With DUN not a stranger to everyday carry, having seen KickStarter success with the DUN Wallet, DUN DUO travel wallet and DUN FOLD, the team are back on the KickStarter scene to launch their very first backpack: the DUN TravelPack. Their minimalist approach emboldens an aesthetically clean exterior shell that is lightweight, weatherproof and ergonomically friendly to carry and store for your travels. Coupled with refined features that smoothen the carry experience for everyday use and adventures, you’re looking at a refreshing backpack that revels in simplicity.
Read: DUN DUO Travel Wallet Review
More Than Just a Plain Inside
With travel backpacks you’re generally offered a large mainspace like a carry-on luggage. You’ll find plenty in this 35L DUN TravelPack to roll, fold and slide garments into the mainspace while the lid extends that. A mesh compartment with a zipper down the middle offers extra space to separate or categorise your clothes. A full-width zipper above stores your small valuables with privacy, perfect to reach for your kindle, iPad Mini, headphones and more.
The zipper down the middle continues the symmetrical design and all-round access, making it just as easy from the top, left and right-side of the DUN TravelPack. Hidden pockets that blend into the design are prominent here, with a rear-access pocket for your passport and keys, while a side compartment acts as a separator for a water bottle, umbrella or laundry bag as big or small as you need. It still uses the main space, but serves well for containing used garments along your journey.
Read: DUN Minimalist Wallet Review
Tech Gear Verified
Itching for extra pockets? It doesn’t end there. Towards the back, there’s a dedicated laptop compartment that can easily fit up to 17″ or smaller, and a tech compartment to house all of your small accessories. multiple pocket arrangements and extra space to lay cables in the mesh zippered pocket give you freedom to take your tech with you without needing to rummage around your backpack.
The DUN TravelPack organises all aspects of travels – from your clothes to your daily reachables and your tech devices, all in sections that are individually accessible with ease. Travel backpacks tend to sacrifice this kind of detail, requiring another tech organiser or such to handle them. But for the average traveller, it’ll house all you have natively inside which is excellent. Oh, and if you have a TSA luggage lock, the zippers line up for that extra security.
Read: ITR One Modular Backpack Review
Weatherproof Sealed Exterior
If you’re caught out in flash rain or heavy storms during your everyday or adventures, no sweat. There’s no extra rain cover for you to pull out or remember to carry because well, it doesn’t need one. The exterior shell is completely weather sealed so you can take confidence in knowing your clothes, tech and essentials are all kept dry inside.
Of course, I’ll have to put it through its paces once the DUN TravelPack Kickstarter ends, with a real-life review to verify, but by design, the DUN TravelPack handles it thanks to the waterproof, nylon canvas fabric. water beads off while visually maintaining that matte, polished look. Though it doesn’t use the world renowned YKK zippers, I’m curious to see how the ZOOM waterproof zippers hold up. Still, the waterproof and inverse design makes these a welcome addition to make the DUN TravelPack really travel-friendly throughout the year.
Read: Arcido Akra Travel Backpack Review
Clean Sideline Ergonomics
Intended for the travel-minded with an appreciation for simple, minimal design, the DUN TravelPack looks sleek and stylish in its category. You won’t find crossover stitching or lines that break the body of the shell, but parallel, undisturbed features and profiles that accentuate the beauty of its minimalist approach to travel backpacks. The side carry handle is one of three modes you can choose from. The other, a top handle towards the rear and of course the shoulder straps for backpack mode. Fancy going hand-carry mode? Tuck the straps behind the rear panel flaps for that clean rear with no dangling straps to worry about. Oh, and there’s a hidden luggage passthrough if you choose to take luggage with you. But, you would never know and that’s all down to ergonomic design which I can appreciate.
As for size, the 35L generously packs a lot of space, a very-capable carry-on alternative to the rollers and just going carry-on only for the minimalist traveller. As a result, this is a tall and wide bag that isn’t out of place with other travel backpacks (like the Peak Design Everyday Backpack) at 53cm tall, 33cm wide and 20cm deep. The boxy shell does feel bigger as it maintains the shape from top to bottom.
Read: Korin Design ClickPack Pro Review
Minimal Shell for Minimalist Travellers
Built within the minimal design is a discreet, hidden front pocket for those regular reachables you’ll need throughout the day. A pocket to store your sunglasses, powerbank and cable, or even suncream. A contrasting loop lets you pull along the zip-track without the need to look behind the lip which is a very nice touch. Otherwise, you’re looking at a very distilled exterior design that still manages to look distinctive. Great work from Sjoerd and co. with the DUN TravelPack design.
Read: Peak Design Travel Backpack made for Travellers
Capable Travel Backpack for Long Getaways
The DUN TravelPack Kickstarter runs until September 20,2019 for backers to pick one up at a healthy discount, and be one of the first to receive them when it launches December, 2019 for early birds and January, 2020 for the rest. With the DUN TravelPack Kickstarter already surpassing their funding goal and track record of delivering, backers can be assured of receiving their DUN TravelPack. Prices start at €119 / £109 with duties, taxes and shipping included for the EU and ships worldwide at minimal cost. You can also pick up a DUN combo with their wallet range which you can read my reviews on below.
With many high-profile carry brands like Peak Design, WANDRD, Aer, NOMATIC and Black Ember offering travel backpacks in the premium, expensive category, DUN is well-placed to deliver a capable and accessible price point for minimalist travellers to enjoy a quality backpack, with the DUN TravelPack.
DUN Collection
For disclosure, this article features affiliated links which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through these links. They in no way influence or dictate my thoughts towards a brand, product or service. As the sole creator of One Tech Traveller, this helps support my work and platforms.
