As someone who has long appreciated Toronto-born, family-operated Unbound Merino for its take on Merino wool-based travel wear, I approached their new travel backpack with curiosity.
Could a brand that has consistently “gotten” travel clothing translate that same intuition into a backpack?
I’m happy to report: they absolutely can.
From the moment I started using it, the design struck me as both thoughtful and purposeful. Every zipper, pocket, and compartment feels intentional. The layout makes sense for real-world travel: quick-access compartments for essentials (Secret passport pocket for security, check) and clever organizational features that prevent the usual chaos of a bag overstuffed with gear. It’s clear the designers spent time considering how people actually move, pack, and live with their belongings while traveling. One of my personal favorites, other than the secret passport pocket, was the “top” pocket, between the main compartment and the handle, that serves as a quick-access area to store your phone cable.
What really impresses me is how usable it is. I’ve taken this backpack on a family road trip across the US, to Israel, and now I use it as a daily driver. Across all these contexts, it has never felt cumbersome or heavy. Despite holding everything I need – sometimes two computers, headphones, cables, water bottle, etc. – it maintains a light, almost effortless feeling on my shoulders. The ergonomic, super-slim design makes long walks or airport sprints surprisingly comfortable, something that many backpacks promise but few deliver.
It’s a backpack that just works, without requiring you to think about it.
One area that feels a bit less essential to me is the included day-bag. It’s undoubtedly convenient and well-designed, perfect for day-trips, but I prefer a smaller bum bag for those moments. That said, this is a completely subjective observation; for someone who prefers a compact, grab-and-go option, the day-bag is a nice bonus.
Overall, I am proud to carry a backpack designed right here in Canada that so clearly embodies the same ethos as Unbound Merino’s travel apparel. It’s rare for a brand to successfully expand from clothing to travel gear, but Unbound Merino has done it with style and functionality.
It’s not just a bag, it’s a standout product that demonstrates how a brand that truly understands travel can extend that expertise into every corner of your journey.
If you value usability, thoughtful design, and Canadian craftsmanship, I encourage you to give Unbound Merino’s travel backpack a try.
