We miss traveling too, radioclash84! But, creating this content is a great way for us to fuel that wanderlust and to make sure we're all prepared for when we can back on the road. 🙌 🛫 - Rebecca
I’ve only spent 5 weeks in my home country (Canada) since Feb 20, 2020. 🤷🏼♂️ Ukraine, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania………I lucked out landing in one of the most open countries throughout the worst part of the pandemic I guess tho (Ukraine). All these counties only need a rapid test to enter right now. I’m rarely checked for my test unless I’m heading home to the lockdown capital of the world 🙄 or laying over in EU.
Can you make a presentation for the petite woman. A travel pack is important however most are too large or too heavy yet there’s a need to be as conformal as possible
I love my Osprey Porter 30. I tend to be minimal, and had 0 issues packing for any weather. Multi use items, quick dry clothing and packing cubes are necessary. However, being 5'2", I love the fact my pack fits under the seat so I don't have to fight the overhead bin battle. Pretty comfy, laptop fits, holds everything I need and reminds me not to over pack. My fave.
I bought the farpoint 40 because of your review and dude i love it, its simply awesome...two year of full use and still looks brand new, zero damage + lots of travels...its the best. Thanks!!!
I have the Peak Design as my travel backpack. I like the simple sleek design without all the stuff on the outside. I snapped the top to it to make it look smaller and for a sleeker contour rather than boxy looking. The main reason I chose this backpack was for the security features it provides when you are traveling in crowded public spaces. Unfortunately this is something none of the RU-vid backpack reviewers talked about...
I bought an Eagle Creek Hauler bag last January. Less than two pounds empty. About $79. I sewed in additional straps. Used it twice, it has been in my closet since last March. Holding up really well.
Hopefully you'll be able to get this pack back on the road soon! Digging that you've been able to make some modifications to help make this pack work even better for you. - Rebecca
Avid traveler, many bag user, have to say the Farpoint 40 is the best of the best for remote travel and the Tom Bihn (I have the old 25) is perfect for travel to the city/hotels/etc. The wife and I have more backpacks and duffels than I’d like to admit and we always default to the Farpoint/Fairview 40 every single trip we go on, wether flying overseas to remote places or living out of the 4Runner all over North America. Save your money, it’s the one :D
I've had the Tortuga Outbreaker for several years now, and love the materials used as well as the comfort on the back. What I don't love is the clamshell opening is to the side which means part of the zipper is on the bottom and is taking on the load. I haven't had any issues yet of the zipper giving, other than it pulling away from the stitching, but over time I can see this being a weak point. I also wished the shoulder straps were hideaway to make it easier and to stow in overhead compartments or under the seat. This would also protect the straps from dirt and damage.
Having the straps on the Tortuga Setout Divide hide away was so useful. I had a small carry on backpack because of limits to 7kg on internal flights and had scissors and multitool packed in the Setout Divide to go cargo. So at the airports I carried the Tortuga as a shoulder bag. Otherwise everything packed inside.
Great info!!! I love to hike and camp! We have some great hiking and camping opportunities here in Tucson, Arizona where I live, but I am hoping to get out and see and do more post-quarantine. Thanks for sharing! Great channel! I’m following!
Marmot Long Hauler (M/50L). It’s made 3 mission trips to Africa so far and use as my only bag/carry on. Weather resistant so stands up to the rain and dust as it travels in the back of a truck from one Bush clinic to the next. Duffel strap becomes shoulder straps and remove for stowage when needed. I can go 2 weeks out of this one bag. Liked it so much I bought one for my wife when she joins me on the mission trips. Love them!
That's awesome, Eric. So glad to hear you've found a pack that works so well for you. It sounds like you've really put it through its paces too. Thanks for sharing! 🙌 - Rebecca
Topo Core Pack is where it's at. Surprisingly large capacity. Huge water bottle pockets. Simplistic design. Makes for an easier travel experience. Add a couple pouches and a day pack, you'll be an unstoppable force.
Topo does make some great bags that have big capacity, but reasonable weight. Some even have the zipper against your back which is a great safety feature
I've mentioned it in an earlier video already but the Nomatic Travel Pack (v2) is my go-to. Availabilty in Europe, design, versatility thanks to being expandable 20-30l... I've used it as my daily driver for university and work as well as for week-long trips and even trekking. The only downside for me - it's quite heavy. Also, thanks for your informative videos!
You got it, Martin. For sure, that added versatility is a super helpful feature. It's great that you've been able to make the most out the expandability so that it works for multiple use cases. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! - Rebecca
GREAT video thank you for putting this together! Currently debating between the Osprey Porter and Farpoint models...now I just added 3 or 4 more to that list! Haha
I love the the “Weekender” from Adventurist Backpack Co. it meets the criteria for a personal item, and can be used for a 3 night 4 day get away using eagle creek packing cubes. It’s square, so it will fit under the seat in front of you on most budget airlines. It’s also great for day hikes, and a every day backpack.
I’m 5’2 and I love the GoRuck GR2 40L but i also love the Nomatic 40L and 30L for both travel and everyday needs. Living in New York City the nomatics have become my errands bags. I use them for grocery shopping...perfect for subway or bus rides to the shops.
Great video guys! This community feels very nostalgic to me, I traveled all over the world with my 40L Kathmandu Voltai. Now I have two toddlers and will be flying from Australia to Germany for Christmas, definitely will have to use more than one bag but very excited to be using some old hacks to keep it as light as possible!
Don't want to miss my Farpoint 40 which is kinda unbeatable especially on overland trips (car, bus, train). But since everything including sofa pillow and wardrobe fits in, I generally tend to carry too much of stuff with it. Found out that it is challenging to really travel light on plane, but came to the conclusion that even something like my Salewa Chip 22 can do the job. For sure a crazy piece of a pack, weights one kilo less than the Osprey and I surely didn't expect at all that my wife's 17" laptop fits in. Or that I could pack, using it as shopping rucksack at my destination, a complete box of 24 diet coke cans in it.
I’ve just bought one and will be traveling Europe by train this summer for well over a month and a half. Hope it performs well, and I’m left more pleased than the Asian traveler that commented.
I've found any backpack from Mark Ryden are amazing. I've bought them as gifts for others and when seeing how much they loved them I had to buy them for myself.
I have a Aer Travel Pack 2 Small, and I love it! Even though is the small version (28l), I think it has more than enough space for several days/weeks on the road (doing laundry, of course!). I love the "shoe" compartment because usually bags like this do not have separated compartments, and I find it very handy for organization. For me the only downsides are the zippers that are too big, and I would like to have the compression belt on the small version as well, so I could hold a jacket on it.
Thanks for sharing your experience of the Aer Travel Pack 2 Small with us, Alex! It's great to hear that you're digging the bag and that you've been able to optimize the shoe compartment too. 😊 - Rebecca
Definitely check out the Mammut nirvana pro 35, although it's meant for skiing/snowboarding, it's perfect for traveling, as well as an everyday backpack. 35l capacity, accessible from the back as well as from the top, removable hip belt and loads of other things that come in handy 👌
I use the Arc'teryx Bora 40. It's about 12" by 22" and fits EXACTLY the airport carry on bag max size. Bought it April 4th 1999, this is the first day of 2023 and it is still going strong even though I use it almost daily. Carry groceries in it, take my lunch etc to work in it and of course camp with it. I have taken it on many week long camping trips where it carried all my gear except food... and there is a spring right on site at my favorite campground so I never take water. Powdered milk, sugar, teabags and titanium cookware though. It is heavy... but I motorbike camp, so np.
I know is somehow unpopular in your channel, but I'm in love with the Patagonia Black Hole MLC. I simply don't need to be discreet anymore, and it's organisation and built quality keeps being outstanding in the pioneer of one bag travel. For shorter trips or lesser volume needed I have a Millican Marsden. I find it has a clever design and looks at home either in town or in the mountains. I don't understand it seems to have been discontinued but, as you mention their Fraser The Rucksack, I simply needed to point to what I consider their travel backpack par excellence...
I have the North Face Travel Duffel Pack (37 L), which I love. Sadly it’s no longer available. I like the full clamshell design and padded laptop pocket. It has less organizational pockets, but I really like the look and the fact that it came in navy rather than black.
I think there should be a note on the title that says "domestic US only". When confronted with weight limits in Asia (7kg max) the weight of the bag itself becomes a huge factor. Most of the bags you listed would be completely unworkable unless you are a super light packer. I find that the Peak Designs Duffel at .9kg and the Patagonia Black Hole 32L backpack at .81 kg to be the winners.
So true. Size and weight are my highest priority with one bag traveling, which has led me to go with bags like the cotopaxi nazca, cotopaxi tasra, and large kanken bag. I'm not going into battle, and I'm definitely never going to need to check my bag, so I dont look for a 1050D nylon. Overkill in my opinion, and adds too much weight. Every gram counts
I use the Tom Bihn Tristar. It isn't great if you want to go hiking in the Himalayas but awesome as a travel backpack. Great organization, quality is top notch, and you can carry as a backpack or as a shoulder bag with the shoulder strap. I used it for month long travel in Europe a couple times and it was plenty of space, comfortable and kept my stuff organized and accessible. Tom Bihn makes a packable daypack that doubles as an extra large packing cube that i also use to throw the essentials in when just walking around.
Hey guys. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Oppose This Invisible Carry-on V2. I’ve been running the bag specifically for Ryan Air flights and love the bare bones minimal esthetic. Thanks for the great content as usual!
I was surprised that the Osprey Farpoint 40 is still on your favorites list. I have this one since a few years and I´m constantly travelling (I´m from germany but at the moment I live in Canada, before I was in Asia, Australia and New Zealand with the farpoint 40 for 2 years). I really like the comfort and the bright inside but stylewise there are definitely more minimalistic ones out there now which I would prefer but I will stick to my trusty old one until it falls apart....but if this moment comes your videos prepared me to make the best purchase. :-)
I have the farpoint and the pd travel line amongst other bags not on the list. Hands down the Peak Design travel line for one bag carry with camera gear is the best so far for me.
I have both the Eagle Creek's Wayfinder and Global Companion. I bought the Wayfinder first and replaced it after two trips with the Global Companion. The Global Companion far outperforms the Wayfinder in both useable space and fit. The Wayfinder has lots of small, impractical space, no way to compress the load once packed, and no way to adjust the load on your back. The Wayfinder also has a very narrow belt that does not support the load well and cuts into the flesh after just a short time. I would highly recommend people try both out FULLY LOADED in a store prior to trying to take a two week trip with either. The Wayfinder was miserable for me compared to the Global Companion.
Glad you enjoy the content, Giordy! I'll pass your request along to the team for the access 38. In the meantime, we do have a review of the Deuter AViANT Carry On Pro 36. I'll drop a link below. Thanks for the comment! - Austin packhacker.com/travel-gear/deuter/aviant-carry-on-pro-36/
For heavier loads or longer trips if prefer the mil spec design of the Maxpedition Ironcloud 48 at 48-liters and 4.9 lbs. For ultralight travel, with a backpack background, I prefer the Ultralight Equipment ULA Camino 2 at 45-liters an 3.14 lbs.
Glad to hear the Amazon Basics Slim Weekender Backpack is working well for you, Drew. We were impressed with the versatility this pack had to offer and it held up really well in our testing too. The Topo Designs Travel Bag is a solid contender, but it didn't rate quite as high as the other travel packs in this video. You can check out the full review of the Topo Designs Travel Bag here: packhacker.com/travel-gear/topo-designs/topo-designs-travel-bag-40l/ - Rebecca
Hey Francine. We tried out the Nomad Lane Bento Bag Sport Edition. You can find our review below. Thanks for the comment! - Austin packhacker.com/travel-gear/nomad-lane/bento-bag-sport-edition/
There are a lot of backpacks you left out: Osprey Porter PacSafe Venturesafe EXP45 Fjällräven Splitpack Patagonia Blackhole TNF Basecamp Voyager Cotapaxi Gregory Border
What about the Evergoods MPL-30. That thing rocks. Traveling, comfort is key! This is the best harness period. And the organisation is awsome. And very versatile too. For me, by far the best. After buying and trying many, this is my ultimate perfect travel pack! PS: water bottles go in the big outer pocket, works great! 😀👍
Nice Video, I have the Farpoint 40 - But thinking of getting another, I think I am losing space, at the bottom, on how its tapered, I need something more Squarish!
Hey Carlton! We've got a great guide to help you choose the best travel pack for you. I'll drop a link below. Thanks for the comment! - Austin packhacker.com/guide/best-travel-backpack/
PH... I have a Synik 30 that I love for travel, but I've been wondering if you've every compared the Able Carry Max to the Synik 30? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Ridge is kind of an odd place to get a backpack... but I really like my ridge wallets, so I figured I would try the commuter backpack. It fits a 15 inch laptop, and is weatherproof. I've had the odd chance to try that out. Even in absolutely pouring rain, no water made it into any compartments. Ended up buying the duffel bag too, since I was happy with the backpack.
Thanks for the insight 😃 We have a full review on the Commuter Backpack if you’re interested! packhacker.com/travel-gear/the-ridge/the-commuter-backpack-weatherproof/ -Eric
I have the Osprey Fairview. Got it from 2020 but no chance to use it. I think it's very good combination with my AWAY carry on. No need to check my bags👍
kifaru... you should check their options out, would like to hear your thoughts. Generally my favorite packs... I travel to remote areas in South America for work... and even after researching a ton and watching a bunch of your videos, I think I´m going to go for one of Kifaru´s options for the smaller travel pack I´m looking for (needs to slide by as a personal item, but expand as needed).
