Disclosure: Thanks to Madpax for making our trip more colorful, by furnishing us with backpacks for review this summer.
When we packed up our Madpax backpacks for our trip to Israel and Europe this summer, we had no idea what we were in for.
We knew we liked the looks of the bags, but how would they road test?
As soon as we packed them up, laptops in padded compartments and everything we needed (from sweaters to coloring books to snacks) in the roomy interiors, we knew they were well made and sized right.
What we didn’t anticipate was the buzz that they’d generate.
A family from Belgium stopped us on our Air France Flight and took instagram photos of our bags, noting the brand for back to school.
In Paris, on our one day jaunt, French security held back our bags in the screening area to “search” them. They poked the bubble pack and laughed. The guard took down a note with the brand so he could order one for his kids.
This sort of thing continued everywhere we went. Conversations were struck up in Italy. Our fellow cruisers asked us where we got them. Israelis chased us down and stopped us on the street to interrogate us about our cool bag. Everywhere we went there were photos. Lots and lots of photos. I think we were in at least a dozen stranger’s instagram feeds, from Rome to Athens
I’ve already told you how much I love the features of this bag. It’s sturdy and durable. My older son carried a Lator Gator bag for all of second and half of third grade and was able to pass it down to his little brother afterwards. I have been carrying a bubbles bag to Disneyland, on and off rides for years as well. But after all sorts of abuse this summer, on planes, trains, automobiles and boats of many sizes, I can really say with authority that these bags travel well. They are off to Hawaii with some friends next week and I can’t wait to hear the stories…
Still, this isn’t my favorite thing about them. My favorite thing is the smiles they bring to everyone’s faces. The open enthusiasm, the conversation prompts and and the no-language-needed curiousity. Everyone in the world loves a little whimsy in their lives. Madpax bags deliver that, and they do so most colorfully. Bravo!
we have crazy love for you guys; thank you SO very much for taking them out into the wild! So thrilled they were a hit!
I was wondering – is the red Blok bag a full or half-pack? And can you share your son’s height. I’ve got a very tall preschooler and I’m trying to figure out which size bag would be best for him. Thank you!
These are all full size bags! The full size is ok for a larger kid. At the time my son was a tall preschooler as well. It was big but usable.