How to Use a Speed Stash for Quick Access Items
By Matador Travel Equipment | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to attach and organize your Speed Stash on any backpack strap for instant access to phone, passport, and daily essentials while traveling or commuting.
Quick answer
Mount the Speed Stash on your backpack strap using the integrated strap loop, then organize your phone, passport, and small essentials in the main compartment and front slip pocket for instant access without removing your pack.
Why a strap-mounted pocket beats digging through your pack
When you're navigating an airport, hiking a trail, or commuting through a city, stopping to unzip your main pack every time you need your phone or transit pass wastes time and invites frustration. A quick-access pocket like the Speed Stash keeps those items at your fingertips.
The real advantage is that you never have to take your pack off. The Speed Stash attaches securely to virtually any backpack strap, so your essentials stay within easy reach while your hands remain free for other tasks.
Trade-off: limited capacity versus convenience
A strap-mounted pocket is inherently small. You cannot fit a tablet, a water bottle, or a bulky jacket. The trade-off is deliberate: you trade maximum storage for instant access. The Speed Stash works best for items you reach for several times a day — phone, passport, boarding pass, sunglasses, or a small power bank.
If you need to carry larger quick-access items, consider a waist pack or a hip belt pocket instead. But for most daily and travel scenarios, the Speed Stash provides the right balance of accessibility and minimal bulk.
Step-by-step guide
- Attach the Speed Stash to your backpack strap: Slide the integrated strap loop on the back of the Speed Stash over your backpack's shoulder strap. Position it at chest height for easiest access. The loop is wide enough to fit most webbing straps up to about 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Common mistake: attaching it too low on the strap, which forces you to reach awkwardly. Place it where your hand naturally falls when your arm hangs relaxed.
- Organize items in the main compartment: Place your phone, passport, or small wallet inside the main zippered compartment. The pocket has enough depth to hold a typical smartphone with a slim case, plus a passport or a small notebook. Avoid overstuffing — the pocket should close easily without straining the zipper. Checkpoint: if the zipper is hard to close, remove one item. Overpacking makes the pocket bulge and reduces quick-access convenience.
- Use the front slip pocket for your most-used item: Store your transit card, boarding pass, or a lip balm in the front slip pocket. This pocket is designed for items you grab without even unzipping. Slide the item in securely so it doesn't fall out during movement. Common mistake: placing a loose card in the slip pocket without a case — it can slide out when you lean forward. Use a card holder or keep the pocket snug.
- Secure loose items with the internal key clip: Clip your keys, a small hand sanitizer, or a USB drive to the internal key clip inside the main compartment. This prevents small items from sinking to the bottom of the pocket and keeps them instantly accessible. Checkpoint: test the clip with your key ring before loading other items — it works best with a single key or a small ring, not a bulky fob.
Product details
- Speed Stash: The Speed Stash is a quick-access pocket that mounts to virtually any backpack strap — keeping your phone, passport, and daily essentials right where you need them. You can attach it to almost any pack you already own, so you don't need a new bag to get organized.
Speed Stash
