It's Not Just About Being Lightweight! The Hidden Versatility of Columbia's 'Tyger Brook' Packable Backpack

The Columbia Tyger Brook series channels the brand's extensive outdoor expertise into a line of travel bags. The Tyger Brook 18L Packable Backpack, released last year, has been steadily winning over fans not only for travel but for everyday use, too.

With a sea of packable backpacks on the market, what makes this particular model stand out? We sat down with its lead developer, Tadashi Nakao, to uncover the secret to its success.

Launched in 2020 around the concept of 'travel,' the Tyger Brook series has evolved through several design updates into a sleeker, more minimalist collection.

"We felt we had a solid lineup of travel backpacks for short to medium-length trips," Nakao explains. "But with the recent surge in inbound tourism, we kept hearing the same story: visitors' bags would fill up after shopping in Japan. There was a huge demand for a convenient 'second bag' they could use for sightseeing after dropping off their main luggage at the hotel."

A Thoughtful Size and Capacity for All Genders

The biggest challenge in developing a packable version was settling on the right capacity.

"Making it larger provides peace of mind, but that brings concerns about fabric strength when it's full and makes it bulkier when packed away. On the flip side, if it's too small, it's just awkward to wear," he says.

They landed on 18 liters, a capacity widely considered perfect for city exploration. From there, the focus shifted to accommodating different body types.

"We were determined to make this a truly unisex product. But a vertically long bag can look unbalanced on a smaller frame, while a wider bag can appear too small on a larger person. Nailing that height-to-width ratio was a real challenge."

The final dimensions strike the perfect balance, offering ample storage while creating a silhouette that looks great on everyone. The size was fine-tuned to effortlessly complement any urban outfit.

More Than Just Lightweight: A Dedication to Usability

The key demands for any packable bag are that it's lightweight and easy to store.

"A standard backpack has an inner lining, but for a packable one, that adds bulk, weight, and makes it harder to fold," Nakao notes.

"So, we opted for a high-strength fabric and skipped the lining on the main body. Of course, the bottom panel is essential for supporting the contents, so we reinforced it with a double layer of the same exterior fabric."

The thoughtful design, setting it apart from typical packable bags, is also clear in the choice of materials for the shoulder straps.

"Webbing tape is a common choice, but it's often stiff and difficult to pack. So, to balance packability with comfort, we created shoulder straps that combine the main body fabric with a cushioned mesh."

This smart design choice prevents the straps from digging into your shoulders and makes the bag much easier to fold and store. In contrast, the top handle, which needs to be durable, is made from a thicker, more robust webbing.

"We also anticipated that people would be wearing this for long hours of city exploration, so we added a cushioned mesh panel to the back," he adds. "It feels soft against your back and is highly breathable, which minimizes sweat and stuffiness, even in summer."

The meticulous attention to detail goes far beyond just weight, focusing intensely on user experience and convenience. A chest strap was included to eliminate that common frustration with packable backpacks: the shoulder straps constantly slipping down.

"Of course, not everyone wants or needs a chest strap. A dangling strap can be unsightly, so we designed it to be completely removable," Nakao says.

Despite its compact size, its excellent storage capacity is a major draw. The pocket inside the main compartment is designed to turn into a stuff sack when flipped inside out.

It features a double-sided zipper, allowing it to function as a secure zippered pocket during regular use, so you don't have to worry about small items falling out. What's more, the part that acts as a hook when packed away also doubles as a key ring during normal use.

"We also included a pocket with a hook-and-loop closure inside the secondary compartment. One common issue with backpacks is that small items like wallets can easily get buried. This space will come in handy for items you need to access quickly."

The side pockets on either side feature straps, designed to securely hold longer items like water bottles or folding umbrellas.

To make it easier to carry on the go, it's packed with thoughtful details for travel and city excursions, such as a luggage strap on the back that slides over a suitcase handle, and Columbia's proprietary "Omni-Shield" water-repellent technology, which protects the contents from getting wet during a sudden downpour or when placed on the ground.

Despite all these thoughtful features, the backpack weighs only about 280g. As a result of this focus on user-friendliness, it’s not just used as a packable bag; many people use it for their daily needs.

"Lately, we've seen a huge increase in customers looking for lightweight options, even for their regular bags. In fact, many of our own employees use this one for their daily commute."

Although it has only been on the market for a short time, the "Tyger Brook 18L Packable Backpack" has quickly become one of the brand's most popular items. This bag, born for travel, has certainly proven its capabilities for everyday life as well.