Bellroy Transit Workpack Review

The Transit Workpack uses Bellroy’s Recycled Dura Weave, a polyester fabric. The exterior looks like office gear, not a hiking pack from Osprey or Cotopaxi. A recycled shell like this one is common enough now that we track it across our eco-friendly backpack picks.

The 15.0 inch side is why this pack is not an underseat bag. The 26L capacity puts it in the same range as packs like the Osprey Daylite 26+6, though the Bellroy is fixed-volume with no expansion system.

The clamshell opening unzips the entire front panel, laying the bag open flat like a suitcase. Inside, the main compartment has enough room for a change of clothes, shoes (in a separate shoe bag if you bring one), and a small toiletry kit. Everything stays put when you zip it closed.

The laptop compartment sits in its own separate section against the back panel, with a padded sleeve that fits screens up to 16 inches. An internal pouch next to the laptop holds chargers, cables, and a mouse without them rattling around. The sunglasses slip pocket sits high in the pack, out of the crush zone, so they do not get sat on.

The external water bottle pocket sits on the side with access that doesn’t require removing the pack. It holds most standard-width bottles, though wider 32 oz bottles sit tight.

The back panel is contoured and padded, with wide shoulder straps and a sternum strap. At 2.2 lbs empty, the Transit Workpack is heavier than ultralight options like the Osprey Daylite 26+6 (1.85 lbs) but lighter than many leather-trimmed work backpacks in this price range.

A luggage pass-through on the back lets you stack the bag on a rolling suitcase. The grab handle on top is padded and sits flat against the pack when not in use.

The Transit Workpack fits commuters who carry a laptop, gym clothes, and daily essentials in one bag and want something that looks appropriate in a professional setting. If you’re walking into client meetings or a co-working space, the clean exterior and subtle Bellroy branding read differently than a technical hiking pack.

It’s less suited for dedicated travel. At 26L without expansion, you’d need to pack very light for anything beyond an overnight trip. If travel is the primary use case, the Osprey Farpoint 40 or Tortuga Travel Backpack give you 40L and clamshell openings designed specifically for multi-day packing. The Bellroy works best when the commute is the main event and occasional overnight trips are the exception.