ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearJack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 reviewThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is a tough travel bag that’s built for exploring. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pocketsReasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hikingWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearJack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 reviewThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is a tough travel bag that’s built for exploring. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pocketsReasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hikingWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is a tough travel bag that’s built for exploring. Here’s our review
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pocketsReasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hiking
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pocketsReasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hiking
T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.
T3 Verdict
The Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 is perfect for keeping your belongings organised on your adventures. The build quality is tough, and the design makes it easy to organise and locate all your various bits and bobs. A tech pocket with separate access is a particularly nice touch.
Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pocketsReasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hiking
Reasons to buy+Complies with carry-on luggage sizing+Very durable and weatherproof+Lots of useful pockets
Complies with carry-on luggage sizing
Very durable and weatherproof
Lots of useful pockets
Reasons to avoid-No hip straps-Not ergonomically shaped for hiking
No hip straps
Not ergonomically shaped for hiking
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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TheExpedition Pack 42I’m reviewing here is the hero piece, a durable backpack with space to keep all your luggage organised. There’s a smaller version – theExpedition Pack 22. I’d count it amongst thebest travel bagson the market, especially if you’re looking for something tough and weatherproof. Read on for my full Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 review.
Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 review: carry options
There are multiple carry options. First, it can be worn as a regular backpack. There are shoulder straps and a chest strap, both of which can be adjusted to distribute the load (here’show to fit a backpack, if you didn’t know).
Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42: specsSize:56 x 36 x 25cmLaptop / tablet compartment:15" and 10"Weight:1400gCapacity:42l
Size:56 x 36 x 25cmLaptop / tablet compartment:15" and 10"Weight:1400gCapacity:42l
Size:56 x 36 x 25cmLaptop / tablet compartment:15" and 10"Weight:1400gCapacity:42l
Size:56 x 36 x 25cmLaptop / tablet compartment:15" and 10"Weight:1400gCapacity:42l
While it’s comfortable enough to wear for relatively long periods of time, to be a ‘proper’ expedition backpack, really you need hip straps and a more padded, ergonomic design, akin to what you’d find on one of thebest hiking backpacks. The up-side of the boxier shape is that the Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 backpack does comply with airline carry-on luggage rules – hurrah.
For carrying shorter distances – for example picking up and putting down in the airport – there are padded handles at the top and side. In this carry mode, you can tuck the shoulder straps away into a back zip pocket so they don’t get in the way. Along the sides and top you’ll find daisy chain attachment loops that can be used to lash the bag to, for example, a luggage rack (for security), or – as Jack Wolfskin suggests – a roof rack or donkey.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 review: design and compartments
Inside, there are loads of options for stashing all your gear in an organised way. In the main body of the bag you’ll find two roomy, zipped mesh pockets for smaller valuables, along with a water bottle pocket and packet with a drawstring top. There’s also a whole area dedicated to holding your devices. This sits against your back, fills the whole length and width of the bag, and is accessible via a separate zip. Here you’ll find padded pockets sized to fit your laptop, tablet and phone.
In use, it’s a practical number of pockets that mean you can easy keep track of what you’ve put where. The clamshell opening on the main part of the bag makes it easy to pack and find clothes, while the ability to access devices separately, without having to open the whole bag, is super useful.
Image1of3(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
Image1of3(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
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(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
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(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
The build quality is excellent, and there are some small touches that make it extra usable – the zips have chunky pulls that can be operated while wearing gloves, for example. Jack Wolfskin has used heavy-duty, water repellent fabric for the main body of the bag, and the zip on the front compartment is water-resistant, too. While it doesn’t claim to be fully waterproof, it saw off a fairly heavy rain shower with no trouble in my tests, and it’s nice not to faff around putting on and off rain covers, or worrying about things getting damp.
Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 review: verdict
The Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42 isn’t particularly geared towards travel on foot – there’s no padding on the back, and no hip straps. It is, however, a great option for almost any other mode of transport, with its stow-able shoulder straps and cabin-bag-compliant boxy shape. A wide range of pockets give you places to safely stash all your various bits and bobs – tech or otherwise – while the rugged, weatherproof material means everything stays protected, whatever the weather.
Jack Wolfskin Expedition Pack 42: Price Comparison
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