A recent trip confirmed Mous has the sweet spot travel bag I’ve been searching for

I’ve probably been hunting for the perfect travel backpack longer than I’ve actually held a passport. My mix of commuting (both on foot and by bicycle), overnight work trips and occasional weekend adventures used to mean regular swaps between different bags while I waited for the Goldilocks one-for-every-eventuality alternative to appear. After the last month of travel, I think the Mous Optimal Protective Lid Backpack with UltraTex is that bag.

Before the Mous showed up, I’d either use a larger Aer travel backpack for overnight stays or a smaller Three Peaks backpack for day trips. The former was closer to a wearable suitcase and sometimes fell foul of draconian budget Airline hand luggage policies; the latter wasn’t even big enough for a single night away. Neither could cut it in the rain while cycling.

The 25 litre Optimal Protective Lid Backpack is my ideal middle ground. It’s not too big or heavy to be used on the daily, but is capacious enough for a few changes of clothes and a wash bag – with some extra space left over for souvenirs. The main compartment opens wide enough to make packing almost like loading a suitcase, made easier by the way it holds its shape while fully unzipped. The bag also fits happily under an economy airline seat while leaving a teensy bit of space for one of my legs to stretch out.

Mous’ Ultratex material has proved itself to be brilliantly stain and weather resistant, brushing off dirt and keeping the contents dry without needing to pack a bag poncho. I’ve been caught out in a few surprise rain showers, but my clothes and tech always stayed bone dry.

The zippers and buckles are equally tough, showing no sign of strain or weakness at any point in my testing. The Razer laptop bag I’d trialled previously saw two zippers snap off in a shorter space of time.

There’s more than enough padding on the shoulder straps and adjustment in all the right places to get a comfortable, secure fit while walking or riding a bike.

I can’t say I’m a fan of the firm’s “THIS IS A MOUS CASE” YouTube pre-roll adverts – we’re almost in Billy Mays meme territory at this point – but I can’t fault them for how much thought has gone into the Optimal Protective Lid Backpack’s various compartments and pouches. You get two bottle holders at the sides – one with easy access and the other behind a zip pocket, letting it double as more secure storage. The always-accessible fabric-lined pocket was ideal for my sunglasses, while a second one beneath the main compartment lid kept my phone’s screen free from scratches. There’s also a secret one hidden near the small of your back for a passport and wallet.

Inside I’ve taken to stashing a pair of true wireless earphones, a power bank, USB cables and a universal power adapter in the handy mesh pockets, which either zip up or use elastic to keep your gear in place. My TwelveSouth Plugbug power brick is part of Apple’s Find My network, but I’ve also stuck a Tile tracker inside the stealthy dedicated pocket just in case the bag ever goes walkabout.

My only real gripe is that the carabiner-style hook can be fiddly for regular access to the main compartment. It’s not a big deal if I remember to place the zippers low enough to open the compartment from the side, but only if I’ve not stuffed it so full of clothes it becomes impossible to get anything else out.

The Optimal Protective Lid Backpack is also undeniably expensive: my Ultratex version costs $310/£300, or more than I spent on my two previous bags combined. Given I’m using it almost every day, though, it makes more sense on a cost per use basis – and is sturdy enough that it should have a very long service life.

• Related: This essential accessory changed travel for me – and it’ll do the same for you