NEMO Vantage Travel Pack Review
An excellent, versatile, do-it-all day pack
The NEMO Vantage 30L is carry-on-compatible, durable, and thoughtfully organized. It’s great for commutes, work trips, and adventure travel. Photo by Becca Downs
Published January 30th, 2025
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Our Verdict
The NEMO Vantage 30L Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack is a gamechanger travel pack, ready for any adventure. With plentiful storage space, useful organization options, and a comfortable and ergonomic design, this pack is great for a week-long adventure abroad, a weekend road trip, a long day in the backcountry, or even as a work-plus-gym bag.
The comfort this pack provides — from the contoured and body-mapped back paneling, the plush and wide straps, and organization that ensures even weight distribution — is unlike any other travel pack we’ve tested. The back paneling also offers ventilation and sweat wicking, so your back doesn’t overheat or get super sweaty like it does with most packs. The pack may look unassuming at first glance, but its technology and design is revolutionary.
I didn’t realize what other packs were lacking until I spent long days toting the NEMO Vantage on my back. Other packs have thoughtful designs with comfort in mind, but the Vantage is so much more comfortable than any other pack I’ve ever worn.
20 L
26 L
30 L
After testing this pack for over six months, I’ve found myself reaching for this bag for everything from an overnight stay, a coffee shop workday, a weekend in the mountains, crewing for an ultramarathon, and even a week-long adventure travel trip to Ireland. Its comfort, durability, spacious storage, and thoughtful organization make it a versatile and quality investment for most travel and adventure needs. Because of this, we even featured this pack in our Best Adventure Travel Gift Gear guide.
Perhaps best of all? This pack is part of NEMO’s Endless Promise collection, which means it’s constructed of entirely recyclable materials. At the end of its life, which should be long, this pack doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. NEMO will even take care of the recycling for you.
Because of its durability, comfort, and thoughtful organization options, the NEMO Vantage 30L is a great do-it-all day pack for anything from an overnight trip to a week abroad, from walking around the city to trekking in the woods.
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Specs
Pack volume: 20L, 26L, or 30L available
Pack weight: 3 lbs, 1 oz (30L)
Carry-on compatible: yes
Sternum strap: yes
Shoulder strap: no
Grab handles: no
Hip belt: no
Stowable shoulder straps: no
Fits torsos: 14-21"
Laptop compartment: yes (for 16" laptop)
Tablet sleeve: yes
Frame: frameless
Best for
Trips up to a week, especially that may require a lot of walking
Adventure travel
Work travel
Combination work and gym bag
How we tested
The NEMO Vantage 30L, pictured on the table behind the author, worked exceptionally well for crewing an ultra. It’s spacious, organized, and was comfortable to wear over a really long day in the Mexican jungle and mountains. Photo by Caitlin Whitworth
Over the last six months, I’ve used this pack for nearly everything. When I was in the midst of moving apartments and spending a lot of time at my partner’s house, I used this bag to carry my clothes, toiletries, laptop, and other essentials. I was able to stay organized and not feel overwhelmed while my housing situation was unsettled.
I also used this pack on international trips, including a week-long adventure travel trip to Ireland and a week in Mexico to crew my partner’s 100-mile ultra race. In Ireland, I traveled with only this pack and a carry-on tote bag. I had to pack clothes so I could bike, rappel, surf, canoe, hike, and other outdoor activities in shoulder-season weather, and I was able to easily pack it all.
The Mexico trip involved too much gear to pack in just the NEMO Vantage 30L, however I did use it to crew my partner’s race and found the organization system to be incredibly helpful. In both cases, the soft straps and the body-mapped CCubed cushioning were so comfortable I never minded carrying so much on my back.
I’ve also used the NEMO Vantage 30L on many day trips into the mountains for long trail runs, snowshoe excursions, and hikes. I pack everything I need in them, including gear I’m testing, clothing to change into, and my laptop and work equipment. Reaching for this pack has become such a welcome habit I find I even prefer bringing it over my usual tote to work from coffee shops.
What we liked
Treeline Review writers meet for a very important business meeting at a brewery. The NEMO Vantage works well in urban settings, like if you go from working at a coffee shop to going for a run to meeting friends for drinks. Photo by Sam Schild
Comfortable, ergonomic design
Spacious storage space
Plenty of pockets for organization
Carry-on size
Part of the Endless Promise collection, so NEMO will recycle everything and nothing ends up in a landfill
What could be better
Side pockets don’t stretch much, making it difficult to fit bigger water bottles
30L is the largest size option
Features
The author spent a week in Ireland on an adventure travel trip and fit everything she needed in just the NEMO Vantage 30L and a tote bag. Photo by Becca Downs.
CERO fabric
NEMO’s proprietary CERO fabric is abrasion resistant and water resistant. It’s durable, made of recyclable materials, and fully recyclable at the end of its life.
Solution-dyed
The CERO fabric is solution-dyed, which reduces water waste during the manufacturing process. Similar to dope dyeing, this process adds color dye to the fabric during the liquid stage before cooling and being spun into the yarn.
CCubed cushioning
The CCubed cushioning on the back panel is 97% air, sweat wicking, and body mapped for high-heat areas. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and eases strain on the back while wearing.
Contoured back panel
Since it can easily and comfortably carry a laptop and change of clothes, the NEMO Vantage 30L works well as an urban day pack in addition to being a great travel pack. Here the author enjoys post-work beers with fellow Treeline Review writers. Photo by Sam Schild
The back panel of the NEMO Vantage is contoured for comfort and body-mapped for common heat and sweat spots. It’s immensely comfortable and ventilating.
This pack joins the NEMO Resolve Endless Promise Technical Active Daypack — which we reviewed in our Best Running Packs guide — as NEMO’s entry into backpacks. Both offer thoughtful organizational options, comfort, durability, and are fully recyclable. Both are great for commuting, but where the Resolve shines in active use, the Vantage is optimal for longer days of travel.
Endless Promise (fully recyclable)
NEMO’s Endless Promise collection is fully recyclable. That means when you’ve completely worn your gear beyond repair and are ready to say goodbye, every aspect of it can be recycled — and NEMO will recycle it for you!
We’ve tested and reviewed other gear from NEMO’s Endless Promise collection, including the NEMO Disco Endless Promise Sleeping Bag, Forte Endless Promise Sleeping Bag, and Coda Genderless Endless Promise Sleeping Bag.
Flexible shoulder straps
The shoulder straps of the NEMO Vantage are wide, plush, and flexible. You can adjust them for the best fit. They’re extremely comfortable, especially over the course of long days.
Duffle-style front opening
The main compartment of the NEMO Vantage 30L zips down the front, so it’s easy to access the whole compartment while the pack is on its back. Photo by Becca Downs
The duffle-style front opening of the main compartment zips all the way down (or across, if the pack is laying on its back). This is convenient for easy access of all items in the pack — you don’t have to dig deep into the dark abyss like you do with packs that only open at the top. Of the similar travel bags we’ve tested, this is a relatively unique design feature.
Second zippered compartment
The small compartment of the NEMO Vantage 30L has two pockets, a clip, and plenty of space for easy-to-access items, like a passport, keys, medication, and snacks. Photo by Becca Downs
A second, smaller zippered pocket is ideal for smaller items you want quick access to, such as keys, a passport, snacks, medications, ear buds, and a glasses case (I often fit all of these in there at the same time). Within this compartment are two small pockets for more organization.
Zippered tech compartment
The tech compartment of the NEMO Vantage 30L has two sleeves — one for a laptop, like the author’s 13-in Macbook Pro pictured here, and another for a tablet or books. There’s also additional storage space and a hidden zippered compartment. Photo by Becca Downs
The zippered tech compartment near the back of the pack has a sleeve for a 16" laptop and a separate sleeve for a tablet, book, or notebook. In addition to those sleeves, there is space for more items if needed. For example, prior to arriving at the airport, I’ll stick my quart-size bag of liquids in this compartment so I can pull it out with my laptop. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend storing toiletries in the tech compartment all the time, it works for a smooth TSA experience until you get to your gate and reorganize.
Organization pockets
There are a few small organization pockets throughout this pack — two on the inside of the main compartment, two small pockets in the small second compartment, and a hidden zippered pocket in the tech compartment. These are useful for separating smaller items you don’t want to get lost in the bigger compartments. Personally, I like to use the zippered pocket in the tech compartment for emergency pads and tampons.
Bottom pocket
The hidden bottom zippered compartment of the NEMO Vantage 30L is a great place to stow dirty clothes while traveling. Photo by Becca Downs
The hidden bottom zippered pocket is perhaps my favorite, simply because it offers a place to stuff dirty laundry without mixing it in with my clean clothes in the main compartment. Just make sure you remember to zip it all the way shut — I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t once walked around in public with a pair of underwear hanging from the bottom of my pack. (Also, as it’s hidden, remember to periodically check it so your dirty clothes don’t sit in their stench too long!)
Another hidden pocket
Along the side of the back panel (right side if you’re wearing the pack) is a hidden zippered pocket. It’s fairly deep (my whole hand fits inside), and is a great place for valuable items you’d like easy access to, such as a wallet and passport.
Stretch mesh side pockets
A 14-oz Nalgene easily slides into the side pocket of the NEMO Vantage 30L. Other items that easily fit here include an umbrella, trekking poles, and an electric toothbrush case. Photo by Becca Downs
The side mesh pockets are quite narrow. While they stretch a little, they don’t stretch enough for bigger water bottles, like a 32-oz Nalgene. In addition to narrow water bottles, these pockets are useful for other narrow objects like umbrellas. I’ve also stuffed trekking poles and my electric toothbrush in them.
Performance in the field
The ergonomic design and comfort of the NEMO Vantage 30L makes it great for long travel days. Photo by Becca Downs
Durability
After over six months of slinging this bag into my car for trips into the mountains and onto planes for international and domestic trips, this bag still looks brand new. You’d never know it spent a rainy week in Ireland or a dusty, sandy, and humid week in Mexican mountains, jungle, and beaches (including an unfortunate encounter with an army of ants that wanted the potato chips I was saving at an ultramarathon aid station for the person I was crewing).
This pack is remarkably hardy. I have yet to notice any signs of wear and tear despite using this pack nearly every day for six months.
I tested the black pack, which may hide dirt better than the chai (yellow) pack. Nevertheless, when my pack did get really dirty, it cleaned up with very little effort on my end by simply wiping it down with a cloth.
Comfort and fit
The wide, plush straps and contoured CCubed cushioning along the backside are designed with comfort in mind. The straps are adjustable to accommodate various torso sizes.
When compared directly to the only other similar pack I own — the Fjallraven Raven 28 pack, which is also durable and organization-friendly — comfort is the biggest difference between the two. While the Fjallraven pack isn’t uncomfortable, the NEMO Vantage is so much more comfortable I can’t imagine not choosing it for long days. Despite long days wearing the Vantage while traveling (and one long day crewing a 100-mile ultra), I hardly noticed I was wearing the pack.
Because of the CCubed cushioning (which is 97% air), sweat is wicked away and evaporates quickly. The back is also body-mapped to sweat zones. This felt like magic to me in Mexico, where I suffered in the heat and humidity but never noticed a sweaty back while wearing this pack.
Weight distribution
The main compartment is a duffle-style opening, allowing you to easily place your items in a large open space however you want and easily access them. The other compartments and pockets are evenly spaced throughout, so when you fill this pack you can fill it evenly and limit awkward weight distribution.
In testing, I never noticed an awkward or uncomfortable feeling of uneven weight distribution. This is a standout side effect of the thoughtful, ergonomic design of this pack — over the course of a long day wearing the Vantage, you’ll feel way better (e.g., your neck, shoulders, and back won’t fatigue or hurt as much) than if you were wearing other similar packs.
Ventilation
The heat-mapped contouring and CCubed cushioning (which, again, is a whopping 97% air), allows for exceptional ventilation and sweat wicking at the back. In hot and humid weather, I never noticed a particularly sweaty back.
This feature is what separates it from other travel packs — little-to-no back sweating is practically unheard of while wearing any pack, but the NEMO Vantage manages to prevent it better than any other travel pack we’ve tested.
Interior organization
The hidden zippered pocket along the side of the NEMO Vantage 30L is great for storing important items you’d like easy access to for yourself and not others, like a wallet and passport. Photo by Becca Downs
The interior of the main compartment — which zippers open when laid flat on the back — offers two zippered mesh side pockets on the inside. I use these pockets least, but recognize how useful they can be for securing things you want to store away but keep track of, such as a passport or house keys (for when you’re traveling internationally).
There is also a tech compartment against the back that opens at the top of the pack, with a slot for storing up to a 16-inch laptop and an additional slot I found convenient for books and notebooks. The zippered pocket within this compartment is handy for stashing small valuables. As someone who takes her laptop just about everywhere, I’ve found this organized tech compartment very useful.
A second zippered compartment zippers open at the top and is a great space for smaller items you’d like easy access too — I often use this place to store my glasses case, keys, meds, snacks, and my passport. There are two small pockets inside this compartment for more organization.
A 32-oz wide-mouth Nalgene can barely fit in the side pocket of the NEMO Vantage 30L if the pack is not full and you can stretch the pocket enough, but it takes some muscle. Otherwise, it’s a little two wide. Photo by Becca Downs
This pack also has two long, narrow open pockets intended for narrow water bottles or an umbrella. I have used this for my electric toothbrush, umbrella, and skinnier water bottles. You might be able to muscle in a 32-oz Nalgene if the pack isn’t too full, but I’ve found I simply have to pack a smaller/narrower bottle — like a 14-oz Nalgene or a Smartwater bottle— if I want to fit it in there. These pockets do not stretch much.
A small zippered side pocket tucks behind the back panel, great for valuable items you’d like easy access to for yourself but not for others. This would be a great place for a wallet and passport while traveling.
And finally, perhaps my favorite compartment is the hidden one that zippers open at the bottom of the pack. I typically use this one to stow away dirty clothes.
Functionality
What makes the NEMO Vantage 30L so great for travel is how easily it fits in an overhead bin, and how intuitive the organization is. I never had to worry about it as a carry-on bag (though I cannot speak to whether it fits under a plane seat if you’re trying to sneak this as a “personal item” rather than carry-on — I haven’t tested that).
The duffle-style of the main compartment is helpful because you can unzipper the length of the pack to easily find what you need, rather than having to dig to the bottom. Plus, I appreciate the two top-opening zippered compartments for airport security. I can quickly remove my laptop and quart-sized bag of liquids from the laptop compartment (that’s right — a toiletry bag also fits in the laptop compartment in a pinch!), and my passport can be easily stowed in the smaller zippered compartment.
Versatility
For over six months now I have worn the NEMO Vantage 30L around Denver for day-use, in the mountains for day hikes, runs, and snowshoe excursions, on weekend trips, and on week-long international trips. It’s simple and sleek enough for urban use, and spacious and durable enough for extended travel. In short, I use this pack for nearly everything now.
Where to buy NEMO Vantage 30L Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack
The NEMO Vantage 30L Endless Promise Everyday Adventure Daypack are popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
NEMO
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.
Advice on where to buy
In general for apparel/gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Other travel packs to consider
Cotopaxi Allpa
Pack volume: 28L, 35L, and 42L versions available
Pack weight: 4.2 lbs (42L)
Carry-on compatible: yes
Stowable shoulder straps: yes
Stowable hip belt: yes
The Cotopaxi Allpa is a close comparison to the NEMO Vantage in that it is also a versatile, durable, spacious, and well-organized travel pack. Like NEMO, Cotopaxi uses recycled materials and the prices are similar. However, the Cotopaxi Allpa comes in bigger sizes — 28L, 35L, and 42L as opposed to the Vantage’s 20L, 26L, and 30L — so if you’re looking for something with a little more volume, the Cotopaxi Allpa may be a better option. You can learn more in our in-depth review of the Cotopaxi Allpa.
28L
35L
42L
Pack volume: 35L, 40L
Pack weight: 35 to 51 ounces (depending on size and fabric)
Carry-on compatible: yes
Stowable shoulder straps: yes
Stowable hip belt: yes
Like the NEMO Vantage, the Six Moon Designs All Day Carry (ADC) pack is ideal for adventure trekking, hiking, urban use, and traveling. It’s hardy and designed for long days traveling outside, such as on the Camino de Santiago. It has more features than the NEMO Vantage, like waterproofness, removeable/stowable straps, a roller bag handle pass-through sleeve (convenient for air travel). However, the laptop sleeve is only available as an add-on.
This pack comes in 35L and 40L, so it’s also a good option if you want something larger than the NEMO Vantage. With the added features and larger capacity options, this pack is more expensive than the NEMO Vantage. Where the Vantage 30L costs $230, the ADC 35L without add-ons costs $335.
Learn more about the Six Moon Designs All Day Carry Adventure Travel Pack in our in-depth review.
Pack volume: 30L or 36L
Pack weight: 1.9 lbs (36L)
Maximum load: 25 lbs
Carry-on compatible: yes
Stowable shoulder straps: no
Removable hip belt: yes
The ULA Ultra Dragonfly is also a front-loading travel pack with lots of organization options and is carry-on compliant. It’s durable and adjustable to your best fit, while offering 6L more volume than the NEMO Vantage 30L. The side pockets stretch and can fit wider water bottles than the Vantage, the tech sleeve fits a 17-inch laptop, and it weighs over a pound less than the Vantage. This comes with a higher price tag, costing about $90 more.
Pack volume: 28L
Pack weight: 2 lbs 3.3 oz
Carry-on compatible: Yes
Stowable shoulder straps: No
Stowable hip belt: No
The Fjallraven Raven 28 pack offers similar storage and organization to the NEMO Vantage, but where the Vantage is more focused on comfort and travel-centric organization, the Raven is more stylish. Fjallraven gear isn’t just pretty, though — it’s durable and meant to last generations.
With a large and smaller compartment, a tech compartment, and a small zippered pocket, as well as two water bottle pockets, the Raven is a traditional backpack-style pack that is great for travel and day-use. Personally, I use this pack for around-town day use when I’m looking for something a little more stylish. It’s not quite as comfortable as the NEMO Vantage, but if you don’t plan on toting it around on long days, or if the Fjallraven look speaks to you, this is a great option.
About the author / Why you should trust us
Becca also enjoys traveling, from road trips around the country to international trips, she loves to experience and learn as much as possible wherever she goes.
While traveling, she also likes to stay active. Recently, she spent a week hiking, surfing, rappelling, biking, and more in Ireland, then turned around and crewed an ultramarathon in Mexico. She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!). After notching a few small FKTs under her belt in 2020, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, writing, crewing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, and running when her hip allows it.
You can read more of Becca's work at her website or on her author page. You can follow her on Instagram at @beccad___.
