NOBULL's Waxed Canvas Backpack holds 23 litres at $119, measuring 19" × 12" × 6". The standard NOBULL Backpack is $100 and the Waxed Canvas Duffleback is $149. None reaches 45 litres. Cost per litre on the Waxed Canvas works out to $5.17, against $2.22 for a 45L pack at $99.95.
NOBULL sells a specific idea: no logos shouting at you, no gimmicks, materials that age rather than wear out. The waxed canvas line is the clearest expression of it, and it is a genuinely nice object.
It is also 23 litres, which is roughly half what a competition loadout needs.
The NOBULL bag range
| Model | Volume | Price | $ / litre |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOBULL Backpack | Not published | $100 | — |
| Waxed Canvas Backpack | 23 L | $119 | $5.17 |
| NOBULL Gym Bag | 30 L | Not published | — |
| Waxed Canvas Duffleback | Not published | $149 | — |
Prices from nobullproject.com, checked 16 August 2026. NOBULL does not publish a volume for every model. Prices change — verify current listings.
Where NOBULL is genuinely strong
Waxed canvas is a real material choice, not a finish. It develops a patina, it can be re-waxed, and it will outlast a coated synthetic in appearance if you look after it. Nothing else in the gym-bag category is doing this.
The aesthetic works outside the gym. A waxed canvas pack reads as a normal bag in an office or a coffee shop. A MOLLE-covered tactical pack does not. If you carry one bag everywhere and you would rather not look like you are deploying, this matters.
The Duffleback is a real hybrid, not a duffel with straps stapled on — a legitimate answer if you cannot decide between the two formats.
Brand credibility in functional fitness is earned, not bought.
What to weigh before buying
23 litres. A pair of US men's size 10 training shoes takes roughly 8–10 litres. Put those in and you have 13–15 litres for everything else. That is a gym session, not a competition day, and definitely not gym plus work plus a laptop.
Waxed canvas and gym use are an awkward pairing. Canvas absorbs. Sweaty kit, a wet towel, or a bottle that leaks will soak in rather than bead off, and re-waxing is maintenance a coated synthetic never asks for. It is a beautiful material that is arguably in the wrong application here.
No dedicated shoe compartment published. In a 23L bag, shoes share space with everything else.
No published defect warranty on the product page.
Side-by-side
| Spec | NOBULL Waxed Canvas Backpack | IronBackpack Pro 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119 | $99.95 |
| Volume | 23 L | 45 L |
| Cost per litre | $5.17 | $2.22 |
| Dimensions | 19" × 12" × 6" | 20" × 12" × 12" |
| Material | Waxed canvas | 900D high-density polyester, water-resistant |
| Water behaviour | Absorbs; needs re-waxing | Sheds; no maintenance |
| Laptop | Yes, size not published | 17" padded sleeve, published |
| Dedicated shoe compartment | Not published | Yes — 1 of 5 separated compartments |
| Opens flat 180° | Not published | Yes |
| MOLLE / patch panel | No | Yes, 2 patches included |
| Load rating | Not published | 20 kg / 44 lb |
| Warranty | Not published | Limited lifetime |
| Free shipping | Not published | Every order, no minimum |
Specs from each brand's own site, checked 16 August 2026.
Which one fits you
Buy the NOBULL Waxed Canvas Backpack if you want a bag that looks good outside the gym, you like the idea of a material that ages, your kit is light, and you are happy to re-wax it occasionally. At $119 you are paying for the material and the restraint, and both are real.
Buy a 45L pack if you carry shoes, a belt, sleeves, a change of clothes and a laptop, and you want them separated and dry. The IronBackpack Pro 45L is $99.95 — $19.05 less than the NOBULL for roughly double the volume, with a 17" laptop sleeve, five separated compartments, a limited lifetime warranty and free shipping on every order.
See the IronBackpack Pro 45L — $99.95 →
More: full 45L comparison · KNKG King Kong · Gymshark Tactical
FAQ
How many litres is the NOBULL backpack?
NOBULL's Waxed Canvas Backpack holds 23 litres at 19" × 12" × 6". The NOBULL Gym Bag is listed at 30 litres. NOBULL does not publish a volume for every model in the range. None of their backpacks reaches 45 litres.
How much is a NOBULL backpack?
NOBULL lists the standard Backpack at $100, the Waxed Canvas Backpack at $119 and the Waxed Canvas Duffleback at $149. Prices change — check nobullproject.com for current listings.
Is waxed canvas good for a gym bag?
Waxed canvas is durable and develops a patina, but it absorbs moisture rather than shedding it and needs periodic re-waxing to keep its finish. For a bag that regularly holds sweaty kit, wet towels or leaking bottles, a coated synthetic such as high-density polyester needs less maintenance.
Does the NOBULL backpack have a shoe compartment?
NOBULL does not publish a dedicated shoe compartment for the Waxed Canvas Backpack. In a 23-litre pack, footwear shares space with the rest of your kit. Packs with separated shoe storage keep dirt and odour away from clean clothes.
What is a bigger alternative to the NOBULL backpack?
The IronBackpack Pro 45L offers 45 litres — roughly double the Waxed Canvas Backpack — with five separated compartments, a 17" laptop sleeve, a 180° clamshell and MOLLE webbing at $99.95, which is $19.05 less than the NOBULL. It also publishes a limited lifetime warranty.
Will a NOBULL backpack fit lifting shoes and a belt?
It is tight. A pair of US men's size 10 training shoes takes roughly 8–10 litres of a 23-litre pack, leaving 13–15 for everything else. A 10mm lever belt does not fold, and NOBULL does not publish MOLLE webbing or external belt loops for carrying one on the outside.
Double the volume, $19.05 less.
Shop IronBackpack Pro 45L — $99.95 · See all backpacks
