A Deep Dive into the Alpaka Shift Pack V2 - The Ultimate EDC and Travel Companion
When we were kids in school, no one told us we’d be lugging around backpacks for pretty much the rest of our lives. Yet here we are, from work commutes to weekend getaways, always carrying something on our backs. So why not find the right one? In this review, I’m diving into the Alpaka Shift Pack V2, a backpack that has become my go-to for everyday carry (EDC) and a reliable companion for travel.
For those of you who don’t know me yet, I’m all about filmmaking, tech, and accessories. I enjoy finding gear that not only looks good but also performs exceptionally. So let’s get into why the Alpaka Shift Pack V2 has earned a spot in my collection.
Disclaimer: Alpaka has no idea this post exists. They didn’t send anything, and everything I share here is based on my personal experience and opinions.
Initial Impressions
For a while, I was using the Alpaka Bravo Sling Max as my EDC bag. While it’s a fantastic sling for essentials, it started to feel a bit cramped on days when I needed to carry more than just the basics. Loving the quality of the Bravo Sling Max, I decided to check out the rest of Alpaka’s lineup, which led me to the Shift Pack V2. It’s currently available in their outlet, so if this review piques your interest, you might want to act fast before it’s gone.
Materials and Build
The Alpaka Shift Pack V2 is a 35-liter backpack that can expand to 37 liters thanks to its roll-top design. It’s available in different materials, including X-Pac 42 (a shiny polyester-like fabric) and ECOPAC, a ballistic nylon alternative with improved moisture and UV resistance. I opted for the ECOPAC material in “Army Green.” It’s slightly more rugged and less slippery than the X-Pac, which I prefer for a more secure feel.
The exterior of the bag has held up exceptionally well during everyday use and a couple of trips, showing no signs of wear. The roll-top is secured with a premium nylon strap and a magnetic buckle—Alpaka’s magnetic buckles are smooth and satisfying to use. The top handle is padded and feels secure in the hand, making it easy to grab and go.
All zippers on this bag are high-quality YKK, with waterproof Aquaguard zippers on the admin panel and laptop pockets, adding an extra layer of protection. The shoulder straps feature Alpaka’s Space Cell padding, which might be the most comfortable straps I’ve experienced. They also have attachment points for Alpaka’s modular HUB ecosystem, which is perfect for holding keys or other accessories.
One small issue I encountered was with the chest strap’s magnetic attachment. The magnet inside the plastic housing came loose, but a bit of Gorilla Glue fixed it, so I didn’t even need to contact support. Overall, the pack padding is plush and breathable, making it comfortable to wear for long periods, even when fully loaded. The luggage pass-through is a snug fit, keeping the bag stable when attached to a suitcase handle.
The water bottle pockets are elastic and stay close to the bag when not in use, yet they expand generously when needed—another thoughtful design choice.
Pocket Organization
The Shift Pack V2 offers plenty of well-thought-out storage options. The front of the bag has a small, hidden pocket near the bottom, perfect for quick-access items like sunglasses, a wallet, or a passport. Although this pocket doesn’t feature an Aquaguard zipper, the top flap offers decent protection from moisture.
The admin panel is a highlight for me, with its honeycomb-patterned, 300D ripstop nylon interior. The ECOPAC models feature a white interior, while the X-Pac versions have a striking blood-orange lining. Despite its light color, the white interior has remained clean, and the material feels rugged.
At the top of the admin panel, there’s a zippered pocket that’s perfect for storing items like my Ricoh GR III, an extra battery, and a charger. Below this, there are a few pouches for smaller items, pens, and notebooks. The deeper pockets are ideal for things like a portable iPad stand, hard drives, or my Apple Pencil and EDC pen.
The flap of the admin panel also features a mesh pocket—great for loose items like cables or SSDs—and another larger zippered pocket for medium-sized items like a MacBook charger. This pocket even has an AirTag holder, though I wish it was placed in a more discreet location.
Moving on to the laptop compartment, it’s well-padded and can accommodate up to a 16” laptop. My 14” MacBook fits with a bit of wiggle room, but it’s not excessive. The tablet sleeve is similarly padded and can easily fit the latest 14” iPad Pro.
One of the coolest features of the laptop compartment is the full access it offers to the main compartment. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to unroll the top, this zipper opens up the main compartment, making it easy to grab items from the bottom.
The main compartment itself is spacious and open, designed for larger items. On trips, I’ve packed it with slides, a hoodie, snacks, and a charging station, with room to spare. The roll-top closure and magnetic buckle make accessing this compartment quick and easy.
Pros and Cons
The Alpaka Shift Pack V2 has become my daily go-to for several reasons:
Pros:
Size: Perfect balance between capacity and comfort, even when fully loaded.
Materials: Premium and durable, still looking brand new after significant use.
Organization: The admin panel is a game-changer, eliminating the need for a separate tech pouch.
Comfort: The padded straps and breathable back panel make it easy to carry all day, even when running through an airport.
Cons:
Stability: When the main compartment isn’t fully packed, the bag doesn’t stand up on its own without leaning against something.
Pocket Sizes: The admin panel pockets are great but could be slightly larger for certain items.
Side Handles: I miss having side grab handles, especially coming from using a Peak Design backpack.
Final Thoughts
The Alpaka Shift Pack V2 is hands-down my favorite non-camera backpack. It’s functional, stylish, and built to last. Alpaka continues to impress with their products, and this pack is no exception.
Just a heads-up: At the time of writing, this bag is on Alpaka’s outlet, and I have no idea how long it’ll be in stock. I’ll leave a non-affiliate link below if you want to check it out while it’s still available.
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