Article by John Tribbia
Matador GlobeRider35 Travel Backpack ($290)
Introduction
For the athlete who travels, gear must offer more than just functionality. It needs a seamless blend of durability, organization, and comfort, transitioning effortlessly from cramped airline cabins and bustling concourses to conference rooms and impromptu trail runs. The ideal travel backpack would strike the balance between weight consciousness and protection, accessibility and security, comfort and compactness.
First Impressions
The Matador GlobeRider35 is a compelling 35-liter solution engineered for athletes who want performance, even when traveling. Built from 420D Bluesign-approved recycled nylon with a polyurethane waterproof coating, this pack is durable while maintaining a relatively lightweight 3.44-pound profile.
The GlobeRider35 immediately impressed me with its intelligent approach to organization and access, featuring dual laptop compartment entry points, six strategically positioned grab handles, and a sophisticated internal system that effectively eliminates the need for additional packing accessories.
The pack's dimensions (20.2" x 12.5" x 9") ensure carry-on compliance across major airlines, while its clamshell opening provides the luggage-style access that makes packing and unpacking efficient.
Matador integrated premium hardware throughout, including YKK zippers with security-conscious pull-through tabs and an internal HDPE frame sheet with an aluminum stay for maintaining structure without excessive bulk.
My recent four-day business trip from Denver to New York provided the perfect real-world testing ground for the GlobeRider35's capabilities. This trip consistently demands versatility: navigating Denver’s sprawling terminals, fitting into cramped airline overhead bins, maneuvering through New York City’s chaos, and squeezing in runs along the Hudson River.
At 5 '6", I was particularly interested in how this pack would handle extended carry periods and whether its numerous features would prove genuinely useful. The pack accompanied me through temperature swings from Denver's crisp mornings to New York's humid afternoons, carrying everything from business attire and electronics to running gear and weather protection.
Fit, Comfort & Performance
The GlobeRider35's harness system was well-proportioned for my stature. Unlike oversized travel packs that can overwhelm smaller frames, the GlobeRider35's dimensions felt naturally balanced for my stature. The load lifter straps are positioned at shoulder height, allowing effective weight distribution without the awkward positioning common in one-size-fits-all designs. The back panel's dense foam padding conformed comfortably to my torso, while the internal frame sheet provided nice structure that prevents gear from creating pressure points.
The shoulder straps impressed me with their dense padding construction and breathable mesh integration. The padding thickness strikes an ideal balance between substantial enough to cushion heavy loads, yet not so bulky as to restrict arm movement or add excessive bulk when stowed. The sternum strap adjustment was intuitive and remained positioned throughout faster movement.
The four compression straps (two per side) proved invaluable for minimizing internal movement. When properly cinched, they create a solid, unified load that moves as one unit with my body. This stability extended to walking on uneven surfaces, navigating crowded subway cars, and the general chaos of urban travel.
The padded hip belt deserves specific mention.
While effective at transferring weight off the shoulders when the pack reached capacity, it generated more heat than anticipated during extended wear. The same breathable mesh used elsewhere couldn't quite overcome this additional insulating layer. However, the belt's stowability means it's easily tucked away when not needed, and its small mesh pockets proved surprisingly useful for quick-access items during transit.
Organization System
The 35-liter capacity definitely hit the sweet spot for my four-day trip in terms of storing all that I needed for that duration. The pack's luggage-style opening was also a great feature.
Being able to see everything from the top down made organization intuitive and repacking at checkout efficient. The laptop compartment's dual access system, which initially seemed gimmicky, ultimately proved to be one of the pack's standout features.
The side-panel access allowed TSA-friendly laptop removal without unpacking the main compartment, which was a genuine time-saver during security screening. The top-access point was great for quick laptop retrieval during work sessions without disturbing the rest of my gear.
The front-panel admin organization has a comprehensive layout: two mesh pockets for cables and chargers, four dedicated pen slots, and two zippered compartments for smaller electronics and documents.
This comprehensive system eliminated the need for a separate tech pouch, streamlining packing and ensuring every item had a designated home. The top soft-lined pocket was great for protecting phones, sunglasses, and other scratch-sensitive items. Its easy accessibility made it my go-to location for items needed during transit. However, the external organization is somewhat minimal for those who prefer readily accessible pockets for travel documents, snacks, or frequently used items.
Conclusion
The GlobeRider35 is definitely a testament to Matador's commitment for thoughtful refinement over flashy innovation. Rather than reinventing travel pack design, they've taken established concepts and executed them with precision using premium materials and meticulous attention to detail.
The result is a pack that feels comfortable and familiar yet polished. Despite its high price point, the GlobeRider35 excels where it matters most: durability, organization, and long-term comfort.
For athletes and professionals who log serious travel miles and refuse to compromise on quality, the GlobeRider35 earns its place in the premium tier through consistent, dependable performance.
GlobeRider 35 and all of Matador
John Tribbia (5' 6", 130lbs) is a former sponsored mountain/trail runner who has run with La Sportiva, Brooks/Fleet Feet, Pearl Izumi, and Salomon. Even though he competes less frequently these days, you can still find John enjoying the daily grind of running on any surface, though his favorite terrain is 30-40% grade climbs. He has won races such as America's Uphill, Imogene Pass Run, and the US Skyrunner Vertical Kilometer Series; and he's held several FKTs on several iconic mountains in Boulder, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. If you follow him on Strava, you'll notice he runs at varying paces between 5 minutes/mile to 12 minutes/mile before the break of dawn almost every day.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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