I love travelling with a backpack. No dragging wheels over cracked footpaths, no battling escalators, no wrestling a suitcase over kerbs while everyone behind you sighs.
A good backpack lets you move at your own pace – hands free, stress free, and ready for whatever the day throws at you.
The Blast 40L backpack promised to make carry-on travel even easier, with clever organisation and a shape that actually works for real-life travellers.
So I packed it up, grabbed the matching packing cubes, and took it for a proper test on a quick escape to Sydney to see if it lived up to that promise.
Short on time?
You can see the Blast 40L backpack and packing cubes here, and get 15% off with the code JOSIEBLAST15 (valid until December 30th).
👉 Blast 40L Backpack
👉 Blast Packing Cubes
Contents
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About the Blast 40L Backpack
The Blast 40L is designed for people who want to travel carry-on only without losing the organisation of a suitcase. After using it on my Sydney trip, here’s what stood out to me.
Carry-on friendly design
This bag is sized to meet most airline carry-on rules, and I could easily pack enough clothes for a week. I didn’t need to this time, but still managed more than enough clothes and two pairs of shoes.
The clamshell opening makes it feel more like a small suitcase, but still has the comfort and flexibility of a backpack.
This was absolutely my favourite feature. No digging around from the top – everything lays flat and visible.
Tech protection
The padded, suspended laptop sleeve fits up to a 15.6″ laptop and keeps it lifted away from the bottom of the bag (which is pretty cool – no more laptop thuds when you put your bag down).
It’s also velvet-lined, so your gear stays scratch-free.
There’s an RFID-blocking pocket for cards and a hidden back pocket for passports or anything priceless.
Durable materials
The ripstop nylon feels sturdy but not stiff, and the YKK zippers glide beautifully – when I can find them. 😂
This is the kind of bag you can toss into an overhead locker, under a seat, or into the boot of an Uber without fuss.
Comfort-first carrying system
One of the biggest surprises for me was how comfortable it was to wear.
The shoulder straps are well-padded, the sternum strap helps balance the load, and the hip belt makes longer walks so much easier.
You can also adjust the load lifters on the shoulders – a small detail that makes a huge difference when the bag is packed full.
This was worn fully loaded through airports, public transport, and plenty of walking – and I never once wished I’d packed differently.
Lots of Handles
There are three reinforced grab handles (top, bottom, and side), which sounds minor but is incredibly handy when lifting it into overhead lockers or pulling it out of tight spaces.
It also has one of those handy trolley pass-throughs, perfect if you are pairing it with rolling luggage.
Exterior organisation
The outside pockets seem to be endless. They are thoughtfully designed and easy to reach:
- RFID pocket: perfect for cards or a slim wallet.
- Hidden back pocket: great for your passport or anything you want to keep extra secure.
- Elastic water bottle pocket: fits up to a 1L bottle – and actually holds it firmly.
- Soft-lined top pocket: ideal for sunglasses or anything you don’t want scratched.
- Front zip organiser: key leash, pen slot, and pockets for the little bits that normally disappear into the abyss.
- Quick-access mesh pocket: handy for snacks, cables, or your AirPods during airport security.
Interior organisation
This is the business end of the Blast 40L.
- Suitcase-style main compartment – I just love this! It opens flat, which means neat, stress-free packing. I used the Blast packing cubes here and everything slotted in perfectly.
- Waterproof PVC pocket – This is a clever inclusion – ideal for toiletries, swimmers, or anything damp. Great for separating things on the trip home.
- Ventilated shoe/dirty clothes compartment – I loved this too. Shoes stay isolated from clean clothes, and if you’ve been walking around all day, you will appreciate that ventilation.
- Pockets for tech and accessories – There’s a mesh pouch, a tablet sleeve, and compression straps to keep everything stable in transit.
Blast Packing Cubes: The Perfect Match for the Blast 40L
Packing cubes have been part of my travel routine for years, and the Blast Packing Cubes from Bagsmart did not disappoint.
They’re lightweight, compressible, and fit perfectly inside the Blast 40L, making it so much easier to stay organised.
Why I Loved Using the Packing Cubes
- Space-saving compression – The expandable/compressible design lets you pack more without feeling like you’re cramming. Zip them up and everything tightens neatly.
- Breathable mesh panels – These help your clothes stay fresh and make it easy to see what’s inside each cube without opening everything up.
- Quick, visual organisation – I didn’t choose the colour-mixed set, but I thought about it afterwards – it means you can instantly recognise which cube holds what items. So helpful when you’re digging around in a hurry. I kicked myself once I thought about it.
- Lightweight but durable – Made from polyester, they’re easy to handle and don’t add unnecessary weight to your bag.
- Great for any type of trip – Whether you’re away for a weekend or a couple of weeks, the different cube sizes give you plenty of flexibility. I didn’t need this cube on my short Sydney trip, but it would be incredibly handy for cooler destinations or longer stays.
- Large compression cube for bulkier items – The biggest cube has extra inserts to help compress things like jumpers or jeans, which is ideal if you’re packing for cooler weather. I didn’t use this cube so missed seeing this, but it would be so handy.
- Dedicated shoe bag – Keeps dirty shoes away from clean clothes – always a win. And could do double duty as a laundry bag or even a day pack if you’re desperate.
What’s Included in the Set
- 1 × Large cube: 38 × 26 × 4.5–15 cm
- 2 × Medium cubes: 33 × 23 × 4.5–13 cm
- 2 × Small cubes: 33 × 13 × 4.5–13 cm
- 1 × Shoe bag: 50 × 37 cm
These cubes fit nicely inside the Blast 40L and made it so much easier to stay organised – and not just on day one when everything is folded perfectly.
Packing Tips Using the Blast Packing Cubes
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the Blast Packing Cubes and keep your backpack organised.
- Use one cube for “first night essentials” so you never dig around on arrival
- Roll vs fold inside cubes for the best fit
- Keep tech cables in the smallest cube (game changer)
- Stand smaller cubes upright in the main compartment for a “drawer-like” effect
- Pre-pack outfits into individual cubes for short trips – a day to a cube
- Position heavier cubes closest to your back for comfort when carrying
Watch My Blast 40L Backpack in Action
Before my Sydney trip, I filmed a full walk-through of the Blast 40L so you can see exactly how it packs, how the compartments work, and what fits inside.
After the trip, I sat down again to share how it performed in real life and to give you a closer look at the packing cubes I used along the way.
If you prefer seeing things in action rather than just reading about them, this video will take you through the whole experience.
Who This Backpack Is Perfect For
After testing it out, I think this backpack is great for travellers who value flexibility, organisation and carry-on freedom. It’s especially well suited to:
- Carry-on travellers who want to avoid check-in queues and luggage carousels
- Weekend city breakers who pack smart and move fast
- Travellers who love structure and organisation without the bulk of a suitcase
- Train and Europe travellers dealing with stairs, cobblestones and older buildings
- Anyone thinking about swapping a suitcase for a backpack but still wanting a suitcase-style packing experience
If you like travelling light but still want everything to have its place, this backpack hits a really nice balance.
Where to Buy the Blast 40L Backpack & Packing Cubes
If you’re looking to simplify your travel and make carry-on packing genuinely easier, the Blast 40L backpack and matching packing cubes are a brilliant combination.
I’ve used them on a real trip, I’d happily pack them again, and they’ve earned a permanent place in my travel gear.
You can check out the exact items I used here:
As a bonus, you’ll receive 15% off when you use the code JOSIEBLAST15 at checkout.
This discount is valid until December 30th.
Purchasing through these links supports my work at no extra cost to you, and it helps me keep sharing practical, real-world travel advice based on trips I actually take.
If you’ve been thinking about switching to backpack travel, or you want a more organised carry-on setup without upgrading to checked luggage, this is a great place to start.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about backpack travel, this setup makes the switch feel easy.
Even my cat gives it her tick of approval 🙂
This post has been sponsored by Bagsmart who supplied this 40L pack and the packing cubes. I had earlier purchased the Blast 28L backpack for my husband who loves it, so I was confident this would be a great product too – and it is.
You will find me using it on my future adventures too.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
