The 6 Best Clear Backpacks for Concerts, Festivals and Sporting Events
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Tickets aren’t the only thing you might need if you want to get into your next concert — if you’re planning to carry a bag with you, you might also need a clear backpack.
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These days, a good clear backpack is a must have if you want a stadium-approved and concert-approved bag. We’ve reviewed some of the best clear backpacks available to haul your gear, no matter if you’re heading to a show, or you just want a stylish, transparent pack to head to the office or class.
In This Article
The Best Clear Backpacks
How Do Clear Backpacks Work?
Clear Backpacks Buying Guide
What Are the Best Clear Backpacks and Stadium-Approved Bags?
No matter where you’re hauling them to, these are the best clear backpacks that are worth taking on your next adventure.
BEST OVERALL: Madison & Dakota Clear Mini Backpack
EDITOR’S CHOICE: Under Armour Clear Backpack
ROOMIEST PICK: Nike Clear Training Backpack
BEST FOR FESTIVALS: Uspeclare Transparent Backpack
1. Madison & Dakota Clear Mini Backpack
Take this budget-friendly, clear backpack to your next concert or festival, thanks to the stadium-approved dimensions. There’s plenty of carrying space, including a spacious main storage compartment, along with a front zippered pocket for smaller gear, like your hand sanitizer or smartphone. It’s also built with a reinforced carrying handle up top when you don’t want to use the sturdy shoulder straps. Note: While it’s big enough to fit essentials like a water bottle, phone, and clothing, you won’t be able to fit most laptops.
Madison and Dakota Clear Mini Backpack
2. Nike Brasilia Clear Training Backpack
Nike’s sturdy-and-clear pack is billed as a bag for training purposes, but we think it’s a versatile hauler for any activity. Because it’s easy to wipe clean, it’s especially a good fit for carrying to and from your workouts, and for storing sweaty clothes or extra pairs of sneakers. Nike designed it with a blend of durable polyester and thermoplastic polyurethane. There are even padded shoulder straps for more support, so you can easily transport loads of books and your other gear. It also comes with side storage compartments, as well as a spot for your laptop when you have to take work home with you. It’s available in 18 x 12 x 7 inches.
Nike Clear Backpack
3. Uspeclare Clear Small Backpack
Thanks to the reinforced shoulder straps on this commuter-friendly pack, you’ll want to tote it to concerts and class alike. The backpack features a water bottle holder on the side for easy access, plus a zippered front compartment to store smaller items like tickets, your phone, or a mask. We like its water-resistant, durable PVC exterior, which is easy to clean and won’t get damaged even after your millionth fest experience. And at 12 x 11 x 6 inches, it works for most stadium and festival bag policies too.
Uspeclare Clear Backpack
4. Under Armour Clear Backpack
You know Under Armour for making reliable workout gear, from fitness apparel to the best face masks for running. The brand also has a wide selection of great luggage, including this sleek clear backpack. Whether you need a durable pack for a flight, or just a clear bag for school, UA outfitted this one with its own laptop sleeve for 15-inch MacBook Pros and other similarly sized models. Its water-resistant exterior keeps all your gear safe and dry on trips, while the brand’s adjustable HeatGear straps make it comfortable to carry for hours. Put simply, you can’t go wrong with Under Armour’s gear, and this is proof.
Under Armour Clear Backpack
5. West Elm Sheer Luggage Backpack
You probably have shopped at a West Elm for, say, a couch or another piece of furniture, but you may not realize you can actually pick up seriously stylish luggage there, too. This sheer backpack is sleek, yet boasts plenty of storage for your laptop in the main compartment. A front pocket features a zipper, which is ideal to place items like pencils, pens or your phone. And because the 10-liter pack’s on the larger side, it’s best for commuting and travel.
West Elm Clear Backpack
6. Paxiland Clear Mini Backpack
If you’re looking for the best deal on clear backpacks online, you probably won’t find a better one than this. With a whopping 46 percent discount at press time, you can get this classic, clear mini pack for a budget-friendly $13.99. It’s available in three different colors, each measuring a stadium-approved 12 x 10.5 x 6 inches. It’s a great value for a stadium or concert must-have, and you can stash all your essentials in the surprisingly roomy compartments. Plus, it’s built with adjustable shoulder straps to help you find the right fit.
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What Are Clear Backpacks and How Do They Work?
The best clear backpacks can help you both see what’s inside your pack and, hopefully, get you through the security line a little quicker. Bag policies differ depending on the venue or arena you’re visiting, with some requiring specific-sized bags, so you’ll want to read up on the rules and regulations for each event. Still, many places are switching to clear bags, so security officers can easily see and detect what you’re bringing with you.
Buying Guide: How to Find the Best Clear Backpack
Many of the qualities that make any backpack worth your money are the same ones we looked for when choosing our top picks for clear bags. Remember to keep in mind where you’ll use yours the most. The bags in this guide work for a big range of situations, including indoor concerts, music festivals, walking around campus or heading to a game.
Size and Carrying Capacity: The clear backpacks below range in size, and you’ll want to check to make sure your pack’s dimensions are accepted if you’re heading to a show or trying to get into a venue that does allow backpacks in the first place. Most festivals, for instance, let you take your clear backpack through the gates, but check ahead to see if there are any rules about your bag’s dimensions. The same rules apply say, if you’re planning to attend an NFL game in the future, and your bag has to fall within 12 x 12 x 6 inches and be “made of clear plastic, clear vinyl, or clear PVC.” That also includes concerts at venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where everyone from the Weeknd to Bad Bunny are scheduled to play this fall. The same clear bag policy and size restrictions apply to certain festivals, including Austin City Limits.
The bottom line: If you’re planning to go to a concert or a game, check the venue’s bag policy before you visit to confirm that you can take your pack with you. Otherwise, you might be turned away at the entrance.
And it goes without saying, but if you’re just using your pack for trips to class or commuting to work, make sure items like your laptop and a book or two can comfortably fit inside. Some smaller-sized backpacks are designed to only fit pocket-sized items, or accessories like a water bottle.
One drawback to a clear pack: They’re, of course, designed to be completely see-through. In other words, they’re not necessarily the best pieces of luggage to use for trips where you might need to carry your passport, wallet or other valuables, personal items and sensitive documents in your pack.
Style: While these transparent packs can help get you through security a little quicker, they also make cleanup a simple task. Unlike other carriers, all of the bags below are easy to wipe clean — all while looking stylish and hauling your items. They’re available in various silhouettes too, from slim and sleek packs, to square-shaped bags and oversized bags too.
Extra Features: For the most part, a backpack that comes with extra compartments and features will make your pack that much more useful. We like bags that include things like a holder for your water bottle or thermos for your coffee, as well as pockets for smaller items like keys or earbuds.
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