Roam Launches a Line of Simple, Stylish Travel Backpacks in Time for the Holidays

A totally custom, carry-on-friendly backpack? Yes, please.

November 12, 2021 12:24 pm
The Cool World CollectionT
The Cool World Collection
Roam

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In a sea of identical black suitcases, Roam continues to make waves. First it was with their collection of 100% virgin polycarbonate, hard-sided luggage available in four signature sizes: The Jaunt, The Jaunt XL, The Journey and The Expedition, all of which are totally customizable, right down to the zipper. Then they launched their extra-capacity line, an expandable twist on the original design. Now, two of the founders behind Tumi luggage are back with one of their coolest offerings to date: the aptly named Cool World Collection.

The Cool World Collection features a trio of entirely custom backpacks: The Downtown, Metropolitan and Continental. The design process, like that of the luggage, begins with the selection of the pack. The Downtown is the slimmest silhouette, boasting a hidden water bottle side zippered pocket, exterior 13-inch laptop pocket, 11-inch key fob, exterior zipper organizer pocket with five compartments, and three larger interior pockets.

The Metropolitan is a contemporary spin on the classic backpack, and maintains all of the same features as The Downtown, in addition to twin easy-access front pockets and a more spacious main compartment to hold a 16-inch laptop.

Finally, The Continental, the largest of the three, also has an exterior zipper organizer pocket with four compartments, three exterior pockets with two more internal zipper mesh pockets, and a trolley sleeve on the back panel. All three packs are constructed of a water-repellent nylon outer with an antimicrobial, recycled material lining.

Once you’ve finally decided on a bag (that part alone took me roughly 25 minutes), you’re then able to really flex your creative muscles by choosing your own color combinations to create a one-of-kind design. At present, the collection features four colorways — Venetian Green, Rio Fire, Kyoto Black and Cornwall Slate — though the ways in which you’re able to combine them are endless. The bags are built by hand in Roam’s Georgia-based workshop.

Whether it’s for your daily commute or a quick weekend trip, these backpacks are as sleek as they are functional. I’ve often struggled to find a backpack that’s both utilitarian and stylish by design, but Roam seems to have struck the perfect balance here. And if you’re not in the market for one for yourself currently? Any of them would make the perfect gift for the globetrotter in your life this holiday season.

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