Video Overview

Christine from Pack Hacker Reviews brings two weeks of real-world use to the Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case V2 — a $12.99 travel accessory that solves a problem almost every bar soap traveler has run into. The case uses Matador’s dry-through technology: a rip-stop nylon 70D exterior over a TPU-like interior lining that allows a wet soap bar to dry through the material without transferring moisture to the rest of your toiletry bag. Christine has been using the V1 version for years, so this review covers not just how the V2 works but exactly what changed between versions — and whether those changes matter. Short answer: they mostly don’t, but the product itself continues to earn its place in any travel kit.

Items and/or Gear Mentioned in the Video

• Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case V2 – Purchase on Amazon
• Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case V1 – Purchase on Amazon

The V2 is the clear buy if you’re starting fresh — rip-stop nylon 70D exterior, TPU interior, YKK buckle closure, and a hanging loop, all for under $15. If you already own a V1 and it’s holding up, there’s no functional reason to upgrade; both models share the same dry-through technology and identical usage pattern.

Editor’s Insight

Pack Hacker reviews a lot of premium gear — daypacks, carry-ons, packing systems — and it’s easy to overlook a $12.99 accessory in that context. But the Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case is one of those items that consistently shows up in travel kit breakdowns from experienced packers, and Christine’s long-term use of the V1 gives this review a perspective most first-impression unboxings can’t offer.

The core problem the FlatPak solves is real and underappreciated. Bar soap is objectively the better travel soap choice — no liquid restrictions, no bottle caps leaking in a bag, longer lasting than comparable body wash, less plastic waste. But carrying a wet bar of soap in a toiletry bag without contaminating everything else around it is a genuine inconvenience. Cheap plastic soap dishes crack. Mesh bags drip. Neither prevents moisture from spreading. The Matador FlatPak’s dry-through technology addresses this directly: the soap dries through the case to the exterior, while the rest of your kit stays dry.

The material engineering is worth understanding. The exterior is rip-stop nylon 70D — a tightly woven grid-pattern fabric that resists tearing without adding significant weight. The interior is a TPU-like lining that creates a controlled moisture pathway: damp travels outward through the material rather than pooling inside or wicking sideways. Christine admits she can’t explain the exact mechanism, and neither can most people, but the outcome after two-plus years of V1 use is clear: the technology works as advertised across real-world conditions including cruise cabins, campgrounds, and hotels.

The roll-and-buckle closure is elegantly simple. You place the soap, roll the case three times, and clip the YKK buckle. The case conforms to the soap’s current size — a brand-new full bar, a half-used travel size, or a worn-down sliver all work without adjustment. As the bar shrinks with use, the case shrinks with it, which is a better solution than a rigid plastic case that always takes up the same footprint regardless of how much soap remains.

The V2 update changes two things: the exterior material moves from Cordura rip-stop nylon with a hexagon weave pattern to standard rip-stop nylon 70D, and the YKK buckle is slightly thinner in profile. Christine’s assessment is that neither change meaningfully affects performance or durability. The V1 she’s been using has survived years of travel with only minor edge fraying — and that fraying hasn’t spread or caused any functional problems. Both versions share the same dry-through interior and roll-close design.

The hanging loop is a detail worth calling out for shower users. Cruise ships, hostel bathrooms, and gym showers often have hooks rather than ledges — being able to hang the entire case in the shower and pull the soap out cleanly is a small quality-of-life improvement that adds up over longer trips. The loop is small but functional.

One practical note from Christine’s review: if you switch between strongly scented soaps without washing the case between uses, the scent transfers to the new soap. Clean the case by turning it inside out, rinsing out any residue, and air drying. It takes thirty seconds and keeps the interior working correctly.

For the price — $12.99 — the FlatPak Soap Bar Case V2 is one of the least debatable gear purchases in travel. There’s almost no comparable product at this price point that handles the wet-soap-in-a-bag problem as cleanly. Christine’s years of V1 use followed by a smooth transition to the V2 is about as strong an endorsement as a reviewer can give a product. Watch the full review on the Pack Hacker Reviews channel for the side-by-side V1 vs V2 comparison and Christine’s verdict on whether the upgrade is worth it.

Closing Remarks

If you travel with bar soap, the Matador FlatPak Soap Bar Case V2 is a straightforward yes at $12.99. The dry-through technology keeps your kit dry, the roll-and-buckle closure adapts as the bar shrinks, and the YKK hardware and rip-stop nylon construction are built to last for years of hard use — as Christine’s V1 proves. Have you made the switch to solid toiletries for travel? Drop your current setup in the comments. All product links above are affiliate links; purchases support the site at no extra cost to you.