Travel backpack suggestions

[FiguringItOut]

Please suggest good brands for travel backpacks. 
I"m looking for backpack that would be allowed as a hand baggage, light weight, waterproof is a huge plus.

[rpr]

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-travel-backpack/#carry-on-size-ish-or-no-daypack

[iamlindoro]

I use the Tortuga Travel Backpack, which I love.  It's the exact dimensions of international carry-on, and has a lot of thoughtful features like laptop sleeve with discrete zipper (makes it easy to get out in security lines), passport pocket in the hip straps, quick-access pocket (good for liquid bag), and the straps are really well padded, so it's comfortable when carrying on long walks from airport to wherever you're staying.  Plus, the build quality is really really good.  Have taken it on pretty long stays to Africa, Europe, and Asia so far, and it has held up really well.  Still looking new.

http://www.tortugabackpacks.com/collections/all/products/tortuga-travel-backpack

[human]

Completely waterproof would rule out a lot. What do you mean by travel backpack? Nothing is more comfortable than a real backpack. Here's a great backpack: http://www.ula-equipment.com/product_p/circuit.htm, if it's too long for carry on just don't fill it up too much

There's always ebags : http://www.ebags.com/category/backpacks/travel-backpacks

I found a cheap carry on over the shoulder style bag there quite some time ago it was the ebags brand and cheap. They also have eagle creek, kinda pricey but well known.

I can't think of anything fully water proof unless you go cuben fiber with taped seams and that gets expensive.

[Cc15gec]

I've traveled with my Osprey Atmos 65 liter bag for 8 years. It still looks new and if needed Osprey does many repairs for free.

[FiguringItOut]

Thank you everyone for suggestions.

I still don't know what to do.  I looked at the backpacks you all linked here and although they all seem great I wasn't planning to drop $400-500 right now on two packs.

I need two backpacks for July 7th trip with my daughter.  Is there anything in the below $100 category that I can look at by any chance?

[Chris22]

LL Bean makes great bags.

[Parizade]

I am very happy with my Voyageur

https://www.meipacks.com/collections/carry-ons

[Nothlit]

Back in 2014 I bought the "eTech 2.0 Weekender Convertible" for about $70 from eBags, which I have used on two international trips and several domestic trips. I like it quite a lot. However, it seems they may have discontinued it? The only similar thing I see now is the "eTech 2.0 Downloader Laptop Backpack" which appears a bit smaller than mine, but it's hard to tell for sure. In any case, they also sell the "TLS Mother Lode" series of bags which are closer to what I bought, just about $10-20 more expensive due to a couple of extra features that they have.

The other thing that made a bag like this work was to also buy some packing cubes, to keep things neatly organized within the bag itself.

[canadian bacon]

I think that you need to help us out on your requirements.   

Travel backpack...  Are you hiking with it?   What size do you need (how many days of stuff)?  How far are you walking with it?   note that I caution against going too big. 

Ex:
I have backpacking packs (internal frame) but when I travel I prefer to use a my north face duffel.   It has 2 shoulder straps so that it can be used as a backpack (although I typically only use 1 as a shoulder strap) and is GREAT for traveling, packs an large amount of stuff that can be accessed easily, is tough as nails, and it is convenient.   My friends are always asking to borrow these bags of mine their trips...   I think I have a medium and a large.  I can check the sizes and give a recommendation if you want.

I would hesitate buying a real backpack over 40-50 liters.  you will be pushing against the size of carry-on and really, hiking backpacks get stupid big quickly.  I felt ridiculous walking through an airport with a bag as big as a rolled up couch cushion filled to 20 percent capacity.

https://www.rei.com/s/the-north-face-base-camp-duffels?ir=collection%3Athe-north-face-base-camp-duffels&page=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjwnIm7BRDSs42KxLS8-6YBEiQAfDWP6F47ynhn_OXBFdgUhzeCHsGTcS0suKreJ8XTSHoEBp0aAqvS8P8HAQ&s_kwcid=sGP98sGeb_dc%7Cpcrid%7C97835276285%7Cpkw%7Cnorth+face+base+camp+duffel%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cgoogle%7Cmain%7CNB

[JoJo]

Concerning cost, do you plan on using the bag for many years?

I've bought some cheaper bags but they all end up with holes in them, sometimes in the first month of use.  Meanwhile, my (not carry on size) Eagle Creek travel backpack, bought for $200 12 years ago that I thought was alot, I've lived out of that bag for over 3 full years of my life (a long sabbatical and multiple backpacking trips since) and it's almost as good as new.  That bag has literally been around the world multiple times.

You might luck out at a thrift store or garage sale.  I found a retro carry on size eagle creek for $3 at a garage sale and I've used that on several domestic trips too.

[zombiehunter]

It's not cheap, but Tom Bihn makes an exceptional backpack that can be used for lightweight travel.  There are 19L and 25L options.

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/backpacks/products/synapse-19?variant=17391763143

If you keep it for a decade and use for travel as well as day to day use, it could be worth the admittedly high $200 price tag. 

[babytuckoo]

First decision to make is whether you are truly hiking/backpacking or traveling. For traveling, I find travel bag much more useful than true backpacking packs.

I second the Tom Bihn options.  They tend to be expensive bags (>$200), but are very well built- great zippers, bomb-proof fabric and built in organization that works well for travel, moreso than backpacking. The zippers are sealed, but the bags aren't fully "waterproof". The Tristar or aeronaut series work well for travel/carry on.  I have the Tristar and Brain bag as an everyday bag. Used it for years nearly every day. I think any of their bags would last for years. 

Another very good option is the Osprey Porter 46 (46 Liters).  I have used this bag for extensive travel in Asia and Europe. It has more comfortable backpack straps and although it doesn't have an internal frame, its more rigid. If you plan your packing well, this bag would work well for any duration trip.  Not waterproof, but I've been in rain for short periods and this bag worked fine.  I got mine about 6 years ago for under $100 at REI. Good luck!

[Northwestie]

I use the Tortuga Travel Backpack, which I love.  It's the exact dimensions of international carry-on, and has a lot of thoughtful features like laptop sleeve with discrete zipper (makes it easy to get out in security lines), passport pocket in the hip straps, quick-access pocket (good for liquid bag), and the straps are really well padded, so it's comfortable when carrying on long walks from airport to wherever you're staying.  Plus, the build quality is really really good.  Have taken it on pretty long stays to Africa, Europe, and Asia so far, and it has held up really well.  Still looking new.

http://www.tortugabackpacks.com/collections/all/products/tortuga-travel-backpack

This is the best one I've owned for a travel pack.  My spouse has an older Lands End one that is awesome but they changed the style.  If you are just using it to get around, run from bus to train station, and get from one lodging area to another - then go with this.   But it is not a backpacking pack. 

I'm sitting on my backpack now waiting for transport - it's an older Black Diamond one I use for climbing and field work - it has one large opening like most and is good for storing stuff and carrying long ways, but not a good travel pack as you have to rummage through the one compartment for everything.

Good luck and safe travels.

[mskyle]

I have one of the eBags packs as well - it's my second, but only because I actually lost the first one. I guess while moving house. I used the original all over Switzerland, Turkey, a little bit of Greece and England and lots of domestic trips. They are good bags.

If you want waterproof, get a pack cover.

[Glenstache]

https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/equipment-luggage-duffels-duffels/base-camp-duffelmedium-cww2?variationId=JK3

- bombproof
- waterproof
- semi-comfortable as backpack (not like a frame pack, but good enough you could wear all day provided it wasn't full of rocks)
- when used as a backpack it has no exposed zippers or pockets for people to steal from behind your back (it does happen in some places)
- they make a size that is just barely a carry-on (I lived out of that size for 2 weeks in Thailand)

At over $100, it is a bit spendy, but will last many years. It is definitely a go-to bag for me and I use it quite a bit.

[singh02]

http://snarkynomad.com/5-of-the-best-travel-backpacks-for-global-adventures/

Best blog post I've read on it, with rant/geek mode on details.  Check out the muctachian Rick Stevens classic back door bag which is a 40L bag for about $65 (different than the one in the above blog post).

[Papa bear]

I am very happy with my Voyageur

https://www.meipacks.com/collections/carry-ons

+1


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[Rollin]

I've traveled with my Osprey Atmos 65 liter bag for 8 years. It still looks new and if needed Osprey does many repairs for free.

Carry on? My Osprey with 26 liters just barely meets the requirements for carry on.

[Parizade]

http://snarkynomad.com/5-of-the-best-travel-backpacks-for-global-adventures/

Best blog post I've read on it, with rant/geek mode on details.  Check out the muctachian Rick Stevens classic back door bag which is a 40L bag for about $65 (different than the one in the above blog post).

I own a Rick Steves carry on backpack and I'm honestly not crazy about it. The MEI bag is tougher and much more comfortable and practical.

[SimplyMarvie]

If you're looking for something that does it all -- moderate hiking, travel backpacking, converts to a duffle for slightly more professional travel, is waterproof and amazingly well designed and lasts forever, check out the REI Grand Tour Line.

I have a 2000-2002 series of the Grand Tour, the women's version. For my money, it is the single best piece of luggage ever made by the hand of man or god. The first one I bought in 2000 got peed on by angry cats and couldn't be cleaned, and I haunted eBay for 10 YEARS looking for a replacement, because I loved it just that much.

The current ones are pretty darn okay, but that's only in comparison to the GodBag. ;)

[Beardog]

I recommend the Ortlieb bags.  The version I bought four(?) years ago for a commuting backpack is used every day and is highly durable and completely waterproof.  The bag I use is similar to this one:

https://www.rei.com/product/768101/ortlieb-velocity-cycling-pack?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-7681010034&CAWELAID=120217890000869969&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15877524880&CATCI=pla-118327658200&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

They are well worth the price.

[RonMcCord]

Currently using the Patagonia MLC and it's amazing.  I pacould ked a week's worth of clothes, some electronics, and toiletries and maybe only used half the space. Packed a gym bag in case I couldn't fit all the souvenirs, turned out I didn't need it. Plus I like how it has options to be carried as a backpack, suitcase, or a messenger bag.

[maustache]

My husband and I each bought one of the Rick Steves back door bags in the mid 90s and they're still going strong after much use and abuse. I just bought the "convertible carry on" for my son last time it was on sale for $79.99 and they are  on sale again. It's a carry on  but can be expanded if necessary. It's been great so far!


https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/travel-bags

Just realized the 20 % sale is over today but they seem to go on sale a couple times a year

[Cc15gec]

I've traveled with my Osprey Atmos 65 liter bag for 8 years. It still looks new and if needed Osprey does many repairs for free.

Carry on? My Osprey with 26 liters just barely meets the requirements for carry on.

Yeah, generally I only fill it to 50 liters maximum. Usually don't have any problems flying (outside the US) carrying it on.

[nalor511]

Mountain hardwear scrambler 30 waterproof seems to fit the bill. We have two of them and they are great.

[cakie]

This is an item i would recommend going 2nd hand on - i bought a 34L Deuter backpack off ebay 4yrs ago, have used it extensively for overseas travel, still looks great. The original owner bought it for his kid. They went on one camping trip and never used it again!