Matador Globerider 45 Journey Backpack Evaluation

Think about waking up at some point and never having the ability to dwell inside your house. Some critical water injury and, later, mildew pressured me to maneuver out of my apartment. Dwelling out of a bag grew to become my actuality. Fortunately, as a gear tester, I had no scarcity of duffels and baggage to cram all my belongings into.

Nonetheless, on that first day, I had completely no clue how I’d pack to be away from dwelling for an undisclosed timeline. What on earth would I must deliver? On the very least, the naked necessities. But in addition issues like books, paperwork, kitchenware, further toiletries, ski gear, attire for the altering season, my toolbox — even a 30-pound bag of pet food.

I wanted a bag to handle each day wants but additionally haul loads of extras. And it wanted to assist hold me organized. And simply within the nick of time, Matador supplied a take a look at pattern of its newest do-everything journey bag, the Globerider45.

In brief: Whereas the Globerider45 has a fairly excessive price ticket, it delivers on high quality and design. Packing this bag full for quite a lot of journey (a ski journey, highway journey, mountaineering journey, winter cabin trip, and short-term residing scenario), I used to be amazed at how a lot house and group it gives. Matador made positive its dimensions meet “carry-on” dimension, nevertheless it appears to carry tons extra. Issues just like the padded again panel and shoulder strap design, its sturdiness, in addition to the zipper and pocket system all stood out, not like some other journey pack I’ve used. This pack made it from my home to my automobile to the three others locations I’ve arrange basecamp and down miles of trails, and remains to be standing sturdy.

All informed, the Globerider45 ($350) has traveled with me over 1,100 miles and counting. Did I take a look at it for sturdiness? You betcha.

How It Fares for Journey: Matador Globerider45 Evaluation

Relating to testing something designed for journey, you actually must go all in. Matador pitched its Globerider 45 to me as “the model’s first foray right into a generalist journey bag” — however combining the design of a standard journey pack with supplies usually used within the backpacking sphere.

The tip aim? Create the last word main backpack for journey journey.

So how did I am going all in? I packed it and re-packed it a dozen occasions. It got here with me in every single place. I lived out of this bag for 3 months (actually, I’m nonetheless residing out of it now!). I used it as baggage, as a highway journey duffel, as a bag to stash ski and climbing gear, and naturally, schlepped it throughout, each on pavement in journey mode and trails in backpack mode.

I’ve used this bag forwards and backwards for a number of completely different highway journeys throughout Colorado. It arrived in November, proper across the time I needed to transfer out of my dwelling and subsequently dwell out of a bag. For sure, the Globerider got here on the excellent second. This isn’t a pattern I examined as a result of I discovered the design intriguing in comparison with what’s in the marketplace (OK, that is form of true). However actually, I examined this out of necessity.

The primary couple of days I had this pack in my possession, I frolicked familiarizing myself with its design. It’s form of like visiting somebody’s home for the primary time — it’s important to work out your manner round.

For me, that didn’t take lengthy for 2 causes. First, this pack’s design is intuitive and never overly sophisticated. The pockets and zippers are well-placed and simple to make use of (extra particulars later). Secondly, I instantly put this pack to make use of. This wasn’t a pack I examined out on just a few events; I’ve used it practically each day since receiving it.

After testing, the three greatest execs that stood out had been the Globerider45’s capability and general packability, excessive versatility, and the plethora of seize handles and pockets. For months I used to be displaced from my dwelling, and didn’t actually know what gear or attire I’d want or when. Some days, I simply wanted an in a single day bag that would additionally carry my work laptop computer and equipment. Different days, I wanted a succesful, waterproof bag for winter journey. And on others, I simply wanted a method to carry every little thing that got here with me each day — my life necessities — on my again. (I journey pretty mild, however nonetheless, that is no small ask.) Over the course of weeks and months, I’d want a bag that would seamlessly do all three.

Now, this pack isn’t light-weight — it weighs simply over 4 kilos and is sturdy due to the aluminum body. The body and again panel, with the added padding, is an important a part of the design success of this bag. It’s comfy to hold, even totally loaded.

The load strap lifters additionally adjusted properly to individuals of various heights. If something, there’s perhaps an excessive amount of padding on the middle again panel. However the hip belt and shoulder straps are padded simply sufficient to supply consolation with out being cumbersome. And this bag has a complete lot extra execs than the straps and match.

This pack hasn’t simply hauled garments and footwear for a highway journey. It’s hauled my work gear for the week, my rotating gear-testing wardrobe, meds and toiletries, birthday playing cards for buddies, mountaineering gear, a bunch of authorized paperwork, and a number of different issues I can’t recall.

So how is that this bag that holds every little thing I want extra “versatile” than the remaining?

Maybe this pack’s greatest promoting level is its thoughtfully designed inside group.

Pockets and Clever Storage

This isn’t a one-compartment bag. If you’re simply glad with a easy, U-shaped, dump-it-in duffel, then this bag isn’t for you.

I discovered myself utilizing each single pocket usually, and the identical goes for the assorted seize handles on the entrance, prime, and sides. They usually all serve a goal. If I used to be packing or accessing objects from the highest of the bag, standing up, the highest seize deal with was useful. If I used to be loading the Globerider right into a automobile, roof rack field, or overhead compartment, the aspect seize handles had been there. Whenever you stow the backpack straps away, the seize handles nonetheless make it very straightforward to elevate, toss round, and carry.

Although Matador claims this pack is a bit “overbuilt,” I wouldn’t say so with regards to its carry choices. I used all of the seize handles, the backpack straps, and the bag’s duffel mode (stowing the straps and hip belt away behind the again panel).

Stowing all of the straps and parts was harder than I anticipated as a result of it match very tightly within the compartment, zippered behind the again panel. However as soon as it closed, I used to be joyful. It reduces loads of the outside options which might be straightforward to catch and snag on issues in journey.

As for group, I used the inner zippered pocket (above) a ton. Designed for footwear or soiled laundry, I discovered it excellent for separating out gear and used attire. It’s a fantastic dimension to stash not simply sweaty garments but additionally one thing like my subsequent day’s journey outfit.

Or, you may reserve it for objects you don’t want entry to in the primary compartment — i.e., as usually.

The highest “admin pocket” is one other I used fairly often. It packed away issues like a pockets, glasses, sun shades, headphones, lip balm, snacks, journey first support equipment, multi-tool, writing pens, and extra in a neatly organized manner. And, in a greater manner than another journey pack’s easy one-slot mesh group pouch. Lastly, the padded laptop computer compartment in the direction of the again match my pc, labored properly, and offered loads of safety.

Should you journey usually and search for essential parts like inside and exterior pockets, laptop computer storage, and backpack and hip straps, think about the Matador Globerider45. It’s a singular design in that the Globerider45 appears to have all of it — each characteristic I’ve wanted to this point, each residing out of it and in my travels — in a fairly packable dimension. And one which isn’t only a duffel however converts to a backpack mode. I actually loved its adaptability throughout loads of completely different journey makes use of.

The cherry on prime was how properly it held up after some super-rugged testing over two-plus months. Testing included stuffing it with two ropes and climbing down over a mile of mountaineering method trails, dropping it in a foot of recent snow, carrying it on my again whereas I rappelled 100 toes right into a canyon, shoving it underneath a seat on a prepare, and dragging it throughout a parking zone.

Conclusion

A do-it-all, built-for-anything, not-too-large, moveable journey bag? The Globerider45 is strictly what I wanted. Throughout the previous few months residing out of this bag, I’ve solely used one different piece of baggage (not counting two daypacks for climbing and snowboarding). Heck, I’ll in all probability overview that baggage too, nevertheless it’s nice for very completely different causes.

In any other case, the Globerider45 has solely carried me — and my attire, footwear, belongings, canine’s belongings, work stuff, and kit — by way of an unanticipated stint of vagabonding, which is fairly badass. I’ve been residing with out entry to my dwelling workplace/desk, kitchen, dresser, gear closet, and numerous storage programs at dwelling … and I’ve discovered a method to make do with this bag.

I can’t communicate extremely sufficient about this backpack. Sure, it’s over $300. However for me, that worth is properly value what the Globerider gives.

I sit up for the day once I don’t must dwell out of a backpack and might use this just for enjoyable and journey. Wherever the open highway takes me subsequent — particularly if the journey requires loads of gear but additionally the flexibility to be versatile and moveable — you may wager the Matador Globerider45 shall be accompanying me.