Sherpani Santiago Travel Backpack Review

The Sherpani Santiago Travel Backpack is a cute-looking pack with a travel-ready layout and a focus on sustainability. It checks a lot of boxes on paper, but does it actually hold up in real-world use? Let’s dive in and find out.

External Components

The Santiago is made from recycled polyester derived from plastic bottles, which is something we’re always happy to see. Sherpani leans heavily into sustainability as a brand, and while this pack isn’t bluesign®-approved or tied to certifications, like B Corp, we still appreciate the effort to use recycled materials. The fabric itself feels durable enough for travel, with a slightly structured feel that holds up well during testing.

YKK zippers are used throughout, which is always a good sign. For the most part, they operate smoothly, though the main compartment zippers can get caught around tighter corners. It doesn’t feel like a zipper quality issue—more like a combination of sharp angles and material bunching. It’s manageable, but if you’re trying to move quickly, it can get a little frustrating.

Hardware comes from Woojin, another brand we trust. The buckles feel snappy and reliable, and we didn’t encounter any durability issues during testing.

On the side, there’s a single mesh water bottle pocket. It’s tight and secure, holding bottles firmly in place. Above it, there’s a compression strap that isn’t really doing traditional compression duty. Instead, it works better as a stabilizer—loop it through the top of a bottle or use it to secure longer items like a travel tripod. It’s a small feature, but one we found surprisingly useful.

You get multiple grab handles here: one on top, one on the side, and one on the bottom. The top and side handles are well-padded with a bit of mesh, making them comfortable for short carries. That said, when the bag is fully packed, carrying it this way isn’t ideal—it’s still a travel backpack at heart. The bottom handle doesn’t have padding or aeration, but it’s helpful when grabbing the bag out of overhead bins or tight spaces.

Around the back, there’s a luggage pass-through that works as expected, keeping the bag vertical on rolling luggage. It’s simple, but effective.

There’s also a small security-focused feature near the back panel—a clip paired with a thin wire loop. You can use this with a lock to secure the bag to a fixed object. It acts more as a deterrent than a true anti-theft solution, and while we didn’t find ourselves using it much, it’s there if you want the extra peace of mind.

Overall, the exterior is functional and fairly streamlined. It doesn’t feel overly technical, but it covers the basics well for travel.

Fit Notes

The harness system is comfortable enough for most use cases, though it’s not the most structured we’ve tested.

The shoulder straps are padded, lined with mesh, and have a slight curvature that helps them sit naturally on the body. They’re comfortable for moderate carry, though they can get a bit sweaty over time, especially in warmer conditions.

There’s a sternum strap mounted on a rail, allowing for micro-adjustments to dial in the fit. It also has a strap keeper to manage excess webbing, keeping things tidy.

A hip belt is included and offers decent padding. However, there’s no mesh here, so it can get warm during extended use. It’s also not removable, which may be a downside if you prefer a cleaner look when you don’t need the extra support.

The back panel has padding and mesh for comfort, though it lacks significant structure. That means how the bag feels depends heavily on how you pack it. Load it thoughtfully, and it feels comfortable enough. Pack it unevenly, and you may notice some awkward pressure points.

Overall, this is a softer, less structured carry. It works, but it benefits from a bit of packing strategy to really shine.

Inside The Pack

Starting at the front, there’s a vertical opening pocket with a large, unorganized space. It’s a good spot for quick-access items like a packable jacket, snacks, or travel documents. There’s also a key leash inside, which helps keep smaller essentials from getting lost.

Behind that is the admin pocket. It features zippered mesh pockets on both sides, with the rest of the space left open. In practice, this pocket feels a little awkward to use. It works well for flatter items—things like socks, underwear, or documents—but splitting clothing between this pocket and the main compartment can feel a bit disjointed. It’s functional, just not the most intuitive layout we’ve tested.

The laptop compartment is large but comes with a few trade-offs. It isn’t suspended off the bottom, and the padding is fairly minimal. If you’re traveling with more sensitive tech, you may want to use a separate sleeve for extra protection. That said, the space itself is generous and accommodates larger devices without issue.

Entering the main compartment, you find a clamshell-style opening. On the lid, there are two mesh zippered pockets—one larger and one smaller. These are great for organizing smaller clothing items or travel accessories.

On the opposite side, there’s a deep, open packing area where most of your clothing will go. Elastic compression straps form an X-shape to help keep everything in place, and there’s a small zippered pocket here as well, which works nicely for securing important items like cash or documents.

There’s a lot of usable space, though the bag’s lack of structure means your packing choices matter. We found that packing cubes significantly improve your loadout, adding density and structure. You don’t need them, but they make the experience noticeably better.

Overall, the interior offers a solid amount of space and organization for travel, even if some of the layout decisions feel a bit unconventional. The Santiago gets the job done, but it doesn’t quite stand out in its category, and at its price point, it may leave you wondering if there are better values out there.