The Tortuga Outbreaker was released back in 2016 but to date is still considered one of the best carry-on backpacks in 2021. In this Tortuga Outbreaker Review I’ll dive into why it’s an overall well-balanced backpack best suited for backpacks, world travelers and other travelers in general.
TLDR; If you’re in the hurry here’s the pros and cons of the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack!
- Max Carry On Size
- Long Lasting
- Great internal organization
- 30-day return policy
- Bulky for a travel backpack
- Pricey (Tortuga Setout is a cheaper choice)
- USA shipping only (Nomatic Travel bag is a great alternative)
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Tortuga Outbreaker Review
What makes the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack so Special?
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The Outbreaker is Tortuga’s most popular bag and because it is perfectly designed for travelers especially those that travel for longer periods and basically live out of their backpack.
It is spacious, durable and comfortable with great attention to detail on the internal organization making it great for efficient packing and most travelers in general.
Tortuga Outbreaker Features
1. Maximum Carry-on Size
Many World travelers shy away from using a carry-on backpack because it almost always falls short when packing for a long backpacking trip.
However, the Outbreaker at 45L is the biggest possible carry-on. The internal compartments are quite spacious and should easily fit a ton from electronics to clothes.
Moreover, the Tortuga Outbreaker adheres to airline’s maximum carry-on size which means you can take it along with you on a flight without having to check it in!
2. Long Lasting Durability
Backpacks for travelers aren’t the same as the ones you use every day to university or work they need to be strong enough to withstand any weather and more importantly keep your contents safe no matter what and the Outbreaker does this perfectly. (more on this later)
3. Great Internal organization
The Tortuga Outbreaker for starters follows a unique front-loading suitcase unlike the conventional open from the top. This makes it easy to access your stuff like a suitcase!
The internal organization is optimized for packing efficiently with multiple pockets right from laptop and tablet sleeves to mesh pockets for other utilities.
4. Comfortable to Carry heavy payloads
Another major reason travelers don’t use carry-ons is that of the assumption that it’ll be insanely heavy to carry around on the back.
While this may be true for some cheap backpacks the Tortuga Outbreaker is designed with components like padded hip belts, beefy shoulder straps and back panel cushioning that work together to carry heavy payloads despite being at a capacity of 45L!
Drawbacks Of The Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack
1. Bulky as compared to other travel backpacks
The Tortuga being extremely durable and big to carry more than the normal carry-on is actually quite bulky and heavier in comparison to the general travel backpack.
At 5.1 lbs the bag itself is going to be a good chunk of your carry-on weight allowance especially with Asian airlines where the allowance is only 7-8 kg.
2. A Slightly Expensive price tag
The Outbreaker will set you back a whopping $299 but your luggage is definitely worth much more which makes it worth the investment.
Note: If this is over your budget I recommend the Tortuga Setout.
3. USA Shipping Only
The only way to buy a genuine Tortuga backpack is from their website and if you’re outside the USA, well forget about it.
Tortuga stopped accepting international (non-US) orders on December 31, 2018. They plan to re-launch in other regions when they can provide a localized experience with fast shipping and lower shipping and customs fees.
The Nomatic Travel bag is a great alternative and they ship worldwide (I shipped mine to Malaysia!)
Who is the Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack for?
In general, the Tortuga Outbreaker is great for anyone traveling for longer periods and carries more than the normal traveler, for instance, lots of tech or clothes.
It is also for like well-organized packing as with this one there’s a compartment and pocket for literally anything hence keeping the internal organization neat and tidy.
Lastly, if you’re looking to travel with the least hassle i.e on your back the Outbreak is designed to maximize comfort making it super easy to carry even when it’s packed to the brim at 45L!
Who is the Tortuga Outbreaker NOT suited for?
If you don’t pack a lot and need something for a trip of a short duration like less than 1 month then the Outbreaker is definitely not for you
Moreover, if you’re a smaller/shorter homo-sapien this backpack will be a little bit big for you. In these cases, I recommend going for a smaller backpack like the Tortuga Setout.
So is the Tortuga Outbreaker worth it?
The Outbreak is one of the best carry-on backpacks that’s built especially for the traveler so you want a backpack that will last you a long time and keep your valuables protected regardless of the weather then the Tortuga Outbreak is definitely worth the money.
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The story behind Tortuga
Tortuga co-founders Fred Perro and Jeremy Cohen were digital nomads themselves and realized there wasn’t a good backpack for the gear they were traveling with so they built Tortuga a backpack company that makes gear for those that travel and pack a lot in their backs (think tech).
Bottom line the founders of Tortuga experienced a problem firsthand and decided to fix it which how great companies usually start.
In short, Tortuga is a genuine and authentic backpack company built on the idea of location independence and people that want to live on their own terms aka the digital nomad community that travels with a bunch of gear and works on the go.
Tortuga Outbreaker vs Tortuga Setout
In my opinion, both the backpacks are good and bad in their own way but I am leaning more towards the Tortuga Outbreaker.
Firstly it’s made of more robust and durable materials so your contents will be much more secure than in the Setout and of course, the backpack will last longer!
Second, it’s TSA friendly so airport runs will be MUCH shorter as security will have easier access to all your contents without having to really open anything.
Finally, the organization in the Outbreaker is much better than in the Setout as there’s more pockets and compartments so everything will remain in place as opposed to the setout.
The only thing the Setout has on the Outbreaker is the side handles but then again it’s not really practical for a 45L backpack to be used as a messenger backpack.
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Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack Review
Tortuga Outbreak is an exceptional backpack for travelers who carry more than the general traveler (think tech, equipment etc) and want something secure and functional that compliments their digital nomad lifestyle.
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Tortuga Outbreaker Specifications
| Metric | 35 L | 45L |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.08 kg) | 5.1 lbs (2.31 kg) |
| Dimensions | 20.3″ x 12.9″ x 8.2” | 22″ x 14″ x 9” |
| Laptop | Up to 15” | Up to 17” |
| Fit | 16-19” Torsos | 16-20” torsos |
Make and Construction
The Tortuga won’t win any style points but it an extremely strong and durable material that won’t rip out when carrying around a ton of gear like most cheap backpacks.
The Tortuga Outbreaker is a combination of four layers of Vx21 an extremely strong material, in fact, it’s the same stuff that’s used to make boat sails! The material is a combination of waterproof nylon, ripstop polyester, and polyethylene.
Also, The back panel is made of Ariaprene which does not absorb back sweat or odor.
The Internal Organization
Tortuga having a whopping capacity of 45L can definitely fit a whole lot of stuff but what’s more important is the attention to detail Tortuga has paid to the internal organization to make sure there’s a specific place for all of your gear and nothing is floating around.
The Main Compartment
The Tortuga Outbreaker has a MASSIVE main compartment with a capacity to carry a ton of clothes if you’re a world traveler this is great as it means less laundry!
However, it’s not just huge it’s functional as well as Tortuga uses a unique clamshell opening that basically means you can open your backpack like a suitcase!
This is much more convenient than opening from the top especially in a 45L backpack as more stuff than a daypack making it difficult to access and actually find what you’re looking for.
Inside the main compartment, you have six smaller compartments with the first four smaller compartments enclosed on one side of the main compartment this is for toiletries and other essentials.
On the other side are 2 huge mesh pockets but don’t expect to store anything too bulky as it’s mainly for flat items or wires and some electronics
Secondary Compartment: (aka digital nomad compartment)
The secondary compartment is great for storing (and segregating) all your tech. Moreover, the mesh pockets make it easy to find which pocket has what which is something I appreciate the most.
The other side is for a laptop (up to 17″ for 45L and 15″ for the 35L) however you can also store important paperwork and documents as these are well-protected sleeves. There’s also a tablet sleeve just in case you travel with a backpack.
Third Compartment (YES! Another compartment)
This is Outbreakers smallest compartment and doesn’t have a lot of space but is perhaps the most important compartment as it’s designed to hold flat ID’s and documents like Passports, identity cards, pens etc.
External Components
The external components have a direct effect on the experience you’ll have with the backpack as they include components that worth together to make it easier to carry the backpack on your shoulder.
Suspension system:
While this system isn’t as intricate as the ones in the Ospreys it really doesn’t have to be as it’s not meant for hiking through the Himalayas (just through the airports, train stations etc) which the suspension is already optimized the best for!
Adjustable Hip Belt:
Outbreaks Hipbelt is another external component that makes it significantly easier to carry around. It’s super adjustable with two pockets one on each side and is definitely something you will be using a lot whilst lugging around a 45L beast on your back.
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Final Thoughts on the Tortuga Outbreaker Review
The truth is rolling suitcases aren’t suitable for city travels and hiking backpacks don’t have a messy organization.
The Tortuga, on the other hand, is a combination of good ergonomics and portability with the obsessive organization making it easier for a world traveler to traveler hassle-free packing a whole bunch of stuff.
If that sounds like you then the Tortuga Outbreaker is going to be just right for your travel lifestyle!
Sure it’s a little bit on the expensive end but nothing that is good is really cheap and moreover, I’m sure the contents in your backpack are much more valuable.
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Thank you for reading through the end of my Tortuga Outbreaker review if you have any queries do leave a comment below.
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