The Ultimate Backpack
Military green
169 €
In stock
129 €
Preorder
- Water-repellent organic cotton canvas woven in France
- Compact format 20-L capacity: 43cm x 30 cm x 16 cm
- Laptop compartment and zipped inside pocket
Military green
The tour de force of the Ultimate Backpack
The total luggage experience
Here are the problems that over 3,000 of you have had with your backpacks in the past.
1
They’re flimsy and uncomfortable
2
They get soaked at the first sign of rain
3
They’re not practical
4
They’re badly designed.
A hero on your back
Finally, the all-in-one backpack
The idea behind the Ultimate Backpack is simple: merge the best of a hiking rucksack, a travel bag, and an urban backpack. It had to be practical, good-looking, and tough enough to go wherever you want to take it. Sounds easy? Not quite. We spent 24 months and three rounds of Q&A with you - our customers - to nail it. The result? A bag built for your life, all your life. Whether that’s the daily commute, a weekend getaway, or a full-blown adventure. Meet the bag you’ll want on your back for the next 20 years (and then some).
Vintage touches, modern mug
We drew inspiration from old-school mountain gear. Rugged, functional and timeless. With details like a fitted flap, snap hook-and-loop fastening, French-made drawstring, press-stud pocket, and roomy side compartments, its heritage is clear. But don’t mistake this for a retro mountaineering relic. With a sleek, urban-friendly design—thick canvas fabric, clean lines, padded straps, and perfect proportions—it’s as at home in the city as it is on a hill. Ideal for tackling Montmartre’s cobbles or Hampstead Heath but maybe not quite Mont-Blanc.
Clean, tough, and natural materials
Most backpacks are made from synthetic materials that aren’t great for you or the planet. We said no to all of these. Instead, we chose certified organic cotton, woven in France by Telatex. The result? A thick, water-repellent canvas (360g/m², if you’re curious) that shrugs off a daily shower like a . Fully natural, properly tough, and reinforced with a double layer on the underside and top flap to keep everything dry. A masterful fabric, woven in the Vosges.
Roomier than it looks
Don’t let its compact look fool you—this bag is deceptively spacious. After plenty of testing and tweaking, we landed on the perfect dimensions: 43 cm tall, 30 cm wide, and 16 cm deep, adding up to a tidy 20-litre capacity. Big enough for your laptop, a good book, snacks, camera, gym kit, water bottle, and more. Carry it all and give your pack mule a day off.
Every detail, sorted
We’ve thought of everything. Inside, there’s a padded compartment for your laptop and a zipped pocket for valuables. Outside, press-stud closures on the main pocket to keep things secure, while reinforced side compartments can hold your water bottle or brolly. The double drawstring and hook-and-loop system seal the deal. This is the backpack that has it all—for decades to come.
Built to last
Fragile, uncomfortable backpacks? No thanks. We’ve gone to town on durability with heavy-duty stitching using threaded cord and bartacks to reinforce the usual stress points. The canvas body is rock-solid, and the shoulder straps, back panel, and base are all generously padded for maximum comfort. Whether it’s packed to the brim or travelling light, this bag’s ready for action. Long-term reliability, guaranteed.
A nod to the classics
That snazzy label caught your eye, didn’t it? It’s a subtle tribute to mid-20th-century mountain gear we asked Clément Johanet to design. He’s the creative mind behind our store Le Magasin and the Triple A Sneakers. But just like the bag itself, it’s made with modern, urban life in mind. It looks banging, if we say so ourselves.
Easy upkeep
Let’s face it, most people don’t give their bags a clean very often (if ever). But every now and then, it’s a good idea to show it a bit of TLC. A quick wipe with a damp sponge and some soapy water will keep it happy and looking sharp. Low maintenance, high performance.
Your ultimate companion
The Ultimate Backpack is built for wherever life takes you. Commuting, cycling, freelancing on a train, hiking through the Lakes, or just grabbing a drink after work—it’s your reliable sidekick. Sunny in Manchester? No problem. Raining in Cornwall? Sorted. This is the bag for all seasons and will turn any adventure on its head. Go on, give it a whirl.
All production steps for your Ultimate Backpack
What goes into making your Ultimate Backpack? The materials have travelled a total of 9,067 km (5,634 miles) from field to doormat.
Harvesting and preparing the organic cotton
Turkey
Spinning the canvas
Tissage Mouline Thillot France, Le Thillot, Vosges
Weaving the canvas
Telatex France, Ferdrupt, Vosges
Social certifications : France Terre Textile
Dyeing and water-repellant treatment
Mathelin Apprets Teinture France, Chessy, Auvergne-rhône-alpes
Garment make
Cintize Portugal, Gondifelos
Transport
Road haulage
Environmental Impact
Our aim is to give you as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision before preordering. This includes the environmental impact of each Ultimate Backpack we produce expressed in simple terms. There’s no point hiding from it:
13,3 kg
of CO2 emitted
The equivalent of 122.4 km (76 miles) by car.
14,7 g
of phosphor released in the water
The equivalent of growing 245.5 kg of apples.
581,5 MJ
energy depletion
The equivalent of 196 h of heating (in avg. flat).
NO SWEAT!
Delivery costs
We deliver worldwide, with the cost being automatically calculated at checkout. For all deliveries to the UK, within the European Union, Switzerland and Norway we charge a flat fee of 9€. For other European countries we charge 15€, please check our FAQ for the full list of countries included. All other countries are charged at 25€.
Easy to change sizes
If you get the wrong size or colour, fear not, we will exchange your item no questions asked. These are free for orders in the European Union and the UK. For all other countries, we only ask you to cover the cost of the return and we’ll take care of the cost of sending out any exchange. Just log into your Asphalte account and we’ll get that sorted.
IT’S A RISK-FREE INVESTMENT
Sure, we pour a lot of hard work into each item we develop, but we won’t take it personally if you change your mind once you receive it for whatever reason. As long as the item is returned in its original condition, with tags and packaging intact, we’ll give you a full refund, no questions asked. For more details see our terms and conditions.