Hello, my wonder friends, how have you been?
When my last trip ended with a broken backpack strap in the middle of chaotic Mexico City, I decided to invest in a better backpack for my next trip so I wouldn’t have to change backpacks every few months.
And after trusting the Level 8 Hegent Suitcase for one year, I decided to purchase the Atlas Backpack from the same brand in the hopes of finally finding the one travel backpack that will become my next companion.
Here is an in-depth review of the Level 8 Atlas Backpack, my wonder friends. I hope you enjoy it!
A Review of the Level 8 Atlas Backpack
For my next trip to Acapulco, I needed a backpack that could survive intense sun, unexpected rain, sandy beaches, and my chronic tendency to overpack.
Enter the Level 8 Atlas Backpack, the MVP for every traveler who is looking for the perfect companion for short trips and long trips alike, since it can double as a day backpack and also as carry-on baggage.
When buying a travel backpack, there are 7 important key aspects I always consider to be the most essential: Size, Durability, Weight, Comfort, and Compartments.
Here’s how the Level 8 Atlas Backpack scores in each of them.
Size and Capacity:
First impression? “No way this thing could fit all my gear”. I had swim trunks, workout clothes, flip-flops, a laptop, a tablet, a pair of running shoes, a few dress shirts just in case, and my trusty Nintendo Switch to keep me entertained.
But thanks to the expandability of the Atlas Backpack, it devoured everything without looking like it was about to explode. It was like watching a snake swallow a watermelon — disturbing, impressive, and slightly magical.
The size is small, however, the capacity is more than enough for short trips and it avoids the bulkiness often associated with larger, expedition-style backpacks, making it suitable for navigating crowded urban environments and fitting comfortably under airplane seats.
With a capacity of 31 liters, this backpack is perfectly balanced for those wanting short trips and for those who want to use it as a daily-use backpack.
However, it’s important to be realistic about its size and capacity, this is a daily-use backpack. If your goal is to pack a camping tent, oxygen tank, and other climbing gear to conquer Mount Everest, you need something with at least twice the capacity.
Rating: 5/5
Durability:
Taking a backpack to the beach is a test of endurance. Sand, surprise rain, waves, salt, a rogue seagull dropping “gifts” from above, you name it.
One day, while posing heroically with my backpack on the beach (because content is king), a wave snuck up and gave me a salty slap right across the ankles and dragged me down .
Surprisingly, all the contents inside the backpack were dry. Unlike me. This is an all-terrain backpack that can save your behind on many occasions.
And even though it is not completely waterproof, it is water resistant, which is more than enough for the occasional rain, snow, and waves. The backpack’s straps are padded and sturdy enough to carry a heavy load without breaking down. No more broken backpack straps every year, my wonder friends!
The Level 8 Atlas backpack demonstrates a strong emphasis on durability through its choice of robust materials, reinforced construction, and quality hardware. I can fully expect this one to last for years.
That being said, it’s important to bear in mind that the backpack is not slash-proof, so consider this when packing sharp toiletries like razors; you don’t want to accidentally cut the backpack by mistake.
Rating: 5/5
Weight:
At some point, I had packed so many snacks, souvenirs, and emergency flip-flops that I thought my spine might file for divorce. But the Level 8 Atlas Backpack kept everything balanced so well that even sprinting for a sunset photo felt manageable. I didn’t feel sore at all the next day!
The backpack itself is not heavy at all, weighing a respectable 3.33 pounds or 1.5 kilograms. On the other hand, this weight might be a negative point if your goal is to pack as much stuff as possible to prevent paying extra weight fees at the airport.
The Atlas Backpack is not a minimalist backpack but the trade-off is worth it due to the additional features such as padding, durable materials, and all of its compartments.
My best tip of wonders: when at the airport, try to wear some of your extra clothes on you. This way, the backpack load will be lighter, and you’ll avoid having to pay any extra airport fees. What’s not to love?
Rating: 5/5
Compartments:
There’s a pocket for everything: sunscreen, coins, phone charger, emergency snacks, sunglasses and yes, even a selfie stick if you still use one of those.
When I needed to find something, it took about three seconds instead of the usual backpack archaeology expedition that involves yelling, “WHERE IS IT?!” to no one in particular.
What I love the most is that the laptop and tablet compartment is entirely separate from the main body of the backpack. This is great since, in case you pack your toiletries and something ends up breaking (we have all been there), your electronics are completely safe.
The main compartment is spacious, and you can fit multiple packing cubes, toiletry bags, clothes, shoes, and much more. There are also many front and side pockets for you to pack items that you need to have readily available, such as sunglasses, your passport, coins, and more. Can you believe this backpack has a total of 26 compartment pockets? Insane!
The only negative aspect? Its side bags can only fit water bottles up to 500 ml. As someone who travels with big 1-liter water bottles, this is a small inconvenience, but it’s not a deal-breaker at all. I just ended up getting two 500ml bottles, one for each side.
Rating: 4/5
Design:
Between beach walks, market haggling, and chasing after collectivo buses, I wore this backpack everywhere.
It even joined me at a local gym where I attempted to do light cardio and ended up realizing that treadmills + vacation brain = tripping in front of three amused gymbros.
The good news: the padded back panel and straps made carrying my dignity (and protein bars) home a little easier.
The design of the Atlas Backpack leans towards elegance with its black color that fits every outfit you might pick for your trip. The straps simply feel right. They’re comfy, sturdy, and non-itch, which is why you’ll never get tired after walking 10,000 steps with your backpack on.
What’s best is that its sturdy top handle provides an alternative carrying option, particularly useful when navigating crowded spaces or loading the backpack into overhead compartments.
This backpack simply oozes coolness and is a perfect stylish fit alongside other Level 8 products such as the elegant Hegent and Textured line of Suitcases.
Stylish, comfy, and reliable? Am I describing a backpack or myself?
Rating: 5/5
Rating of Wonders of Level 8 Atlas Backpack:
Size: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Weight 5/5
Compartments 4/5
Comfort 5/5
Final Verdict: Must Buy.
Is The Level 8 Atlas Backpack Worth The Money?
A travel backpack that can work well for hiking, beach going, and also for urban exploring is a dream come true, and that’s why I think the Level 8 Atlas Backpack will suit your travel style, whatever it might be.
The best part is that it is also compatible with other Level 8 Items, such as the Hegent Suitcase and the Textured Cabin Suitcase, thanks to its strap that connects the back of the backpack to the handle of a suitcase.
How cool is that, my wonder friends? A must-buy for travelers wanting to upgrade their daily-use travel backpack.
And sure, 130 USD for a backpack might be a steep price when other backpacks in the market can be gotten for something as low as 50 USD, but think about it for a second: how often do those cheap backpacks break down?
Buying something that will last you for years to come is one of the best financial decisions you can make. After all, you don’t want to change backpacks every year, right?
The dimensions of the Level 8 Atlas Backpack I got are 12.6” L x 6.5 ”W x 18.6 ”H, with a weight of 3.33 lbs and a capacity of 31 liters.
You can purchase the Level 8 Atlas Backpack and many more items here on the official Level 8 site. And on Amazon as well. You can use the discount code JourneyWonders10 to get an exclusive 10% off when buying from the Level 8 Website.
I hope you have enjoyed this review of the Level 8 Atlas Backpack. Don’t forget to subscribe to get more awesome updates and tips straight to your email!
What’s your favorite travel backpack brand? Share your thoughts and let me know what you think!
Until next time, my friends!
