Troubadour Apex Mini Review: Do You Need This Petite Backpack?

Table of contents

A few things to know
Pros and Cons
Best features
Critique and downfall
Difference between the Apex Mini and Apex Sling
Should you get it?
Where to get the Apex Mini

I’m reviewing the Troubadour Apex Mini—Troubadour’s smaller-size daypack from the Apex Collection.

At first glance, it’s cute, right? It’s petite, compact, square-ish and sleek, but does it have the right features to make it a worthwhile purchase?

In this review, I’ll go through all the things I found out about this mini travel backpack, from what I think it does best, to a few things you should know before you hit Buy.

Let’s start with a few things to know about the Apex Mini.

A few things to know

Before I get started in the review, here are a few crucial things to know about the Apex Mini from Troubadour.

It is not a laptop backpack (it doesn’t fit a laptop!)
It has a 9.5-liter capacity.
It weighs 1.4 pounds (644 grams) when empty.
It’s an ideal mini backpack, great for a day out, vacation, a bike ride or travel (like a flight personal item).
It is unisex.

To get more familiar with Troubadour, I recommend peeking at my Troubadour brand review as well.

Pros and Cons

In every gear review I put out, I list the pros and cons of a product so that you’re aware of what to expect. I have no filter here, and I’m not holding anything back!

Pros

Design and look: it is adorable, just like a mini version of the best-selling Troubadour Apex Backpack, which is minimalist, symmetrical, timeless and modern.
Features: Like all Troubadour products I’ve reviewed, the Apex Mini packs in useful and functional features (including a secret pocket—shh!).
Comfort: Because of its small size, it’s one of those super-comfy ergonomically-designed Troubadour backpacks that sits nicely on my back and does not bog me down.

Cons

Care: Like other products from troubadour that I have, it is wipe-clean only (no machine washing). At least it comes only in Black for now, so scuffs should be minimal even after a lot of extended use.
Cost: As with all my Troubadour goods, I comment on price, and at the current list price for a sub-10-liter backpack, folks may think this is a hefty investment for a backpack the size of a purse. We’ll get into that later.

Best features

The Apex Mini packs in a lot of great highlights that make this backpack small and mighty, in my experience.

Double closure main cavity zipper

The Apex Sling (given, it’s smaller, and I run the full comparison below) has one closure zipper, but the Apex Mini has two! I appreciate this a lot, because I really do tend to use both closure zippers on a backpack.

Secure exterior zipper pocket (with key hook)

I’m all about having an exterior pocket on all my backpacks, but it has to be secure. The Apex Mini does a great job of this by having a small essentials pocket on the outside. Don’t worry though, the zipper has weatherproof casing, so even if there’s some rain, everything inside stays dry.

It’s these Troubadour features that matter most!

Big top grab handle

The strong grab handle that’s signature to all my Troubadour backpacks may not seem like a big deal feature, but it’s actually really useful for hanging up my Apex Mini in a public restroom, and not letting it ever touch the floor.

Hidden back panel pocket

You have to see this one to believe it: look closely at my photos, and then tell me how absolutely cool this hidden pocket is. It’s at the base of the back panel, and fits my phone. Isn’t that the most incognito way to hide my phone and avoid pickpockets during travel?

Secret zippered shoulder strap pocket (wow)

By taking a quick look, I couldn’t tell immediately that one of the shoulder straps has a hidden secret zipper pocket. But I took another look, as I saw a tiny zipper pull sneaking out, and thought, “Wow, this is perfect for stashing some cash or a card, having it handy, and not letting anyone see!”

Interior pockets and organizers

Inside the main cavity of the backpack, I observed a front-side mesh zipper pocket (this is where I put essentials like lip balm and my AirPods case). On the back-side of the main cavity, there’s a slim sleeve for a mini tablet or reader (or a paper book), a card slot and pen holder, a water bottle holder sleeve and a flat zippered pocket.

All this is to say that I can stay really organized by using this wide array of organization options within my Apex Mini.

Colors

Currently it only comes in Black. I have very little issue with this, as black is usually the color I choose for travel backpacks. It helps them avoid showing dirt and scuffs—I’ve learned that through the years for sure!

Critique and downfall

This backpack is not perfect! See my personal complaints here.

Washing it

My common gripe about Troubadour products is that I cannot throw them in my washing machine. Given, I do my best to keep them absolutely pristine (rarely trying to set them down on the floor in restaurants, and etc.) but sometimes there are scuffs and marks. The instruction from the website is to spot-clean those with a cloth.

Investment

The current price on this mini backpack seems steep, but this is a typical price point for a Troubadour backpack. In my experience with the brand, the prices are based on the precision of the craftsmanship (everything in a Troubadour bag works seamlessly and beautifully), the elevated designs and the superb materials.

I consider all my Troubadour bags and backpacks as products that I’ll own for life, and with the timeless designs and how versatile they are, the “cost per use” goes way down if you use them every day.

Size

I was hesitating before commenting on size, because it would be unfair for me to compare the Apex Mini to a laptop backpack (which it specifically is not). For professionals and travelers who like to constantly be with a laptop, it’s plain and simple: the Apex Mini probably is not for you.

I’d recommend checking out my Troubadour Ki Backpack review and Momentum Backpack review as next-size-up Troubadour backpacks.

Interior water bottle holder

Troubadour has come out with the “interior water bottle holder” in most of the new-release and later-version bags and backpacks. I believe it’s because having a water bottle sleeve inside a bag keeps the exterior more symmetrical and minimalist, which is what Troubadour aims to do, design-wise.

The interior water bottle pocket is not for everyone. Not everyone wants the potential for a spill, inside their bag. I’m usually fairly confident with my water bottles, but Dan and I have both experienced my fault in not screwing on a lid tightly enough, through the years.

Difference between the Apex Mini and Apex Sling

If you are looking into the Apex Collection, which I ironically tested and got to know after my intro to Troubadour via the totes, laptop backpacks, travel bags and duffels, you may have seen the Apex Sling. It’s the other petite-size daypack in the Apex line.

Overall, the difference is in the overall volume, strap configuration, size and use. I’d recommend the sling for on-the-go activities like biking, and the Apex Mini backpack as a daily essentials carry with two traditional backpack straps. I recommend briefing through my Apex Sling review.

The difference is the following:

Volume

Apex Mini: 9.5 liters; Apex Sling: 5.5 liters

Strap

Apex Mini: 2 backpack straps; Apex Sling: 1 side-adjustable sling strap

Secret pocket

Apex Mini: secret zipper pocket in one of the backpack straps; Apex Sling: secret pocket at the side/backside of the bag

Interior

Apex Mini: zipper pockets on the front and backside of main cavity; Apex Sling: only one zipper pocket (also mesh) on the front-side interior. Both bags have a tablet/book pocket, a card slot and a water bottle holder.

Should you get it?

I have to say, I’ve been waiting for Troubadour to come out with an adorable smaller-size backpack that’s “just a day bag,” not a laptop bag. The Apex Mini is the answer to that.

I like that it’s both “his” and “hers,” meaning Dan and I can easily share this backpack if we’re out on vacation with our toddler, and we want to take turns holding the backpack for our “parent essentials” like a travel guidebook, a water bottle, keys, wallets, phones and some snacks.

That aside, this mini backpack is for me, because as a petite woman with a weak back, I have always liked the support of backpacks that could also function as purses. What I mean by that is I’ve gotten backaches from those single-strap tote bags that would hold all my stuff (when those were in style), and as soon as I landed on attractive small-volume backpacks I wanted to wear for my days out, I went all-in.

The Apex Mini is for fans of Troubadour who want to keep diversifying their Troubadour goods collection, from larger backpacks like the original Apex and travel bags like the Orbis Duffel, to everyday-carry backpacks that pack in a day’s needs, all while looking upscale and elevated.

Where to get the Apex Mini

You can pick up the Apex Mini backpack from Troubadour at the Troubadour website. That’s really the only way I recommend buying this backpack, as getting your bag through the Troubadour website secures your purchase with the Troubadour Five-Year Guarantee.

And about that guarantee, I used it in one of my early Troubadour backpack experiences, with a laptop backpack that arrived with a strap sewed on in a twisted manner. I contacted customer service at Troubadour, sent back my faulty backpack and they sent me a new one immediately.

The other “wins” with purchasing at the Troubadour website, in my opinion, are the free shipping over $100 (which applies to most of their products) and 100-day returns, which is generous, compared to the return window from other competing brands.

Pin Your Favorites on Pinterest!