[quote]It’s One World Travel in no way supports bullying and if this post is misconstrued as such, our sincerest apologies are yours. We do, however support honesty and believe that our readers have a right to know what products will help or hinder them in achieving their goals of global travel. [/quote]
Go, Go, Gadget Guerrilla Packs
amazing PS skills: Wondrlust
In preparation for the summer of 2012 I decided it was time to upgrade from my top loading Kelty backpack. After much research, and prompted by an article on Matador Network I found the backpack for me.
The Airporter, by Guerrilla Packs. Three bags rolled into one, approved size for carry-on luggage on all airlines (including Ryan “Bastard” Air), and it can also convert into a suitcase in the event I need to not look like a homeless world wanderer. I bit the $120 bullet to support a California company- all the way from Madrid.
When it arrived, it looked much bigger than it was supposed to. I had been shipped the wrong backpack. I emailed the owner, Patrick, and he responded that he would be happy to mail me another replacement– to America. The email communication was awesome and friendly. He even let me keep the additional backpack (as I imagine shipping it from Spain would cost more than the product itself).
Luckily, I was able to pick up the Airporter by Guerrilla Packs in California on March 2nd, 2012. There it was in all it’s 40 litre glory: ready to hold my first aid kit, makeup, and smelly shoes. “I am a carry-on girl and never will I wait for my luggage at the carousel of dead-glazed-over-eyes and vicious bag grabbing travelers again!” I screamed, jumping up and down. (yes, these are the real climaxes of a traveler’s life, and no, maybe I was not so eloquent in my squealing) However, my Airporter and I went on a little honeymoon together and the result left me emailing Patrick on March 16th, 2012.
[box] “Patrick, Just wanted to let you know the Airporter arrived intact in California where I picked it up! Thank you again for taking care of that for me- I really appreciate the great customer service. Because I believe in your company, I wanted to give you some feedback. I brought my pack as a carry on from LAX to MAD, and in the course of the trip a tear appeared near the base of the side handle. I hope not to use the pack as a suitcase often, but thought you might want to know for your next production to reinforce that area. Additionally the zipper that converts from pack to suitcase didn’t work the first time i used it, and snags easily. Again, not a huge problem because i plan to use this mainly as a pack- but it’s something you might want to look into. “[/box]
No response– no problem. I’m not a frilly traveler and a little tear (even on a brand new purchase) never hurt anyone. Sadly, the backpack continued to fall apart, and I was becoming a bit annoyed with the decline of the product. So on July 21st, I reached out to my best-backpack-friend.
[box]”Hi again, I’ve been backpacking since 31 May with my Guerilla Packs Airporter. I wrote to you in March about some parts of the pack that were falling apart, and wanted to update you. In addition to the issues I mentioned in March: My daypack’s metal ring (where you put the two zippers through to lock) also broke off- rendering me unable to lock my pack. I’m unable to use the handle to pick up the pack as a suitcase, because it’s nearly coming off as well. I REALLY loved the idea of having a pack that is carry on friendly and works as a great backpack for extended trips. The concept of your product is stellar; but the quality has left me wanting more.”[/box]
luckily the buckle works, unfortunately, the strap broke in half.
Not being able to lock a daypack (which is where you’re meant to keep your important items!) is a main-line fail for any backpack.
While the issue of using my backpack as a suitcase wasn’t imperative in March, the handle made it’s usefulness known over the summer. Imagine heaving your backpack to the overhead rack of a Thai train, only to have the handle rip and fall on the person below you. Fail.
Now I have a backpack I can’t lock, handles that are coming off and lots of awesome holes in the material– perfect for your valuable items to fall right out of! Splendid. Before I
could fire off my next upset email, the chest strap broke. The chest strap is crucial as it’s meant to help alleviate some of the weight from your shoulders, and place it on your hips. A sore shouldered Brandy is not a happy Brandy.
September 21, 2012
[box]”Hi patrick, I’ve written twice without response- is this thing on? just wanted to let you know i am planning to do a product review of your backpack from my three month journey and would like to include positive information regarding the customer support & product from guerrilla packs, but it’s a little hard to do so when my inquiries have gone unanswered for half a calendar year. hoping to hear from you, brandy”[/box]
In short, do yourself a favor and buy one of these top ten backpacks which have been road tested for durability. After that, do me a favor and share this article with your friends so that it might appear in Patrick’s Facebook / Twitter feed — maybe then he will write me back?
Disclaimer: Guerrilla Packs in no way sponsored this review even though they did allow me to keep the backpack which was shipped to me on accident. In fact, Guerrilla Packs probably isn’t going to enjoy this post. It’s almost an UN-sponsored post!
Part Two: Any backpack companies that are confident in their product’s durability and customer service should feel free to contact me so that my next product review is less snarky and more satisfied!
'Guerrilla Packs Review' have 12 comments
January 15, 2013 @ 5:49 pm alex
Normally, I stick to Osprey but I am also in the market for a new bag – Will for sure stay away from this one! thanks 🙂
March 30, 2013 @ 1:33 pm brandy bell
I’ve heard great things about Osprey — I am definitely tempted! Has anyone had experience with Gregory backpacks?
December 16, 2013 @ 8:22 am olivia
gregory is great, i have the deva 60 – very comfortable but also a heavy pack at 5+ pounds, lots of straps hanging everywhere, and not lockable of course. the main issue is the hard plastic inside the hip belt – it worries me if i have to check the bag and it gets shmushed. managed to bend the belts to tuck inside the back panel and that might be ok. of course, plan on buying a sea to summit pack converter which can be locked, used as a duffle for checking the bag, and also works as a rain cover! woo!
came here looking for reviews of the airporter. love everything about the bag except that everyone says it falls apart. i’d say thats up there on the list of what you don’t want in a bag. even if it is on sale for $65 right now and tempting even in that ugly bright red color. had all the features i want, but oh well.
mei silver streak is on my want list. check it out! and osprey kestrel 48 – super comfortable and lighter weight than the deva. tortuga is a cool bag but not made for my small torso and expensive.
December 16, 2013 @ 9:02 am brandy bell
thank you for the tips on Gregory, Olivia! the sea to summit sound like a nice investment for a long journey. The retractable waterproof cover was one of the bigger selling points of the Airporter for me – and I am happy to say there were no issues with this part of the product – but the price you pay in the end is certainly not worth it!
I’d never heard of the Silver Streak by MEI, but it does look comparable to the principles of the Airporter and to be made from better material – thank you for enlightening me – it’s also now on my wishlist!
Where is your next trip to, Olivia?
February 26, 2014 @ 6:48 am samantha panagrosso
Hi Brandy ,
I have experience with the Gregory Backpacks , i got the Deva 85 , which was highly recommended by the salespersons , as well as on many travel blogs , and websites . i am now in Si Lanka into my 2 nd month of backpacking and the backpack broke / teared at the bottom !!! The pack is very expensive 380$ , so I find myself now , without backpack , and very annoyed . Although I have to say i was not overjoyed with the Deva , as I found the backpack to be unhandy , and unpractical . the overall shape is weird once it’s filled , its cone shaped , so at the bottom you can’t really fit much . It does have a lot of zippers , but still unpractical. I have just wrote to Gregory customer support to ask them what my options are , since they have a life warranty on their packs .I got a vague reply , asking me to give me my Asian travel route so they could supply me with contacts of their Asian distributors , but no mention if they are willing to give me a new one , or whether i should bring in the broken pack . very confusing . And unpractical as I cant shlep around the broken one , while waiting to get a new one . I haven’t heard back from them . I am thinking to get the Osprey Farpoint 55 , which is really amazing , and very practical.
I would not recommend the Gregory Deva 85 .
January 15, 2013 @ 6:40 pm Melissa @ Suitcase and Heels
What a horrible experience. It sounds a bit like when my awesome-at-first Heys rolling duffel suitcase fell apart after 6 months. They would fix it but I needed the original receipt which I’d lost. Right now I have an Osprey Farpoint for shorter backpack type trips and I love it, especially how it opens like a suitcase and how the straps can be zipped up behind a flap to keep it neat when not carried. Their warranty and customer service are also stellar.
I replaced my dud of a suitcase with a new set of Briggs & Riley BRX roller bags. Lifetime warranty and durable. Pricey but they’ll last.
March 30, 2013 @ 1:34 pm brandy bell
looks like Osprey is getting nothing but love — I’m about to start my research. Love when the straps can be tucked away – helps polish up that backpacker look 🙂
September 13, 2013 @ 4:29 pm Tony Chan
I’m glad I came across this review. Sorry for having such a bad experience. I was thinking of getting the Roundhouse pack from Guerilla packs for my RTW trip. After reading your review I’m starting to rethink that idea. I was thinking of an Osprey Waypoint or. Deuter pack. They’ve been getting some pretty good reviews. My old travel buddy had a Gregory pack. It served him well. Made from strong nylon, had multiple compartments to store his belongings, good suspension system and a filly adjustable belt. Gregory packs do seem to be more expensive than other brands.
I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on the Osprey Waypoint.
December 16, 2013 @ 9:07 am brandy bell
Hi Tony – thank you for the input, and I am glad I could help steer you away from buying a breaking bag! A good friend of mine traveled with the Osprey Waypoint and after 4 years of nonstop travel was still thrilled with the product… The price tag of the Gregory merchandise is a bit higher than a backpacker might like, but of all the possessions to be concerned with, your “home away from home” is well worth it.
February 13, 2014 @ 7:05 pm john
Brandy, Osprey what a great product, my son has three of there b/p with no complaints. On the other hand i have had one Kelty in that time with no complaints. Both great packs!
August 22, 2017 @ 11:21 pm Rochi
I have a Guerrilla Airporter that is falling apart. Looking to buy a new backpack.
September 14, 2017 @ 10:13 am brandy bell
Sorry to hear that, Rochi! My good friend swears by her Eagle Creek backpack… but if you’re in Europe I’d also suggest Decathlon’s line of backpacks. Mine’s been going strong for years now and shows nearly no signs of wear and tear!