.

Within the compartment, there is a further division with a mesh pocket that can be closed with a zipper. Perfect for small items like coins, batteries, or memory cards.

The front of the compartment is lined with a soft fabric. A compact camera or disposable camera can be stored here well, to take some snapshots during the trip. In terms of space, one or two 35mm SLRs would certainly fit in this compartment, as it can expand slightly outwards.

On the side, the backpack has an expandable compartment for a water bottle. A 0.5 or 0.7-liter PET bottle can be stored here well. Bottles with a diameter larger than 18 cm are difficult to store. When using the compartment, it should also be noted that with a taller bottle, the lock for the laptop compartment is partially obscured.

The last compartment is located on the back. The “hidden” compartment offers a secure place for your wallet, credit cards, or passport.

On the side of the backpack, there is a port with both a USB-A and a USB-C port. A power bank can be connected to the internal USB-A cable to then charge your smartphone via the external ports.

As an analog photographer who enjoys using old photographic technology, I am a bit ambivalent here. Technology changes so quickly that such functions may become obsolete or unusable in a few years. In this case, it’s almost foreseeable. If you have a pure USB-C power bank, you cannot use this function. Here, a purely analog solution, where you route your own cable through a designated opening, might have been a better long-term solution.

The strap system is padded and ergonomically shaped to ensure comfortable carrying even with a higher weight. This fits well. Additionally, there is a chest strap with an emergency whistle. A trolley strap on the back also allows the backpack to be attached to a rolling suitcase. On the top, there is a soft handle.

Airback Toiletry Bag

Airback sells the backpack as a set with a matching toiletry bag. This can, of course, also be repurposed for photo accessories such as batteries, cables, films, or small lenses. The material is easy to clean, however, waterproof zippers, so-called YKK Aquaguards, would be a desirable addition to protect the rest of the backpack’s contents from leaking liquids.

Using for Transporting Analog Cameras

For the planned photo trip on the weekend, the question arises of how well the Airback Go is suited for transporting analog camera equipment. In terms of space, you have to make concessions if you travel only with the backpack. You won’t be able to fit a large format camera in the Airback Go.

The front compartment is very suitable for a camera that you want to have readily accessible. As mentioned, a 35mm compact camera fits perfectly here, but a small Instax Mini instant camera also fits in this compartment and is always ready to capture a memory.

If you use the compression compartment, you can of course place other items on top of it, such as the toiletry bag or a smaller camera bag. I wouldn’t store a camera without protection there, as the backpack offers too little padding for that.

If you don’t need extra shoes, this compartment can also be used very well for storing a camera bag or an inlay. However, several packs of instant film could also be stored here. The compartment above is perfect for batteries or film material.

Conclusion

The Airback Go is a specialized travel backpack whose main selling point is clearly its integrated vacuum function. It is aimed at travelers who want to travel with minimal luggage and maximize the reduction of their clothing volume to comply with the strict carry-on rules of low-cost airlines.

The build quality and material selection are adequate. The layout, and especially the front compartment, are also well thought out. The handling of the compression compartment is simple and understandable.

However, the compression function is simultaneously the backpack’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness. It creates order and saves space but significantly limits flexibility. Spontaneous purchases at the travel destination or the transport of bulky items – such as larger camera equipment – are limited by the space occupied by the vacuum compartment, as you cannot utilize the full volume of the backpack.

Therefore, the backpack is only suitable for photographers traveling with compact equipment and using separate padding.

The fundamental question arises whether a combination of a conventional, lightweight carry-on backpack and separate vacuum bags would not be a more flexible and ultimately more practical solution. This would not only allow for more adaptable use of the backpack’s volume but also the possibility of using multiple bags to separate clean and dirty laundry. Furthermore, the backpack could be used more universally outside of travel without the restriction of the permanently installed compression system.

The Airback Go can be purchased online. In the online shop, you can get a 10% discount with the code “FILMPHOTO10”.