Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack Review
A light, roomy, and comfortable carry-on-compliant travel pack
September 3rd, 2026
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Our Verdict
The Gossamer Gear Aero Jet is a lightweight, 35-liter travel backpack that offers good packing volume, thoughtful organizational and security features, and can be comfortably worn all day. Importantly, the Aero Jet is carry-on compliant for overhead storage on domestic and international flights.
I originally purchased the Aero Jet for a 3-week trip to Japan. It was a perfect carry-on bag, with plenty of room for my electronics, extra clothes, toiletries, and a zippered security pocket for a passport. The bag was my daily carry when touring the country. It was sleek enough to wear on crowded streets and trains and comfortable enough to wear all day, including all-day sightseeing trips with over 10 miles of walking.
Treeline Review editor Liz Thomas tested the newest version of the Aero Jet on flights, at outdoor festivals, and over 1,000 miles of roadtripping. We compared the two models side-by-side and used them together over the course of two days covering nearly 10 miles of walking each day at PCT Days.
The Aero Jet has become my primary travel bag for weekend excursions, including trips to Canada, Arizona, and New Mexico, and my computer bag for trips to work or the coffee shop. With thoughtful travel features like luggage pass-through, RFID blockers, two shoulder pockets, and a passport pocket, it's a fully-featured travel pack at a fraction of the weight and price of many on the market.
Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack
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Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack Specifications
Price: $225
Weight: 35.9 oz / 1016 g
Dimensions: 20.75 × 12.25 × 7.5 inches (52.7 × 31.1 × 19.1 cm)
Materials: 210D recycled Robic nylon shell, 70D liner, 150D grid mesh — all PFAS-free
Torso size: 17”-21”
Hip belt: Sold separately
Laptop compartment: Yes (up to 17”)
iPad/tablet compartment: Yes
Number of exterior pockets: 4 (2 x water bottle; 1 x large stretch front; 1 x zippered; 1 x security)
Carry system: Stowaway harness and sternum strap (hip belt sold separately)
Luggage pass-through for roller bag carry: Yes
Security pocket: Yes, with RFID blocking technology
Carry-on approved: Yes, meets US + international limits overhead standards
Comparison Table
| Travel Pack | MSRP | Volume | Opening Type | Outer Material | Laptop Sleeve | Overhead Compliant | Weight | Hipbelt Stowable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gossamer Gear Aero Jet | $225 | 35 L | Single main compartment | 210D recycled Robic nylon | 17 in | Yes | 2.2 lb | No hipbelt (sold separately) |
| Peak Design Travel Pack 30 L | $250 | 30 L | Clamshell, divided | 400D recycled nylon | 15 in | Yes | 3.2 lb | No hipbelt |
| Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack | $230 | 35 L | Rear hatch (clamshell) | 840D recycled ballistic nylon | 15 in | Yes | 2.9 lb | Yes |
What we liked
Large Primary Compartment. The Aero Jet has a large main section for clothes and other bulky items. The compartment also has a separate zippered mesh pocket. We appreciated that the zipper was bright orange, contrasting with the dark grey of the compartment, making them easier to find in low light.
Separate Computer Compartment. The computer compartment can accommodate a 17” laptop. The section is divided into two additional padded spaces that will fit a second laptop, tablet, and/or notebooks or files.
Security Pocket. There is a hidden zippered security pocket with RFID-blocking technology in the back of the bag, sized for a passport and/or wallet.
Comfort. The 3D-mesh back panel provides cushioning and allows for good airflow. I found the Aero Jet comfortable to wear all day, even without the optional hip belt.
Exterior pockets. There are multiple pockets on the exterior of the pack, including two large water bottle pockets, two shoulder harness pockets (which can fit most phones), a mid-sized zippered pocket, and a large, stretchy front pocket for stowing a rain jacket or other “quick” access items.
Carry-On Compliant. The Aero Jet is compliant with domestic and international regulations for overhead storage.
What could be better
The Aero Jet is only available in one size. The pack is designed for 18-21” torsos. This typically corresponds to folks between 5’ 6” and 6’2” in height.
No single shoulder strap option. We would like a separate, detachable shoulder strap to carry the Aero Jet more like a duffel bag on occasion. This option is available in Gossamer Gear’s Vanishing Jet Duffel.
Side compression straps. We would love to have a side compression strap, similar to the one on Gossamer Gear’s Vagabond Jet pack. This would allow umbrellas, such as Gossamer Gear’s Lighttrek hiking umbrella, to be securely carried on the outside of the Aero Jet.
Who is the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet for?
The Aero Jet is a great travel pack for folks who want a carry-on compliant bag with enough capacity to accommodate several days of travel and to carry through a long day of sightseeing. It is also a good option for a larger capacity commuting pack.
The Aero Jet pack is the winner in our Best Adventure Travel Packs guide for best for digital nomads due to its excellent organization in the laptop/tablet pocket. It's easy to access electronics you need, even when the pack is stored under the seat in front of you. That is why the Aero Jet is my preferred travel pack for work trips and working from coffee shops.
How we tested
I have been using the Aero Jet for several months, including trips to Japan, and Canada, New Mexico, and Arizona. In Japan, I wore the Aero Jet on multiple days with over 10 miles of walking. I wore it on city buses, subways, and the high-speed train to Kyoto. In Canada, I wore it for both city walking and day hikes in the Rockies.
The Aero Jet has also become my go to computer bag for trips to work sites and coffee shops. It easily fits 3 laptops – one 17" PC in the computer sleeve and two MacBook Airs in the secondary padded sleeve – along with multiple books, notebooks, pens, and electrical cords. I also wear it on the 11-mile round-trip hike from my house to the grocery store, where I fill it with fresh veggies and other groceries. It carries the weight extremely well.
Our editor Liz Thomas used the updated Aero Jet for the past two months on flights between outdoor festivals in Colorado and Oregon and on more than 1,000 miles of roadtripping across the West. She found it fits four packing cubes of clothes, a laptop and notebooks, as well as an expensive backpacking tent that she didn't feel comfortable putting in checked luggage. She used it all day walking booth-to-booth at Outdoor Market Alliance and PCT Days, on some days covering more than 10 miles of walking.
Features
Large Volume Main Compartment
The Aero Bag has a single, large main compartment for clothes and other bulky items. The main compartment is designed to work with Gossamer Gear’s packing cubes (packing cubes are not included).
Padded Computer Pocket
The computer pocket is large enough to fit a 17” laptop computer. Within the computer pocket section, there are two additional padded “sleeves” that can accommodate a second laptop, tablet, and/or notebooks or files.
Multiple Exterior Pockets
There are multiple exterior pockets on the Aero Bag, including 1) two “stretchy water bottle pockets that are big enough to fit a Nalgene bottle or two 750 ml Smartwater bottles; 2) a large front pocket to store a rain jacket or other quick access items; 3) a mid-sized zippered pocket that works well for charging cables or small electronic devices.
Shoulder Harness Pockets
Each shoulder harness has a deep, stretchy pocket designed for glasses or a mobile phone. This is a rare feature in a travel pack, and it's one of the little details that enhances the Aero Jet's usability.
Luggage Pass-Through
There is a three-inch band on the back of the pack to secure the bag to a rolling suitcase.
Security Pocket
There is a hidden zippered security pocket with RFID-blocking technology in the back of the bag sized to fit a passport and/or wallet. Surprisingly, this feature was not included in every travel pack we tested and we appreciated it in this pack.
Hip Belt Compatible
The Aero Jet is compatible with Gossamer Gear’s Fastbelt (sold separately) for folks who want to add a hipbelt. There are two Fastbelt attachment locations for different fit options.
Organization & Capacity
The Aero Jet has excellent organization without being overkill. My previous travel pack had so many pockets that I lost a set of car keys in a hidden pocket for 6 months. Especially with the 2026 updates, Gossamer Gear has hit that sweet spot of "just right.". The small interior pocket holds all of my electrical cords, while the small exterior pocket holds my sunglasses, wireless headphones, sunscreen, and lip balm, with room to spare.
The large main compartment holds enough clothing for 4-5 days, depending on the season, especially with Gossamer Gear's packing cubes. The exterior stretchy kangaroo pocket is large enough for a lightweight insulating jacket.
Gossamer Gear Aero Jet updates
The Aero Jet was updated in mid-2026. Treeline Review editor Liz Thomas tested the newest version of the Aero Jet. We compared the two models side-by-side and used them together over the course of two days covering nearly 10 miles of walking each day at PCT Days.
Upgrades included:
A 4-ounce weight reduction. The Aero Jet now weighs 36 ounces.
A built-in lip was added to the top pocket to prevent small items from falling out when the pocket is unzipped.
The back panel and luggage pass-through were redesigned to allow for the shoulder harness to be secured during transit.
A second hip belt position was added for more fit options.
Durability
After months of regular use and several extended trips, the Aero Jet remains in great shape. The stitching remains intact, and there are no tears or stress points. I am notoriously hard on my gear, and the Aero Jet still looks like new.
The Aero Jet has YKK zippers, which provide water resistance and long-term durability.
Sustainability
Gossamer Gear frames its sustainability work around a "take less. do more." philosophy rooted in ultralight design. Its most concrete commitments are in materials: the Jet line is now Global Recycled Standard–certified 100% recycled nylon, its PE/EVA foam uses 50% recycled resin, and fabrics and trims come from bluesign® partners, with OEKO-TEX umbrella fabric and ISO 9001:2015 and BetterWork certified facilities. The company also dedicates 1% of web sales to partner conservation organizations. Broader goals, such as PFAS-free coatings and expanded recycled fabrics, are stated as directional. Notably absent are quantified emissions targets, timelines, or third-party sustainability audits.
Where to buy the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet
The Gossamer Gear Aero Jet travel backpack is available online through Gossamer Gear.
Gossamer Gear
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return due to a defect.
Other Travel Packs to Consider
The Peak Design 30L and Cotopaxi Allpa 35L are other versatile, overhead compliant travel packs.
Peak Design 30L
Treeline reviewed the Peak Design 30L travel pack in 2025. The following are some of the differences between the Peak Design 30L and the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet:
Adjustable volume (27-33L). The Aero Jet has a fixed 35L capacity.
Fewer external pockets than the Aero Jet
Heavier and more rigid to protect camera gear and other fragile items. The Aero Jet is lighter and more flexible.
Available in five colors. The Aero Jet is only available in black.
The Peak Design also offers a 45L version.
Both the Peak Design and Aero Jet can accommodate a hip belt (sold separately).
Peak Design 30L
We reviewed the larger Cotopaxi Allpa 42L and named it our best overall pick in our Best Adventure Travel Backpacks guide.
There is a built-in hip belt. The Aero Jet hip belt is sold separately.
Suitcase-style (clam shell) opening. The Aero Jet main compartment folds down.
Available in four sizes: 20L, 28L, 35L, 42L.
Available in five colors
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Mike Unger left his high-stress corporate job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006. That experience forever changed him, and he purposefully rearranged his life to allow for as much adventuring as possible.
Today, he’s closing in on 28,000 miles on North American long trails. He is one of a handful of people who are Double Triple Crowners, having hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail each twice. He’s also hiked more obscure routes like the Ouachita Trail and the Oregon Desert Trail, and was part of the group that set the First Known Time on the Blue Mountains Trail.
He’s also picked up another passion along the way: long-distance bicycle touring, including the 1,850-mile Pacific Coast route and 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. When he’s not hiking or biking, he’s probably planning his next trip and/or researching gear.
Find more of Mike’s work on his Treeline Review author page.
