BAGSMART Blast 43L Roller Backpack Review: Two Very Different Travel Tests

Six months ago, we received a 28–38L expandable backpack from BAGSMART, and at the time Phil said he wanted a larger one. So when BAGSMART offered us the Blast 43L Roller Backpack to review, there was really only one question: could this be the bag Phil had been looking for for his FIFO work travel?

We decided there was only one way to find out. Pack it with the work boots, clothes and gear he actually travels with and send it across the country with him. I may also have commandeered it briefly to see whether I could pack it for a two-week overseas trip.

Why We Were Interested in the Blast43L Roller Backpack

Phil’s schedule has him flying one way across the country every week, with a night in Perth in one direction. He needed a bag that could handle his travel clothes as well as his bulky work gear, while still being easy to manage through airports and hotels. When we were offered the Blast 43L Roller Backpack to review, it was an easy yes, since we already needed it.

Compartments and Features

Main compartment: suitcase-style opening, large mesh pocket and compression straps. I packed 2 weeks’ worth of clothes in the main section.

Laptop compartment: On the opening flap, a separate padded laptop compartment is designed to fit up to a 15.6-inch laptop. Unlike my other BAGSMART, this one really does stop at about 15.6 inches. You can also add a lock to this compartment, adding extra security.

Smaller storage: A quick-access top pocket, a hidden RFID pocket under the side hand grab, and a velvet-lined pocket for those small items you want access to.

Water bottle pocket: Easy access and fits a 600ml bottle with ease.

Rolling setup: Telescopic handle, smooth gliding wheels, anti-tip bar. This was a nice addition; I have had a dual-wheel setup before that you fought tipping all the time.

The three grab handles are the third way to carry this bag, and having three options gives you easy access no matter how you stow the bag.

Backpack conversion: Honestly, this will be the most underutilised option for us, but knowing that in a few quick moves, your roller bag can become hands-free and go on your back is a good option for those moments when you need both hands free.

Fold-flat storage — This was a nice discovery. If you are like me and have a luggage fetish, then having this one pack flat is amazing.

BAGSMART markets it as cabin-friendly; please check with the airline size and weight limits before you travel, as they vary and change often without notice.

Phil’s FIFO Test

The real test for the 43L Roller Backpack was sending it across the country with Phil for work.

His biggest packing challenge is his steel-capped work boots. On the trip from home, his boots have to go into the bag along with his work clothes, travel clothes, toiletries and everything else he needs. They take up a significant amount of space, but we still managed to fit everything he needed into the bag.

His packing changes for the trip from Perth to site. By then, he is wearing his work clothes and boots, which frees up a considerable amount of space. He was even able to pack his bulky travel jacket inside the bag rather than carrying it separately.

Interestingly, Phil repacked the bag differently for the trip home and managed to create even more space by changing the position of his shoes. Apparently, I may not be the only person in this family who knows how to pack a bag!

The roller function was one of the main reasons Phil wanted to try this bag. His previous backpack was becoming overloaded and too heavy to comfortably carry on his back each week. Although he was initially unsure about going from the four-wheel luggage we’ve been using to a two-wheel design, he found the wheels glided easily and was particularly impressed by how solid the telescopic handle felt.

The bag also received a more substantial real-world test than we had planned. On one leg, Phil checked it through, so it had the full baggage-handling experience. It was also stacked underneath buses with everyone else’s luggage during his transfers. Despite all of that, it came through without any damage.

Pilbara dust wasn’t a problem either. The bag picked up some dirt during the journey, but Phil was able to wipe it clean with a paper towel without leaving marks behind.

On the flights where Phil carried the bag onboard, he found it fitted easily into the overhead bin. Of course, cabin baggage requirements vary between airlines and aircraft, so we would always recommend checking the requirements for your own flight rather than assuming it will be accepted.

Most importantly, when I asked whether he could see the Blast 43L becoming a regular part of his FIFO setup, the answer was yes. He’s planning to keep using it over the next few months — which is probably the best test of whether a travel bag actually worked for him.

Could We Pack It for an Overseas Trip?

Even though Phil was the real reason I got the 43L Roller Backpack, I couldn’t help but join in the testing and pack it for one of our typical two-week overseas trips.

I used the packing list from our Spain trip, which included a 7-night cruise, and packed all of the clothes into BAGSMART packing cubes.

Everything fit with ease, although there wasn’t a huge amount of room left for souvenirs. Between this bag and my personal item, I think it would work brilliantly for the way we travel.

And I have a new packing rule: if it doesn’t fit in the bags, it doesn’t come with me.

What Worked — and What Didn’t

After packing the bag myself and then sending it off with Phil for its intended purpose — getting him backwards and forwards to work — we’re both happy with how the Blast 43L Roller Backpack performed, particularly for FIFO travel.

Roller functionality. We’ve been using four-wheel suitcases for the past few years, so Phil did find going back to a two-wheel bag took a little adjustment. That said, he was impressed with the wheels themselves and how smoothly the bag rolled.

Stability. While packing for Phil’s trip, I removed the stabiliser bars inside the bag. We quickly discovered that they don’t just help give the bag its structure — they also strengthen the anti-tip foot at the front. Lesson learned: leave them in! With them in place, the bag was much more stable when standing upright.

Organisation. Phil found the 43L capacity a great size for his work travel, particularly as he also carries a smaller backpack as his in-flight personal item. Between the two bags, he had the space he needed without having to take a larger suitcase.

Carry handles. One feature I really like is the three different grab handles. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes the bag much easier to manoeuvre, particularly when lifting it in and out of the car or moving it around while packing.

Backpack mode. This probably isn’t a feature we’ll use very often, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it. The bag was comfortable to wear, and I love the built-in wheel cover. I even discovered how easy it was to reach from behind when I put the backpack on and realised I’d forgotten to cover the wheels first!

What would I change?

 If there is one feature I’d love to see, it would be a little bit of expansion. Not necessarily because we need more room when we leave home, but because somehow there always seem to be a few extras coming home with us!

Laptop size. The laptop compartment is designed for laptops up to 15.6 inches, and it does exactly what BAGSMART advertises. My 17-inch laptop doesn’t fit, so that is something to be aware of if you travel with a larger computer.

Overall, there weren’t any significant problems that would stop us using the bag. Most of the limitations are really about knowing what the 43L Roller Backpack is designed to do — and for Phil’s FIFO travel, it fitted the job very well.

Who Is the Blast 43L Roller Backpack For?

This is a great bag for anyone looking for an easy option for a weekend away, particularly if you want the flexibility to choose how you transport it,  roll it, carry it or put it on your back.

And, as we’ve seen with Phil, if you’re a FIFO worker looking for a combination of space, comfort and ease when travelling regularly for work, the 43L Roller Backpack could serve you very well.

If, like me, you’re trying to set some boundaries around how much you take as you explore the world, 43L could also be the ultimate boundary. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come!

On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes to pack for every possible scenario, and still leave plenty of room for shopping, the limited capacity probably won’t suit the way you travel.

The 43L Roller Backpack and the 38L BAGSMART backpack could also make a great combination if you’re looking for some extra space and versatility without moving to a traditional large suitcase.

 Our Final Thoughts

When we accepted this bag to review we had one very big question to answer and as we finish we can say that this bag fuklfilled what we wanted it to; It gave Phil the bag he has wanted for a while.

Looking for your own BAGSMART purchase? Here is our link.

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We made videos sharing Phil’s FIFO story and my detailed review. These videos showcase details and honest reactions.

Here are the links to our honest review of the Blast 28-38L backpack Video and Blog

Another Blog you may find helpful is a packing blog from the trip I used in this review.