Bellroy Transit Travel Pack Pro Review
The newest member of the Transit lineup hides a bit of a trick up it’s sleeve and a lot of promised versatility. Does it deliver?
Bellroy Transit Travel Pack Pro Review Introduction
Bellroy - this brand really knows how to pack it in. Groan. OK horrific puns aside - one of the most successful lineups that Bellroy has is the Transit line. They’ve had it for years, capped off with the very well reviewed (Ahem, Bellroy Transit Plus review) Plus version - that came in at a whopping 38L. Actually that’s not ‘whopping’ - that’s a pretty good size for a lot of travelers, including me if I need to take my camera and another pair of shoes. But, it can be a little TOO big for full time needs. Enter the Transit Travel Pack Pro.
Not to be confused with the WORKPACK Pro, this is the smaller sibling to the 38L. It’s a 30L pack with an expansion function that actually expands to 38L if needed. I’m all here for the travel trend of expandable backpacks if they stay within a nice usable literage, and aren’t too small when not expanded. One bag instead of two is better for onebag travel, amirite? OK I promise I’m done with the maniacal puns in this one.
This is my review of the Bellroy Transit Travel Pack Pro in 30L. For this review, I took it on a helluva work trip that turned into more than I bargained for. Cross country, around 9hrs of airport time back and forth through security and gates and lounges, 4 flights, 6 trips to/from the airport in cars, 2 delays, and one full-on cancellation on the return trip. Not to mention lots of flying time due to connecting flights. That means two unpacking and two re-packing thanks to that cancellation. So, I got to test it well in a very real world scenario. Ah, the joys of traveling in the American Summer!
As always for full transparency, I did reach out to Bellroy to see if they had a unit for review and they were nice enough to send one my way. That said, I had no interaction with them for the review itself and this is not sponsored. I do use affiliate links which help to support the site if you decide to use them to make a purchase, but you’re under no obligation to do so and there’s no additional cost to you. Thanks for stopping by!
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Transit Travel Pack Pro Overview
Rearview.
So as mentioned the Transit Travel Pack Pro is an expandable pack. No need to bury the lede here as I like to do so often to you all. It begins as a 30L pack and it unzips to become a 38L pack. The idea here is like a good travel zoom lens for your camera. It wants to cover a really flexible range that is also very helpful.
There are a lot of features and typically-Bellroy design choices here, so we’ll get into those in the next section.
But the goal was to not only give you a bag that could be your boo for your travel needs on quick trips and longer jaunts, but also be a borderline workhorse for larger EDC needs. 30L is way too big to me for EDC, but I get where they are coming from and I know some more specialized professions need that. Some folks just need more. They also want this to be helpful for 2-bag travel as well.
It’s made from one of their main fabrics they call Dura weave. This is a really durable polyester made from recycled materials. Military heritage, but technical delivery and feel.
Here’s the details Bellroy’s page:
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity
30–38L
Weight
47.6oz
External Dimensions
19.7 × 14.6 × 7.1 in
Materials
We use fabrics from recycled sources such as plastic PET bottles, industrial nylon offcuts and fishing nets. (See composition.)
Composition
80% Recycled Polyester, 10% Polyester, 5% Other materials, 5% Nylon
The Transit Travel Pack Pro sells for $339.00 USD as of July 2025 and comes in two colorways for you: black, and olive. We’ve got the olive, and it seems this one is a popular color as it tends to sell out online. Note - this is not your typical military “olive”. More on that later. Future Bill - the brand also let me know that as of late July 2025, they were releasing a “stone” color. Based on what they’ve done in the past with that shade, this is a good thing.
Transit Travel Pack Pro Features
The ol’ AW fabric macro.
There are a lot of features worth mentioning on this pack. It’s got a lot to offer. Aside from the materials, there is a lot of organization to discuss so let’s get into that.
On the front, there is a really nice sized admin pocket that has things like slip pockets, a key leash, a soft and fuzzy (not to be confused with warm and fuzzy) zippered pocket, and goes maybe ¾ of the way down the front of the bag. It’s got some of its own volume so it does take a tech pouch quite well. Pick your poison - pouch or admin sleeves. This pocket also has a high vis lining in light gray.
On the left side of the bag you’ve got a water bottle pocket. I’d call this more of an umbrella pocket because that’s more suitable for me and you wont fit any fat-boys in here in terms of water bottles. But it will take a thinner bottle and conceal it inside the bag. I feel these styles provide an advantage in case you don’t want to use them for water bottles. Being fully closed off is a plus to me.
Top and right side of the bag have a seat belt fabric handle. The bottom of the bag has a handle that’s not a handle. Confused? I was, too. It’s a makeshift handle that’s basically a flap of fabric. I wasn’t sure what it was but I definitely used it twice for pulling the bag out of the luggage bin on the plane. So it’s a handle and a design choice, without being a full-on handle. A handle that’s not a handle. Get it?
On top, there are two nylon loops to thread the laptop zippers through, or use as attachment points.
The pack has some substantial padding, a luggage pass-through, and the straps have a magnetic and high quality feeling sternum strap. Note, these straps do not stow and there is no hip belt option. I’m OK with that at this size.
The Wandering Loadout
This example is going to be for a work trip. A cross country one at that. Now, I decided to use this because it’s hard to “optimize” for a work trip. You sometimes just need to take the kind of clothes you need to take. And for work, that means button ups and an extra pair of pants. So that meant I got to pack this out a bit. (I did not need the expansion). Conveniently, I’ve got the bag paired with Bellroy’s new packing cubes.
Two button up shirts
Two Uniqlo Airism Undershirts
Two Uniqlo Airism Boxer Briefs
Two pairs Darn Tough Socks
Patagonia Capilene Cool and Western Rise Session T
Pair of jeans
Bellroy Toiletry Kit (Review)
Porter Yoshida pouch as my tech kit.
Macbook Pro 13 in the laptop compartment.
Leather oxfords in the orange shoe pouch you can see in the second photo when the bag is packed.
The Good
Well, it’s time for the broken Bellroy record but I really can’t help it - it’s just kinda true. Their designs are so considered and sleek that I really just have to mention it all the time. They manage to stay low key looking but also pack in org and function. Compare this with something like the Tortuga Expandable backpack. This isn’t a knock on it, I’m just highlighting the stark differences in visual design. One is highly functional, not pretending to be anything but a travel pack. One is made of much softer lines and sleeker visual cues, while performing the same basic function. Material choices, color choices, etc. Bellroy consistently nails this (I won’t say 100% of the time but on much of their premium stuff they do) and this bag is no different.
I want to move into a sub category here of the above - the color way. I LOVE their choice of “olive”. It really deserves quotes because to me, it’s much more of like a deep military green or forest military color vs. what we normally see with other “olive” choices for brands. It’s amazing and sophisticated. ALSO, that color of the interior on this bag is a wonderfully rich blue color. I don’t really know how to describe the blue - maybe like a deep marine? I don’t know. But it’s fantastic and the combination together is one of my favorites of the year. Keep in mind it might look greener than it is in my photos because of the lighting - combo of warm LCD lighting and cool camera accessory lighting. I tried to make it as accurate as possible but I’d say their website is accurate to the product.
Next up I love that this opens horizontally like a clam shell. This is my favorite style for a travel pack, more so than the vertical type. It works just like a suitcase, and makes organizing both sides much easier.
Organization was outstanding on this pack. Took me a minute to really take advantage of the pouchy area in the laptop sleeve, but then I realized it perfectly fits a Bellroy toiletry case, which is my main driver for travel. That’s a clever spot as it helps to keep things together in the bag without another pouch added to the main compartment. Really nice implementation. It does take up some internal volume, it’s not magic. But still a nice design choice.
I like the zippered compartments on the left hand flap inside the bag. These frankly can replace packing cubes when it comes to rolled t-shirts or socks/underwear. They don’t really interfere with the front pocket either based on how that’s not a full-length pocket. Again, very smart design choices on this bag.
I don’t usually call these out as I usually don’t have major issues to complain about - but loved the pack straps on this one. Bellroy’s are typically sleeker and thinner, but they beefed these up and I found them quite comfortable while marching back and forth around the SNA airport as flights were repeatedly delayed and finally canceled. At the very least, it added one positive to the shockingly annoying scenario. Haha. Get those steps in.
Expansion. I mean come on. This was done very well, it doesn’t make the bag look ridiculous when it’s expanded, and allows you to basically have two bags at once. It’s always a great idea, but here it’s ALSO implemented well. Kudos, Bellroy.
Lastly, much like I found on the Black Ember Forge - I have no idea how they’ve made these sealed zippers so smooth. Maybe it’s just the YKK norm now on the newer versions, but they were fantastic in use. No stickiness at all. Like, it was shocking.
The Bad
All of this design, unique colorways, and sustainable materials/process tends to push the pricing pretty high, and this is definitely higher than most.
That said - you’re essentially buying two bags at the same time. And I promise I’m not shilling here. That’s an accurate statement. You’re buying both a 30L and a 38L bag. How much would you be willing to pay for two high end travel bags of those capacities? There’s a good chance it would be more than this cost.
But again, pointing that out because frankly not everyone can stomach this price tag, two-for-one or not.
I don’t really have many other complaints on this bag. I know that might sound ridiculous, and I’m not saying it’s perfect or that it will be perfect for everyone. It’s not the lightest? But it’s not that heavy either vs. its peers. I just had a hard time poking holes in this one, personally.
Final Thoughts On My Bellroy Transit Travel Pack Pro Review
This is where the front pocket extends to.
OK I don’t think this is going to come as much of a surprise if you read this article. I like the Transit Travel Pack Pro. Like, a lot. In fact, I will most likely get rid of the other choices in my line up at these sizes because I like it so much. Having a 30L and a 35-38L bag all at once, in the SAME bag, is huge. Bag-space pun not in tended. I swear to god.
Now, Bellroy didn’t invent this. Far from it. Osprey has a BELOVED version in their Daylite 26+6. Tortuga put out one of the best bags of the year last year with their expandable. But what’s good about these facts is that these are all choices for different people. The Bellroy is much more of a streamlined and refined, urban bag. And I just think that works for so many people.
Beyond just the function and design, the color way on the version I had is just fantastic, right down to the combination of this deep olive and that kind of marine blue lining.
Packing it was a dream, the organizational options were great. I also love that inside you can use the mesh zipper pockets as packing cubes and that will shave some weight off and save space in the bag.
The price tag is going to make some people do a doubletake, and it will make others straight up walk away. It’s something to really consider here - but to be up front I’d never expect you to buy an expensive bag without some real consideration first anyway. So, think about it but give it a fair shake.
The question you need to ask yourself beyond the aesthetics of it: Do you feel that this is more like a two-for-one bag that justifies the price? I think that’s how you need to approach it. Me? I think it’s worth it, but I’m also currently using a Black Ember Forge 30 which means I’m no stranger to a high priced bag (Yes, I did purchase that one with my own money).
So if you’re in the market for a new travel bag and are struggling to decide if you want a 30L or a bigger version, frankly just go check this one out and the concept in general. The design and fabric are wonderful, the implementation of the concept is great, and this is one of the best options out there for an expandable travel pack. Bellroy hit this one out of the park.
As always with the indie brands, I’d suggest buying directly through their website for best service.
And remember - wander more, and wander smarter.
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Head on over to our Travel Bag reviews page for more like this as well as the Black Ember Forge 30 review or the recent Level8 Gibraltar Carry On review.
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