Ordered this backpack for a trip me and a friend. It can be easily fold together and pull them apart again. The whole has no stabilizing elements, which is why he is very labrig when empty but otherwise it could not crumple together. A star deduction there because my friend for 2 months a seam is torn. On the other hand holds my for over 6 months still without any problems and I have this backpack loaded more than my friend.