Bottom Line
The Matador GlobeRider45 is a durable and weather-resistant travel pack designed for travelers seeking a balance of rugged performance and efficient organization. With a 45-liter capacity, it’s built to accommodate extended trips while remaining compact enough for most airlines’ carry-on requirements. Its rugged materials, including water-resistant nylon and sealed zippers, make it an excellent choice for those heading into wet environments. Its burly design combined with excellent organization make it one of our top travel backpacks.
We like several of the GlobeRider45’s features, such as its full clamshell opening, zippered pockets on the underside of the lid, and dedicated laptop compartment, which fits devices up to 16 inches. However, with its highly robust materials, the GloberRider45 is one of the heaviest backpacks in our lineup. Its heft means more durability, but may not be the best fit for those looking for an ultralight option. We also preferred to use the bag as a backpack only – the process to transform the bag into a duffle felt finicky and cumbersome. As a backpack, it is one of the most comfortable and capable backs in our lineup – one we plan to use on many more travel adventures to come.
How We Tested
Every travel backpack tested got put through a standardized packing test where we investigated the organization of the bag by packing it with everything we needed for a five-day trip. We carried the bag up and down stairs, through airports, and on trails to test its durability, comfort, and performance across multiple months of use.
Quick Specs
Matador GlobeRider 45
Highly protective and organized backpack
CleverHiker Rating: 4.7
Price: $350
Volume: 45 L
Weight: 4 lb. 8 oz.
Dimensions: 22 x 12.8 x 11 in.
Pros
- Comfortably carries heavy loads
- Large volume
- Excellent durability
- Good organization
- Versatile
- Laptop compartment
Cons
- Expensive
- Tricky conversion to duffle
Organization & Storage
The Matador GlobeRider45 has excellent organization and storage, thanks to its well-designed layout. Its clamshell-style main compartment allows for easy access, making packing and unpacking straightforward. Inside, the light fabric lining makes finding items easy, and two zippered pockets on the underside of the lid help with organization. Internal compression straps keep gear secure and neatly arranged. A dedicated laptop compartment, capable of holding devices up to 16 inches, provides added protection and convenient access from a zipper at the top of the pack.
On the outside of the pack, a single water bottle holder and a stretch mesh stuff pocket are great for stowing quick-access materials. An external zippered pocket can store essentials like glasses, charges, and a wallet. Though not as segmented and partitioned as other packs we tested, we found the large open main compartment appealing. It made it easy to fill for more gear-intensive trips while remaining organized and sorted.
Features
With six handles scattered around the bag, the GlobeRider45 has the most handles on any bag we reviewed. This makes hauling it in and out of a trunk or overhead compartment easy as there is always a handle available – no matter which direction it is facing. The sealed zippers provide excellent water resistance, and the 420 denier reinforced nylon comes with polyurethane waterproofing to enhance its wet weather performance. With a myriad of pockets both inside and out, we love the variety of places to store different-sized items. There is even a secret wallet/passport pocket under the back panel.
Like many travel backpacks, the GlobeRider45 can convert into a duffel. However, this is one of the more finicky and challenging conversions of any backpack we tested. It requires unzipping two sides of the back panel, hooking the waist belt to the shoulder straps, shoving them behind the back panel, and then zipping back over them. The zipping back over them was particularly challenging and left the waistbelt half exposed to being snagged on a conveyor belt in transit. We felt that this could use some more refining to make it both more user-friendly and streamlined.
Comfort & Fit
When loading this backpack with a week’s worth of gear and clothes, the GlobeRider45 easily felt like it could handle more weight. It is extremely comfortable to carry when loaded thanks to wide, padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt. Load adjusters on the shoulder and large compression straps on the outer pack help us carry weight close to our body. Wearing the GlobeRider45 felt more like wearing a backpacking bag than one meant for travel. It is a great companion for carrying your gear for long hauls. The frame of the GlobeRider45 runs on the large side, so it may fit larger torsos better than those with smaller frames.
Durability & Protection
We love the GlobeRider45 for its extreme durability and protection. The 420-denier reinforced ripstop nylon is thick and rugged. It comes with a polyurethane coating to further enhance its weather resistance. Even on the inside, the 100-denier nylon is thicker than others tested. The laptop compartment is accessed through a top zipper which is a unique feature as most other bags opt for a side zip. However, we found that this provides excellent protection on all sides for fragile electronics. We didn’t hesitate to toss the GlobeRider45 into truck beds or drag it off luggage carousels as it is thick and sturdy. This durability means that it is heavy and, as such, may not be the best bag for those looking for an ultralight option.
Should You Buy The Matador GlobeRider45?
The Matador GlobeRider45 is a premium piece of travel gear made with premium materials. It is perfect for anyone looking for a heavy-duty and extremely durable bag for rugged use. However, this means the bag comes at a high price point and may not be the best fit for entry-level travelers or those on a tight budget. This pack will be perfect for anyone who needs to carry heavy loads for long distances comfortably as it has one of the most supportive frame systems of any pack we tested. Equally at home on the trails as it is on the jetway, the GlobeRider45 is a well-built and versatile pack perfect for the one-bag adventurer and weekender alike.
What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?
Check out our full gear guide to see all of our favorite travel backpacks.
Cotopaxi Allpa Review: A slightly smaller option than the GlobeRider45, the Allpa has many of the same features in a lighter platform.
Osprey Sojourn Porter Review: Also boasting impressive durability, the Sojourn Porter earns top marks for durability and comfort on long carries.
Osprey Farpoint 40 Review: If you’re in the market for a slightly smaller and lighter pack that still can carry heavy loads, the Farpoint 40 is an excellent choice.
