Are you looking for a backpack that you can use for a week-long trip or business trip? In this article, I will introduce the Gregory Compass 40, a popular backpack that I have been using for five years. I traveled with the Compass 40 for three months in about 20 countries around the world. This article focuses on the size of the Compass 40, my impressions, its advantages and disadvantages, and what I learned from using it for a long period of time.
In conclusion, buying the Compass 40 was a great decision! I can confidently recommend this backpack to both men and women. I recommend it not only for overseas travel but also for business trips.
Product Specification
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 40 litre |
| Size | 23. 25″ X 13. 5″ X 9. 75″ (55 cm X 32 cm X 25 cm) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (963g) |
| Price | $129.95 |
| Price at Amazon | $129.95 (Check the latest price here) |
| User Review at Amazon | ★★★★★ (4.7 out of 5) |
The Compass 40 has a capacity of 40 liters and weighs only 963 grams. I researched and researched various backpacks when I bought it, and finally chose the Compass 40.
After using it, I found out that the 40-liter Compass 40 is just the right size for a trip of a few days to a week. I went on a three-month trip with just the Compass 40, and it was still fine. This is because even if I travel for more than a week, I just wash my clothes every week. The size is sufficient for medium to long term trips of several months.
And what’s even better is that it’s just barely big enough to be carried on LCCs, even though LCCs charge a fee for checked luggage and it’s expensive, but you don’t have to worry about that with the Compass 40.
Compartment Review of Gregory Compass40
On the outside of the Gregory Compass 40, there are four pockets.
- Main pocket that opens like a suitcase
- Back computer pocket convenient for storing a computer
- Upper pocket for small items
- Expanding Bottom Compartment convenient for shoes or laundry
There are no side pockets, but on the contrary, it makes the Compass 40 a safer backpack. The pockets are very well designed. Let’s take a look at each one in detail.
Main Pocket
The main pocket here is designed to open like a suitcase. Many backpacks, including the Karrimor I used to use, have an opening at the top, so you have to take things in and out from the top in order. Whenever I wanted to take something out, I had to take everything out and put it back in again, which was very painful.
I came across the Gregory Compass 40 when I was looking for a bag pack that would open up on the back like a suitcase. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s just like a suitcase, but it’s pretty close, and it’s saved me a lot of pain getting my stuff in and out! This is really convenient. When I get to my lodgings, I just open the main pocket up and it’s easy to organize my luggage.
Back computer pocket
There is a flat, separate pocket on the back side that can hold up to 15-inch computer. This pocket is quite convenient for those who carry a computer. This pocket is quite handy for those who carry their computers with them, allowing them to quickly retrieve their computers at the airport baggage checkpoint. Furthermore, it has a protective pad to protect it from shocks. I also carry my Mac with me all the time in my Compass 40, and thanks to it, it’s currently intact!
I always carry my computer with me when I travel, so this computer pocket is a must. There are times when I want to open my computer while I’m waiting for something, so the computer pocket is really convenient for me to take out my computer.
Upper Pocket
On the top of my backpack, there is a large top pocket that can hold about two bottles of water. I usually put things in that pocket that I need to take out quickly (for example, a book to read on the train, water, etc.). Of course, the zipper is on your back, so you can avoid the risk of strangers opening it without your permission.
Inside the pockets, there are mesh pockets where I can put all the small things together, so I can keep my small things organized even though I am not good at organizing.
Expanding Bottom Compartment
There is also a pocket at the very bottom that is about twice the size of the top pocket. I usually put flip-flops and laundry in this pocket to keep things a little dirtier. It’s really convenient to have separate pockets for laundry that I want to keep separate. It is very useful.
No Side Pocket
It is close to the best in design and feel, but it does not have a side pocket to hold my bottle for drinking water. Instead of having no side pockets, it has a slim looking back. Also, many bag packs from other brands that look cool do not have side pockets.
Pros and Cons of Compass 40
I have actually been using Compass 40 for three years now. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages I have found in using it. Here are the details.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to Carry | No waist belt |
| Storage Capacity | Appearance |
| Easy access to luggage | |
| Pickpocket-resistant safety design | |
| Stain-resistant and break-resistant design |
Cons: No waist belt
The Compass 40 does not have a waist belt to support the weight of the backpack. When you carry a heavy load, the weight goes directly to your shoulders.
To be honest, as a woman, I felt that it was “hard” for me to walk long distances with a heavy load in the Compass 40. However, it is not that big, only 40 liters in size, so if you don’t only put heavy things in it, I don’t think it will be that heavy.
I weighed the Compass 40 many times at airports. It always weighed between 10kg (22 pounds) and 12kg (27 pounds). 10kg is the weight limit for many LCCs, so if you are a little careful, you can clear the LCC weight limit.
Cons: Easy to Carry
The Gregory Company was founded in 1977 by Wayne Gregory, a famous climber. This outdoor brand was born in California, USA, and focuses on backpacks. It has been called the Rolls-Royce of the backpack world for its comfort. Because Gregory’s products have been made with a focus on backpacks, they are quite comfortable when carried on the back!
As long as you do not put a lot of heavy stuff, you can carry very comfortably. I carry my luggage all the time and did not need to ask any help for my husband during the 3-month travel.
Cons: Appearance
My husband said that when I carry my Compass 40, I look like a turtle in the back… See my picture above. Do I look like a turtle? My Compass 40 is khaki colored. And since I am a woman, I have a small back. I guess it made me look like a turtle. For women, the Compass 40 may look a bit large. However, if you are a man, your back is probably bigger than your backpack, so I don’t think you will be told that you look like a turtle like I did.
Sometimes I asked my husband to carry the Compass 40 on his back, but he didn’t look like a turtle.
Pros: Storage Capacity
Believe me. The Compass 40 gives you enough storage for your 1-week travel. Even you can use for 3-month travel as I did.
When we traveled all over the world with Compass 40 for 3 months, my husband traveled with a 40-liter Kalimar backpack and I traveled with a 40-liter Gregory Compass 40 backpack. My husband and I carried about the same amount of stuff (a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries), but his 40-liter Kalimar backpack was always full! Often, I couldn’t fit anything in it. Whenever there was more laundry to be done, there were times when I couldn’t fit anything in my Kalimah backpack.
The Compass 40 is square in shape and does not have a lot of dead space in its design, so it can hold a lot of stuff, even if I have more stuff. As a result, there were times when I had to carry a lot of stuff, but the Compass 40’s storage capacity helped me a lot!
Pros: Easy access to luggage
One of the main features of the Compass 40 is this design, which can be opened like a suitcase. This is the reason why I chose the Compass 40, and it is really easy to use. You can use the backpack like a suitcase.
For example, when you are traveling for a long period of time, you may check out of your hotel the next day on short trips. It’s very tiring to arrive at the hotel every time, take out your luggage, and pack it up to leave the next day. I hate it too. With the Compass 40, however, the lid that holds the luggage in and out opens wide, so it is easy to put the luggage in and out. I don’t have to go through the nightmarish process of packing my stuff in order from the bottom up, and then taking out the bottom stuff again if I forgot to put something in… as is often the case with conventional backpacks! Packing is really done in 10 minutes.
I used to feel uneasy if I didn’t pack the night before, but now that I travel with the Compass 40, packing has become easier, so I always pack quickly on the morning of departure. My husband always looked at me sideways and murmured, “I like the Compass 40. It really, really made packing a lot easier!
A trick to make packing even shorter is to use travel pouches. If you put all your clothes, daily necessities, etc. in each pouch, you can just pop them in and out. The cheapest travel pouches start at around 2000 yen, so if you travel a lot, I highly recommend them. I’ve been using Amazon Basic brand travel pouches for about three years now, and they’ve made my travel packing much easier.
Pros: Pickpocket-resistant safety design
The openings for pockets and other compartments are all on the back. It was helpful for me to be able to carry my backpack without worrying about my back, even in cities where pickpockets are common, or in crowded bus and train stations. When you go to a foreign country, there are people who have a surprisingly small personal space with others, and I don’t know if they have bad intentions or not, but there are people who pack you in pretty tight. It was very helpful to be able to focus my attention on the second bag in front of me even in the presence of such people.
Additionally, the Compass 40 does not have a side pocket. When I first bought it, I thought that the lack of side pockets was a drawback. However, when I actually traveled for long periods of time, I found no inconvenience without the side pocket. Many travelers carry bottled water or sandals in their side pockets. I was one of them. However, when I checked them into the plane or squatted down, the things in the side pockets would fall out, fall out. With other backpacks, things in the side pockets would fall out, but with the Compass 40, there are no side pockets, so things no longer fall out or get lost, which I think is an advantage. The lack of side pockets was not a disadvantage!
Pros: Stain-resistant and break-resistant design
The Compass 40 is really sturdy, I’ve been using it for 5 years now and it hasn’t really broken down in any way, and I’m sure I can use it for another 10 years. I have used it for five years and it has not broken in any way. The zipper, which is the most fragile part of the bag, has not been broken at all.
The only part that is slightly damaged is the cushion part on the back side. The only part that is a little bit damaged is the cushion on the back side, which is slightly frayed as shown in the photo below. However, I can still use it without any problems.
User Review of Compass 40
I’m enthusiastically recommending Compass 40, but I’m not the only one giving it high marks! Others are giving it high marks as well. Others have given it high marks as well, including Amazon, which gave it a 4.7 out of 5! Also, 76% of users gave it a 5 out of 5 rating. Now you can see that I’m not the only one giving it a high rating, other people are too.
I want to see for myself! If that’s the case, you can access the Gregory Compass 40 rating on Amazon to check it out. Amazon Review Page of Gregory Compass 40
Compass 40 is recommended for
After using it, I would recommend the Gregory Compass 40 for short to long term travelers, as it can easily hold a week’s worth of clothes. I also recommend it for people who don’t want to check their luggage with the airline. It meets the baggage restrictions of many airlines, so I have never been caught in the baggage check before boarding. Even if I were to check it in as hand luggage, it would be durable enough as I have never had it tear.
On the other hand, I do not recommend using the Compass 40 for climbing or other purposes. The reason is that we feel that its ability to support the load of the luggage is weak.
Frequently Asked Questions for Compass 40
Q. Does it fit under the seat on flights?
A. According to United Airlines, the maximum dimensions for your personal item are 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters). However, the dimensions of Compass 40 are 23. 25 inches X 13. 5 inches X 9. 75 inches. I would say the Compass 40 is slightly bigger than United’s seat size. If your compass 40 does not have a lot of stuff with plenty of empty spaces, you can fit it underneath of your seat. Otherwise it would be advised to store in the overhead bin.
Q. Can I bring Compass 40 as carry-on bag?
According to United Airlines, the maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters). The dimensions of Compass 40 are 23. 25 inches X 13. 5 inches X 9. 75 inches. Very slightly the Compass 40 is bigger than the defined size of carry-on bag.
A. I boarded a lot of international flights with Compass 40. Even LCC flight. Most of time I could bring my Compass 40 as a carry-on bag since the bag is nylon. It is easy to push to fit the carry-on size.
Q. Is it waterproof or does it come with a rain cover?
A. This is not waterproof. This does not come with a rain cover. Based on my experience, in case of light rain, it does not get wet so much. It protected my laptop and clothes. However I think it needs a rain cover in case of heavy rain.
Q. Can luggage locks be used on this?
Yes for main storage compartment. I usually lock it. However, you cannot lock other compartments.
Q. Which one is better Compass 40 or Compass 30?
In fact, Compass 40 also has a compact size series called Compass 30. Both Compass 30 and Compass 40 have almost the same design. It’s troubling. The Compass 30 is a smaller version of the Compass 30, and 30 liters is said to be ideal for two days and one night. Let’s compare the specifications.
In fact, based on my experience of traveling for three months with Compass 40, here are my recommendations for Compass 30.
- Often travel for 3 days and 2 nights
- Often use LCC airlines with strict luggage restrictions
- (e.g., Air Asia, Jet Star, Spring Airlines, HKExpress)
- Petite women
Summary
Overall I am satisfied with my Compass 40 due to its quality and design. If my backpack is broken, I would buy Gregory Product again. If you are planning to buy a backpack for 1-week travel, I definitely recommend this product. Since this product is popular, you do not usually see a discount.