HONEST Tropicfeel Hive Backpack Review (This bag's... complicated)

I love that this has a hip belt. There are some people known as... Women. Or just smaller people in general who like to carry a lot of stuff!

Hive version 2.0 is coming soon, I hope you'll do a review because it fixes some of the issues you mentioned

I've had my Hive for about 2 years now and it's held up well. Biggest gripe is the water bottle pocket by far. But I use it for everything from commuting, to grocery shopping, weekend getaways to hybrid adventure travel. I do wish there was some kind of locking mechanism for the magnet pouches

You could probably put the laptop in a sleeve and load it behind the wardrobe system.

I totally agree about the laptop storage apace. The ONLY safe space for a laptop is at the back of the bag / next to the wearer. They need to change that part of the design immediately!

I've had my eye on this for so long but haven't pulled the trigger because of the lower quality materials.

I've been watching the Hive for a while because it looks like it has so many cool features. It finally went on an actual sale (instead of like 5% off or whatever) so I decided to take a chance on it and three of the accessories. I completely agree with your review. So many cool ideas, all poorly executed. It's so disappointing because you can see what they're trying for, and it's almost there. But "not quite" isn't good enough at this price point, even on sale. I'll be returning it. It looks like they need to get a wider variety of people to test the next iteration of this thing, instead of just "digital nomads" with trust funds and "influencers." (No offense.) I don't know how they can claim this thing holds 40+ liters, even with the accessories. I'm going to pay half the money and get a Cotopaxi Allpa in one of their obnoxiously bright del dia colorways instead.

I just discovered your channel and it seems like we have similar ideas about backpacks. I'm curious to learn more about the one you're designing. I'm about to search your channel for more information.

Its a pity you didn pack the clothes from the wardrobe unit separately then in a parking cube as to give an idea as to whether or not the wardrobe system is really a space saver

When will bag manufacturers understand that you do NOT use black interiors!!!

I wish companies would lay off the cheesy motivational messages – Beyond Travel. No thanks! I like to stow my dangle, too. Love Tropicfeel Canyon shoes and a long vest coat thing, though.

Thanks for the video. I hate Velcro. If some backpack has them it’s rejected. Also putting laptop forward is a bold idea.

just thinking… the detachable water bottle could be a detachable sling for wallet keys? just w thought… cant wait to have this bag on my hand 😀😀🔥🔥🔥

Please review the Sympl 25L Weekender!!!!! :)

Grey strap on black looks a mess.
Laptop compartment on the front is iffy as hell.
Sling/Hipbelt is pretty cool functionally, but it looks🤢
No-stretch bottle and front pocket is an abomination.

This bag can do so many things, but it doesn't do each of them well enough to be a compelling purchase.
Seems like every feature is a con. Expandable but with ugly quotes, bottle pocket but it doesn't stretch, dedicated laptop compartment but it'll probably break your laptop.

This is over-engineered, expensive... and not that attractive to me (but thats a matter of taste).

If you don't do the system, its just a basic, expensive backpack with the laptop in a odd position. If I do do the system, it does so much that it doesn't do anything well.

Even if the clipped modules are secure, it doesn't evoke the feeling of security. I prefer my items as much as possible be inside my backpack, instead of clipped outside of it, while still having easy access.

The hip best is actually a waist belt, and the interior closet system, while novel, seems like it's quite bulky and only works well if all your accommodations have closets. Im curious how many clothes you'd be able to fit in the closet compression vs just using a regular compression cube.

The alternatives seem much better.

You hit on something here that I've always been frustrated by but never really gave words to: the best-laid plans of front-of-pack pockets/panels going awry when a bag is packed out. I feel like you really need to give these pockets their own volume in some way, or position them/size them as a home for smaller objects or more flexible objects only. This is actually my one complaint about my Aer Travel Pack 3, which I never really saw anyone talk about in reviews: that front admin compartment is dope, with all its great organization and the long sleeve pocket against the back that feels made for a tablet, but when you fully pack the main compartment out, it gets a curve in it that compromises a lot of aspects of the panel - anything rigid like a tablet feels like a mistake to store there, as you have opposing pressure being put on it by the middle of the bag and the force of zippering the pocket; and even the gusseted pockets start to feel like places I'm loath to store anything that isn't small, thin, flat, and/or flexible. I think it's just a thing with front pockets that run the length of a bag and are ostensibly made for rigid objects (as opposed to clothes), and it's probably the only aspect of Aer's design that I feel like isn't perfect. Sure, it's a great organizational area when the pack isn't full, but it's a 35L travel pack, it's made to be packed out.

ANYWAY, long way of saying that I completely feel you on the front-loading tech compartment. Almost all backpacks are made to curve as you're packing them, and with the back necessarily having to be rigid, there's only one way for that curve to go. Not the place for long, wide, flat pieces of tech.

I recently bought the tropicfeel nook (at a discounted price, it is NOT worth the full cost) and I agree, I HATE the "Beyond travel" sign on the expansion. It's so corny 😭

I do not like a lot of things about this bag. It seems purpose built for Instagram targeted ads. The silly gimmicks are far too numerous to be in any way useful.

I think the laptop thing is worse if you go to a 16". I also never quite understand a glasses/sunglasses compartment that's soft, because unless your glasses are flat, it's dicey. I get what they were going for, but it's a no go to me. Mainly because of the laptop pouch, but also the whole add on thing. The stiff looking back panel makes it even more confusing as to why the laptop section isn't there.

I should stop watching. I just realized I cannot afford the backpacks reviewed here.

Wow, that is a bag. Way too complicated for my liking especially for the price. Interesting system but for all that I would spend my 💰on AER or Pakt

Love your videos, and what your doing on Nomads Nation. Are you planning to do any more roll top reviews? I found a roll top from a company called Stubble and Co and I really like it, but would be curious to hear your thoughts?

Nice Video..What is the Gist please?Among The Bags Brands that you reviewed Which one is your favorite bag brand & why please?

I have multiple tropicfeel products, fhis product is so stupid. Too tall to be a personal irem, too large to be a carry on fully expanded, 6L of space dedicated to just shoes if you use the bag as intended? Im completely missing the vision here

Well, at least if one would be curious and wanted to try this one, the price isn't THAT high... For the bare backpack that is)

you are absolutely right, that bag is complicated, and I got tired just watching but I like the wardrobe system that is cool! However, I am not a traveler type so I will still wait for Fyro which I think is more into urban backpacking or light travelling.

That removable waist belt was "taken from" or inspired by the original Pakt travel bag which I honestly kind of liked about the V1.

Eww.. that mixed black and grey strap is not my taste. I doubt the load lifter is as good as Aer. I stay with Aer and still waiting for the premier launch of Fyro backpack. Clock is ticking, the New Year is approaching and new Fyro backpack would be perfect present 🎁 😂

Yo Aaron, keep up the good work! Any plans for more duffle bag reviews? I’d really like to hear your thoughts on the Tom Bihn bags: Aeronaut 30/45 and the Trinity specifically