The Tortuga Setout packable daypack was a lightweight, foldable backpack from the travel-bag brand Tortuga, designed to live in a suitcase and come out for sightseeing days. According to the sources I found, it has been discontinued, and Tortuga now sells a newer Packable Backpack as its successor. If you are looking at one second-hand or on a sale page, here is what reviewers said.
I have not tested this bag myself, so everything below comes from published reviews and Tortuga’s own comparison page. Specs and prices change, so check Tortuga’s website for current products.
What the Tortuga Setout packable daypack is
This is a second bag, not your main luggage. It packs down small, so you stash it in your carry-on and unfold it at your destination for day trips, museum visits or a market run. Pack Hacker describes the exterior as slick black 30D nylon ripstop with YKK zippers, and Tortuga lists dimensions of about 17.5 by 11.5 by 5 inches. One reviewer reported paying around 39 US dollars, but I cannot confirm what it sells for now.
Gearweare says it behaves surprisingly like a proper backpack and is durable for its weight. The design was meant for people who want something lighter than a regular daypack and smaller than their main bag, with enough pockets and straps to carry a camera, water bottle and layers.
What reviewers liked and didn’t
- Light and compressible: The key selling point. It disappears into a corner of your packing.
- Durable fabric: Ripstop nylon and good zippers are mentioned across the reviews.
- Comfortable enough: For a day of walking, with a light load.
- The weak spot: Tortuga acknowledged that the bottom of the bag could tear if dragged across rough surfaces. That was the main complaint and the reason the newer model was redesigned.
- Scores: One site gives it about 4 out of 5; another rates it slightly lower. Treat the numbers as rough.
Is the Tortuga Setout packable daypack still worth buying?
If you find one cheaply, it still seems a reasonable foldable bag, as long as you treat it gently. Don’t overload it, and don’t slide it across pavement. But because it is discontinued, warranty and support are uncertain, so check the seller’s terms. For a new purchase, the Tortuga Packable Backpack is the model the company itself points to.
Alternatives to consider
Other brands make packable daypacks in a similar category, including bags from big outdoor names. Compare weight, volume, pocket layout, strap padding and fabric. If you want a bag you can use as a carry-on personal item, look at the dimensions against your airline’s limits, which vary and should be checked on the airline’s website.
How to use a packable daypack well
- Pack it flat at the bottom of your suitcase, or in the front pocket, so it doesn’t add bulk.
- Carry heavy items like a laptop in a padded sleeve or leave them at the hotel. These bags have minimal structure.
- Keep valuables in the pocket against your back and zipped, especially in crowds.
- Don’t use it as a checked bag; the fabric isn’t made for conveyor belts.
- Wipe it clean and dry before folding it away. A wet bag can smell if left packed.
Think about the load
A light packable bag is great for a water bottle, a jacket, a camera and a lunch. It is not good for heavy loads or long hikes, where padding and a hip belt matter. For anything bigger, bring a proper daypack.
Who the Tortuga Setout packable daypack suited
It suited travellers who pack carry-on only and want a day bag without paying baggage fees for a second item. It also made sense for people who already own a main backpack but hate carrying it on city days. Minimalists liked that it weighed almost nothing. People who carry a lot, like photographers or anyone with a laptop, found it less convenient. If that sounds like you, a structured daypack is a better choice, even if it takes more space.
Before any purchase, check the return policy and the specifications on the seller’s page. Photos and dimensions on reseller sites are sometimes copied from older listings, and the Setout has been replaced, so make sure what you are buying matches what you think you are buying.
The Tortuga Setout packable daypack is a good example of a simple idea done reasonably well, with one known weakness. Before buying, read the current Tortuga page and a few recent reviews, then decide based on how you travel.
For background, the Backpack article on Wikipedia is a useful starting point.
Related reading: Is New York City Worth It? An Honest New NYC Worth Check · amsterdam christmas market
