TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: Is This Eastpak Travel Backpack Right for You?
By Eastpak Official Store | Built To Resist | 30 Year Warranty | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Buying Guides
A practical buying guide to the TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: who the 2-in-1 backpack-duffle suits, where its water-repellant fabric and 17-inch laptop sleeve help, and who should pick a different Eastpak bag.
Quick answer
Choose the TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2 if you want one bag that works as a backpack on arrival and a duffle in transit, and you carry a laptop up to 17 inches. Skip it if you need a dedicated hiking harness or a bag with a published, fixed liter capacity.
What the 2-in-1 design actually changes
The TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2 is not a backpack with a hidden strap pocket. It is a travel bag that converts: tuck-away padded shoulder straps for carrying on your back, tuck-away carry handles for duffle-style hauling. That matters at check-in counters, on train platforms, and in tight hotel hallways where a backpack profile is awkward.
The trade-off is structure. Convertible bags rarely have the rigid frame, load-lifter straps, or hip belt of a trekking pack. If your trip includes long walks with a heavy load, a fixed-harness backpack will distribute weight better. If your trip is mostly transport plus short walks, the conversion is a genuine convenience.
TARP fabric: where water-repellant helps and where it does not
Eastpak describes the TARP collection as weatherproof designs with water-repellant fabric. Water-repellant means rain tends to bead and roll off rather than soak in immediately. It does not mean the bag is submersible or that zippers are waterproof.
For commuters and city travelers, that is usually enough: a walk from the station to the hotel in steady rain, a spilled drink, or a damp bus floor. For multi-day hikes, boat decks, or monsoon travel, treat the fabric as a first line of defense and pack electronics in a separate dry bag. The TARP material's real advantage is that it resists everyday moisture without the crinkly stiffness of fully waterproof fabrics.
Cabin size and laptop protection: the two claims to check against your trip
Eastpak lists the TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2 as cabin size for most major airlines and fitted with a padded laptop sleeve for devices up to 17 inches. Both are useful, but both are conditional. Airline cabin limits vary by carrier and fare class, so measure the bag against your specific airline's published dimensions before you rely on carrying it on.
The 17-inch sleeve is generous, which is good for large work laptops but adds bulk if you travel with a 13-inch ultrabook. A padded sleeve also takes space from the main compartments. If you never carry a laptop, that padding is wasted volume you could fill with clothes in a simpler travel pack.
The capacity question: why no liter figure is listed
The supplied catalog facts include height but no liter capacity, and no weight. That is a real limitation for buyers who compare travel backpacks by volume. Rather than guess, use the structure as your guide: two main compartments plus a zippered front pocket, with a padded laptop sleeve inside.
Two compartments suit travelers who like to separate clean clothes from worn ones, or shoes from clothing. They are less efficient than a single clamshell opening if you pack with cubes and want one flat packing surface. If exact capacity is a dealbreaker, this is the point to compare against a bag with a published liter rating.
Decision rules for buying the TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2
- If you alternate between backpack and duffle carry: Choose this bag. Tuck-away padded straps and tuck-away handles let you switch modes without removing a separate strap system. Check that the tuck-away straps feel padded enough for your heaviest expected load before you commit.
- If you carry a laptop of 17 inches or smaller: The padded sleeve is sized for up to 17 inches, so it covers most work and gaming laptops. Measure your laptop's diagonal screen size and check its actual chassis dimensions against the sleeve.
- If you need a guaranteed carry-on: Eastpak lists it as cabin size for most major airlines, not all. Look up your airline's current cabin bag dimensions and compare them to the bag's listed height and profile before booking. Airline limits change by carrier and fare, so verify the day you book.
- If you need a published liter capacity: The supplied specifications do not include a liter figure. If volume comparison is essential, treat this as a limitation and compare with a bag that publishes its capacity, or judge this one by its two-compartment layout in person.
- If you plan long hikes with a heavy load: Do not buy this as a hiking pack. A convertible travel bag lacks the fixed harness, hip belt, and frame of a trekking backpack. Choose a dedicated hiking pack for that use.
Product facts
- TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: Carries as a backpack or a duffle, with tuck-away padded shoulder straps and tuck-away carry handles. You get two carry modes in one bag, which helps on mixed trips where you alternate between walking and hauling.
TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2 - TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: Padded laptop sleeve fits devices up to 17 inches. Large laptops are protected without a separate case, though the sleeve adds bulk for smaller devices.
- TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: Cabin size for most major airlines, with two main compartments and a zippered front pocket. It is designed to avoid checked-bag fees on many carriers, but you still need to confirm your airline's exact limits.
- TRAVELPACK TARP BLACK2: Water-repellant TARP fabric. Everyday rain and spills are less likely to soak through, but the bag is not waterproof for prolonged exposure.
Who should buy it
Best for
- Weekend and short city trips where you switch between backpack and duffle carry
- Travelers carrying a laptop up to 17 inches who want it padded in the main bag
- Commuters and light travelers who want water-repellant fabric without a rigid waterproof shell
Not for
- Hikers or backpackers who need a fixed harness and hip belt for heavy loads
- Buyers who must compare bags by published liter capacity
- Travelers who need guaranteed waterproofing for prolonged rain or water exposure
