You’ve seen them. Those neon, marshmallow-looking duffels glowing under the harsh fluorescent lights of Gate B12. They look like something a futuristic astronaut would carry if they decided to go backpacking through Bali instead of heading to Mars. The brand is Baboon To The Moon, and honestly, they’ve managed to turn a boring utilitarian object—the gear bag—into a cult-status fashion statement. It's weird. It's loud. But it's also built like a tank.
Most people see the price tag and the bright colors and wonder if it’s just another Instagram-friendly brand that will fall apart after three TSA inspections. I get it. We’ve all been burned by "disruptor" brands that spend more on their social media ads than on their stitching. But Baboon To The Moon bags are a different animal entirely. They aren't just for looks; they’re technical pieces of equipment designed to survive the absolute worst-case scenarios of modern travel.
The Technical Reality of That Weird Shiny Fabric
Let’s talk about the material because that’s the first thing you notice. It’s shiny. It’s smooth. It feels almost like a heavy-duty pool floaty but thicker. This is 840D-1680D ballistic nylon, coated with a proprietary Phthalate-free TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer). Basically, it’s waterproof. Not "water-resistant" where a light drizzle makes your socks damp—it's "I just dropped my bag in a puddle at the bus station and everything inside is bone dry" waterproof.
The zippers are YKK, which is the gold standard, and they’re chunky. You want chunky. Tiny zippers are the first thing to fail when you’re trying to shove that "one last souvenir" into your carry-on. These zippers also have a lockable design, which is a nice touch if you’re staying in a hostel or just don't trust the overhead bin situation.
Inside, the lining is often a contrasting, wild print. It’s a smart design choice because it makes finding your black charging cable at the bottom of a deep bag actually possible. Have you ever tried to find a black object inside a bag with a black lining? It’s a literal black hole. Baboon To The Moon solved a problem most people didn't realize they had by just making the inside look like a 90s arcade carpet.
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Sizing: Don't Buy the Wrong One
Choosing a size is where most people mess up. They offer the Mini, the Small, and the Big.
The Mini is 32 liters. It’s basically a beefy backpack. If you’re a light packer going away for a weekend, this is your holy grail. It fits under the seat of most airplanes, though if you stuff it to the gills, it might be a tight squeeze.
Then there’s the Small at 40 liters. This is the "sweet spot." It fits in the overhead bin of almost every commercial airline. It’s the bag for a five-day trip. You’ve got backpack straps that tuck away, which is crucial because dangling straps are the natural enemy of airport conveyor belts.
The Big is 60 liters. It’s huge. Do not try to carry this on. You will be that person arguing with a flight attendant while a line of 50 people glares at you. This is a checked bag. It’s for a two-week trek or moving your entire life across the country.
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One thing to keep in mind: these bags are unstructured. That’s a fancy way of saying they don't have a frame. If you only put two shirts in a 40L Small bag, it’s going to sag and look a bit sad. These bags crave to be full. They look best and carry most comfortably when they are packed to about 80% capacity.
The Warranty and the "Is It Worth It?" Factor
Baboon To The Moon offers a lifetime warranty. That’s a bold claim in an era of fast fashion. They’re betting on the fact that their OM6 construction (their fancy term for the reinforced stitching) won't blow out. If the handle rips off while a baggage handler is tossing it into the cargo hold, they’ll generally fix it or replace it. This puts them in the same league as brands like Patagonia or Osprey, which is high praise.
Is it worth $160 to $200?
Kinda depends on who you are. If you travel once a year to visit your parents, a $40 duffel from a big-box store is fine. But if you’re the person who lives out of a suitcase, who takes trains, buses, and rickety ferries, the durability becomes a massive asset. You aren't just paying for the neon pink colorway; you're paying for the peace of mind that your gear won't be scattered across the tarmac in Charlotte because a seam popped.
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What People Get Wrong About "Waterproof" Gear
There is a misconception that these bags are submersible. They are not. If you throw your Go-Bag into a lake and let it sit there, water will eventually seep through the zipper teeth. They are "weatherproof." This means they handle rain, snow, and spilled coffee like a champ.
Another thing: the material is stiff when you first get it. If you’re used to soft, floppy canvas bags, the TPE coating might feel a bit rigid. It softens up over time, gaining a bit of character and "adventure patina." It also picks up scuffs. If you buy a white or light-colored bag, expect it to look like it’s been through a war zone after a few flights. Personally, I think the scuffs look cool—like a badge of honor for actually going places—but if you’re a neat freak, stick to the darker colors like "Black" or "Navy."
Real-World Use Cases
- The Commuter: The Mini is great for gym-to-office transitions. It keeps your sweaty gym clothes away from your laptop, and the waterproof shell means your gear survives the walk from the subway in the rain.
- The Road Tripper: The Big is perfect for the trunk of a car. Because it's soft-sided, you can wedge it into corners where a hard-shell suitcase wouldn't fit.
- The International Traveler: The Small is the goat. Being able to switch from a duffel carry (using the side handles) to a backpack carry (using the stowable straps) is a lifesaver when you're navigating the cobblestone streets of Rome or rushing for a train in Tokyo.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Don't put these in the washing machine. Seriously. The heat and agitation can mess with the TPE coating. Since the surface is basically plastic, you can just wipe it down with a damp cloth and some mild soap. It’s incredibly easy to keep the exterior clean, which is a major plus if you’ve ever tried to wash a canvas bag that’s been sitting on a dirty airport floor.
Inside, the polyester lining is also pretty resilient. If something leaks—like a shampoo bottle explosion—you can usually just turn it inside out and wipe it down.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you’re thinking about jumping into the world of Baboon To The Moon bags, here is how to do it right:
- Audit your packing style. If you are a "just in case" packer who brings four pairs of shoes for a weekend, go for the Small (40L). If you’re a minimalist who uses packing cubes, the Mini (32L) is plenty.
- Invest in packing cubes. Because these bags are essentially big, open buckets, your stuff will shift around. Use cubes to organize your clothes. It turns a chaotic cavern into a tidy filing cabinet.
- Check the "Last Chance" section. The brand frequently cycles out colors. If you don't care about having the latest "limited edition" shade of chartreuse, you can often snag a deal on discontinued colors.
- Test the backpack straps early. Put some weight in the bag and walk around your house. Adjust the sternum strap. It feels different than a dedicated hiking pack because the straps are wider and flatter, so you want to find your fit before you’re standing in a three-hour customs line.
- Don't overthink the scuffs. These bags are meant to be used. They’re tools, not trophies. Let them get dirty.
Ultimately, travel gear should be something you don't have to worry about. You want to focus on the destination, the food, and the people, not whether your bag's handle is about to snap off. These bags are built for the chaos of the road, and they happen to look pretty vibrant while doing it.