Matador Seg28 Review
The many-compartmented pack from Matador gets an update - and perhaps grows up a little bit.
Matador Seg28 Review Introduction
Let’s be honest. Matador has entered 2023 on an absolute tear. They’ve released three major updates as well as some smaller ones (the new pattern collab with Volcom on the blankets and some packables are very cool). First, was a new travel pack - the GlobeRider45 (more on that in a future article!). Recently, an updated Seg45 (a new volume). But in between that - they updated what I consider my favorite bag for Onebag travel and the bag I used most when I’m not cheating on it during testing of other bags: The Seg28 (an update from the Seg30).
This is also new literage, mind you. The original was a 30L. We’ll see how this new volume affects it, if at all. They’ve taken some feedback from users and worked to improve an already strong design. They’ve also made some visual changes. Is it an improvement or did they mess up a good thing? For reference, you can find my review of the previous version here: Matador Seg30 review.
This is my Seg28 review - the newly redesigned and released travel backpack from Matador.
I tested this bag on a full 8 day trip to Germany. I took cars, planes, and in-Country I took trains so I was able to really put this through its paces.
As always for full transparency, I paid for this particular bag with my own money and Matador had no input into this review prior to its release. I do use affiliate links which help to support the site if you decide to use them to make a purchase, but you’re under no obligation to do so and there’s no additional cost to you. Thanks for stopping by!
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Matador Seg28 Overview
Like its predecessor, this bag kind of has a lot going on from a design standpoint, though it’s still kept as quite minimal in terms of looks. The biggest and obvious differentiator here is that this bag contains “segments” - different sized, built-in packing cube style compartments so you don’t need to bring additional (unless you want to). More on these in the feature section.
Outside of those - this is a 28L max capacity bag that is designed to be a great travel bag that meets most carry-on situations (Be careful with the overzealous gate agents if this is packed out, but that’s not Matador’s fault). Aside from the segments, this is also a clamshell style opening bag - something I like to see in my travel bags. It’s purposefully designed with a soft-sided build so it can conform to more spaces.
The bag is made of high quality, Bluesign approved materials (this is a very strict program that certifies both factories and materials for sustainability). You’re looking at a mix of 420D Nylon ripstop and recycled nylon.
Here are some design highlights and specs from the website:
Volume: 28 liters
Weight: 2lb 3.2oz (998g)
Dimensions: 20 H x 12 W x 9.5 D in
(50.8 H x 30.5 W x 24.1 D cm)
Personal item compliant (most airlines)
Outer Materials:
- 420D Bluesign® nylon UHMWPE (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) reinforced ripstop, PU waterproofing
- 420D Bluesign® Recycled nylon, PU waterproofing
Inner Materials:
- 100D Bluesign® Robic® nylon mini ripstop, PU waterproofing
Hardware
- YKK® PU coated sealing zippers
- YKK® hardware
- Hypalon tether loops
- EVA foam padded back and shoulder straps
- 210D nylon bonded thread with bartack reinforced construction
This bag retails for $250.00 USD - an increase from the previous version. That said, this new version has additional materials and build quality adjustments, so I don’t see this as unnecessary.
Matador Seg28 Backapck Features
So as we mentioned in our previous review (I do recommend you referencing that one as well: HERE) - the biggest selling point from a feature aspect are the Segments. The top cover of the bag is separated out into individual segments of different volumes - 4 in total.
These Segs start out on the smaller side, and progressively get bigger as you go down the bag. This helps to ideally keep the bigger weight at the bottom. But that depends on what you put in there. They go 4L, 6L, 8L, 10L (Updated from 12L in the previous version).
On top of the bag, there is a somewhat large dump-pocket with a further zipper pocket (with organization options) inside, and a key leash which I always love to see. This pocket goes straight down and does use internal volume obviously. I think this would actually fit some over ear headphones - but keep in mind this will take up space in the inside of the pack.
As any travel bag worth its salt - there is a laptop sleeve here for the digital jetset crowd.
The bag does have an external water bottle/tripod sleeve made from a nice stretchy mesh material.
There are two compression pulls on each side, grab handles on 3 of four sides, and security loops on every zipper.
Additional features to note are YKK Aquaguard zippers on all locations, a removable nylon hip belt, a luggage pass through, and a “smuggler’s pocket” as they call it (this is a perfect spot to hide cash in, but the only thing Green I would “smuggle” in there is in fact cash - don’t get too brave folks ;) ).
The Good
Maaan, I loved it before, and I love it now: the segments are game changers on a backpack. I really love them. I can organize so well, and because the orientation means you’re kind of building “upwards”, you’re probably going to be surprised how much you can fit into a 28L. Now, I wouldn’t use this as an excuse to over pack, but what it does is maybe allow you to take a similar amount of stuff in a smaller bag. It’s really brilliant and remains (to me) the only real travel bag INNOVATION in the last few years that was not a gimmick. This is not a gimmick in the least. It’s a fantastic design choice.
While this is anecdotal I know, I feel the build quality is a bit of a step up from the first version. I thought that was really well built, so this is nothing but an improvement. Keeping in line with the build and design, I do like the new patterned ripstop material they’ve used on the bottom third of the bag. I think it adds a little something, but nothing obnoxious. I know the All-Black Bag Or Bust Crew might not love it completely, but I think it looks great. Overall, this is a bag you can get dirty and not worry about it. Toss it around. Spray it with water to clean it off. I took both the Seg30 and Seg42 on safari with me and while I wasn’t trekking, the dirt, jeeps, and dust proved to be no issues whatsoever
The additions! I have to give Matador credit where credit is due. While I would love to claim that I’m the reason for it, let’s be more realistic and say they listened to their overall market and customers. My major complaints on this bag previously were that I’d love to see a more robust harness. I also felt the laptop pocket would be the only real turn off for many people - as that was not very robust at all. WELL, they fixed these things with flying colors. The new laptop compartment not only changed locations (to a better spot) but their harness is not even on the same planet as the last one. Very robust, very comfortable in my use, and also adds a bit of sturdiness to the pack overall.
Very strong water resistance on this bag.
Just lots of new bits and bobs that I appreciate and I think add to the functionality but do not hinder anything either. The zipper security loops are a nice add. The hidden pocket is great, as is the luggage pass through. I like the implementation of the compression straps (they are quite easy to use, while acknowledging they do add a bit to the outside). And - one of my direct Improvement Requests last time - they added YKK zippers to improve quality. While I don’t use them on bags this size, the addition of a removable hip belt is a nice-to-have for those that want it.
Matador also managed to improve on the zipper design. So - this thing has a lot of zippers. Because of that, it was SLIGHTLY confusing to know when you grabbed one for a pocket, or for the internal clamshell part. They did have a red coloring inside the hypalon pulls for the clamshell zips, but it didn’t scream at you that those were different. This time, they use nylon pulls but they’ve chosen a white color for use on the clamshell zippers. Now you know exactly which zippers open the main compartment. Great decision there.
The now-external water bottle compartment I think is a good choice for most people. It means no longer taking internal volume but it also means it’s better to use for a tripod or for an umbrella or rolled packable jacket. It further means there’s no need to open a zipper to get your agua. I’m not a water bottle guy, but I like the extra versatility and choice here.
One shot in the gallery here shows a Matador Speed Stash - which I ended up liking more than I thought I would. Check that out, too - I found it pretty handy.
The Bad
Very very little for me to complain about on this one, but I do think there are a couple of points that some of the extremely particular Onebaggers will point out.
The first is the new price. It’s only fair to point out that it’s $100.00 USD more expensive than the previous version. To be up front, I think $250.00 USD is pretty fair for this bag. It puts it in line or even below many of its competitors (Aer, Bellroy, Cotopaxi, Peak Design, etc.). But, I know people. And the very particular people will call this out. So, it’s something to be aware of.
A different set of people, but those with the same kind of particular tastes, will call out the new weight. It’s definitely heavier than the previous version. That said, you can chalk that up to the new harness and laptop sleeve. I’ll make that trade ALL DAY but some people love the ounce-counting aspect of Onebag travel, and I respect that, so this is something to call out. I will say an interesting counterpoint to this is that many packing cubes add weight to a bag regardless of what the bag weighs. So, some of this additional weight can kind of be canceled out as you’re not using packing cubes. You might net out around the same in the end. Food for thought.
The Improvement Requests for the Matador Seg28 Backpack
I think for the first time while reviewing a backpack, even previous ones that I loved, I have no improvement requests on this bag for me personally. I think the two items I listed in the “Bad” section are there because people do care about those things and I want to be honest and up front when considering not just me but a diverse group of readers. But for me personally, those are tradeoffs that I’d make every time to get the improvements we saw from V1 to V2 in this backpack.
So, I have no inputs here to change from a design perspective. Will it be perfect for everyone? Of course not. But it would just be frivolous for me to be suggesting design changes to this bag at this point. Kind of like that boss that goes through your powerpoint and makes you edit or change things not because it’s wrong, but because it’s not how THEY would say it. That’s the worst right? It just creates more work for NO reason. Let’s say it’s like that.
Packing The Matador Seg28 Backpack
The way I packed this bag really hasn’t changed since my previous review. I use both the segments AND the internal space. This will be top-down. For reference I’m 5’6”. Here’s how:
Seg1 - Tech Kit (Aer Slim Pouch) and Toiletry Kit (Aer Split Kit), and Beanie.
Seg2 - Three rolled t-shirts (Patagonia Capilene Cool), underwear, 2 pairs of Darn Tough socks, and one rolled Western Rise Session T.
Seg3 - Two button up oxford shirts (standard and non-travel optimized materials)
Seg4 - Sony A7 IV with 24-105mm lens stored in a Matador Camera Base Layer. In the past, I’ve also used this with a full camera cube. Smaller ones fit fine (My Ape case and Urth both fit).
Clamshell compartment - Jeans, Uniqlo HeatTech shirt, a cashmere-wool vest for dinner in lieu of a dinner jacket, and a pair of shoes in a shoe bag.
This is how I packed for an 8 day trip to Germany. I washed the Session T, a Patagonia T, and some underwear while on the trip - this helps you to keep your packing down.
For my safari trip, the Seg30 was exclusively used as my camera and gear bag for my carry-on. I think this new version with the updated harness would have been even more effective at carrying those things.
Important to note - the change from 30L to 28L was not even noticeable. At least, to me.
The Seg28 vs. The Seg30
I wanted to add a quick section here to just show some of the visual differences between the Seg28 and Seg30. Besides the new patterned ripstop material, it’s really just small additions here and there. I already mentioned the new pull tabs and the last compartment being 10L vs 12L. New version on top.
Final Thoughts On My Matador Seg28 Backpack Review
I was so excited to revisit this bag and to check out the improvements made on the V2 update. I really was. Short answer? This bag delivered in a big way. All the issues I had with the original version were not only updated, but they nailed it.
I think anyone that loves organization but needed a better laptop compartment - can now run as fast as they can to go check this one out.
The Matador Seg28 is not only a fantastic pack everyone should check out and put on their short list - it also retains the title as Always Wander’s Favorite Backpack for Onebag Travel and The Bag I Grab When I Don’t Have to Review Another Pack. That’s an absurd and long title. But it’s the straight-up truth.
Great work, Matador.
They sell directly from their website so give them a look:
Wander more - and wander smarter everyone.
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