Finding a single backpack that truly works for both travel and daily life usually comes with trade-offs. Travel backpacks are often too big and heavy for everyday commuting, while regular everyday bags don’t have enough space when you need to pack for a weekend trip. And most “do-it-all” backpacks end up not doing either job particularly well.
The issue isn’t the idea itself. A bag that shifts from a compact daily carry to a full travel pack is genuinely useful, it just needs to be intentionally designed for that full range, not just labeled as if it can handle it.
Key Takeaways
- A backpack that works for both travel and daily use should be expandable, not just oversized. The capacity should adapt to what you actually need each day.
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The 8000Kicks Nomad Backpack starts at 20L for everyday use and expands up to 45L for travel, using a roll-top system and hidden kangaroo pocket to add extra space.
- At just 1.4kg, it stays light enough for daily commuting while still being structured enough to handle fully packed travel days.
- It’s designed to fit under an airplane seat as a personal item, so it can travel with your carry-on without extra luggage fees.
- Made with almost 70% hemp, a PFC-free water-repellent coating, and durable YKK laminated zippers built for long-term use, explore the full sustainability story.
Why Most Bags Fail at Both Travel and Daily Use
A 30–40L bag that stays the same size all the time is usually too big for daily commuting and still not quite enough for anything longer than a short trip. The real issue is fixed volume. When you’re just carrying a laptop, water bottle, and gym clothes, you want something compact. But for a few days away, you need a lot more space, just not an entirely different backpack.
The real solution is expandability: a backpack that stays compact for everyday use but can open up into travel capacity without losing its structure or comfort. That’s actually difficult to design well, which is why many expandable bags either feel awkward when expanded, collapse when compressed, or sacrifice organization in one mode.
How the Nomad Backpack Solves This
The 8000Kicks Nomad Backpack is designed as a true 2-in-1 bag: a 20L work backpack for your 15-inch laptop and daily essentials during the week, and a 45L weatherproof travel backpack for weekend trips. That’s exactly how its expandability works in practice.
It starts at 20L when fully compressed, a comfortable everyday size for your laptop, essentials, and a few extras. From there, a roll-top adds 10L of space, and a hidden kangaroo pocket adds another 10L, bringing it to 40L. An optional attachable front shoulder bag (sold separately) adds a final 5L, reaching a full 45L. Each step is intentional, keeping the bag structured and easy to use in every mode.
A full 360-degree main zipper gives quick access to everything inside, making daily use simple and efficient. When traveling, it also means you don’t have to constantly unpack or dig through your bag to find what you need. Browse the full range of sustainable backpacks to see every option.
Built for the Airport as Much as the Office
The Nomad Backpack is designed to fit exactly as a personal item under an airplane seat, meaning it can travel with your carry-on without extra luggage fees on most airlines. For a travel-focused backpack, that’s a key practical advantage because a bag that adds extra costs every trip isn’t really built for travel.
It’s also built for long-term use, with durable hardware made for frequent travel. The main zipper is a laminated YKK zipper, widely used in high-end outdoor and travel gear, while the hooks are made from high-grade aluminum to maintain strength, color, and shape over time. The idea behind the Nomad is to be a long-term travel companion, and the materials support that claim.
At 1.4kg, it stays light enough for everyday carry without feeling heavy, while still being structured enough for longer trips. With an ergonomic back panel, padded straps, chest belt, and hip belt support, it’s designed to stay comfortable even when fully loaded.
The Material That Makes It Different
The Nomad Backpack is made from almost 70% hemp. Hemp has been used since around 8000 BC, which is also where 8000Kicks gets its name, especially in applications that required strength and resistance to the elements. It was commonly used in ship sails, maritime ropes, and other heavy-duty textiles because it performs well under long-term use and exposure to moisture.
For a backpack, those properties matter. Hemp is naturally durable, anti-bacterial, and water-resistant, making it a strong base material for both everyday and travel use. On top of that, the Nomad includes a proprietary PFC-free coating that helps repel stains, liquids, and dust, making it easier to clean and better at protecting what’s inside.
The rest of the build uses recycled polyester lining, high-grade aluminum hardware, and laminated YKK zippers. It also ships in recycled cardboard packaging, and the entire bag is 100% vegan. The full sustainability breakdown explains the brand's approach to materials and production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Nomad Backpack fit as a personal item on flights?
Yes. It’s designed to fit under an airplane seat as a personal item, so it can travel alongside a carry-on without extra luggage fees on most airlines.
What is the capacity for daily vs travel use?
It starts at 20L when fully compressed, ideal for everyday carry. The roll-top adds 10L, and the hidden kangaroo pocket adds another 10L, bringing it to 35L. An optional attachable front shoulder bag (sold separately) adds 5L, reaching a total of 45L when fully expanded. It fits a 16-inch laptop in all modes.
Is it water-repellent enough for travel?
Yes. The hemp fabric is treated with a PFC-free coating that repels liquids, stains, and dust. It isn’t fully waterproof for submersion, but it handles rain and daily use well. For care, hand washing with warm water and soap is recommended instead of machine washing to preserve the coating. See the FAQ page for care guidance.
Is the Nomad 100% hemp?
Not fully, it’s made from almost 70% hemp. The rest of the components (buckles, straps, zippers, lining, and logo patch) use materials chosen for durability and function. The bag is 100% vegan, and it comes packaged in recycled cardboard.
One Bag, Two Lives
The best travel and daily bag is one you never need to switch out. It sits on your desk on a Monday as a compact everyday backpack, then expands on a Friday to carry everything you need for a weekend away. It fits under the seat in front of you on every flight, keeping travel simple and avoiding extra luggage fees.
And it’s made from a material with a long history. Hemp, one of the oldest natural fibers used by humans long before most synthetic materials existed.
The Nomad Backpack by 8000Kicks is designed to be exactly that kind of all-in-one bag. Explore the full backpack collection.