Tortuga's Pro V2 Travel Backpacks Just Added the Size One-Bag Travelers Actually Wanted

Tortuga refreshed its flagship travel backpack line today, and the headline isn't the update to the bag everyone already knew about. It's the new size sitting next to it.

The Pro V2 lineup, live July 23, keeps the maximum-sized Pro 40L at $350 and adds a mid-sized Pro 34L at $300 — a lighter, slightly smaller carry-on aimed squarely at the traveler who looked at Tortuga's 40-liter bag and thought it was more pack than the trip required.

The 40L Is Still the Comfort Benchmark

Nothing about the 40L's pitch has changed, and that's fine, because it was already one of the most comfortable bags in the category. It carries 7 to 10 days of gear in a 22 x 14 x 8-inch shell of ECOPAK EPX200 waterproof sailcloth, with a height-adjustable harness and an included hip belt that Tortuga rates for transferring 80% of the load off your shoulders. At 4.4 pounds it is not light, but the whole point is that it doesn't carry like it.

Reviewers back this up. Wirecutter called it "the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage." Pack Hacker scored it 8.6 out of 10, singling out the hip belt and the fact that it gained usable space over its predecessor without gaining weight — while dinging it for stripping out some of the built-in organization older Tortuga owners relied on, and for adjacent compartments that bulge into each other when the bag is stuffed.

The 34L Is the More Interesting Release

The new 34L is the bag a lot of one-bag travelers have actually been asking for. Same waterproof EPX200 fabric, same YKK zippers, same suitcase-style clamshell and suspended 16-inch laptop sleeve — but 3.6 pounds instead of 4.4, in a trimmer 20.5 x 13 x 7.5-inch body good for 5 to 7 days.

Two deliberate omissions define it. The harness is fixed rather than height-adjustable, and the shoulder straps tuck away entirely — a real advantage if you ever gate-check or want a clean silhouette on a train. And there's no hip belt in the box; Tortuga bets that a 34-liter load is light enough to go without, offering the Pro Hip Belt as a separate add-on for anyone who disagrees. That's the trade you're making for the lighter, cheaper, disappear-the-straps convenience: less load-hauling hardware, and a fit that can't be tuned to your torso.

Reviews haven't landed yet — the 34L is brand new — so treat its comfort claims as unproven until someone straps one on for a week.

Where This Lands for Buyers

Tortuga's Pro isn't cheap. At $300 to $350 it competes with the Peak Design Travel Backpack, Cotopaxi Allpa, and Osprey Farpoint rather than undercutting them. What it sells is suspension: even the 40L's harshest reviews concede it carries a heavy load better than almost anything its size.

The 34L widens that appeal to people who found the 40L too big — which, for weeklong trips, is a lot of people. If you already own and love the 40L, there's no reason to switch. If you passed on Tortuga because the only Pro was a maximal one, the smaller bag is worth a look.

See where the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro ranks against the Peak Design, Aer, and Osprey packs on our Best Travel Backpacks list.

Common Questions

What is the difference between the Tortuga Pro 34L and 40L?

Both use the same ECOPAK EPX200 waterproof sailcloth, YKK zippers, suitcase-style clamshell opening, and suspended 16-inch laptop sleeve. The 40L ($350, 4.4 lb) has a height-adjustable harness and an included weight-bearing hip belt, and holds 7 to 10 days of gear. The new 34L ($300, 3.6 lb) has a fixed but tuck-away harness, no included hip belt, and is sized for 5 to 7 days. Choose the 40L for maximum space and load comfort; choose the 34L if the 40L feels like too much bag.

Does the Tortuga Pro 34L come with a hip belt?

No. The Pro 34L ships without a hip belt and instead has attachment points for the optional Pro Hip Belt sold separately. Tortuga's reasoning is that a mid-sized 34-liter load is light enough that most travelers do not need one. If you routinely pack heavy or have back issues, budget for the add-on or step up to the 40L, which includes the belt.

How much does the Tortuga Pro V2 cost?

The Pro 40L is $350 and the new Pro 34L is $300, both direct from Tortuga with free US shipping over $95 and 30-day returns. That places the Pro line at the premium end of travel backpacks — above the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Cotopaxi Allpa 50L, and in the same tier as the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

Is the Tortuga Pro travel backpack carry-on compliant?

Yes. The 40L measures 22 x 14 x 8 inches and the 34L measures 20.5 x 13 x 7.5 inches, both designed to meet US and international carry-on limits and fit in overhead bins. Note that the 40L sits at the maximum end of carry-on dimensions, so a fully stuffed bag can draw scrutiny from stricter budget airlines.

Should I buy the Tortuga Pro or wait for reviews of the 34L?

The 40L is a known quantity with hundreds of owner reviews and an 8.6 out of 10 from Pack Hacker, so buying it is low-risk. The 34L is brand new and third-party reviews have not landed yet, so if you want the smaller size and are risk-averse, it is reasonable to wait for hands-on testing. Tortuga's 30-day return window lowers the stakes either way.