Michael Turner
Recommendation: Compress the nylon rucksack into its internal snap-pouch in under 60 seconds: empty compartments, lay flat zip facing down, bring both side panels inward twice, then roll upward from the base and tuck the roll into the front pocket.
Step 1: Empty all pockets and unclip shoulder straps; remove metal water bottles and chargers. Step 2: Place the piece on a flat surface with the logo flap open, smooth creases outward with your palms. Step 3: Bring the left and right panels toward the center so the shape becomes a long rectangle, then fold the bottom third up once. Step 4: Roll from the top edge toward the flap, compressing air as you go, and slide the roll into the sewn-in pouch until the snap fastener closes.
Practical tips: Keep soft items (packable jacket, scarf) inside during collapse to preserve shape; remove rigid objects first. If straps get twisted, straighten them along the spine before rolling to avoid extra bulk. For wet fabrics, air-dry fully on a hanger for 24–48 hours before compressing to prevent mold. Use the small carry loop to hang the pouch flat when storing.
Quick checklist: 1) all pockets empty, 2) straps unclipped, 3) sides brought to center, 4) roll from top, 5) secure in pouch. Packed dimensions usually match a palm-sized pouch – roughly 10–12 cm square and 2–4 cm thick depending on contents; label or store flat in a drawer to keep the material smooth.
Compact technique for the signature nylon rucksack
Empty every pocket, remove loose items, press out trapped air, lay the bag face down, smooth straps flat along the back panel, roll the body tightly from the base toward the top, then tuck the roll into the front zipped pocket or snap pouch; target packed dimensions: ~20×12×4 cm (8×5×1.5 in); time: 45–75 seconds.
Step-by-step
- Unclip any detachable straps and store them inside the main compartment to avoid catching metal on fabric.
- Open all zippers fully so edges sit flat; move slider to mid-position on long zips to reduce stress.
- Lay bag on a flat surface with the exterior facing down and the back panel up; align shoulder straps parallel to the spine seam.
- Smooth fabric with your hands to remove air pockets; press along seams to create even layers for rolling.
- Starting at the bottom, roll firmly toward the top, keeping the roll as tight and even as possible to minimize volume.
- Compress the roll between your palms, then insert into the front zipped pocket or fold the top flap over and secure the snap.
- If the rolled bundle resists the pocket, unroll slightly, shift straps inward, then re-roll with straps tucked into the core.
Storage & care
- For short-term stowage place the compacted bundle in a breathable cloth pouch to prevent color transfer; avoid prolonged pressure from heavy items.
- If transporting inside luggage, use the outer compartment of a best rolling backpack carry on or the closet section of a best luggage with built in closet to keep shape intact.
- Air-dry the fabric completely after exposure to moisture before stowing to prevent mildew; wipe metal hardware with a dry cloth.
- Minor creases release quickly after unpacking; hang the rucksack overnight or fill with soft items for an hour to recover original contours.
Empty bag and zip all compartments closed
Remove every item – phone, charger, wallet, keys, pens, receipts, removable pouches, and any loose change – then secure every zipper and snap.
- Open each pocket and turn the lining out to check seams, corners and hidden slip pockets; empty crumbs and debris into a trash bin.
- Detach removable elements (pouches, straps, keyrings) and store them separately to prevent bulk and snagging.
- Take out batteries, power banks and liquids; place them in a padded pouch if stored with the bag for transit.
- Run a lint roller or adhesive tape over fabric interiors and mesh pockets; use a soft brush for suede or nap.
- Wipe damp areas with a microfiber cloth; let the interior air dry fully before closing if moisture was present.
- Insert a fresh silica gel packet or small desiccant to absorb residual humidity during storage.
- Align double zipper pulls so both sit at one end before closing; slide them together to the opposite end to ensure a flat, secure closure.
- Zip main compartment, then external pockets, then any concealed or base zippers; fasten snaps and magnetic closures last to maintain shape.
- Tuck shoulder straps inside the main compartment or secure them with the rear strap keeper to prevent protrusion and creasing.
- If shipping or storing long-term, thread a small cable tie or travel lock through the zipper pulls for added tamper resistance.
Quick checklist
- All pockets emptied and turned out
- Removables stored separately
- Electronics and liquids removed or padded
- Interior cleaned and dried
- Silica gel added
- Zippers aligned and closed; straps stowed
- Optional lock or cable tie applied
Tuck shoulder straps inward along side seams
Tuck both shoulder straps flat into the interior side seams so each strap sits within 5–10 mm of the seam line; this reduces external bulk and prevents strap hardware from catching. Place straps with hardware facing the center panel.
Grip each strap 5–8 cm from its top attachment, press it straight down along the side wall and smooth with the palm in 2–3 passes. If strap ends stick out, roll the final 2–3 cm inward to a 1–1.5 cm diameter before tucking to avoid sharp kinks.
Material-specific handling
For nylon or polyester webbing apply firm pressure and rub along the seam to remove air pockets. For leather or coated straps maintain a gentle curve (no sharp bends) and insert a 1–2 mm sheet of tissue or microfibre between strap and seam to prevent creasing or surface marks.
Securing for storage or transport
Use a flat elastic loop or a 10–12 cm fabric tie with hook-and-loop to hold both tucked straps in place; attach the fastener 8–12 cm from the strap base so tension keeps straps against the side wall without pulling on attachment points. For longer storage insert acid-free tissue between straps and side wall to preserve shape.
Raise the bottom panel to meet the front pocket base
Lift the base panel until its lower edge sits flush with the front pocket’s base seam; stop when the pocket seam is fully covered and the panel’s center seam aligns with the pocket center.
Use both palms to apply steady pressure along the joined edge for 8–12 seconds to expel trapped air and set the crease; repeat a second pass if fabric springs back.
Tuck excess fabric from the two lower corners into the inner side gussets by pushing the corner tips inward along the side seams until they lie flat against the main body; run your thumbnail along each seam to remove small folds.
For nylon material: warm hands for 10–15 seconds and smooth from center toward edges. For leather-trimmed bases: avoid sharp bends–stop when the leather edge meets the pocket base without kinking.
| Size group | Approx. lift distance | Pressure hold |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | 6–8 cm | 8 s |
| Standard | 8–12 cm | 10 s |
| Large | 10–14 cm | 12 s |
Bring side panels to the center and smooth the fabric
Bring each side panel straight to the bag’s midline until the inner seams meet or overlap by 0.5–1 cm; keep the top zipper aligned with the top edge so the front pocket base remains level.
Technique
Place the pack standing upright on a flat surface. With fingertips near the top seam, press the fabric inward and glide your palms downward to expel air and flatten creases. Repeat three passes per side, increasing light pressure toward the base but stopping 2 cm before any leather trim to avoid sharp creases.
Tools and finishing
Use a clean microfiber cloth or a soft rubber roller to smooth the nylon across the seam after hand-pressing. For stubborn wrinkles, lay a slightly damp (not wet) cloth over the wrinkle and smooth once with the roller, then let the bag dry flat. Insert a sheet of tissue paper along the center fold to preserve the line and prevent fabric abrasion from hardware during storage.
Tuck the compacted pouch into the front pocket and snap the button
Insert the compressed pouch base-first into the front compartment, zipper facing up; align the outer snap socket directly over the metal stud before applying pressure.
Keep the fabric flat: press the center with your palm while guiding side seams with your fingers so material feeds evenly into the pocket. If the packed thickness exceeds 2.5 cm at any point, reduce bulk and reinsert to avoid stressing the snap and pocket stitching.
To secure the closure, hold the pocket exterior taut with one hand and apply steady downward pressure with the heel of your palm above the socket for 1–2 seconds until you hear a click. If the snap resists, slide a thin non‑abrasive plastic shim between layers to seat the socket, or use a plastic scraper tool (see best aquarium glass scraper) as a gentle pressing aid; avoid metal implements that can deform the stud. Final check: run fingers along edges to confirm no fabric is trapped and the snap is flush.
