The tomtoc Navigator T66 LiteWay Travel Backpack (40L) is lightweight, well-organized, and very durable. It survived a 7 day trip through the mountains of the Balkins. In the video below I break down exactly what worked and what did not.
Video Review [Your YouTube video embed] View More Videos & Subscribe
Tomtoc BackPack- https://amzn.to/4oWSp4v
Technical Details
Carry-on Compliance: The 40L bag will fit most major airlines, but you could have issues with budget carriers.
Capacity: 40L
Weight: 2.36 lb (1.07 kg) – This is LIGHT for a travel bag.
Dimensions: 20.47 in x 12.99 in x 9 in (52 x 33 x 23 cm)
Notable Materials: Ripstop Polyester (recycled from PET bottles), YKK Zippers, 3D Padded Back Panel
Manufacturing Country: China
Warranty Information: 1 year standard warranty, extendable to 2 years with product registration at tomtoc.com. 30-day return policy.
Full Review
We’ve tested over 100 travel backpacks over the years, and they typically fall into two categories: the overbuilt ones that feel like you’re hauling bricks, and the ultralight ones that barely survive a weekend trip. The tomtoc Navigator T66 LiteWay attempts to split the difference at just over 2 pounds while still offering 40L of capacity and claiming it’s made from recycled materials.
There is no hip belt, the organization on this bag is simple yet effective. You have your main pocket and two external pockets. Not fancy, but does the job!
External Components
The tomtoc Navigator T66 LiteWay is made from ripstop polyester that tomtoc says comes from recycled PET plastic bottles. At 2.36 pounds (1.07 kg), it’s noticeably lighter than most 40L travel backpacks we’ve handled. tomtoc markets this as suitable for 3-5 day trips with IATA carry-on approved dimensions. I took it on a 9 day trip that included a 5 day hike. It held up well and packed out nicely!
Look and Feel
I enjoy the ripstop nylon. It is rugged and durable. It is not going to win an award for style, but that does not bother me. We tested the green color way. The backpack comes in three colors: Black, Gray, and Dark Green.
The main compartment
The bag opens clamshell-style via a zipper that runs around three sides, meaning it lays flat like a suitcase when fully opened. This was useful!
One feature tomtoc highlights is the front compression straps that can tighten the bag’s profile for airline restrictions. This was nice, but they do cover the zippers. So you need to have them unbuckled to get into the bag.
Carry System
The shoulder straps are made of a closed cell foam. They are good not great. They feel comfortable for the first 10,000 steps of the day, but if you are taking this bag on longer hikes or walking all day it will not be your best option.
Back Panal- tomtoc calls it “3D padded” – what does that actually mean in practice? There is light padding on the bag of the bag. It does help keep the bag off your spine and adds comfort.
