Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0 review: I’ve found my new favourite bag

When I reviewed the regular Apex Backpack 3.0 by Troubadour earlier this year, I described it as “almost perfect”. I loved the design, the quality and the comfort but I found it to be slightly too large, too bulky and, in the all-black colourway, a bit too businesslike.

Fortunately, I knew how all of these concerns could be addressed, and I’m pleased to report that the slightly smaller ‘compact’ version, newly available in a very pale blue colour Troubadour calls scree, is everything I look for in a premium backpack.

Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0 review: Price and availability

At £225, this is still very much a premium backpack, and it’s just £20 cheaper than the full-size Apex 3.0. But you get a lot for your money, as I’ll dive into through the rest of this review. It's available to buy at Troubadour and select retailers, like Amazon.

Colour options at the time of writing include black, navy and ‘Air Force Blue’. Troubadour tells me new colours including Basalt, Scree and Livid Green, plus a two-tone colourway called Green Smoke & Obsidian Green, will be available in the coming weeks (as of September 2024). Basalt and Scree will be coming to the original, full-size Apex 3.0 too.

Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0 review: Design and features

The Compact is exactly the same as the regular Apex 3.0, apart from being slightly smaller in every dimension. The full-size bag measures 48 x 32 x 15 cm, has a capacity of 25 litres, weighs 1 kg and can carry laptops up to 17 inches. The Apex 3.0 Compact measures 41 x 29 x 14 cm, has a capacity of 16 litres, weighs 0.9 kg and can accommodate laptops up to 16 inches. Both bags fit inside easyJet’s small cabin bag limit, but even the Compact is slightly too large for RyanAir’s free baggage allowance (40 x 20 x 25 cm).

Just like the regular Apex 3.0, the Compact is made from a waterproof fabric called FortiWeave, which is spun from recycled plastic bottles. It feels incredibly hard-wearing while still having the sort of premium texture you’d expect from a £225 backpack. There’s a nice bit of vegan leather trim above the rear zip, adding a pleasing bit of contrast to the external aesthetics, and the handle has a rubber inner that makes it both comfortable and sturdy.

The bag has a pair of elasticated bottle pockets that sit flush against the bag when empty, and a zipped pocket on the front that has a soft lining that is sure to keep your phone and sunglasses safe.

Inside this pocket there’s a small pocket for an AirTag (although I wish Troubadour wouldn’t decorate it with the message ‘Track with AirTag’, since that’s just asking a thief to remove your Apple tracker), and a handy clip for attaching your keys.

The rear of the bag has a slot for attaching it to the handle of a cabin suitcase, plus three large areas of padding. These make the bag very comfy (and keep your laptop safe in the rearmost compartment), while the deep grooves between them help keep your back ventilated. The rearmost compartment has a dedicated slot for a laptop, plus another for a tablet, then a further space for items like magazines or an eBook reader.

Before we dive into the main compartment, I need to talk about the shoulder straps. They are slightly stiffer than those used by most other backpacks, and at first they feel a bit strange, almost like you’re strapping on a parachute. But you’ll soon realise they are incredibly comfortable, despite being a little bulky, and I love how the excess lengths of adjustable strap are tethered to themselves, so they don’t dangle loose.

The left-hand shoulder strap has an integrated zipped pocket, which expands to neatly fit your phone, wallet or passport. It’s an incredibly convenient place to put such items, especially when passing through an airport, but I struggled to get used to the feeling of my phone being pressed to my chest. Although I prefer my phone in my trouser or jacket pocket, the shoulder strap is still a great place for a passport while travelling.

Open the Compact and you’ll find the interior layout is the same as the full-size Apex 3.0, but slimmed down slightly. This means there are five pockets, two of which are zipped, plus a pen/stylus holder. The pockets are all neatly arranged and their various sizes makes them handy for carrying a broad range of items.

Then of course there’s the main interior space itself, which benefits from a broad, flat floor that holds its shape even when the bag is empty. This sounds like a small detail, but it means the bag stands up on its own – and anyone who commutes on busy trains or spends their lives queuing at airports will appreciate this, since the Apex 3.0 Compact can be placed by your feet without falling over.

Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0 review: Performance

I’ve used the Apex 3.0 Compact for a couple of weeks now. It has accompanied me on trips to the shops, journeys into London for work and on a couple of overnight stays away from home. For me, this bag is the perfect size. I know such a parameter is entirely subjective, but for my use case it offers the ideal balance between capacity and portability.

It is comfortable, even when full, and takes heavier items like laptops in its stride, while retaining its sleek shape and feeling like it is made to last. The pale colour of this particular example is likely to attract dirt and stains over time, more so than a black bag, but a quick and occasional clean should see to that.

I love the attention to detail Troubadour has poured into this bag. For example: The pocket on the shoulder strap has two pairs of magnets that snap it closed when it’s not in use, stopping the lining from looking untidy. Being that bit smaller than the regular Apex 3.0 also means it’s safe to use with most budget airlines, since it’ll fit under the seat.

Troubadour Apex Compact Backpack 3.0 review: Verdict

I’ve used a lot of bags over the years. From messenger and shoulder bags, to laptop briefcases and all manner of backpacks. Each has its pros and cons, but this is the first time I’m willing to describe a bag as perfect. It’s the right size and the right design, with a good selection of pockets and a great range of colour options. It's clear Troubadour pays as much attention to aesthetics as practicality and comfort.

I also like the materials Troubadour has used, and I feel the price is justified even when typical luxury fabrics like genuine leather are shunned in favour of vegan and recycled alternatives. If you have the budget you will not be disappointed.