Few backpack brands have shaped school and university corridors over the last 40 years quite like Eastpak. Anyone who went to school in the 90s with a Padded Pak'r knows the feeling: rugged, laid-back, indestructible. To this day, Eastpak stands for exactly that – backed by the famous slogan "Built to Resist". In this guide, we explain which Eastpak models exist, which one suits your everyday life – whether school, university, work or travel – and what to look out for when buying.
Model availability and colour ranges at Eastpak change seasonally. You can find our Eastpak range in the Eastpak Collection.
What makes Eastpak so special?
Eastpak is no passing trend. The brand was founded in 1952 in Newton, Massachusetts as Eastern Canvas Products and initially supplied the US Army with backpacks and equipment. It wasn't until 1976 that the company presented its first consumer collection at a sportswear trade show in Chicago – and within a few years became the market leader on US college campuses. In 1985, Eastpak launched its first coloured models and firmly established itself as a lifestyle brand. Today, Eastpak belongs to VF Corporation and is available in over 50 countries.
Built to Resist – since 1952. The slogan stands for Eastpak's rugged craftsmanship.
The most important Eastpak models at a glance
Eastpak has a huge range – from small daypacks to wheeled travel bags with over 100 litres. Here are the models you should know:
| Model | Volume | Main purpose | Typical for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padded Pak'r | 24 L | Daypack / school | School, university, everyday |
| Wyoming | 24 L | Daypack with leather base | University, city, travel |
| Out Of Office | 27 L | 13" laptop daypack | University, office, commuting |
| Pinnacle | 38 L | Larger daypack | Weekend, light trekking |
| Provider | 33 L | Premium office pack | Business, 15" laptop |
| Carry Pack | 53 L | Travel backpack | Backpacking, flights |
| Tranverz S | 42 L | Wheeled travel bag 51 cm | Cabin / short trip |
| Tranverz M | 78 L | Wheeled travel bag 67 cm | Holiday 1-2 weeks |
| Tranverz L | 121 L | Wheeled travel bag 79 cm | Long trips / family |
The Eastpak classics in detail
Padded Pak'r – the all-round classic
If you had to name one Eastpak, it would be this one: the Padded Pak'r has been the brand's best-selling backpack for decades. Rugged 600D polyester, padded shoulder straps, a large main compartment with organiser front pocket – perfect for school, university and commuting to work. Available in over 50 colours and prints. Our recommendation if you're looking for an uncomplicated daypack without any frills.
Wyoming – daypack with leather base
The Wyoming looks like the Padded Pak'r, but has a leather base – which makes it a bit more elegant and especially hard-wearing if you put it down often. Popular at universities and in city life. Volume identical to the Padded Pak'r, but the look and feel is noticeably more "grown-up".
Out Of Office – the laptop daypack
The Out Of Office is Eastpak's answer to the modern commuter and university lifestyle: padded laptop compartment for 13" devices, two separate main compartments, neatly organised small item pockets and a subtle look that also works in the office. If you carry a laptop or tablet with you daily, it's the best choice among the Eastpak daypacks.
Pinnacle – more volume for the weekend and hiking
At 38 litres, the Pinnacle is almost twice as big as the Padded Pak'r – ideal if you regularly carry more gear: spare clothes for the studio, provisions for a day hike, a stack of books, or even as cabin luggage on the plane. You'll find more on backpack sizes in our hiking backpack size guide.
Tranverz S/M/L – the wheeled travel bag
The Tranverz series is Eastpak's bestseller in the luggage segment. Three sizes cover everything – the Tranverz S meets the cabin dimensions of most airlines (51 × 33 × 23 cm), the M is the typical choice for 1-2 weeks' holiday, and the L is for long trips. Advantage over hard-shell suitcases: significantly lighter, more flexible when packing, and instantly recognisable with the classic Eastpak designs. If you want to know which size suits your trip, our suitcase size guide can help.
Which Eastpak for whom?
For school
For a classic school backpack from secondary school age, the Padded Pak'r (24 L) or Wyoming is the first choice. Both have a main compartment for A4 folders and padded shoulder straps – but no ergonomic carrying system like a classic school satchel. For primary school children, we therefore clearly recommend an ergonomic school satchel – more on this in our school satchel guide.
For university and studies
For studying, the Out Of Office (27 L) is the smartest choice: padded laptop compartment, two main compartments for books and spare clothes, carry handle for public transport. If you carry a lot of sports gear, the Pinnacle with 38 L is worth it.
For the office and commuting
At work, Out Of Office and Provider (33 L) are the best choices. Both have padded laptop compartments, the Provider even fits 15" laptops. The understated colours (Black, Triple Denim) look business-appropriate.
For travel
Here it depends on the length of your trip: Weekend → Pinnacle 38 L or Carry Pack 53 L. Backpacking → Carry Pack 53 L (with hip belt and front-loader opening like classic travel backpacks). Classic holiday → Tranverz M on wheels. Family holiday → Tranverz L. For hard-shell alternatives, it's worth comparing with our hard-shell vs soft-shell guide.
Material and care
Most Eastpak models are made of 600D polyester – a robust, mildly abrasion-resistant fabric that lasts for years. Premium lines (Provider, Out Of Office Premium) often use more hard-wearing 1680D Cordura. The zips are generally YKK quality.
Cleaning: Eastpak backpacks are not suitable for the washing machine. Remove stubborn stains by hand with lukewarm water and mild soap, then let air dry – never put it in the tumble dryer. The shoulder straps and padding cannot withstand a spin cycle. More detail in our backpack cleaning guide.
Eastpak vs. the competition
Eastpak has strong competitors – and each brand has its strengths:
- vs. Herschel: Herschel is more design-focused (striped liner, classic camp look), Eastpak is more rugged. More in the Herschel range.
- vs. Fjällräven Kånken: The Kånken is the outdoor classic with a smaller size (16-20 L) and Vinylon F material. Eastpak is cheaper, bigger and more suited to everyday use.
- vs. Coocazoo: Coocazoo builds ergonomic school backpacks with back systems – better than Eastpak from 3rd grade and for middle school. Details in the Coocazoo guide.
- vs. Adidas/Nike: Sports backpacks are often cheaper but less robustly made. Eastpak generally lasts significantly longer.
How much does an Eastpak backpack cost?
Eastpak sits in the mid-range price segment. The premium models (Provider, Carry Pack) and the Tranverz trolleys are priced higher, while special editions and limited drops are even more expensive. During sales, the classics are often reduced by 30-40% – so it's worth taking a look at our Eastpak Collection.
Frequently asked questions about Eastpak
How long does an Eastpak backpack really last?
With normal use, 10-15 years is entirely realistic.
Which Eastpak is the biggest backpack?
In the daypack segment, the Pinnacle at 38 litres is the largest. Among travel backpacks, the Carry Pack leads with 53 litres. Anyone needing even more storage space should go for the Tranverz wheeled travel bags with up to 121 litres.
Are Eastpak backpacks waterproof?
No, Eastpak backpacks are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant. Light rain is no problem – but in heavy rain or downpours, the contents would get damp. A separate rain cover is worthwhile if you're out and about outdoors.
Which Eastpak fits as hand luggage on a plane?
Padded Pak'r (24 L), Wyoming (24 L), Out Of Office (27 L) and Pinnacle (38 L) all fit within the standard cabin dimensions of most airlines (55×40×23 cm). In the Tranverz series, the S version (51 cm) is cabin-compliant. You can find the exact rules per airline in our hand luggage guides for Lufthansa, Ryanair and Eurowings.
Can I wash an Eastpak in the washing machine?
No, this is not recommended. Shoulder straps, padding and zips cannot withstand the spin cycle in the long run. Better to clean by hand with lukewarm water and mild soap and let it air dry.
Conclusion: Which Eastpak is right for you?
Eastpak is one of the few brands you buy once and that can genuinely accompany you for decades. The Padded Pak'r is and remains the classic choice for school and everyday use – anyone carrying a laptop is better served by the Out Of Office – and for travel, there's hardly any way around the Tranverz trolley series. We've put together the entire Eastpak range for you in our Eastpak Collection – over 200 models in all colours and sizes.
