Four Blast backpacks expand to the same capacity, but the way they use that space can change your trip. A divider may help when you pack work gear alongside clothes; an outer pocket may matter more when you need a bottle between train stops. This comparison looks at how each backpack handles packing, access and everyday travel, so you can choose the one that fits your habits. How Do the Four Blast Backpacks Compare at a Glance? All four travel backpacks expand from 28L to 38L, but they differ in how they organize and provide access to that space. Feature Blast Pro 38L Blast 38L Blast 38L TPU Blast 38L Mesh Capacity 28–38L 28–38L 28–38L 28–38L Weight About 1.2 kg 1.03 kg 1.03 kg 1.03 kg Exterior Design Ripstop nylon; two front zip pockets Simple front with quick-access pockets Distinctive front finish Front mesh panel and side pockets Interior Organization Fold-flat, two-level divider; compression straps; shoe compartment Clamshell packing area; six pockets; shoe compartment Clamshell packing area; six pockets; shoe compartment Clamshell packing area; shoe compartment Security Features Lockable laptop zippers; RFID pocket; hidden back pocket Dedicated laptop compartment Quick-access laptop compartment Dedicated laptop compartment and anti-theft pockets Best For Frequent trips with clothes, shoes and work gear to separate Flexible packing at a lower price A different exterior look with the familiar Blast layout Frequent access to items outside the main compartment Current Price $89.99 $74.99 $74.99 $74.99 What Are the Key Differences Between the Blast Backpacks? The shared 28–38L capacity makes these backpacks look similar on a specification sheet. In use, the differences show up when you organize clothes and shoes, take out a laptop or reach for something without opening the main compartment. Exterior Material and Front Design The Blast 38L TPU Travel Backpack is the most distinct choice if the front finish matters to you. It keeps the familiar Blast packing layout, so its appearance is a stronger reason to choose it than a change in how the main compartment works. Despite the TPU name, its listed exterior material is water-repellent Taslon nylon; the entire bag should not be described as TPU or waterproof. The other front designs serve different preferences. One has ripstop nylon and enclosed zip pockets, another keeps the front simpler, and the mesh-front version gives outer storage a more prominent role. Those differences matter when deciding whether you want small items contained behind zippers or easy to reach from outside. Interior Divider and Organization The Blast Pro 38L Travel Backpack has the clearest advantage if shoes, clothing and work gear tend to shift together. Its two-level divider creates separate packing areas and folds flat when you need one larger space. Compression straps help hold the load in place, whether you are packing several days of clothes or leaving room for a bulky jacket. The other three offer clamshell access and smaller organizing pockets without the Pro’s adjustable divider. Their open main compartments give you more freedom to arrange your own packing cubes or pouches. If those already keep your belongings separated, you may not gain much from the Pro’s built-in structure. Laptop and Travel Security The Blast 38L Travel Backpack includes a 180-degree laptop compartment, allowing you to reach your computer separately from packed clothing. The TPU and Mesh versions also provide dedicated laptop access. If you mainly need a place for your laptop on occasional trips, all three cover that basic requirement. The Pro adds a padded sleeve for a laptop up to 15.6 inches, lockable zippers on the laptop compartment, an RFID pocket and a hidden back pocket. Those features give frequent travelers more ways to separate tech, cards and documents. They are most useful if you will actually use those dedicated pockets; a hidden pocket does not replace keeping track of your bag in a crowded terminal. Whether a packed backpack counts as a carry-on or personal item depends on its external dimensions, where it will be stored and what the fare includes. Expansion can increase the bag’s depth, so measure it after packing rather than relying on capacity alone. External Quick-Access Storage The Blast 38L Mesh Travel Backpack is the most useful when you often reach for a bottle, light layer or other everyday item between stops. Its front mesh panel and side pockets reduce the need to open your packed clothes during a train journey or a day of walking. Keep valuables in a closed pocket rather than the open mesh area. The Pro takes a different approach with enclosed front zip pockets, a top quick-access pocket and an elastic bottle pocket. These give cables, earphones and other smaller items more contained places. The Blast 38L has exterior quick-access pockets, while the TPU version’s stronger distinction is its front design. Weight and Price The Blast 38L, TPU and Mesh versions each have a listed empty weight of 1.03 kg and a current price of $74.99. They also share the same expandable capacity, so their front layouts and access points are better reasons to choose among them than the numbers alone. The Pro weighs about 1.2 kg and costs $15 more. Its divider and additional security storage can justify that difference when you use them regularly. For a long walking day, however, the weight of what you pack will affect comfort more than the difference between the empty backpacks. Which BAGSMART Blast Backpack Should You Choose? Start with the part of traveling that makes you unpack, rearrange or search through your bag most often. Each model answers a different version of that problem. If you have not settled on a bag type yet, comparing a suitcase vs backpack for international travel can help you decide whether wheeled mobility or hands-free carrying better fits your route. Blast Pro 38L for Structured Packing and Frequent Flights The Blast Pro 38L suits trips where a laptop, shoes and several days of clothing all need to share one backpack. Its fold-flat divider can separate them on a work trip, then open up the main compartment when you need to pack a bulky jacket instead. Its lockable laptop zippers, hidden back pocket and RFID pocket add dedicated storage for tech and travel documents. If you rarely need that separation and already pack with cubes, the extra cost may bring little benefit. Best for: Frequent travelers who will regularly use the built-in divider and dedicated storage. Blast 38L for Versatile Travel and Better Value The Blast 38L is a practical starting point if the same bag needs to work for a flight, a weekend away and use at your destination. Its clamshell opening makes clothes easier to arrange, while the open main area lets you decide where packing cubes or pouches should go. You get the shared 28–38L capacity at a lower price than the Pro. For a spare pair of shoes, you can use the shoe compartment without committing to a more divided main packing area. Best for: Travelers who want flexible packing space and have no regular need for the Pro’s added features. Blast 38L TPU for a Distinctive Exterior Finish The Blast 38L TPU is worth considering if you like the Blast 38L’s packing approach but prefer a different front design. It has the same listed capacity, weight and price, with a full-opening main compartment, pockets for smaller belongings and a shoe compartment. Its distinctive finish is the main reason to choose it. If your priority is a different way to separate clothing or reach outside items, the Blast Pro 38L or Blast 38L Mesh offers a more relevant change. Best for: Travelers who prefer its appearance and want the familiar Blast packing layout. Blast 38L Mesh for Quick-Access Outer Storage The Blast 38L Mesh suits trips with frequent stops, when opening the main compartment for every small item becomes inconvenient. Its front mesh panel and side pockets can hold things you want close at hand while changing trains or walking between accommodations. Inside, it still offers expandable packing space, laptop storage and a separate shoe compartment. Choose it for the outer access; if you would rather keep more belongings behind closed pockets, consider the Blast 38L or Blast Pro 38L. Best for: Travelers who often reach for a bottle or other everyday items while on the move. Conclusion The best choice depends on where you want the organization to happen. Choose the Blast Pro 38L if built-in separation and dedicated storage would simplify frequent trips. The Blast 38L leaves more of the packing arrangement up to you at a lower price. If that simpler layout already suits you, the decision between it, the Blast 38L TPU and the Blast 38L Mesh comes down to whether you value the TPU version’s appearance or the Mesh version’s easier outer access. FAQ Are the Blast Backpacks Waterproof or Water-Resistant? They have water-repellent or water-resistant exteriors, but they are not fully waterproof bags. Protect electronics and important documents separately if you expect sustained rain. The TPU name does not mean the entire backpack is waterproof. Do Packing Cubes Fit in the Blast 38L Backpacks? Yes. Packing cubes can help divide clothing within the clamshell compartments. Check cube dimensions before buying, and avoid packing them so tightly that the backpack bulges when closed. Does the Shoe Compartment Reduce the Main Packing Space? Yes. Shoes placed in the compartment still occupy part of the bag’s overall capacity. The compartment separates them from clothing; it does not create extra volume. Are the Blast Backpacks Comfortable for Long Walking Days? Comfort depends on fit and packed weight. A lightly packed bag will generally be easier to carry for hours than one filled to 38L. If you expect a long walking day, leave anything you will not need at your accommodation. Can a Blast Backpack Be Checked Instead of Carried On? You can generally check a backpack if it meets your airline’s baggage rules. Secure loose straps before handing it over, and keep medication, documents, valuables and spare lithium batteries with you in the cabin.