HEX Technical Backpack Review - Wireless Charging, Antimicrobial Fabric and More!
HEX claims that their new Technical backpack is an “engineering marvel” and well… they might be right. Packed with innovative features, the HEX Technical Collection of bags really stretch the boundaries of what is possible with our everyday carry.
Features like their antimicrobial technology and wireless charging pocket gives a breadth of fresh air to the same tired old backpack designs. In a world where heightened hygiene practices are more important than ever, the HEX Technical might be one of the first bags that focuses its design on these special considerations.
In this hands-on HEX Technical backpack review we take a closer look at our favorite features that make this backpack truly unique and an honest contender when choosing your next everyday carry bag.
Where to buy: HEX
Video Review
Materials and Construction
Our first impressions of the HEX Technical backpack was how “tough” it felt when handled. This is thanks to its 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon construction. Cordura ballistic nylon is a very dense and heavy fabric that is notoriously tear resistant, water resistant and has great abrasion resistance.
HEX has decided to go with YKK EYL woven tough zippers for their main compartment and smaller front compartment zippers. Like Cordura ballistic nylon, these zippers are engineered to be abrasion resistant and to minimize failure over prolonged use. We found the zippers on the Technical backpack to be incredibly smooth and are big fans of the chunkier zipper pulls that HEX uses.
Antimicrobial Technology
One of the more unique features that the HEX Technical offers is the use of antimicrobial technology on the bag’s fabric. The antimicrobial technology treatment allows the fabric to repel and resist up to 99% of bacteria, mold, and fungus. This technology helps keep the backpack germ free, especially when you put it down on the ground or on other unsanitary surfaces in public.
HEX has had this antimicrobial technology tested by an independent lab. We encourage you to read more about the technology on the HEX website as its packed with info and links to the studies.
Pockets and Compartments
The HEX Technical backpack is comprised of a single 17.5 liter main compartment and a bunch of smaller pockets and compartments that line the outside.
Most of these outside pockets are slip pockets held together by magnets instead of traditional zippers and buckles. When combined with the antimicrobial technology, you have a bag design that minimizes touch points for more hygienic access to your essentials. These pockets are perfect for EDC like face masks, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes where quick and easy access is a must.
Arrows point to slip pockets on the outside of the HEX Technical backpack
Along with a myriad of smaller magnetic slip pockets, the Technical backpack also features a front zippered compartment that includes pockets for organization.
A notable pocket is the padded and fleece lined phone pocket on the side of the backpack. This pocket is also held together by a magnet and allows for instant access to your phone.
On the other side of the backpack is where you will find a standard water bottle pocket with a key leash for your keys tucked inside.
We found that thinner bottles (24oz HydroFlask or your standard Deer Park water bottle for example) fit just fine but larger diameter bottles like a 32oz Nalgene bottle are a bit too wide to fit inside the water bottle pocket. Unfortunately, you will be regulated to smaller bottles with this pocket.
Wireless Charging
On the top of the backpack is where you will find the wireless charging pocket. This pocket was designed to fit the HEX Wireless Power Bank (sold separately) but can work with a variety of third-party wireless power banks if you already own one.
With the HEX Power Bank not only do you have the ability to charge your devices wirelessly in conjunction with the pocket but it also allows for traditional charging with USB and Type-C cables as well.
We found the wireless charging pocket to work flawlessly. The power bank was able to charge an iPhone through the thick Cordura nylon fabric and a thin case.
Laptop Sleeve
Inside the main compartment is where you’ll find even more slip pockets and organizers.
The most notable pocket on the inside is the laptop sleeve. This sleeve is fully padded on all sides and completely fleece lined. It also features a false bottom so there is a nice amount of space between the bottom of the laptop sleeve and the bottom of the bag for extra protection.
HEX says the laptop sleeve on the Technical backpack can fit up to a 16” laptop but we believe they mean a 16” Apple Macbook Pro or other slim 16” laptop. With our testing we found that a 15.6” PC laptop is too large for the sleeve. All laptops 14-inches and and under will fit inside this laptop sleeve just fine.
What Fits Inside the HEX Technical Backpack?
Although the HEX Technical backpack is packed with pockets and compartments, the actual open space inside the main compartment is on the smaller side.
With only 17.5 liters of packing room on the inside, the HEX Technical backpack is best reserved for very short travel or as a daily backpack for work and school where you need to carry just the essentials. For a fair comparison on how the HEX Technical stacks up to other backpack sizes we recommend you check out our backpack size guide.
We found that the main compartment (not counting the laptop sleeve and interior pockets) could fit:
Camera Gear
Small camera cube (8”H x 7”W x 4”D)
Camera gimbal
Headphones
Small microphone
Packing for Travel
2x pants
2x sweaters
2x t-shirts
small toiletries
underwear/socks
Comfort and Fit Features
HEX has done a great job with their comfort features! The shoulder straps are very padded and you do get extra support with an adjustable sternum strap. There is no waist strap but you shouldn’t miss this feature given the small size of the backpack.
The star of the show however has to be the Technical’s molded EVA foam back panel. This back panel is stiff without being too hard and is incredibly comfortable when the backpack is filled up. As a result you have a back panel that helps give the bag its shape and gives you nice even support across your back when worn.
The fit itself is very unisex given its smaller size. At only 17.5 liters, people with smaller frames will find the shoulder strap fit to be just right without the bulk of larger backpacks.
Final Thoughts
After all is said and done our experience with the HEX Technical Backpack has been overwhelmingly positive. This is thanks to the quality of materials, nice protective laptop sleeve and handy exterior storage pockets that allows essentials like a phone, keys or a face mask to be grabbed with minimal fuss.
When you combine the quality of this backpack with features like the antimicrobial fabric technology and wireless charging capability you have a design that is really unique, innovative and is a real pleasure to use.
Where to buy: HEX OFFICIAL
