Troubadour Apex 3.0 Review: The Beautiful, Idiot-Proof Backpack

I was sitting at a café, having a post-ride coffee. I placed the black Troubadour Apex Backpack 3.0 next to me on the floor. After our second ride together, it stood sturdy to my side.

It’s one of those things you proudly carry with you.

I guess it’s what they call a statement piece in the fashion world. The statement I was making was that I was serious about my gear.

But, If there’s one thing I’ve learned, the universe will quickly humble you.

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If my goal was to catch the attention of fellow café patrons, I certainly did a fantastic job at it. My right hand collided with my coffee cup as I wildly gestured mid-conversation, sending my freshly brewed cappuccino flying onto my lap.

Putting the Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack to the Test

As the blood rushed to my cheeks in pure embarrassment, my crotch got a hot soak. To my horror, the brand-new Troubadour also fell victim to my uncharacteristic clumsiness. This never happens to me until I take a luxury backpack for a bike ride, of course.

As a waiter rushed over with a cloth to clean up the mess I had made, my priority was the bag. “This is why you can’t have nice things,” I thought. My spirits were immediately crushed when I realized the bag was probably ruined. We all know milky spills are the worst. They have a smelly after-effect that’s usually a nightmare to get rid of.

The first swipe of the serviette instantly removed the liquid dripping down the front of the bag. A second swipe, and it was gone. The bag is waterproof, and I can confirm it is also coffee-proof or spill-proof. Lucky for me, even the zippers on the bag are designed to keep water out.

Later, when I arrived home, I wiped the bag with a wet cloth just in case. It looked as perfectly new as when I first removed it from its Troubadour packaging.

I must mention the packaging. Anyone with an Apple product will know that unboxing a new product can provide a serotonin rush equal to receiving a gift from Ol’ Saint Nick. There’s a rush of joy when you slide the sleek-looking bag out of its comfy cocoon—the epitome of quality and luxury from when you set your eye on it.

The Troubadour Backpack is Packed with Pockets

Then comes the exploration phase, when the newly acquired product is thoroughly investigated. First, there’s a small front pocket—perfect for your keys. The zipper is barely visible.

The bag is separated by two large compartments: one in the back for a laptop and notebooks and a larger front compartment for everything else. When I say, “everything else,” I really do mean it.

The bag has what they call “clever pockets.” They each have a purpose. One can hold a pen; the other is perfect for a phone. There are pockets to hold two water bottles and still enough space to add a freshly folded change of clothes.  

I can also confirm that it perfectly fits a pair of boxing gloves, as I used it as a gym bag and as hand luggage on a recent flight. “I was just telling him, you have such a nice backpack,” the woman beside me said as the flight attendant closed the overhead storage before departure.

Just yesterday, as I was standing in the lift admiring the backpack in the interior mirror again, I spotted something on the left shoulder strap. I’ve had the bag for weeks but failed to notice the zipper to another hidden compartment. I zipped it open and instinctively put my phone inside—a perfect fit.

Then, reading through the specs again before writing my review, I learned about another secret hiding spot. This one is made for a tag to track your backpack.

It might seem small, but this attention to detail is a big deal. It shows an understanding of consumer needs and beyond. Troubadour knows what you need and even what you don’t know you need.

The backpack is light, modern, and soft to the touch. It’s sturdy and holds a contemporary rectangular shape. Every pocket, zip, pouch, and compartment is intentional and well-thought-out. If this bag were a pen, it would be a Montblanc. If it were a watch, it would be a Rolex. This bag is a Troubadour, the only backpack you’ll ever need.

This review is based on an independent assessment of the product supplied to Discerning Cyclist. While the product was provided at no cost for evaluation purposes, our review remains unbiased, objective, and solely reflects the views and experiences of the reviewer. No compensation was received from the manufacturer or any other entity for the creation or publication of this review.