You're standing at the gate. The budget airline agent is eyeing your bag like a hawk looks at a field mouse. We’ve all been there. You need a bag that fits the overhead bin but doesn't make you look like you're about to summit Everest. Target’s Open Story 35L Travel Backpack has been floating around the travel gear world for a minute now, and honestly, it’s a bit of a weird one. It’s a "store brand" bag that actually tries to compete with the big dogs like Aer or Peak Design.
Most people just grab it because it's convenient. They see it near the checkout, feel the fabric, and think, "Yeah, that'll do for a weekend in Nashville." But if you’re actually trying to live out of this thing for a week or two, the math changes.
Is the Open Story 35L Travel Backpack Actually Durable?
Let's talk about the exterior. It uses a water-repellent finish on a polyester/nylon blend. It feels thick. It's got that rugged, matte look that hides scuffs pretty well. But here is the thing: the zippers aren't YKK. For gear nerds, that’s usually a dealbreaker. However, in practice, these unbranded zippers on the Open Story 35L Travel Backpack hold up surprisingly well under tension. Just don't overstuff the corners where the fabric curves, or you'll start seeing that dreaded "teeth separation" after a few months of heavy use.
The straps are beefy. Seriously. They’re thicker than what you find on most "fashion" backpacks. This matters because 35 liters of clothes, a laptop, and a pair of boots can easily hit 20 pounds. Without that foam density, your shoulders are going to be screaming by the time you find your Airbnb.
The Laptop Compartment Reality
The back panel has a dedicated laptop sleeve. It fits a 15-inch MacBook Pro with room to spare. If you have one of those chunky gaming laptops, it might be a tight squeeze. The padding is decent on the back, but the bottom of the compartment isn't "suspended."
What does that mean?
💡 You might also like: Why the Newport Back Bay Science Center is the Best Kept Secret in Orange County
It means if you drop your bag onto a concrete floor, your laptop is hitting that floor too. There’s no gap between the bottom of the sleeve and the bottom of the bag. Use a secondary sleeve for your tech. Just do it.
The Packing Logic
The Open Story 35L Travel Backpack is a clamshell opener. It opens like a suitcase. This is the only way to travel, period. Digging through a top-loading bag to find a clean pair of socks at 4 AM in a hostel is a nightmare.
Inside, you've got a mesh divider on one side and a deep tub on the other. It’s simple. Maybe too simple? Some people hate that there aren't fifty little pockets for pens and dongles. But honestly, those small pockets usually just eat up volume.
- Use packing cubes.
- The mesh side is perfect for dirty laundry or shoes.
- The main tub fits about four days of summer clothes if you roll them tight.
One detail that actually surprised me was the trolley sleeve. You can slide this bag over the handle of a rolling suitcase. Most "one bag" travel purists hate rollers, but if you’re doing the "big suitcase plus a backpack" move for a long-haul flight, that sleeve is a lifesaver. It keeps the bag from flopping over while you’re waiting in the TSA line.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Weight
The bag itself isn't the lightest. It’s got some heft because of the structure. If you are flying a European carrier with a 7kg (15lb) weight limit, this bag starts you at a disadvantage.
📖 Related: Flights from San Diego to New Jersey: What Most People Get Wrong
You’ve got to be strategic.
The Open Story 35L Travel Backpack looks bigger than it is because of its boxy shape. This is a double-edged sword. You get every cubic inch of that 35L capacity, but you also risk getting flagged by gate agents who think it looks "oversized."
Pro tip: don't use the compression straps to make it wider; use them to pull the load closer to your back. It makes the bag look smaller and makes the carry much more ergonomic.
Hidden Flaws and Real-World Gripes
Let's be real for a second. The water bottle pocket is... okay. If the bag is stuffed to the gills, putting a large Nalgene in that side pocket is like trying to put a foot into a shoe three sizes too small. It's tight. It works better for a slim umbrella or a standard 16oz plastic bottle.
And the sternum strap? It’s adjustable, which is great. But the plastic clips feel a bit brittle. If you’re someone who yanks on their gear, treat the chest buckle with a little respect.
👉 See also: Woman on a Plane: What the Viral Trends and Real Travel Stats Actually Tell Us
Another thing is the "tech" pocket on the top. It's lined with a soft material for sunglasses or phones. Great idea, but if the main compartment is packed, that top pocket gets compressed. Your sunglasses might get crushed if you aren't careful. Put them in a hard case first.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
Budget travel gear has exploded lately. You can spend $300 on a bag made of X-Pac fabric that could survive a nuclear blast. But most people don't need that. The Open Story 35L Travel Backpack fills that "good enough" gap. It’s for the person who travels three or four times a year and wants something that looks professional but costs less than a fancy dinner.
It doesn't scream "tourist." It doesn't scream "hiker." It just looks like a bag.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you decide to pick this bag up, or if you already have it sitting in your closet, here is how to actually make it work for a long trip:
- Test the Zippers Early: Zip and unzip every compartment ten times when you first get it. If there's a snag in the factory stitching, you want to find it while you can still return it.
- Get a Rain Cover: The "water-repellent" coating is fine for a light drizzle, but in a tropical downpour, your stuff will get wet. Since this bag is a Target brand, it doesn't come with a built-in cover. Spend the $10 on a generic one.
- Balance the Load: Put your heaviest items (shoes, tech) in the middle, close to the back panel. This prevents the bag from pulling away from your shoulders.
- Ditch the "Just in Case" Items: 35 liters is the "goldilocks" zone, but it's easy to overpack. If you haven't worn it in a month at home, you aren't going to wear it in Portugal.
- Clean the Fabric: If you get a stain, use a damp cloth and mild soap immediately. The matte finish can "absorb" oils and dirt if left sitting, making the bag look old before its time.
The Open Story 35L Travel Backpack is a workhorse for the casual traveler. It lacks the "prestige" of boutique brands, but it handles the actual job of moving your stuff from Point A to Point B without falling apart. Just watch those zippers and don't trust the laptop padding without a secondary sleeve.