ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 Review: Lightweight 740g Travel Backpack with Shoe Compartment

The ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 is a featherlight 740g backpack with a dedicated shoe compartment, a padded 15.6-inch laptop sleeve and an included rain cover. At £69.99, it's a practical all-rounder for students, gym-goers, hikers and commuters who want to keep dirty kit away from clean kit without carrying a heavy bag.

Here's what it offers, who it suits, and where it falls short.

ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 at a Glance

Key Features

Ultra-Lightweight 740g Frame

At 0.74kg, it's one of the lightest bags we stock. That matters when you're carrying a laptop, books and a bottle all day, or walking through airports. A lighter empty bag means more of your carrying capacity goes on your own kit rather than on the bag itself. It also suits cycling and hiking, which is why it also sits comfortably alongside our hiking backpacks.

Padded 15.6-Inch Laptop and Tablet Protection

An independent shock-absorbing computer interlayer protects laptops up to 15.6 inches, and a separate tablet pocket keeps a second screen safe. If you carry a larger machine, browse our laptop backpacks for 17-inch options.

Included Rain Cover

A fitted, deployable rain cover is included, which is a genuinely useful extra for UK weather. The fabric itself is water repellent and scratch resistant, but a rain cover gives you an extra barrier in a proper downpour, protecting your electronics when the weather turns.

Reflective Strips for Evening Visibility

Integrated reflective strips catch headlights, which is a thoughtful detail for anyone walking, cycling or commuting after dark.

Comfort and Small Details

The arcuate shoulder straps include an integrated quick-grab card slot and a sunglasses hook, and the softback frame holds its shape when packed. Inside, you'll find a keychain holder, phone slot and zipped compartments, while the expandable side mesh pockets hold a water bottle or umbrella. The zips are also designed with anti-theft lock capability.

Who Is the B00388 For?

• Students juggling lectures, the gym and trips home
• Gym-goers and sports fans who need to separate shoes and kit
• Hikers and cyclists who want a light bag with a rain cover
• Commuters who want a simple, low-weight laptop bag

Why Buy the ARCTIC HUNTER B00388?

1. Smart separation. The shoe compartment keeps clean and dirty items apart.
2. Light on your back. 740g is easy to carry all day.
3. Weather ready. A rain cover is included, and the fabric is water repellent.
4. Tech safe. A shock-absorbing sleeve fits laptops up to 15.6 inches, plus a tablet pocket.
5. Low-risk purchase. Nomad Street offers free returns, a 1-year guarantee, and free UK delivery on orders over £75.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dedicated shoe compartment
• Very light at 740g
• Rain cover included
• Padded sleeves for a 15.6-inch laptop and a tablet
• Reflective strips for visibility

Cons

• Compact dimensions, so it's best for day trips and overnight stays rather than a week away
• No built-in USB charging port listed
• Laptop sleeve tops out at 15.6 inches
• Water repellent rather than fully waterproof

What Are People Saying?

This model has seven reviews on our site, and customer feedback elsewhere is broadly positive. Buyers on other retail sites describe it as sturdy and sleek, praise the number of organised pockets and the secret back pocket, and say a 15.6-inch laptop fits well. One buyer said the tablet pouch was large enough, and another liked the quality of the zips. On rain, a reviewer noted it handled light drizzle but they hadn't tested it in heavy rain, which supports using the rain cover in a downpour. The main criticism is size: one shopper felt 30 litres wasn't enough for normal travelling, though they thought it good value for college or office use.

Specifications for the B00388 vary between retailers online, with some listings differing on capacity, rain cover and ports, so always check the details on the page you're buying from.

ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 FAQs

Does the B00388 have a shoe compartment? Yes. An independent bottom-access pocket keeps shoes or gym clothes separate from the rest of your bag.

What size laptop fits in the B00388? The padded interlayer fits laptops up to 15.6 inches, and there's a separate tablet pocket. Measure the body of your laptop rather than relying on screen size alone.

Is it waterproof? The fabric is water repellent and scratch resistant, and a rain cover is included. It handles typical UK rain well, but for heavy, sustained downpours you'll want the rain cover fitted.

How much does it hold? It's listed as 20-30 litres, but at roughly 46 x 30 x 15cm it sits at the smaller end, so it suits days out and overnight trips better than longer holidays.

Does it have a USB charging port? No USB port is listed on our product page. If built-in charging matters, consider the ARCTIC HUNTER B00120C or B00387. You can still carry a power bank inside any bag.

Can I take it as cabin luggage? Its compact size makes it a good under-seat option, but airline allowances vary, so check your carrier's limits before you fly.

How Does It Compare?

If the B00388 isn't quite right, consider these alternatives from our range:

• ARCTIC HUNTER B00120C (£59.99): a USB-charging travel pack with a rain cover and a 15.6-inch laptop sleeve
• ARCTIC HUNTER B00387 (£69.99): a larger USB-charging travel pack with a rain cover
• BANGE BG-2517: a 35L pack with a 17-inch laptop sleeve, covered in a full review
• Browse all Arctic Hunter backpacks or our full travel backpacks range

Final Verdict

The ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 is a light, practical and sensibly priced backpack that does one thing particularly well: it keeps your shoes and kit separate. It isn't the biggest bag or the most tech-heavy, but for students, gym-goers and everyday commuters who want a light carry with a rain cover included, it's a smart choice.

Ready to pick one up? Shop the ARCTIC HUNTER B00388 at Nomad Street, with free UK delivery on orders over £75.