Matador Globerider 35L Review (HONEST Pros & Cons)

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00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Gist of the Pack
03:37 - Differences of the Pack
04:51 - Front of the Pack
09:58 - Middle of the Pack
16:48 - Back of the Pack
22:35 - Pros and Cons
23:51 - Alternatives

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Built to Travel, Ready to Flex 🛫

The Matador Globerider 35L is a travel backpack that means business. Whether you're airport-hopping or remote working across borders, this pack is designed to go the distance. With a rugged look and a feature-rich build, it's ideal for travelers who like options—lots of compartments, lots of zippers, and just enough structure to keep everything neat but flexible. It's carry-on sized, weather-resistant, and packed with smart design touches that make moving through terminals (or train stations, or cities) way easier. The harness system is super comfy too—no aching shoulders here.

This is the kind of pack that lets you organize your life without slowing you down. The front gives you access to quick-grab items, the middle opens up like a suitcase for efficient packing, and the back is all about tech protection. It fits the digital nomad lifestyle but works just as well for light travel, weekend getaways, or one-bag living. Matador’s nailed that balance between rugged function and sleek travel vibes with this one.

Looking for a pack that works hard, travels light, and keeps things organized no matter the destination? Watch the full review to see if the Globerider 35L checks all your boxes. 🎥🌍

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Get the Matador Globerider 35L if…

✅ You are digging its overall look and design.

✅ You think the harness system is comfortable.

✅ You want a feature-heavy pack.

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DO NOT get the Matador Globerider 35L if…

❌ You want a similar pack, same aesthetic but more capacity for your next long trip. Below's another alternative... 👇🏼

🎒 Matador Globerider 45L
✍🏼 A larger version of the same design, perfect for extended trips or one-bag world travel.

❌ You want the backpacker vibe but prefer a more comfortable pack and a simpler user experience. Below's another alternative... 👇🏼

🎒 Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
✍🏼 A colorful, no-fuss travel pack with comfort and ease baked in.

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Specs / Features / Summary

• Capacity: 35L
• Color: Black
• Carry-on friendly
• Full clamshell opening
• Multiple quick-access pockets
• Weather-resistant build
• Comfortable, adjustable harness system

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Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Matador Globerider 35L review! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!)

Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

[Matadorup]

Thanks for the review, Aaron!

You're correct about the "YKK hardware" referring to the buckles, not the zippers. The water resistant exterior zippers on the GlobeRider35 are made by Zoom and always have been—there wasn't a change at any point. We received a lot of feedback on the larger GlobeRider45 travel pack that the YKK zippers were difficult to operate, so we decided to explore other options.

The zippers we’re using on the 35L are comparable in price to the YKK zippers on the 45L, it was not a cost saving measure on our part; it was a performance choice, these are very robust (especially the giant #10 main zippers) and slide much easier when opening/closing.

We’ve used Zoom on previous packs and their performance has always been stellar.

Hope this helps add some context.

[maicco]

***BEWARE: GIANT COMMENT*** Great review, Aaron, and it's obviously getting a lot of traction! I think this pack is picking up some buzz. It looked great to me, so I picked one up in black. Because I'm a nerd and OCD, I've got so many reflections on the pack. First, as long as it's not packed out depth-wise, I think there's a great chance this will fit under an airplane seat. Even the dimensions you listed are damn close to many airlines' specs (i.e., 18" x 14” x 8"). One of the first reviews on Matador's site mentions using it as a personal item without problems. But is it guaranteed? No way. One issue that might hinder the possibility is how BIG the pack looks for two reasons: 1) the totally rectangular shape (great for capacity efficiency, as you said); and 2) because of all those AG zippers and org pockets on the top, the top itself stays super wide and does not compress/narrow that well, though maybe it'll have more give with time. I like the two external mesh pockets, but if you have something in the front, that would keep it from personal-item status as well. My main concern was that the front one would become "floppy" over time, but Matador told me the mesh holds up well. The CS agent said she had a pack with it and had jammed the mesh full for years and it remains the same. Like you said, though, those mesh pockets will not keep out the rain. Not only will that get the contents wet, the rain will not drain quickly from the mesh pockets and thus water can seep into the main compartment through the seams. I wish Matador would've put some drainage ports/holes on the mesh pockets, as do companies like EG. As for comfort, I think the pack is great--better than AER on my frame for some reason. A big part is not just the dense foam but how wide the shoulder straps are (3"). Incidentally, and perhaps because I wear packs so tight and high, I didn't have the webbing at the bottom of the straps digging into my sides like you did, and I'm 5'9", your size. I actually measured the padded parts of the straps, and they're longer than those on Able Carry bags (the Max EDC and Max), one reason why I find the latter less comfortable. One awesome thing about the GlobeRider 35L is the ability to get in through the top OR the clamshell. That top entrance is super useful IMHO, and my giant new 16" MBP with a hard case fits well. Finally, the hip belt. I don't intend to use it, so I took it off. I was warned that it's difficult, and that's true. But with some experimenting, it's not that bad. Use some paper to keep the Velcro separated on one side while you undo the Velcro on the other side. Or, use one hand to undo one side, push those Velcro strips into the middle, undo the other side, and then slide the whole thing through, doing your best to keep the Velcro from engaging again on the opposite side. If the Velcro were one solid panel on both sides of the space, it'd be nearly impossible without a Mystery Ranch-like "spade." Or two. But because the Velcro parts are just narrow vertical strips, it's not that bad. Anyway, I think the pack is a keeper. Indeed, it might be the perfect candidate for "one-bag travel" or "one pack to do it all." But yeah, because of that mesh, you'll need a rain cover. PS--Just heard from Matador. The zippers are not YKK but from a company called "Zoon, " which they praised. I actually thought they were YKK because each zipper slide has a "Z" on one side. In YKK's code system, a "Z" means the zipper pulls are of the "snap-on" variety, and that looks like how the pulls were attached to the sliders. But nope, Zoon zippers, not YKK. They look solid and I trust Matador, so I'm not worried. ***GIANT COMMENT OVER****

[CubicleJckey]

If this bag came out when I was last shopping for my newest travel bag I probably would have bought it. It’s a tad heavy but so are my others. I opted for the Tortuga Expandable, but I really love the features on this bag while also being somewhat simple. The lack of a standalone laptop compartment is great for me, but I still like how you can access it from its own side zip. Multiple access points to the main literage is also a plus and the color is chefs kiss.

[stallon]

I recently used the bag for a 6 week holiday. Absolutely love it, my favourite bag so far. Just a great all rounder bag that fit my needs perfectly.
Those mesh pockets in the main compartment fit a lot more gear than they look, I used one for underwear and one for my tech kit. The outside mesh pocket was perfect for a hoodie.
Hip belt was a pain to remove, but im glad I have the option. I think ive got the hang of it now at least, ill probably just leave it in place in the future though.
Honestly my only complaint with the bag was too many pen pockets, ive seen people say they just rip the stitching and make a couple of bigger pockets there but I dont like doing that to my bags 😅

[QuickCatCO]

Bravo for the most comprehensive review of the bag I've seen so far.

[Krbi]

Great review! Do you think, this bag would work as a big EDC? If its comfy and you could singe it down withe the compression straps?

[billhughes]

That's a sexy bag. Love the color. I don't need one (still loving my Belroy Lite 30l) but I want one. Maybe I can put it up on my wall as art.
BTW, I make custom ultralight packs for hiking / paragliding and I (and others who make similar bags) put on a similar mesh front pocket. It's for putting wet clothes in so they can dry, or something like a layer/jacket you are going to be taking on and off.

[samblustein]

Great review as always. I just got this bag because I needed a travel backpack, and I will be using it for a short trip for a weightlifting comp. It feels really good to wear, and I like the look of it. I was going back and forth between so many bags, but because of my life situation, I chose matador for the previously mentioned aspects, but also because they have better payment options for people. I originally wanted the bellroy lite travel pack, but I am never able to just drop hundreds of dollars all at once so. (And yes, I am aware paying over time is probably worse, but I needed a bag and matador was my best option). Will report back on how it does.

[lasse]

Great review as always! Just one quick note; maybe this was changed since you guys filmed the review, but on Matador’s website there’s no mention of YKK zippers being used in the bag.

I agree with you that it’s a miss, if true, particularly at this pricepoint. Might make me look elsewhere, which is a shame since this is one of the few bags that can actually be bought here in Europe (no AER, no Tortuga etc).

[jazzsmit]

The look and red color are awesome! However, 35L and the weight are too much for me. If Matador makes a 20L with similar look and color, and lighter, I’ll surely go for it. Ty Aaron for the review.

[chrisyun]

I did purchase this pack and want to reiterate his point: the hip belt is a HASSLE to remove. The Velcro on both sides of the belt, coupled with the very narrow/tight "sleeve" it rests in, makes it difficult to detach. The Velcro "fighting" you does not make it quick to remove by any means.

The hip belt is also secured with buckle hardware at the bottom base of the main harness straps. These, too, are slightly annoying to remove, as manipulating them is difficult because the hardware is so tiny (I wouldn't say I have big hands for a man).

There is no proper way to remove them easily. They could have executed this in a more user-friendly way, but if you're using this pack for its capacity, you might as well leave the hip belt on because you'll want the support.

[NicKarczewski]

You're meant to fold the straps at the seam essentially in half before stowing them. Eliminates that "bulk" at the top. I also don't know why you listed laptop access as a con when you have dual access points to it, more than most bags.

[asianicole]

There is a smuggulers pocket underneath the back panel at the top.

[bani_niba]

In all of your other videos, 1 lb per 10 liters of capacity is a desirable goal for a backpack, so I don't know why this pack was criticized when it hit that goal. I realize this pack isn't trying to be a super-light bag but I still think that criticism was unfair. Feature-wise, I think this pack is pretty close to my idea for a one-bag-travel pack. The only improvement I can think of is adding a 2nd water bottle holder, maybe less handles. For the front stretch mesh pocket, I would only use it for outer layers - light jacket/hat/gloves so I don't care it's exposed to the elements (as all of those items would be worn if it was raining/snowing).

[kitty_s]

Likes: the general look, the lil pocket up top, the red color

Dislikes: the small top strap, the WEIGHT: it's too heavy for me @ 1.62 kg. I keep in mind the 7kg carryon limit, so this one is a NO for me.

Thnx for the vid! Good review. 👍

[Threesnap]

I've seen people on reddit suggest putting cardboard in front and behind hip belt to keep velcro separated to have a easier time removing.

[ccbbonk]

I was thinking of getting 45l one before, but it was too big and hipbelt was not removable. There are some downsides but I reckon they did a fine job for this 35l bag, put alot of thoughts to it. I would certainly choose this one over 45l. Thanks for the great review again.

[IsidorPapapetros]

Given what you have packed in and I know that everyone’s packing will be different, how much did it weigh? For Eg. +/- 7kg which is the limit now for most on board bags which you rightly said many airlines are weighing.

[qudjy]

Use 2 rulers to get between the velcro and itll slide out - but yeah thats wild to have it on both sides.

[blainethepain]

Also, if you’re stowing the shoulder straps you can store the hip belt too up into those same channels.