Hands-on with the ultimate travel backpack – Excellent quality and pockets galore

The AirPack Pro Back Pack from Crystal Rock Accessories is a game-changer for frequent travellers.

This backpack is more than luggage – it is a well-thought-out travel companion designed by travellers, for travellers.

• Click here to buy the AirPack Pro Back Pack.

It offers an extensive selection of compartments, superior build quality and materials, exceptional comfort, and many handy features.

I tested the AirPack Pro Back Pack, and this was my experience.

Smart organisation

The AirPack Pro is a 25-litre backpack that offers expandable capacity up to an impressive 55 litres thanks to its extension and compression features.

This ensures it offers extensive packing space – while still being the perfect size for a carry-on bag when flying.

It has three compartments, which offer a combined 16 pockets – ensuring there is a safe spot for every gadget.

The rear compartment offers three pockets, two pen slots, a secure laptop pouch with elastics, and a smaller pouch for a tablet or Kindle.

The main compartment is the largest and ideal for clothing thanks to its vacuum compression system.

It comprises a large pouch for clothing – and you can fit more clothing in without filling up the bag thanks to the compression functionality.

This uses a battery-powered, compact pump that you get for free with the backpack, and it negates wasted space by sucking out the air in this compartment.

The main compartment also features two elastic mesh pouches, a zippable pocket, and an expansion zip for extra capacity.

Moving to the front compartment, you will find a large elasticated pouch, two elastic mesh pockets, and a zippable protective pocket.

Alongside these three compartments, the AirPack Pro also offers two external front pockets – one of which has a waterproof lining – a small secure pocket at the rear for valuables like a passport or smartphone, and a pouch for a water bottle or flask.

Putting it to the test

These pockets made the AirPack Pro the perfect weekend backpack.

I didn’t need to take a duffel bag with me – all of my hand luggage fitted in the AirPack Pro, with room to spare.

For a weekend away, you can easily fit two changes of clothes, a pair of shoes, essential toiletries, a flask, and an extensive selection of technology – including a DSLR camera, a Kindle, a 16-inch laptop, a powerbank, a selfie stick, and headphones.

I managed to get all of this in the AirPack Pro without even needing to use the expansion zip – largely thanks to its compression pouch.

Naturally, this meant a fair amount of weight was packed into the backpack – but its sturdy feel and Waterproof Oxford Cloth material reassured me that it could handle much more.

Furthermore, it features comfortable padding on the rear that allows airflow, and massaging decompression shoulder straps that ensure next-level comfort – even when carrying a heavy load for extended periods.

A chest buckle keeps these straps perfectly positioned, too.

Great features

Crystal Rock Accessories also packed the AirPack Pro with extensive features that make it the best all-rounder.

A TSA-approved combination lock on the side ensures all of your valuables are secured, while built-in USB-A and USB-C ports make it easy to charge your smartphone while navigating a foreign country – all you need to do is hook it up to a power bank inside the backpack.

These features and the backpack’s extensive packing space make it ideal for anyone from business travellers to content creators.

Crystal Rock Accessories

The AirPack Pro Back Pack is available from Crystal Rock Accessories – and for Black Friday, it is available at a reduced price of R2,999.

Crystal Rock Accessories is also hosting a wide range of Black Friday specials on its extensive jewellery line.

These products are highlighted below:

• Destiny Jewellery Royalty 5 pair earring set with Swarovski Crystals.
• Destiny 7 Pendant Set with Swarovski Crystals.
• Destiny Jewellery 7 pair earring set embellished with Swarovski crystals.
• Destiny Jewellery 7 pair Moon earring set embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Thanks to the quality of these products, as well as the stylish design of the AirPack Pro Back Pack, Crystal Rock was a top 3 nominee in the fashion category on Takealot this year.