Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 review: this everyday bag is pricey but almost perfect

Can a backpack ever be worth almost £250? That’s the question I’m mulling over having spent a couple of weeks with the Apex Backpack 3.0 by Troubadour. There’s no denying it’s a high quality bag that is as comfortable and practical as it is stylish. It also feels well made, looks smart and boasts a wide range of pockets for holding just about everything you’d want to carry on your daily commute, or for a weekend away.

The materials (waterproof recycled polyester and vegan leather) feel great, the straps are comfortable, and there are lots of clever details – like a handy pocket in the left-hand shoulder strap, and how the bag’s inherent stiffness helps it stand up when placed on the floor of a train, a platform or an airport departure lounge.

Clearly, the Apex Backpack 3.0 has a lot going for it. But is it really worth £245? Read on to find out.

Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 review: Price and availability

Available now, the Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 is priced at £245 and is available to buy at Troubadour. It's offered in three colour options of black, navy and a lighter shade of blue called Air Force. A smaller version called the Apex Compact is also available, along with Troubadour accessories like a chest strap and a rain cover. The bag comes with a five-year warranty.

Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 review: Design and features

If you need a backpack with sophistication, this is it. You won’t spot this bag in a school classroom or university lecture hall. Instead, it’s a bag that means business; a bag that’ll look the part on your morning commute, by the side of your desk, or above the seats at the pointy end of a transatlantic flight. It’s probably not the bag you’ll take on a hike or a camping trip, but it’ll serve you perfectly if you’d rather have a backpack instead of a satchel or briefcase.

The first thing you’ll notice is how stiff this bag is. It doesn’t flop about or fall over when laid down, as most backpacks do. This might not seem like a big deal, but commuters and frequent flyers will appreciate how the bag stands up when put down, either between your legs while standing on a train, or at your side in the departures lounge. This stiffness also helps the bag keep its shape while worn, no matter whether it’s full or empty.

There’s a small zipped pocket on the outside with a soft, microfibre lining that’s perfect for storing your phone, sunglasses, earphones and other everyday-carry items. There’s also a clip on a four-inch tether in there for attaching your keys, and a tiny pocket made specifically for an Apple AirTag (or other Bluetooth tracker). I like the idea of hiding a tracker discreetly in a bag, so I disagree with Troubadour’s decision to clearly label this as an AirTag pocket, but it’s a small criticism. 

Troubadour has fitted an external bottle pocket on either side. These are elasticated and expandable, so fit pretty much any water bottle size and hold onto them tightly. Being elasticated, they close fully and sit tightly against the bag when empty, maintaining its streamlined look.

There’s one more external pocket, cleverly fitted to the left-hand shoulder strap. This zipped compartment is remarkably discreet when empty and doesn’t affect how the bag feels on your shoulder, but when you slot a phone in there you’ll see how the pocket expands to double the width of the strap. It’s a neat trick and means even a large phone like an iPhone Pro Max fits just fine.

That said, the feeling of a phone pressed against your chest is a bit strange, so I can see some buyers disregarding this pocket. I personally think it’s a great addition and is perfect for storing your phone, wallet, keys or passport in easy reach. It's ideal for when you're travelling through an airport and want convenient access to all your essentials.

The shoulder straps are super comfortable, nicely padded, and I like how their adjustable straps are tethered to stop them dangling down when tightened. It’s a thoughtful design choice that keeps the bag looking neat.

The look, shape and feel of the straps makes you feel like you’re strapping into a life jacket or a parachute instead of merely slipping on a backpack. But once you get used to the serious aesthetic, they are perfectly comfortable.

Lastly, there’s a slot on the back for attaching the bag to the handle of a suitcase, and the main compartment closes with two waterproof zips that can be locked together (with your own padlock, since one isn’t included). I wish these zips would open all the way to the bottom of the bag, but I appreciate how the design of the bottle pockets makes that impossible.

The rear of the bag has a zipped laptop compartment with a pocket for machines up to 17 inches, then a smaller pocket for a tablet or eBook reader, and extra space for items like magazines and newspapers.

The main compartment has a half-height zipped pocket at the rear, with two open pockets on the front for books and notepads, or a Kindle perhaps, and an extra pocket that is the perfect size for a phone or passport. Next to that there’s a slot for a pen or stylus.

Finally, on the opposite side of the interior there’s a zipped pocket that’s transparent and stretchable, so could be handy for storing cables.

Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 review: Performance

I was at first slightly intimidated by the Apex Backpack 3.0. The black colour scheme, bulkiness, and serious demeanor of the bag made it seem a bit too corporate for my usual taste. However, this reservation was soon forgotten when I filled it up with a laptop, Kindle and a few other everyday items, and headed out.

It’s very comfortable, even when loaded up with a fair bit of weight, and feels incredibly well-made. Even the rubberised handle on top feels over-engineered, but in a good way; as if it could carry an enormous amount of weight every day without breaking a sweat, or even becoming uncomfortable.

Speaking of sweat, the three large, padded sections on the rear keep the bag comfortable against your back, while their height creates channels for ventilation to prevent you getting too hot.

All decent backpacks can swallow a laptop, tablet and Kindle, plus a phone, passport, headphones, cables, keys and all the usual stuff we carry in bags. But what impressed me is how much space there is in the main compartment, away from all the dedicated pockets. It really is cavernous in there, the 25-litre capacity making loads of space for clothes, shoes and your wash bag. While we’re talking spec, the bag is 48 cm tall, 32 cm wide and 15 cm deep, and weighs 1kg. The laptop pocket has a footprint of 40 x 29 cm.

If that all makes the bag seem too large for your needs, Troubadour also sells the Apex Compact, which looks the same and has an identical pocket layout, but measures 41 x 29 x 14 cm, has a capacity of 16.5 litres and is designed for laptops up to 16 inches.

Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 review: Verdict

This is a fantastic backpack. It might not feel at home being dragged around a music festival, but it’ll certainly add a dose of style to your office commute. It’s a serious, business-like bag that is smartly designed and feels incredibly well made. From the materials and zips, to the straps and the locations of each and every pocket, there’s a sense that thought and effort has been poured into this backpack.

I especially like the shoulder straps. At first they look and feel awkward, but after just a few minutes of wearing you realise they are the perfect shape and make carrying the bag effortless. The clever pocket on the left-hand strap won’t be for everyone, but I like how it provides easy access to travel essentials. I'm also a fan of how well the bag keeps its shape, regardless of whether it's empty, full, on your back or sat on the ground.

Returning to my original question – can a backpack ever truly be worth almost £250? – the answer in this case is yes, but only if you demand the very best and are sure you’ll get the most out of it. It's a serious bag, but it's seriously impressive, too.