The Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack promises organised storage but is smaller than it appears…

I’m extremely picky when it comes to the best backpacks, as I have a lot of stuff that I want to take with me on-the-go. For me, the more spacious the backpack, the better, so I was excited to try the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack which promises a huge 18-litres of capacity and storage space.

Wandrd is best known for its adventure backpacks and camera bags, so durability, compartments and style are at the forefront of their products. As it’s Back To Class month at T3, it seemed the perfect time to test the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack, and I was surprised to find that it had less storage than initially met the eye – here’s how I got on.

Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack review: price and availability

The Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack is priced at £159 / $179 and is available to buy at Wandrd. It comes in black, Wasatch green and Uyuni purple – the latter is the colourway I tried.

Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack review: design and features

As you can guess from the name of the bag, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack has a massive 18-litre capacity that’s been sectioned into multiple zipped compartments. At the very back of the backpack is a dedicated laptop holder which can fit up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, while a smaller pocket sits directly in front of it for smaller items that you want more easily accessible.

The main compartment of the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack has the biggest capacity, including a fold down mesh pocket, hidden Airtag pocket and stretchy straps for attaching accessories. On both sides of the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack are two water bottle holders made from stretch mesh.

The Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack is made from durable, weather-resistant materials, including tarpaulin on the front, back and sides of the bag. Nylon constructs the bottom of the backpack, and the back is made from breathable air mesh that keeps you cool while you walk around. The back is also contoured so it comfortably fits your spine.

With comfort in mind, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack has padded shoulder straps and multiple adjustment areas, including top load for weight distribution and removable chest strap. It also has three grab handles around the backpack for you to lift and carry it around.

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Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack review: performance

As mentioned above, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack has 18-litres of space, including plenty of zips, compartments and sections. But it’s this organisation that actually makes the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack smaller than it first appears.

As it’s so well-sectioned, the main section of the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack had slightly less space than I thought it would. I found it a struggle at times to fit all my things in, like books, planners, make-up bag, tupperware and more, but I did eventually manage to squeeze everything inside. It was certainly a squeeze though, and while I did pack a lot in, it was nowhere near as much as I’d expected.

Having said that, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack easily held all my office essentials, and the best part about it was its comfort levels. Even when full to the brim, I found the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack to be extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear – at one point, I actually thought I’d left things behind in the office, because I was so surprised by how light it was.

The shoulder pads and back contouring of the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack was comfortable and didn’t add any additional pain or strain while walking around with it on. I tried the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack during the UK’s many summer heatwaves and didn’t find it too hot to have on, so the breathable mesh was definitely working to keep me cool.

The Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack was very easy to adjust, and I enjoyed the different adjustments that could be made. I found that after adjusting, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack had lots of long pulleys and extra fabric flapping around which were a bit annoying but if you’re taller than me – which isn’t hard – this probably won’t be an issue for you.

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Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack review: verdict

I have extremely, annoyingly high standards for backpacks and the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack very nearly fit the bill. Despite its huge capacity, I found it a bit too organised and sectioned to actually give a big amount of storage. I could have done with a few less compartments and a bigger space to chuck things into, but in general, I used every section of the backpack and did manage to pack a lot of stuff in it.

The Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack excels in terms of comfort and support. The adjustments were helpful and the padding and contouring kept everything comfy and cool. The material of the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack was durable and stylish, and I have no doubt that it’ll last a long time.

It’s not too badly priced either, so if you’re commuting or off on an adventure, the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack is a pretty good choice.

Wandrd Nimbus 18L backpack review: alternatives to consider

Despite its high price tag, the Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 is a great everyday backpack that has similar compartments to the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack. It doesn’t come in as many colours, but it’s made from waterproof fabric that’s comfortable, formal and has plenty of handy pockets.

If it’s a commuter backpack you’re after, the Antler Discovery Backpack is our favourite choice. Like the Wandrd Nimbus 18L Backpack, it doesn’t get too heavy when full and is similarly priced.