Is the Stubble & Co Adventure Bag the “ultimate travel bag” it claims to be?
The Stubble & Co Parcel Arrives
Introduction to the Stubble & Co Adventure Bag
Is the Stubble & Co Adventure Bag the “ultimate travel bag”. This review dives into the bag’s features, from its recycled materials and carry-on compliance to its comfort and organisation. But, is this versatile bag likely to be your perfect wearable travel companion?.
My Previous Travel Luggage
Importantly for context, and prior to purchasing the Stubble & Co Adventure Bag. I have used a medium sized Antler Stamford hard case (with no pockets). Or a Lowe Alpine AirZone Centro 45+10 rucksack (with one main compartment and two zipped pockets).
Check out my review of: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya: Honest Stay Review – AspieTravels
Experience Emirates Business Class: Emirates Business Class Meal from Manchester to Dubai. (aspietravels.com)
Purchasing an Unheard of Brand
As a neurodivergent traveller, finding the perfect carry-on has always been a challenge. Because I am particular about design, functionality, security and overall feel. Therefore, in October 2023, I decided to purchase a travel bag, from a brand, I had never heard of. Introducing the Stubble & Co’ Adventure Bag, a waterproof carry-on, and put it to the test:
- Can I realistically travel for a whole month without checking a bag?
- Could the Adventure Bag solve all the issues I have travelled with previously in one bag?
- Would this make it easier to find that elusive item I didn’t need when I packed it in the bottom?
Putting this review together took some time, as I wanted to test the bag in various scenarios and weather conditions!. This included:
A long-haul flight with Etihad Airways from (LHR) to (AUH) then onto (MNL).
- Short-hop flights in Asia using Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
- Travelling around the Philippines for a whole month without checked luggage.
- A short-haul flight with Austrian Airlines from (MAN) to (VIE).
- A short-haul flight with Austrian Airlines from (VIE) to (MUC).
- A short-haul flight with Lufthansa from (MUC) to (MAN).
I put the Adventure Bag to the test in various scenarios, from weekend getaways to long-haul journeys. It handled both business class and economy cabins with ease.. This way, I could give you a well-rounded review.
Security and Comfort: Stubble & Co ‘Adventure Bag’
Security and comfort are my top priorities. The first thing that struck me about the Adventure Bag was how secure it felt. The shoulder and top and side carry straps felt robust and supportive, easing my worries about my belongings. The adjustable chest strap was a game-changer, reducing any anxiety from the bag shifting in crowded airports or places.
YKK Zips & Compression Straps:
The Adventure Bag has YKK zips plus compression straps with powder-coated metal clasps which slot into ballistic nylon loops which makes them stable. The main compartment boasts YKK interlocking zippers, offering an extra layer of security. However, the holes are too small to accommodate a padlock. Therefore, I use a flexible steel cable TSA combination lock (shown above). It truly resonated with me as someone who values stability and knowing they are secure.
Design and Functionality: Stubble & Co ‘Adventure Bag’
Now, let’s talk about the design and functionality. The Adventure Bag has a practical layout with multiple pockets and compartments which is a major plus. Before we get to the main compartment, let’s take a look at the outer pockets. The Adventure Bag features a zipped pocket on the front and another small zipped pocket in the waist strap. It also boasts a hidden rear zipped pocket cleverly concealed behind the padded back panel, near the shoulder straps.
Outer Pockets: Stubble & Co ‘Adventure Bag’
The Adventure Bag doesn’t shy away from hidden compartments! Tucked away behind the padded back panel, near the shoulder straps, there’s a discreet zipped pocket (you’d miss it if you weren’t looking). It’s perfectly sized for stashing your passport, travel documents, or spare currency – anything flat you want to keep close and concealed.
Moving on to the easily accessible pockets, there’s a vertical side pocket perfect for a travel umbrella. And for the techies out there, the bag boasts a waterproof zipped and padded laptop sleeve. It would fit a 16″ MacBook Pro without an additional case. Although I managed to fit a 14″ MacBook Pro inside a TomToc 360 laptop sleeve). At the bottom of the Adventure Bag, is a velcro pocket which stores a pull-out black waterproof rain cover. Although the bag itself is already waterproof with waterproof zips. The waterproof features are an added bonus, providing peace of mind in unpredictable weather.
Organisation:
I rely on organisation to keep things in order, and the Adventure Bag delivered on that. Everything had a designated spot, from clothes, to shoes, to wet gear, to toiletries and documents, and other personal essentials. This was great at preventing sensory overload from rummaging through a disorganised mess (the issue I found with my Lowe Alpine AirZone Centro 45+10 even though it started neatly packed!).
Main Compartment: Stubble & Co ‘Adventure Bag’
So, let’s get onto the main compartment. The overall feel of the bag was impressive. The high-quality materials and construction exuded durability, giving me confidence that the Adventure Bag could handle the rigors of travel and hopefully the constant opening and closing of zips. It’s worth mentioning that the straps were comfortable on my shoulders, and the weight distribution made carrying the bag a breeze.
While the detachable waist strap was comfortable on my long-haul trip to the Philippines, I found the pocket placement awkward for everyday use. As a stocky guy, reaching the zipped pocket by my kidney with the bag fully loaded wasn’t easy. So, I couldn’t make any use of that pocket because I couldn’t see it or reach it. I ended up leaving the waist strap on for the security feel the hip pads offered only.
Main Zipped Compartments
Product Quality: Stubble & Co ‘Adventure Bag’
Upon receiving the parcel, initially my thoughts were that the quality of the outer material felt strong and robust. The inner mesh panels and the quality of inner zips felt flimsy, despite the YKK zips, but so far they have never snagged, or ripped or got stuck so I’m happy with the product quality in these respects.
In comparison to my Lowe Alpine AirZone Centro 45+10 rucksack that I used previously, and which only has one main compartment (stuff sack style) where you need to unpack everything to find one item, or because you cannot see inside the pack because its dark. I have now found that my Lowe Alpine rucksack is probably ok for camping trips, but its best left at home from international travel.
Ultimately, although I couldn’t use the waist strap to its designed potential. I think this is a minor design oversight by Stubble & Co, as it assumes every buyer is the same size with zero flexibility. Instead of a random pocket so far back on the waistband near my kidney, I would have preferred a) a wider back section with a pocket I could access more easily, b) a waterproof chest/shoulder strap zipped pocket or c) optional waterproof zipped pouch similar to the MOLLE hook and loop + velcro system, on the straps, that could be detached and packed easily, something the heavily padded waist strap prevented.
Conclusion – Stubble & Co Adventure Bag
In conclusion, although I firstly encountered design flaws with the padded waist strap, but I was already at the airport by then. It appears that the adventure bag waist belt was designed for a UK sized 4-8 female or a child. Consequently, as the images above show, nobody else has a back that narrow. Ultimately, if Stubble & Co wanted to be more inclusive, an optional wider back strap with a more appropriately placed zip pocket further forward would be better design. Because they are detachable, giving an option to purchase one would be better.
As a result, upon my return to the UK, I detached it and semi-solved that issue. Finally, my short-haul and weekend trips were completed without the padded waist strap and that was far easier to manage. Stubble & Co’ Adventure Bag has definitely won me over though. The focus on security, comfort, and practicality, combined with the well-organised design, makes it an ideal choice, not just for neurodivergent travelers like myself, but also for those who like to be organised or have particular needs and preferences such as separating dry and wet gear in the same bag. If you’re a fellow traveller seeking a reliable, secure, and comfortable wearable travel companion, I certainly recommend the Stubble & Co Adventure bag!
I reached out to Stubble & Co for comment and they had this to say:
“We really appreciate the honest feedback here. Sorry to hear the bag was a mismatch with your size and you were unable to fully utilise the features. We’re constantly looking at ways to further improve our products, feedback like this goes a long way, and I’ll be sure to pass along the insights to our product team. Appreciate the review and look forward to reading it in full.“
