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Daiso - Foldable Backpack - $4 // Dont buy it

My Experience with a Daiso Foldable Backpack

I’ve been on the lookout for a foldable backpack, considering brands like Osprey, but I wasn’t ready to spend $30 or more. Instead, I found a Foldable Backpack from Daiso for just $4. I needed something lightweight to carry a water bottle and some snacks while out and about, and this bag seemed perfect for that!

Pros and Cons of the Daiso Backpack

Initial Impressions

For $4, you definitely get an ultralight bag made of thin material with weaker zippers. It’s crucial to treat it gently; if you do, it’ll serve its purpose. However, the instruction tag warns against moisture, so it’s not water-resistant and could easily soak through.

Plenty of Pockets

The bag features:

  • A main compartment
  • A smaller compartment that it folds back into
  • Two side mesh pouches for small water bottles
  • A small hanging pocket within the main compartment

The pockets are quite useful, although I wouldn’t risk putting anything valuable in the side mesh pockets; I just used them for cheap water bottles.

Watch the Straps

One caution about the shoulder straps: they don’t have a thicker end cap, which means they can slip off the buckles if pulled hard enough. I’m planning to heat treat the ends on mine to create an end cap to prevent this from happening. While I didn’t have an issue during a hike, it’s something to be mindful of at certain angles.

Size and Capacity

When folded, it’s about the size of an iPad Mini, which makes it too large to fit into a regular pant pocket. When unfolded, it can carry a few items, such as a sweater and some gear, but its capacity is limited. It’s rated at 13 liters (42 cm x 31 cm x 10 cm), whereas my Jansport Superbreak is 26 liters (42 cm x 33 cm x 21 cm). While similar in height and width, the Daiso bag has about half the capacity.

Closing Thoughts: Worth It for $4

For $4, you really can’t go wrong with this bag, as long as you pack it light. I’m hesitant to rely on it exclusively for trips, as I’m happy with my Jansport bags, but I can see it being useful as a backup in my car for quick outings.

Update - 5/16/21: One Week Review

After a week of use, the bag is holding up okay. I’ve compared it to my standard Jansport, which is superior in every way except portability. For quick outdoor trips, the Daiso bag has proven more than adequate.

The drawbacks remain the weak zippers and shorter shoulder straps. As long as you take your time and are mindful, you shouldn’t have issues with snagging zippers or fumbling with the straps. It fits nicely in the side compartment of my car, and I’ve found it more useful than my spare Jansport in the trunk. The slim profile is also a plus—it’s so lightweight that you hardly feel like you’re carrying a backpack, unlike the thicker and padded Jansport.

Update - 6/5/21: Bag Broke - 3 Weeks and Done

Unfortunately, my experience took a turn for the worse. After just three weeks of occasional use, the bag broke. After packing a small lunchbox and a water bottle, a hole appeared on one of the upper seams. It’s clear that these paper-thin packable bags aren’t built for durability; they’re meant for light, infrequent use at best.

Overall, I would not recommend this bag unless you’re okay with using it only a few times. The seams are too weak, and considering that these bags are made of plastic and polyester, they’re not worth the investment.







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