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Wole Femi Asaolu
- Updated: March 21, 2023
- 4 Comments
NOMATIC, as you may or may not know, is a Utah-based brand that makes innovative, durable, and feature-rich backpacks. But the simple question we ask is this: are Nomatic backpacks worth the price?
Since they claim to make “the most functional travel gear ever”, this article analyses the pros, and cons, as well as all the bells and whistles of their backpacks to see if they are worth the high price tag.
Read on to learn about the many perks of having Nomatic backpacks, as well as some of the reasons you may consider opting for a different brand like AER, Tortuga, or Osprey.
Table of Contents
Yes, Nomatic backpacks are worth the price because you are getting your money’s worth in terms of quality, and the many features that come with their backpacks. These backpacks are functional for daily use and urban travel, even as they are innovative.
Nomatic backpacks are designed with plenty of compartments and pockets to keep everything organized and are made from high-quality materials that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
It also helps that Nomatic backpacks are sleek and modern in design.
What’s more?
They are great for transporting your tech, offer a versatile carry option, and come with a lifetime warranty to ensure your investment will last.
However, all that comes at a price – Nomatic backpacks are not cheap.
Read on to find out more!
Nomatic offers a range of backpacks that are extremely functional and versatile for both daily use and urban travel.
They’re made with high-quality materials and feature many cleverly designed compartments and pockets that make it easy to stay organized on the go.
Plus, they’re comfortable to wear thanks to their padded shoulder straps and sternum and come with a host of handy features that’ll make life easy on the go.
Best of all?
Most of these backpacks are carry-on approved and also make for a great everyday backpack.
Whether you’re headed to the office or exploring a new city, a Nomatic pack will help you get where you need to go in style.
Related: Backpacks brands for travel
Nomatic backpacks are some of the most innovative, and features packed on the market.
I think the coolest thing is that each backpack comes with 20+ different features and is also built to meet the specs for carry-on luggage requirements of most airlines.
Some of the standout features include:
- Durable and water-resistant: A water-resistant exterior made from durable tarpaulin fabric that you expect will hold up well for a long time.
- Cord pass-throughs: They have also included cord pass-through holes between all compartments to allow you to charge seamlessly on the move.
- Comfortable to wear: There are padded, adjustable shoulder straps, padded back panel (not breathable though), and sternum strap, making it good to carry a relatively heavy load.
- Retractable key leash: a handy feature so you can easily keep your keys safe and accessible.
- Roller bag sleeve – the packs have a luggage strap in the back that allows you to attach it to roller luggage.
- Stow-Away strap system: on Nomatic travel packs, both the shoulder and waist straps can be stowedbehind the back panel so you can carry the bag as a briefcase without dangling straps.
- So many pockets: If you love organization, you’ll love this bag – whatever you’re carrying (within reason!), there’s a spot for it.
3. Nomatic backpacks are spacious and designed for hassle-free organization
With any Nomatic backpack, you can be sure that there is enough space and lots of pockets for hassle-free organization of all your stuff.
They feature a ridiculous number of cleverly designed compartments and pockets throughout the pack, which makes it easy to organize everything you need while on the go.
From protective laptop compartment to magnetic water bottle pockets and hidden pockets, you may even need a tutorial video for all the organization a typical Nomatic pack has.
All in all, Nomatic backpacks are highly organized with so many pockets and compartments.
4. They are durable, weatherproof, and of high quality
Nomatic is a backpack company that produces high-quality, durable backpacks.
Their products are made with tough tarpaulin fabric and feature a water-resistant exterior that can withstand the elements, as well as reinforced stitching for added strength.
Plus, all of their products come with a lifetime warranty – so you can rest assured knowing that your backpack will last for years to come.
However, there are a few things to consider.
First, Nomatic backpacks are not entirely waterproof and are not ideal for tough hikes or expeditions.
You should also note that while tarpaulin is sturdy, it’s quite sensitive and so accumulate scratches and marks over time that do not fade away or disappear.
Overall, though, their backpacks are perfect for anyone who wants a dependable, well-made bag for everyday use and travel.
5. Nomatic backpacks are available in different sizes depending on what you need
Nomatic backpacks come in different sizes depending on what you need.
Some backpacks from Nomatic include:
- The Backpack
- Navigator Backpack 15L
- The Travel Pack
- Travel Bag 30L
- Travel Bag 40L
- Navigator Travel Backpack 32L
The small-sized backpacks (the first three) are great for everyday carry and/or occasional travel. They are perfect for carrying around your daily essentials, and if you’re ever in need of some extra space, the expandable pockets come in handy.
The bigger-sized bags (last three) are better suited for longer-termed travel like long-haul flights or road trips. They can fit more items and also keep all your items secure and organized.
The first thing that stands out about Nomatic bags is the sleek, modern design that fits anywhere in the urban setting.
They have a much more polished look than other backpacks on the market and come in only one color- black.
Plus, the black color is better suited for a more professional look and perfect for hiding any dirt or grime that you might accumulate over time.
And everything is very streamlined and efficient.
You can tell that they have thought through every aspect of the design.
Using a Nomatic backpack will make you feel more stylish and put together than other traditional backpacks.
9. They offer a versatile carry option
The strap design in most Nomatic travel packs allows you to switch between backpack & briefcase or duffle mode, which is convenient if you need to carry it on your back or in your hand for a more professional look.
Plus, the bags are self-standing!
Nomatic Backpacks come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
This means that if your bag develops any issues related to craftsmanship or materials, Nomatic will happily repair or replace it for you free of charge.
All in all, it’s a great warranty that provides peace of mind for anyone who decides to invest in a Nomatic backpack.
Drawbacks of the Nomatic backpacks
Aside from the confusing names that Nomatic bags tend to have (the Travel Pack, Bag, and Backpack are different? HELP!), there are still a few drawbacks you should know about:
1. Nomatic backpacks are expensive
The high price tag of these bags sure begs the question, are Nomatic backpacks worth it?
Nomatic backpacks are of excellent quality, but they’re also very expensive.
If you’re not careful, you can easily spend more than $200 on one of these bags.
That’s a lot of money for a backpack!
However, the features and durability of Nomatic backpacks make them worth the investment for many people. Just be sure that you need all the bells and whistles before you decide to splurge.
2. The backpacks may seem over-engineered with distracting features
Nomatic backpacks are designed with a lot of features and functions, which can be seen as both a pro and cons.
On the one hand, all of those features could make them more versatile and useful; on the other hand, they might be seen as being over-designed or distracting.
For instance, if you use all the pockets in the bag, you may have a hard time locating specific items on time.
Also, lots of similar zippers on a bag can be confusing, and the overall design may be too busy for some people’s taste.
Additionally, because there are many features, they are quite heavy, and there is always the possibility that a feature will malfunction or not work as intended.
So overall, Nomatic backpacks have pros and cons just like any other type of backpack.
3. They are limited backpack options and are only available in black or grey
If you’re looking for a backpack with more color options or variety, Nomatic isn’t the best brand for you.
Most of their backpacks are black, and they don’t have as many style options as some of the other brands on the market.
so if that’s not your style, or you want a wider range for hiking or travel, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
However, if you’re looking for a sleek, minimalist backpack that’s still high-quality, Nomatic is a great option.
4. Some pockets in the backpacks are too tight and useless
I will say that organization-wise, Nomatic backpacks have a lot going on.
It’s got pockets for virtually everything- your laptop, documents, water bottle, pens and pencils, and even small items like keys!
However, it can be difficult to use all of the internal organization in Nomatic bags, and some pockets do get tight when the main compartment is stuffed full.
But with a little creativity and experimenting, you can make full use of all the pockets in your Nomatic backpacks and keep everything tidy!
Other Backpack Brand Alternatives
There are other backpack brands out there that can be compared to Nomatic backpacks in terms of innovation, design, durability, and other features.
Let’s take a look at these three;
AER
AER is quite similar to Nomatic in the sense that they both make durable, sleek, and minimalistic backpacks with clever features.
Plus, they were both founded in 2014.
In terms of how the AER Flight Pack differs from the Nomatic, I guess the most apparent difference is the type of products they have.
Their product lineups include not just travel backpacks, but also gym packs, duffel, totes, and briefcases made for the urban setting.
Also, AER offers more color options -gray, olive, and of course, black- unlike Nomatic which has only black offerings.
Additionally, AER bags are relatively cheaper than Nomatic.
This San Francisco-based brand makes functional and sleek bags that cater to the need of a modern traveler.
Related: Best backpack brands for work
Tortuga
Tortuga is an American brand that produces travel-friendly backpacks for modern travelers and digital nomads.
They are renowned for making carry-on backpacks that have the capacity of a suitcase, but with a lightweight build and an ergonomic weight distribution that makes the load easier to carry all day.
Even better, Tortuga backpacks are carry-on sized to fit most airline requirements so you won’t need to check your luggage.
Plus, they are made from waterproof material and have lots of smart organizational components for your tech, padded straps, removable hip belts, lockable YKK zippers, and many more features you’ll be thankful for.
Nomatic however has more backpacks options and tends to be smaller or sleeker than Tortuga backpacks.
Related: Best carry-on travel backpacks
Osprey
A major difference between Osprey and Nomatic is their rich heritage.
The name, Osprey is a guarantee for durability and performance and has been producing high-quality backpacks since 1974.
That is over 47 years’ worth of experience in designing modern backpacks with today’s standards.
In terms of durability, Osprey is the clear winner.
Osprey backpacks are some of the most durable and well-rated bags in the market with raving reviews from customers praising its years of hard service.
Also, this brand has more variety in its offerings than Nomatic.
They come in different sizes, colors, and styles that will suit your needs, whether you’re hiking, snowboarding, running or you just need a bag to carry your laptop or books.
Related: Is Osprey a good backpack brand?
Final Thoughts – Are Nomatic backpacks worth the price?
So, are Nomatic backpacks worth the price?
Even though they are a bit more expensive than some other brands, I think they are worth it because you are getting your money’s worth in terms of quality and design.
Their backpacks are designed with calculated efficiency in mind, so everything has a place and there’s a spot for every little thing.
And they’re built to last, so you know your investment will pay off in the long run.
4 thoughts on “Are Nomatic Backpacks Worth the price? Pros & Cons of Nomatic Backpacks”
It is my first time hearing of nomadic bags and I can say that they are very interesting.
I think I will have to look into them since you said they are generally water proof and durable.
I generally need such bags because I usually travel rainy places.
Hi Femi,
Thank you for such an in-depth review of the Nordic backpacks. I use a back pack occasionally, and i am due for a replacement. I think that I like the color assortment i the Osprey. And I would be using it mainly outdoors. I was wondering, is the Osprey water resistant or is it possibly waterproof? Thank you again Femi, I will bookmark this page for future use.
Hi Femi,
Thank you for sharing this article.
I agree with you that these Nomatic backpacks could be worth the expensive price. They look solid and look like they will last for a long time. Unlike regular backpacks or laptop bags that seem to fall apart pretty quick.
I will let you know if invest in one of these bags and how I am getting on with it.
Keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
Hi Femi,
Thanks for showing us Nomatic backpacks. I think they look nice and are suitable for daily use and travel. The first thing I love is they have many pockets to store all my stuff, which helps me find items when I need them. The 2nd is a water-proof material, so I don’t need to worry on rainy days. The last is the lifetime warranty, which makes me more confident in trying their backpacks for many years. Although the prices are higher, it’s still worth it.
Matt