Onebagging with the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L

Thoughts after six months and why its the almost the perfect travel bag.

The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack (30L) had all the makings of my ideal travel bag—lightweight, simple, and highly functional. In the six months I’ve used the Travel Pack, it’s accompanied me on a two-week trip across Northern Italy, a cross-country road trip in the US, and visits to DC and Houston. The minimal design made packing a breeze, and at less than a kg, it never felt like adding unnecessary weight to my travels.

One of the biggest surprises came in Milan, during an unexpected rainstorm, when I got caught in a torrential rainstorm. It was so bad that I braced myself for soaked gear, but the weather-resistant fabric held up really well. My belongings stayed dry despite the downpour and a pack so light that I hadn’t expected such solid water resistance.

One minor quirk: due to its light build, the bag takes on an awkward shape when it’s not fully packed. On days when I was carrying my laptop to a coffee shop, it didn’t sit quite right, feeling a bit floppy and unstructured. And while the Ash color looks excellent out of the box, it picks up dirt quickly. That didn’t bother me—I see a bag as a tool meant to be used—but I can understand how it might be a deal breaker for others.

But then, there were the shoulder straps.

Even when fully extended, they felt too short and restrictive. After weeks of travel and daily use, I constantly adjusted and felt like the bag sat too high on my back while the buckles ate into my armpits. For context, I’m a chunky boi at roughly 6 feet and 230 pounds, so this was a real issue.

But more on that later, let’s jump into some pictures.

I attached a small S-Biner dual carabiner to one of the tiny loopholes I used to carry an umbrella. This setup worked perfectly because when the carabiner wasn’t holding anything, it remained discreet and didn’t add any bulk or distraction to the bag’s design. It was a simple yet effective solution that kept the umbrella handy without being in the way.

I previously shared this post about how I packed for my two-week trip to Italy, which isn't directly related to this review, but there’s one detail I want to highlight: the front pocket. I packed a light jacket into a cotton pouch, which fit perfectly in the front pocket of the bag. I liked its size—it made accessing the jacket super quick and easy. Also, a quick note on the material’s transparency: it’s fairly see-through. Personally, I don’t mind it, but I know for other one-bag travelers, this might be an important consideration.

Did I mention water resistance? Here’s how it held up after being caught in a torrential downpour for about 20 minutes. The only area that got some water inside was the top front pocket, leaving my wallet, passport, and snacks wet—because, of course, you’ve gotta have snacks. Overall, I was really impressed. These photos were taken at Milano Nord Cadorna while I was seeking shelter.

Here, you can see how short the straps are even when fully extended, and how the buckles dig into my armpits. I can tolerate the somewhat comical look, but the discomfort is a dealbreaker.

Conclusion

The Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L came so close to being perfect for me. Its weight, simplicity, and unexpected durability made it a standout, but the strap length ultimately held it back so I sold it. If Bellroy ever tweaks that design, I’d try it again.

Would I recommend it? Yes—for the right person. If the straps fit you and you don’t mind a little dirt, it’s an excellent lightweight travel bag. But for me, the search continues.