Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack review: Stay organised on the move

Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack review TL;DR: the best backpack for travellers who like to keep their dirty underwear separate from their souvenirs.

I was looking forward to reviewing the Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack. I love quality backpacks and keeping my stuff organised, so the SEG 30 seemed like a good fit for my needs, at least on paper. It's the perfect size for shorter trips and can function as a commuter backpack for those who carry their work/ gym clothes in one bag.

Although the Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack is not a dedicated gym bag, it works great as a carrier for all your gym gear, including protein bars, workout shoes, etc. That’s because of the bag's design: it features seven organising pockets, not just those flimsy phone pockets you find in most backpacks.

Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack review

Price and availability

The Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack is available to buy now at Matador US for a recommended retail price of $149.99. In the UK, you can buy the Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack at Wildbounds for £139.95.

Design

The Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack is advertised as a ‘minimalist’ organiser. It might not have all the bells and whistles other backpacks have, but SEG30's stripped-back quality – the all-black exterior and tubular shape – does catch the eye.

Apart from looking cool, I also found the Matador SEG30 highly functional. As mentioned above, the four zipped compartments at the front can be used to fill up the whole 30-litre volume of the bag, with each segment having more room inside from top to bottom. So while ‘Segment 1’ at the top is only 4 litres, ‘Segment 4’ at the bottom is a whopping 12 litres.

The main zipper on the side of the bag grants you access to the same space, but as a whole, and better still, it’s a ‘clamshell’ opening, so you get a good overview of what’s in the bag.

As well as these pockets, there is also a small pocket just under the handle at the top for phone/wallet etc., plus a dedicated laptop pocket at the rear, just behind the back panel. Not to mention the separate compartment for water bottles. I wasn’t lying when I said there is room for everything in the SEG30!

Performance

I know the main appeal of the Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack is the segments, but what I really liked about it was all the handles littered around the perimeter of the bag. These make it possible to lift the bag up with two hands, no matter what position it's in. There are two handles at the top, one at the bottom, and one on the side, so you can carry the SEG30 however you want to.

Of course, given that it’s a backpack, there are also shoulder straps. If you read my article about how to pack a gym bag properly, you know full well that I prefer backpacks over duffels when it comes to carrying gear: backpacks distribute the weight evenly across the two shoulders, helping you keep a better posture. Better still, the SEG30 has a sternum strap to ensure it stays in place when you move around.

The backpack is made of 420D nylon outer with UTS waterproofing. This technology supposedly protects the 100D Robic Dynatec weave interior liners, keeping everything inside somewhat protected from external moisture.

One thing I noted as I went on a day trip is that the softer pockets are better suited for storing soft stuff, such as clothes and towels, as opposed to, let’s say, food containers and headphones.

I popped my Skullcandy Crusher Evo in one of the top compartments, with the bottom ones not full, and it fell behind the lower pockets, making it less visible. When you have a few different bits of electronics in there, you might end up having to fold the pockets to find them. Nothing major, just a small observation.

Verdict

Matador’s SEG30 Segmented Backpack is a brilliantly executed solution for travellers who crave structure without bulk. Its clever design – five compartments plus a clamshell main space – lets you organise your gear with surgical precision, ditching the need for packing cubes or constant rummaging.

The build quality is solid, with weather-resistant materials and a lightweight frame that makes it a joy to carry, even fully packed. It transitions well from travel to daily use thanks to its minimalist silhouette, though the lack of laptop padding might give commuters pause.

Still, for weekenders, digital nomads, and anyone who prefers their kit compartmentalised and clutter-free, this is one of the smartest bags around. It’s not flashy, but it’s quietly brilliant, and once you get used to the way it works, you’ll wonder how you ever travelled without it.

Also consider

Talking about expensive bags: I have been contemplating getting the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack for at least two years now: it looks equally as sexy as the Matador SEG30 Segmented Backpack but in a colourful way. It’s slightly larger and more expensive than the SEG30 but boy-oh-boy, does it look good or what.

I can’t recommend the Chrome BLCKCHRM 22X Yalta 3.0 enough, especially if you’re a cyclist. It’s more rigid than the SEG30 but it has a removable liner that doubles up as a tote bag (!) and it can probably withstand an atomic blast too.