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After years of traveling, first solo, now with a family, I’ve tested more backpacks than I can count. So, after seeing the TFG community recommend the Bagsmart Blast 28L Backpack, I had to try it out for myself.

Spacious, stylish, and designed for organized, minimalist travel. But does it measure up? Find out in my full review below!

 

Sales alert: save 10% sitewide on the Bagsmart website by using our special discount code at checkout: TFG10. This code cannot be combined with other promotions.

 

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Bagsmart Blast Backpack Review

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Table Of Contents

 

Bagsmart designs smart, stylish, and affordable travel gear made to simplify life on the go. With thoughtful features and sleek aesthetics, their backpacks are built for modern travelers who value both function and fashion. The Bagsmart Blast 28L Backpack is a perfect example. It’s versatile, organized, and ready for anything.

 

 

 

The bag immediately caught my attention for two reasons: its spacious interior and thoughtfully placed exterior pockets.

It promised easy access and smarter organization all while staying within most airline personal item dimensions. The neutral color and sleek shape make it versatile enough for casual trips and polished enough to carry into lounges or business-class cabins.

 

I’ve now taken this backpack on:

 

• A one-night trip to Mexico City with just this bag
• A flight to El Salvador, where it carried all my personal belongings
• A four-day conference in NYC, paired with the Bagsmart Getaway Carry-On

 

Across every trip, the Blast has proven to be incredibly versatile and surprisingly roomy. It’s well-designed, reliable, and might just be the most useful personal item I’ve ever used.

 

 

 

 

Blast 28L Backpack at a Glance

 

Dimensions: Approx. 11.8” L x 7.1” W x 17.7” H

Capacity: 28 liters

Weight: 2 lbs

 

Material & Durability:

• Durable, water-resistant nylon with ripstop construction
• Easy to clean with a damp cloth or sneaker wipe

 

Exterior Features:

• Top zip pocket with mesh organizers (great for in-flight essentials)
• Two front zip compartments for easy access items
• Two hidden side zip pockets for secure storage
• Discreet water bottle pocket with stretch panel (fits up to 30 oz bottles)
• Compression straps to slim the profile or hold items externally

 

Interior Features:

• Clamshell-style main compartment with wide opening for easy packing
• External padded laptop sleeve fits devices up to 15.6”
• Dedicated shoe compartment (optional use)

 

Carry Comfort:

• Padded shoulder straps and back panel for ergonomic comfort
• Top handle for grab-and-go ease

 

Design & Aesthetic:

• Clean, neutral design pairs easily with other travel gear
• Available in multiple versatile colors

 

Price: $69.99

 

 

 

How I Used the Blast Backpack: Real-Life Packing Scenarios

 

What looks great online doesn’t always hold up in real-life travel, which is why I tested the Blast Backpack 28L on three very different trips to see how it performed under pressure.

 

Trip 1: First Impressions + Packing Challenge (Louisville → El Salvador)

For my first test, I treated it like a personal packing experiment. I wasn’t strategic. I just stuffed it full to see what it could handle.

The results surprised me: even with a random assortment of items, nothing felt overstuffed or awkward. It gave me a great sense of the layout and confirmed this bag had serious capacity.

 

Trip 2: One-Night City Break (Mexico City)

On a quick overnight trip to Mexico City, I decided to bring only the Blast, no purse, no rolling carry-on. I packed the essentials: clothes, pajamas, toiletries, a jacket, and even my hair straightener.

Despite the minimalist packing, I still had room to spare. With a bit more intention, this bag could easily support a 2–3 day trip. That’s when it hit me: this isn’t just a personal item. It could be your main carry-on for short trips.

 

Trip 3: Business Conference in NYC (Paired with the Getaway Carryon)

For a four-day business conference in New York, I used the Blast Backpack as my personal item alongside the Getaway 20” Carry-On. I assumed I’d need the backpack for overflow, but everything fit in the suitcase. That left the backpack feeling light with plenty of room to spare for last-minute extras.

The real win? Knowing that if I have that much space for just me, I’ll have even more to work with when I’m traveling with my daughter. The thoughtful layout, roomy design, and reliable structure make this bag a clear winner for solo and family travel alike.

 

Curious about the Bagsmart Getaway 20” Carry-On? Check out my full review to see if it’s the right fit for your travels!

 

 

 

Key Features I Love About the Blast 28L Backpack

 

Most laptop backpacks are pretty standard: one main compartment, a laptop sleeve, and an exterior pocket. But when you’re traveling light and trying to stay organized, that minimal setup doesn’t cut it.

What makes the Blast Backpack stand out isn’t just that it’s spacious, it’s that it’s designed with real travelers in mind. Everything feels intentional, especially when it comes to exterior access, organization, and how it performs in-flight and on the go.

 

 

 

Exterior Pocket Organization That Actually Works

 

The exterior layout makes it easy to grab what I need without digging through the main compartment. Having a pocket system that actually works for my real-life needs makes this bag feel like it was designed by someone who’s been there.

 

• Top pocket: Fits my in-flight organizer pouch with room to spare. Perfect for loose items like lip balm, eye drops, or surprise toddler distractions (mini toys)
• 2 Front zip pockets: Convenient access for essentials such as phones, chargers, books, etc
• 2 Side pockets: Ideal for valuables like extra credit cards or your passport when you want extra security
• Shoe compartment: to keep shoes separate from belongings in main compartment

 

 

 

The top exterior pocket (shown above) is my favorite feature. It’s ultra roomy and fits the majority of my in-flight essentials. This is particularly useful for me because I use my personal item to store my daughter’s belongings when we travel together. Flying with kids requires an adequate amount of entertainment, sufficient food for meal times, and backup clothing for mom and child.

Overall, the Blast Backpack maximizes the personal item size restrictions, while giving me more storage space than the standard laptop backpack. This makes it a clear winner for my needs and will become a permanent fixture in my future travels.

 

 

 

Water Bottle Pocket: Surprisingly Roomy

 

This is the most important feature in a personal item for me. I wasn’t sure this bag had a bottle holder from the photos and videos I saw online, but it does, and it’s excellent.

 

• Holds up to 30 oz comfortably
• Elastic panel keeps things snug without bulging
• Slim profile maintains the sleek look of the bag

 

This one detail has made such a difference. I don’t have to worry about where to stash my bottle, and it doesn’t throw off the silhouette of the bag.

 

 

 

External Laptop Compartment = TSA Win

 

My second must-have is a dedicated, external laptop sleeve, and the Blast totally delivered. It fully unzips, making it easy to a laptop without detaching the bag from a rolling carry-on.

As a frequent flyer, the security process needs to be fast and efficient and being able to remove my laptop without opening up the main (and sometimes overstuffed) compartment is essential. As a plus, the compartment’s ability to open completely allows it to be utilized to the fullest with additional flat items such as an iPad or coloring books for kids.

 

 

 

Clamshell-Style Main Compartment

 

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the clamshell-style suitcase opening. I thought it might be awkward in-flight, but I was pleasantly surprised.

 

• Easy access when packing, especially when used with compression cubes
• Fits a couple of packing cubes, toiletry bag, jacket, and shoe bag plus extras like a hair straightener
• Built-in shoe pocket is great for some, but I personally prefer keeping the interior open so I can Tetris-pack however I want

 

 

 

When traveling alone, I’ve rarely needed to access the main compartment mid-flight thanks to all the exterior pockets, which makes this layout effective.

However, when traveling with my daughter, I may use the “shoe” compartment at the bottom of the bag for easy access to some of her toys if needed, or I may put my in flight essentials at the bottom and her items at the top compartment to avoid the need to open up the main compartment fully in a cramped economy seat.

 

 

 

Compression Straps: Slim Down for Under-Seat Fit

 

The side compression straps are a unique feature, making the Blast more functional than a traditional laptop backpack for travelers that aim to maximize cabin luggage allowances. They help slim the bag down when needed, especially useful when aiming to slide it under the seat.

 

• Helps flatten the top of the bag, which makes a noticeable difference on flights
• Doubles as exterior storage, great for securing a jacket or long umbrella
• Keeps things tidy and compact, even if the bag’s full

 

When first using the backpack, I didn’t notice the compression straps and it was slightly too bulky to fit under the seat. Make sure to remember using them when using the backpack as a personal item.

 

 

 

Trolley Sleeve

 

Hands down, the ideal personal item HAS A TROLLEY SLEEVE. I can’t emphasize this enough. While you can rest your purse or tote on top of a suitcase, having a bag securely attached without needing to constantly fix it or yank it back in place makes traveling much easier.

 

 

 

Style + Color: Elevated Without Being Flashy

 

The bag comes in a wide range of colors, but I chose the beige neutral tone because it mixes and matches easily with all of my luggage and outfits.  I love how versatile and polished it feels.

 

• Blends with my outfits and luggage effortlessly
• Feels elevated enough for business class or lounge access
• No utilitarian vibe. It looks clean and professional without trying too hard

 

It’s rare to find a bag that functions like a travel workhorse but still feels stylish enough for more polished settings.

 

Isn’t the suitcase in the above pic super cute? It’s the Bagsmart Roamer carry-on!

 

 

Easy to Clean + Durable

 

One of the less glamorous—but most important—features. This bag is built to last and built to survive travel messes.

 

• Ripstop nylon holds up to wear and tear
• Wipeable surface makes cleaning easy
• Proven performance: I spilled coffee all over mine and didn’t notice until right before I filmed this video review. It wiped right off with a magic eraser—no leaks, no stains

 

For someone who travels frequently and uses her gear hard, this was a huge win.

 

 

 

Should You Buy the 28L vs 38L Blast Backpack?

 

This backpack comes in two sizes: 28L and 38L. The larger size is the same backpack, but it has the option to expand it and make it bigger.

While I haven’t personally tested the 38L, because of the larger size it’s best for people looking to use the Blast backpack as a carryon, not as a personal item. Light packers should be able to fit a sufficient amount of clothing for a 1-2 week trip.

While ultra-light packers may be able to travel with the non-expandable 28L for a trip longer than 1-3 nights, it probably won’t fit the needs of the majority of travelers.

Unless you’re an ultra-minimalist packer, the 28L is best as a personal item and the 38L is best as a main carry-on.

 

 

 

What to Know Before You Buy the Blast 28L Backpack

 

To get the most out of the Blast Backpack, a little strategic packing makes all the difference.

 

• It’s generously sized for a personal item, which is a huge plus, especially if you’re skipping a carry-on. That extra capacity means it takes intention to fit comfortably under the seat. Use compression cubes, cinch the side straps, and avoid overstuffing the top/front exterior pockets.

 

• The dedicated shoe compartment is a nice bonus if you like to separate footwear from your clothing. That said, I personally prefer to use a shoe bag and customize the open interior with packing organizers to play my usual game of luggage Tetris. Either approach works, it just depends on your style.

 

If you’re a carry-on-only traveler, a parent, or just someone who likes things organized, this bag really shines. It handles multiple devices, in-flight essentials, and last-minute extras without ever feeling chaotic.

 

 

 

Final Verdict: Is the Blast 28L Backpack Worth It?

 

After multiple trips, varied packing needs, and a few unexpected travel moments (hello, spilled coffee), I can confidently say this: the Blast 28L Backpack is one of the most functional personal items I’ve ever used.

It’s thoughtfully designed, impressively spacious, and manages to blend practical features with a sleek, elevated look. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a weekend minimalist, or someone juggling the needs of two people in one bag, this backpack makes it easier to stay organized and travel lighter without sacrificing what you really need.

 

Want to see if it’s the right fit for your travels? Check out the Blast 28L Backpack here and save 10% sitewide by using our special discount code at checkout: TFG10. This code cannot be combined with other promotions.

 

 

 

Watch the Full Video Review on YouTube

 

To learn even more about the Blast Backpack, Getaway Suitcase, and Compression Cubes, watch my YouTube Bagsmart review. I review each feature in detail so you can get an even closer look at each product.

 

 

 

About Bagsmart

 

Bagsmart is a travel gear brand that blends modern function with minimalist design—creating thoughtfully engineered products for jet-setters, business travelers, and everyday commuters alike. With a focus on smart organization, durability, and affordability, Bagsmart has steadily built a reputation for making travel easier, one well-designed bag at a time.

What sets Bagsmart apart is their ability to offer sleek, feature-packed pieces—like the Getaway Carry-On Suitcase and Blast Backpack—that rival higher-end brands without the hefty price tag. Their collections include everything from compression packing cubes and tech organizers to camera bags and travel toiletry kits, each one reflecting their mission to simplify the travel experience.

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure, Bagsmart aims to provide gear that’s stylish, reliable, and truly practical.