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With the GlobeRider35, Matador has made a travel backpack that’s smart enough to challenge the carry-on suitcase, and in some cases, replace it.
I’ll be honest, I’m not even a backpack person. Never have been. Airports for me usually involve rolling a carry-on suitcase, breezing through terminals, coffee in one hand, and zero stress in sight. For longer holidays, I typically bring along a larger check-in suitcase and pair it with a weekender bag as my carry-on. Make no mistake, though, I know my way around backpacks. As part of my job at Travel Away, I’ve been road testing more than 60 pieces (from brands like Peak Design, Tortuga, Db, Bellroy, and the like) in the last 5 years.
But backpacks are usually my partner’s thing. I’ve always thought they were either too bulky, too sporty, less comfortable to travel with than a rolling suitcase, or just not intuitive enough for organized packing.
That being said, this isn’t a review from a lifelong backpack loyalist. It’s from someone who actively avoids them. And yet, here I am, writing this after several trips where I chose the GlobeRider35 over my beloved rolling carry-on. Willingly.
Overview
The Matador GlobeRider35 is smart, lightweight, attractive, and incredibly capable. It holds just the right amount without encouraging overpacking, and its layout makes living out of a backpack (even for a week) completely doable. And that’s just scratching the surface.
Who’s Matador?
I’ve been familiar with Matador for many years, when they started making waves with their packable gear for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Born in Boulder, Colorado, their designs combine rugged durability with minimalist styling, and the GlobeRider35 is a perfect example of that blend. It’s adventure-ready, but also sophisticated and streamlined enough for travelers who want both form and function.
Materials & Build
One thing that really stood out after using the GlobeRider35 on a few trips is that it manages to strike a rare balance: it’s tough enough for real-world travel, yet it doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around a piece of outdoor gear when you’re just trying to get through an airport.
The exterior is made from 420D Bluesign® recycled nylon with a waterproof PU coating. Translation? It’s water-resistant enough to shrug off a light rainstorm or the occasional splash on a boat deck (tested that one personally), and durable enough to handle being shoved under seats, into overhead bins, and into car trunks. It never once felt delicate or high-maintenance, even in the white colorway I chose.
The zippers are PU-coated for weather resistance and feel seriously robust; they’ve never snagged or felt flimsy, even when I’ve packed the bag to capacity. And yes, I’ve tested the limits.
Inside, the EVA foam padding on the shoulder straps, back panel, and hip belt makes a real difference when the bag is fully loaded. You can tell this wasn’t just a design slapped onto a basic silhouette; it was engineered with comfort and durability in mind.
The HDPE framesheet and aluminum framestay give the bag enough structure to distribute weight evenly without making it feel rigid or bulky. It holds its shape nicely, which is a huge help when packing and unpacking, especially on multi-stop trips.
What’s more, all the materials are PFAS-free and sustainably sourced. Matador uses recycled fabrics that have been tested to meet or exceed the performance standards of traditional ones. So, while it doesn’t scream “eco gear,” it’s nice knowing that the durability comes with some environmental responsibility baked in.
In short, the GlobeRider35 is lightweight without feeling cheap, structured without being stiff, and durable without being overbuilt. I’ve never once worried about it falling apart or showing early wear, and that says a lot.
Design & Organization
The organization in this backpack is next-level, and this is coming from someone who gets excited about packing cubes and zip pouches. I appreciate that everything has its place, and yet nothing feels over-compartmentalized. You’re not wrestling with 50 tiny pouches or playing Tetris just to close the zipper.
Clamshell-style opening: It opens like a suitcase, which immediately made it familiar to me. Everything is visible and accessible at once.
Top quick-access zipper: Great for tossing in a scarf or grabbing a charger without tearing the whole bag apart.
Admin panel: I used this more than I expected during my trips. With slots for pens, cords, passport, and even a little snack pocket, I didn’t even have to bring a separate tech pouch.
Hidden back pocket: I must admit that I only discovered this after one trip. Nevertheless, it quickly became my secret stash for travel documents and cash. Discreet and secure.
Laptop compartment: The laptop sleeve deserves a shoutout. It’s padded, suspended (so your laptop doesn’t slam into the floor if you drop the bag), and you can access it from the top or the side. This is a huge plus when you’re in a TSA line or need to grab your device mid-flight. I’ve packed either my 15″ MacBook Air or my iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard on different trips, and there’s always been plenty of room to spare.
Comfort
This was the area I expected to struggle with most, but I didn’t. The GlobeRider35 is a genuinely comfortable backpack.
The EVA foam padding on the back panel and shoulder straps is dense but soft, so even when the bag is fully packed, it doesn’t feel like it’s pressing into your spine or pulling down on your shoulders. The back panel is also breathable, which really helped when I was walking around in warm weather.
The hip belt takes the weight off your shoulders and cleverly distributes it to your hips, which was a lifesaver on those long travel days with lots of walking or hauling the bag between train platforms.
You also get an infinitely adjustable sternum strap and load lifters, which help fine-tune the fit no matter your frame. I’m not the tallest, and it didn’t feel oversized or like it was swallowing my back, which has been an issue with other technical packs I’ve tried.
Another small but thoughtful feature is the tail management pockets on the hip belt. They keep the excess strap length neatly tucked away so you’re not dealing with dangling bits flapping around as you walk. And if you ever do need to check the bag, you can stow the shoulder straps and hip belt completely, keeping everything streamlined and safe from baggage carousel damage.
Style
Let’s talk style. The GlobeRider35 has a clean look and a premium feel, and that really matters when you’re packing light and need one bag to do it all.
I chose the white version – risky, I know – but it’s actually held up really well. It has a quite unique matte finish that wipes clean easily, and the subtle branding and contemporary, squared silhouette make it look more urban-travel-savvy than “gap year backpacker.”
I’ve walked into cafés and boutique hotels wearing it and didn’t feel like a backpacker crashing the scene. Is it a fashion accessory? No. But it is a pulled-together, modern, good-looking travel backpack. Its minimalist look and smart design are a big part of why we ranked it #1 in our best backpacks of 2025 list.
The Few Things I’d Change
No bag is perfect, and while the GlobeRider35 comes close, here are a few small things I’d tweak:
Hip belt removal. I love that the hip belt is removable, but the process feels more complicated than it should be. It requires threading through loops and working around buckles, and it’s certainly not something you’ll want to do on the fly, especially mid-trip. A more user-friendly system would be a big upgrade.
Straps management. It’s a minor aesthetic thing, but a bit more control for dangling straps would be nice.
No locking laptop zipper. This is not an issue for me, but the option for added peace of mind in crowded places (or when stashing it in a hostel locker) would be appreciated.
These are all relatively minor things, and none of them has been a dealbreaker. But if Matador ever updates the design, these would be easy improvements that could take an already excellent pack to the next level.
How I Tested the Matador GlobeRider35 in the Real World
A bag can look great in product photos and still fall apart in the chaos of actual travel. So, naturally, I took the GlobeRider35 on a range of trips to see how it holds up, not just on paper, but in the real-life rhythm of planes, transfers, unexpected detours, and limited luggage space.
As a carry-on: I’ve now flown with the GlobeRider35 on everything from full-service airlines to stingy budget carriers with the most unforgiving overhead bins (hello, Vueling, Ryanair, and Wizzair!), and it’s never once been gate-checked.
It fitted in overhead compartments on any airline I’ve flown, it was comfortable to wear in the airport, and the multitude of handles all over made it easy to manage. And because it’s so streamlined, it never drew attention at boarding (even when fully packed), or felt like I was carrying the whole closet on my back.
On the boat: On a long weekend aboard a small boat in Mallorca, space was at a premium. There was simply no room to open a suitcase, let alone leave it open to access things throughout the day. The GlobeRider made it easy to keep everything organized and accessible in a tight footprint. That top quick-access zipper was especially handy for grabbing sunscreen, a jacket, or a book on the fly.
Even better? The lack of wheels was actually an advantage. Hopping on and off the boat, climbing docks, carrying it down narrow piers – having everything on my back made things smoother and less clunky. It felt purpose-built for this kind of travel.
Road tripping in rural Andalusia: For a weekend countryside retreat in Andalusia, I was so glad not to be dragging a rolling suitcase across dirt roads and gravel paths. The hotel was tucked in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by uneven terrain and dust, not exactly roller-friendly.
With the GlobeRider, I just lifted it in and out of the car, walked across the grounds without hassle, and had everything I needed in one place. No overpacking regrets, no unpacking frustration. It carried comfortably and stayed out of the way when it needed to.
On a weeklong trip. Nailed it. I packed layers, toiletries, even a little tech for a full 7-day trip in unpredictable spring weather with no problem. And not once did I feel like I had to sacrifice what I brought. The clamshell opening and internal organization made it easy to live out of the bag.
It carried well, stayed tidy, and actually made packing and unpacking feel kind of effortless, even with multiple stops and outfit changes along the way.
Final Thoughts
For someone like me (a suitcase loyalist), the Matador GlobeRider35 was an unexpected but very welcome surprise. It offers the freedom of a backpack with the structure and ease of a suitcase. Add in clever organization, sharp looks (seriously, the white color is stunning), and a background of rugged reliability from a brand that understands travel, and this pack is the real deal.
It’s immensely practical, deceptively spacious, and above all, insanely comfortable. I never thought I’d say this, but during the trips I traveled with it, I haven’t missed my wheels as much as I thought I would.