Thousand Miles Packable Backpack Review
A new entry in the relatively young “packable" daypack” space. How does it handle in practice?
Thousand Miles Packable Backpack Review Introduction
Next up from Thousand Miles - we’re taking a look at their packable daypack. This is a space that I’d say has really blown up in recent years, but surprisingly I still see a lot of people online that don’t really know these kinds of bags exist. Packable day packs are great for hiding away in your onebag, but then taking out at your destination for when you’re walking around out and about. It means you don’t need to carry your travel bag around.
Personally, I use them to put my camera cube or extra lens in while walking around, and then of course my camera when I’m done with it. But, they are also tailor made for things like extra jackets, snacks, souvenirs, etc. Whatever you might carry around when you don’t want a sling.
Today we’re looking at the entry into the space from Thousand Miles. They are a brand based out of KL and while they aren’t yet shipping to the US - it’s a wide world out there and plenty of people can buy their stuff. So, it’s worth getting some real world reviews out there right?
This is my review of the Thousand Miles packable daypack. I brought this with me on a weekend trip to Savannah, GA and used it as my walkaround bag with my camera and jacket in it.
As always for full transparency, Thousand Miles reached out to me to see if I wanted to give this bag a review and I gladly accepted. That said, all opinions are my own and they had no input into this article. I do often 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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Thousand Miles Packable Backpack Overview
This should be a pretty quick section as packables are pretty simple items - but that’s by design.
When unfolded, this bag is an 18L bag made for you to quickly pull it out of your carry-on or checked bag at your destination and head out into the world.
It’s made from recycled fabric from a company named REPREVE. Most of us may not know it, but it’s a leader in providing certified and recycled materials for major brands. But don’t just listen to me, here’s a brand list so you know how prevalent they are: REPREVE Brands.
Here are some spec highlights from the website:
Specs
DWR + PU clear coating
100% Recycled Polyester from REPREVE
Measurements: 27.5 (W) X 17 (D) X 46 (H) cm
Price is RM169.00 which when converted directly on Google is about a hair under $52.00 USD. Right in the normal ballpark for this kind of bag.
Colors are great - black. That’s it.
Thousand Miles Packable Backpack Features
Packable backpacks are obviously pretty stripped down. That said, here’s what this bag is working with.
It’s got a standard backpack top opening. There’s two stretch water bottle pockets on the sides (or tripod, umbrella, etc. Do you.) but keep in mind these aren’t built for the big or fat kind of bottles.
For other pockets - you’ve got a good size front pocket that has a zipper closure, and it goes about half the length of the overall bag, but not quite full width. Inside, there is another zippered pocket with a loop hidden in it - and this pocket doubles as the pocket you pack it into.
That last point gave away the twist - the main feature of this bag is that it packs into itself for easier carry between uses.
Also worth mentioning, the straps on here are slightly more padded than other packables I’ve used, but don’t go thinking you’re going to get the straps on the Able Carry Max here. There are also a few lash points on the straps, if you want to toss in a carabiner.
The Good
Amazing idea. In season, this is full of wonderful smelling flowers and it’s built so the blind can enjoy the garden.
Obviously, this bag is a packable and that’s the main selling point. And as far as that goes - it does the trick as advertised. It packs into a nice compact pouch and you’re good to go.
The bag is simple - there isn’t a lot of dangly stuff hanging off of it to get in the way to get annoying when you pack (The Mystery Ranch In and Out has much more of this). I’d make this a good point because people love minimalism in travel. This bag covers that and doesn’t make you stand out either. Just looks like a regular backpack.
Water resistance is a great quality and kind of a must in my mind for a travel pack.
18L is a good flexible size. It means it’s a little bigger when packed, but gives most people more flexibility to put what they need in there. Not everyone wants to squeeze down to a 12L bag.
The straps are the most “robust” I’ve tried in a packable. I say that in quotes because at the end of the day this is still a packable bag meant to fold in on itself and that limits the amount of padding you can add. But, they did a good job getting some in there.
International availability! Look I admit - in the US we’re spoiled for choice on stuff like this. International folks tend to have to pay an arm and a leg not only on the price, but also on the import fees to get something from the US. This is a great option for those located outside the US and especially SE Asia (which lets be honest, is a huge population).
The Bad
While the 18L is a good thing for many people, for a lot of other people that will make the bag a little too big for their needs. Experienced Onebaggers are very very into taking a smaller main pack - and at 18L this might mean they just don’t have use for it because it would take up too much space in their precious onebag. So, might just be too big for some. I’ll show pictures further down but for reference it’s bigger than both the Matador On-Grid and the Mystery Ranch In and Out when folded. There’s just more bag here.
ProTip here: For packables, you don’t actually have to pack them into themselves. Weird to say right? Most are actually ALSO lay-flat. So you can just lay them flat on the bottom of your bag and put your cubes on top - option is up to you.
In hand, it feels heavier to me than other packables. But, if you’re not an ounce counter I would not let this get to you. The additional grams of a packable are more than worth it to me for the overall ability to be able to take it out at the destination.
The Improvement Requests for the Thousand Miles Backpack
With bags as simple as these, it’s hard to make too many improvement requests.
On this bag specifically, I think I’d like to see them shave 2-3L off the overall size. I think for a packable day pack, 15/16L is plenty and taking off those 2 liters would help make this more compact when packed. I personally believe most people would make that trade off.
Thousand Miles Backpack Vs. The Competition
Sneaker is a US 7M for Scale.
At this point, since I originally discovered this kind of bag, I’ve been able to try quite a few. Also to be up front, I take a packable on virtually every major trip. They are just invaluable to me since I’m a hobbyist photographer and run a website. But, I think they are good for everyone and it also means you don’t need to deal with one carry on and then the giant school bag people stuff to the gills. But - how does it hold up versus the big competitors?
Mystery Ranch In And Out - I’d say these two bags, while both packables, have different souls. The In and Out is designed as a packable approach bag and is fully geared to the outdoors set - both in looks and features. There are lots of colors offered and it’s not pretending to be anything other than this. I used this bag for a couple years and love it. This packs smaller than the Thousand Miles but stands out more, but not my much and the shape is different. I have a detailed review if interested: Mystery Ranch In and Out review.
Matador On-Grid - Matador pioneered the space and it’s how they got started. That said, most of their packables are very much adventure minded and made for the outdoors. Nothing wrong with that, but some people don’t want an outdoors look. Enter the On-Grid. I just reviewed this one and took it to London with me. It’s fantastic, really. Like the Thousand Miles bag, I couldn’t find a lot to complain about. This one also has a laptop holder but keep in mind packable backpacks DO NOT provide real protection to laptops. This packs smaller than the Thousand Miles bag as well, though it’s kind of negligible. Matador On-Grid Review.
There are other options out there from Osprey and Sea To Summit that are SUPER light packables - but they feel like it, too. They are great for many people but I found I just wanted one that felt more like a real backpack. Thousand Miles delivers on this very well.
Final Thoughts On My Thousand Miles Packable Backpack Review
That’s a wrap and finishes our review of the Thousand Miles packable day pack. This bag is actually small enough to pack into itself in your carry on, but big enough where you can still get a near-normal day pack experience at your destination. This is also good for side trips if your travel bag is staying in one place while you galavant off to a new place for a quick night or something.
On the strengths side - this bag is very well made with recycled material, has a minimal design that will not attract attention, and has all the space you’ll need. It’s readily available outside the US!
For weaknesses, it doesn’t pack as small as some of its competitors and that means it takes up more space in your pack. Might not be an issue for many but it will be for some. It’s a big big overall, I’d like to see it get a little less in literage for future iterations.
Overall, it’s a very good option in the packable bag space. I’d definitely recommend you check this option out if it’s available in your region. It’s a quality piece for a fair price and has pretty much all you’d need - even if not much else. Be sure to consider it in your search!
They sell directly from their website (but not currently to the US) so give them a look:
Wander more - and wander smarter everyone.
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