The Bellroy Melbourne Backpack is a sleek, minimalist bag designed for urban professionals who appreciate a streamlined, elegant carry solution. It’s made to complement your everyday commute, with an emphasis on style, functionality, and a touch of luxury. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Melbourne Backpack, exploring its design, comfort, organization, and overall usability.
Design and Build Quality
One of the first things you’ll notice about the Bellroy Melbourne Backpack is its ultra-clean design. This bag has a refined aesthetic that effortlessly transitions between a professional work setting and casual environments. Its slim profile and sophisticated styling make it an ideal choice for those who want a versatile bag that doesn’t scream “backpack.” Available in understated colors like black, navy, and limestone, it fits seamlessly into a variety of wardrobes.
Bellroy has used durable, eco-friendly materials in the construction of this bag. The outer fabric is a water-resistant woven material made from recycled plastic bottles, staying true to Bellroy’s commitment to sustainability. Despite being lightweight, the fabric feels robust and capable of withstanding daily wear and tear. Leather accents on the zipper pulls and grab handle add a hint of luxury, enhancing the bag’s overall sophisticated appearance. The zippers are high-quality YKK, known for their smooth operation and durability, and the magnetic Fidlock clasp on the front adds a subtle, modern touch to the bag’s design.
Comfort and Carry
Carrying the Melbourne Backpack is a pleasant experience, thanks to its lightweight build and ergonomic design. The shoulder straps are well-padded with a soft, contoured shape that distributes weight evenly, making it comfortable to carry even when packed with your daily essentials. The straps also have a breathable mesh on the underside, which helps prevent excess sweating during long commutes or warm weather.
The back panel is padded with a slim layer of foam, providing some cushioning against your back. It’s not as heavily padded as some backpacks designed for hiking or carrying heavy loads, but it’s sufficient for everyday commuting. The top grab handle is reinforced and padded with leather, offering an easy way to pick up the bag when you’re on the move. While the Melbourne Backpack does not have a sternum strap or hip belt, this isn’t much of a drawback given its compact size and the bag’s primary focus on urban use.
Organization and Accessibility
The Melbourne Backpack is designed with a minimalist approach to organization, prioritizing a clean interior layout over excessive compartments. The main compartment opens via a top zipper and features a clamshell-style design that allows the bag to open wide, giving you easy access to your belongings. Inside, you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 16” laptop, suspended slightly above the bottom of the bag to protect against drops. This sleeve is accompanied by a document slip pocket, perfect for holding papers, a tablet, or a notebook.
The interior also has a couple of small slip pockets to keep essentials like your phone, charger, or pens organized. The simplicity of the layout makes it easy to pack and retrieve items without having to dig through multiple compartments. While the Melbourne Backpack doesn’t have as many pockets as some more technical bags, the minimalist design helps maintain a sleek profile and prevents the bag from becoming bulky.
Externally, the backpack features a front pocket secured by a magnetic Fidlock clasp. This pocket is ideal for storing items you need quick access to, like your keys, sunglasses, or a wallet. One clever design element is that this front pocket’s magnet closure is subtle and doesn’t detract from the bag’s streamlined look. However, there’s no dedicated water bottle pocket on the exterior, which might be a downside for some users. You could fit a small bottle inside the main compartment, but it may limit the available space for other items.
Performance and Versatility
The Melbourne Backpack is designed for everyday urban life, and it performs exceptionally well in that context. Its slim silhouette makes it perfect for navigating crowded trains or slipping under a café table without taking up much space. The water-resistant fabric also gives you peace of mind when caught in a light rain, keeping your valuables protected.
With its 18L capacity, this backpack strikes a balance between portability and storage. It’s large enough to hold your daily essentials, such as a laptop, charger, notebook, a light jacket, and a few personal items, without feeling bulky. However, if you’re looking for a bag that can handle gym gear, overnight clothes, or larger tech setups, you might find this size a bit limiting.
One of the standout features is its professional aesthetic. The Melbourne Backpack is sleek and understated, making it an excellent choice for office settings, business meetings, or more formal environments where a typical backpack might feel too casual.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek, minimalist design suitable for professional and casual use.
- Made with durable, eco-friendly, water-resistant materials.
- Lightweight and comfortable to carry, even when fully packed.
- Thoughtful internal organization, including a padded laptop sleeve.
- Magnetic Fidlock clasp on the front pocket for secure yet quick access.
- Smooth YKK zippers and leather accents for a touch of luxury.
Cons:
- Limited internal capacity; not suitable for carrying larger items.
- No dedicated water bottle pocket.
- Minimal padding on the back panel, which may affect comfort during extended use.
- Limited external pockets for organization.
Final Thoughts
The Bellroy Melbourne Backpack is a beautifully designed, compact bag that caters to the urban professional who values simplicity and elegance. Its minimalist aesthetic, combined with high-quality materials and refined details, makes it a stylish yet practical choice for commuting, work, or casual outings. The internal layout is thoughtfully designed for the essentials, with just enough pockets to keep your gear organized without overcomplicating the structure.
While the bag may not suit those needing extra storage or more robust external features, like water bottle pockets, its slim profile and refined styling are perfect for those looking for a bag that’s equally at home in an office or a café. If you’re after a minimalist, high-quality backpack that aligns with both professional and casual environments, the Bellroy Melbourne Backpack is definitely worth considering. Its balance of form and function makes it an excellent investment for daily use.