Wandrd Transit 35L Review

We tested the Wandrd Transit 35L for a few months and found it to be a great fit for rougher travel and wetter climates. Though not waterproof, it fends off more moisture than many other packs we tested. Its main compartment is a great size for camera lenses and camera bodies, though we would suggest budgeting for dividers to keep gear separate and easier to grab if you plan to use it for this.

Likes

One of our favorite aspects of the Wandrd Transit 35L was its features. Some of our testers even complained that this model had too many features, with extra pockets in sub-compartments that made it challenging to keep track of memory cards or ChapStick at times. For international travel, we loved its hidden passport pocket, which was better hidden than any other bag we tested.

We also loved the more robust construction that Wandrd used in the Transit. While it's not the best for prolonged downpours, light drizzles didn't shut us down, and it kept our gear dry enough to get to the bus station or the airport. When throwing down the bag on gravel or sharp rocks, the Transit never flinched and is a great fit for shoppers who are notoriously hard on their travel backpacks. The main compartment also offers plenty of space for travelers who want to carry camera gear and multiple changes of clothes.

The main compartment has a traditional suitcase opening for easy packing and access, while the laptop compartment uses a side-access design. There isn't exactly an admin pocket, but there are two pockets at the front of the bag that we used for external hard drives and chargers. We appreciate the expansion zipper that allows you to tailor the size of the bag to your needs, but it is worth noting that the 35L capacity claimed by this bag is the expanded size. In its smaller form, it offers closer to 30L of space.

Dislikes

If low weight is a priority, the Transit might not be ideal. However, weight is less of an issue with travel backpacks than it is with backpacking gear, and we valued the trade-off of a higher weight in favor of durability and features. Still, it remains significantly heavier than other backpacks, and this may be a bigger deal if you often take budget international flights where they often weigh your carry-on item. While a nitpicky detail, we also wish Wandrd had made the laptop compartment more padded.

The Wandrd Transit 35L doesn't have a hip belt, which we particularly missed when dragging around heavy camera equipment or a long packing list, especially on longer trips. When we kept the loads lighter in the Transit, we were happy with the back padding and the wider shoulder straps, which could be fine-tuned via load lifters. This model also doesn't come included with camera gear dividers, though Wandrd sells dividers made specifically for this bag. Wandrd also sells a removable hip strap if you're willing to throw down some more cash.

Should You Buy the Wandrd Transit 35L?

If you need a bag that you don't have to be as delicate with, the Wandrd Transit 35L is a great choice. Wandrd put durability and features above comfort, so make sure you don't need a hip belt for your travels, or are willing to spend a little bit more on an already expensive bag. While some might argue there are too many pockets on this backpack, we loved the organization once we developed our own packing system, though it is more tailored to maximalist packers.

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