I’m sure there are hundreds of backpacks that would fit my needs, but I’m trying to find a really good one, and interested in any suggestions for either a specific backpack, or just a manufacturer to look in to. Hoping to buy this one time and never worry about it again.
Main use would be for traveling, the majority of the time via airplane. I’m looking for something to use for short trips when I don’t pack another bag. I’m also specifically looking for a bag that isn’t specially designed to carry a laptop, as I have a different laptop bag and am hoping to avoid wasted space.
Here are my “requirements”, most of which are somewhat flexible:
-As big as possible, while still being guaranteed to fit under an airplane seat.
-Interior has at least 2 big compartments.
-At least 1 smaller compartment easily accessible from the outside for grabbing stuff quickly while going through security.
-No wasted space. Main concern is mentioned above, don’t need anything specifically configured for a laptop. Also, hopefully not so many compartments that efficiency is reduced.
-Probably a drink holder on the side. Most backpacks seem to have this, I like it, its not an absolute requirement.
-Anything I’m forgetting or don’t realize exits. I know I just said I don’t want so many compartments that it becomes over-complex, but I would be interested if there’s any features that people find useful or make things easier. I’m thinking stuff like somewhere for keys/wallet/whatever that is exceptionally accessible, or anything that makes navigating airports/planes/taxis/security extra easy. Like holes to run headphone or charging cords out of the bag perfectly or that kind of thing.
Like I said, I’m specifically excluding laptops from this bag, but besides that will be packing pretty much everything else needed for a trip of say 1-3 days, including a tablet and maybe some other random electronics/chargers.
Any steers to good manufacturers or even better specific packs would be appreciated. Price range is not a big deal, I figure this will fall in the $50-$100 range. I’m guessing there’d be no reason to exceed that, but I still would if some backpack were so great it was worth it.
That’s going to be your biggest problem. There isn’t really a standard for under seat room, and on smaller domestic flights it may be unworkable. The bag I pack for most trips goes in the overhead with my laptop in it. I’ve been on many flights where a bag with 1-3 days worth of stuff (and I pack light) wouldn’t fit under the seat.
Thanks Telemark, that totally makes sense, and makes me think of one more requirement or at least “nice to have”. Hopefully this bag would be suitable to be checked if necessary, so any features that make that work better would also be considerations. So, if I get to the airport or on the plane and realize it won’t fit, it’ll be checkable if necessary.
One thing that I’ve learned to avoid is lots of separate compartments. I can never remember which compartment I’ve assigned things to. Instead, I prefer several containers inside, each of which can be identified by feel, so I can just grope around in there for the container that has a certain needed object in it.
I like those cheap snap-top pencil boxes that can be bought cheaply in back-to-school sales. As for wasted space, just buy the one that collapses the smallest when empty, because the whole pack itself is wasted space. Avoid over-padded straps or rigid walls. Airlines are pretty slack about carryon, I started out agonizing over dimensions, and then checkin personnel barely give it a glance. Of course, you can’t depend on that, but you have a better chance if its soft and shapeable.
But you say 1-3 days, which is a whole different set of requirements than my 1-2 month needs. For 1-3 days, I don’t even take along a change of clothes – I just take a nylon string-pull bag I got for a quarter at a thrift shop. It can be worn over the shoulder or as a backpack.
Unless you plan to be walking with it for an hour a day or so, I really don’t see any advantage to a backpack over a duffel bag with a good shoulder strap. You can be your own best critic – what have you used in the past, and what were the downsides of it?
I’m the oopposite, I prefer lots of separate pockets so I can open just the one I need & pull out/put in just what I want.
Depending upon flight length, I want four things out of my bag & with me, book, mp3/headphones, water bottle, & snack. There’s a separate pocket for receipts so they don’t get mangled. The main pocket is rarely opened except in the hotel/event.
One of my favorite websites is Outdoor Gear Lab – they don’t publish press releases and hyped up reviews; they buy items at retail and test them in real world conditions.
I’m not in any way connected, but Eagle Creek makes some good stuff. The systems my Wife and I have has a small day bag that incorporates to the larger bag that is a backpack (zips on). The ‘larger’ one can go in overhead storage on a plane and the other under the seat in front. And the ones we have have wheels to manage through airports.
This is not a camping backpack by any means, but they have worked very well for my wife and I. We managed very well on a 3 week trip in Germany taking trains wherever we went. And we aren’t kids. We washed some stuff in hotel rooms, but I knew I wasn’t going to pack 21 pairs of socks.
My go-to travel bag is an Outdoor Products convertible backpack/duffel travel bag. It contains no rigid pieces. Unlike a traditional backpack it opens from the side like the suitcase. Only one main compartment but it has a sizable side pocket. It has a removable shoulder strap or a traditional suitcase carry handle. But it also has a top loop like a backpack and backpack straps that can unclip from the bottom of the pack to be stowed away if you check it or don’t want them flopping around when you carry it another way. I’ve had this bag for 10+ years and no problems with zippers, tears, etc. It can definitely be carried on and might fit under the seat if it’s not stuffed full and you don’t care about leg room. When I travel for work I have this in the overhead and a laptop backpack.
I have had my Osprey 46 for 8 years and have convinced many friends to go with it as well. I have flown to NZ, Korea, Japan, all over Europe (including the stingy budget airlines), and lived out of it for 3 weeks with only a single trip to the laundromat. I have never once had to check it (even for a full overhead situation) nor have I ever had to pay a fee for it. It will compact down into the overhead even for one of the small 3 seat across commuter planes.
Traveling back from Turkey last year, I put it on the scale at the airport and I had 72 pounds loaded up! So it can take the weight. The previous trip to Turkey had me coming home with 4 full size bath towels and a bunch of other linens and clay gifts without problems.
Unless it is packed to overflowing, it will fit under the seat in front of you (you generally can’t sit on the aisle or the flight attendants may frown, but if you put it under the window seat, no problem as you aren’t blocking anyone else’s path.)
A couple of hints, if cramming it into a tight space, do not put anything in the top pocket and also loosen the compression a bit. It will shape itself into the space by itself. And use the hip belt, it will keep it closer to your body on any transportation.
I’ve had good experience with Eagle Creek. I understand they may not have the same quality they they used to, but my 1999 Continental Journey has spent literally years on the road and is still going strong.
My advice is to look for one big compartment (and maybe a small organizer pocket for boarding passes and the like) and then use packing cubes for organization. They provide organization and help you use space well, while not locking you in to any one configuration.
I’ve also been grateful for a pack that has a large, somewhat protected flat pocket where I can store documents and flat paper souvenirs.
Addressing a couple of your points: The Osprey 55 L (next size up) is not a carryon, the 46 is maxed out. No drink holder on either though- I think that you don’t want this as you want nothing that can catch on seats or other obstacles. There is a top pocket near your head which is where all of my toiletries, glasses, phone, wallet, keys, and charging cables go- anything I need access to. It is quite roomy.
My 13" laptop (always along with me) goes into the main compartment right on top of my clothes- THis provides a nice flat top surface to the bag to slide into the overhead bin. I always pack it in a $10 neoprene sleeve. The power cord also goes into the main compartment- both can be pulled out by unclicking the top synching strap and unzipping 10" and sliding them out.
I use the rolling method for packing in clothes- including my business suits and shirts. The moment I get to my destination, I unroll and hang them up and they still look freshly pressed.