The most glaring downside is carrying comfort: The Black Hole lacks a hipbelt and doesnt have a particularly rigid structure, which can lead to sagging if not packed properly and detracts heavily from overall support and protection for fragile items. Specifically, its pretty awkward to roll away and secure back in its compartment with the Velcro attachments, although our tester did find the multiple carry optionsincluding backpack, suitcase-style, or over-the-shoulderuseful when transferring between hostels in El Chaltn (which he did almost daily during our trip). osprey farpoint For instance, the Peak Design Travel Backpack boasts 360-degree grab handles that make it quick and easy to take the pack off and carry it one-handed through security checkpoints or narrow airplane aisles. farpoint carry cotopaxi allpa invisible Another downside is that some of the smaller compartments become unusable when the bag is at full capacity, including the narrow front mesh pockets that cant fit bulkier items like water bottles, even when the bag is empty. Finally, we wish Matador had included more internal pockets for divvying up valuables and travel documents. In use, we found the Allpa to be remarkably tough and highly water-resistant, and the pack also comes with a stowable rain cover for truly inclement weather. Key differences include varying colorways, minor weight variations, and slightly smaller torso and waist measurements. farpoint osprey Price is the most glaring downside: At $300, its tied with the Nomatic Travel Pack below as the most expensive option on our list. And theres no shortage of at-home methods, including Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friends children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Importantly, however, the travel focus is clear: You get three carrying options (backpack, over-the-shoulder, or briefcase-style), ample pockets and compartments for divvying up electronics and clothing, and a convenient clamshell opening with two separate chambers for customizing organization. 2.7 oz.Other sizes: 55, 70LWhat we like: Great carrying comfort and streamlined design at a good price.What we dont: Smaller and less durable than the Porter above; stowing the backpack harness can be a hassle. In other words, a budget pack like the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack feels noticeably cheaper than most other options above and will likely wear down far more quickly. The packs above make it easy and comfortable to shuttle your belongings across the globe, but not everyone needs a specialized design for travel. However, this area on the Ruckpack doubles as the laptop sleeve, which most travelers will use more frequently. 1 oz.Other sizes: 18, 28, 40LWhat we like: Massive capacity with a removable and functional 20-liter daypack. Sternum straps and load lifters can also be helpful for bringing the load closer to your back to maximize comfort and weight distribution. The models above are designed to be worn on your back as backpacks, but many travelers appreciate the ability to carry their pack suitcase-style or over the shoulder. As is common with backpacking models, some travel packs also come with built-in rain covers that stow away when not in use, including REI Co-ops Ruckpack 60+, Cotopaxis Allpa 28L, and Eagle Creeks Tour 40L. osprey farpoint Comfort can be somewhat subjective, but a few features help certain travel packs stand out from the rest of the market. The pack is also on the heavier end at 3 pounds 10.4 ounces, and those with smaller frames may find it a little bulky and cumbersome to haul around (regardless of which carry option you choose). Whether youre traveling across the globe or headed out on a quick weekend getaway, a thoughtfully designed travel pack can help you stay comfortable and organized while on the move. But it works at the compressed 35-liter size (or smaller 30L option), and photographers in particular will love the shape, which nicely accommodates multiple camera cubes, lenses, and other accessories.See the Peak Design Travel Backpack. All of the other components have an equally durable and supportive feel, from the foam-heavy shoulder straps to the thick, protective backpanel. What complaints do we have about the Peak Design Travel Backpack? The Fairview also has more contoured shoulder straps and a curved hipbelt to better conform to narrower torsos/shoulders and larger hips. Below we break down the best travel backpacks of 2022, ranging from minimalist options for a couple nights away to larger bags with removable daypacks for extended trips. These options are especially helpful when standing in line to check in at the airport or retrieve travel documents. And we should note here that cost often correlates pretty closely with overall quality. osprey porter farpoint 14.9 oz.Other sizes: 18, 25, 30LWhat we like: Very comfortable to carry and separate compartment for dirty clothes.What we dont: Split-case design limits storage space; slightly pricier and less durable than the Osprey packs above. What we dont: Doesnt meet carry-on size requirements. osprey farpoint osprey farpoint From their travel collection, the SEG42 Travel Pack stands out for its unique segmented design that allows you to customize organization by day or activity. Youll want to be sure that you can adjust the shoulder straps and waist belt to be snug around your torso and waist. Another downside is that the laptop sleeve is positioned at the front of the bagwe prefer when heavier items are situated close to the back for better weight distributionand accessing items here can be difficult due to the half-length zipper design (we wish it had a clamshell opening like the main compartment). Again, however, the lack of travel-specific features and organization options can make it harder to effectively divvy up your belongings. osprey farpoint travel rei pack osprey farpoint One exception above is the Eagle Creek Tour 40L, which is offered in both S/M and M/L torso sizes, while a couple others (which we cover below) are sold in dedicated womens models for better customizing fit. The pack is on the heavier end at nearly 4 pounds due to all of the protective features, the handles are underbuilt for carrying as a suitcase, the padding along the shoulder straps and hipbelt is noticeably firm (albeit decently thick), and there are no load-lifter straps to pull the pack closer to your body while on the move. And at just $56 at the time of publishing, the 45-liter Carry-On Travel Backpack is a great value for what you get, undercutting most similarly sized models on this list by $100 or more. Comfort is the number one consideration for many campers (ourselves included), and a quality camping blanket can go a long way toward keeping you warm and cozy while out in the wilderness. Why do we rank the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L here? Laptop storage is a requisite feature in a travel pack, and all of the picks above come with a dedicated spot to stash larger electronics. Capacity: 35LDimensions: 20 x 13 x 8 in.Weight: 3 lbs. Finally, it's important to note that some bags come with multiple access points: The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L, for instance, includes both a full wraparound zipper and shortcut side zip next to the backpanel for easily retrieving items while on the move. Hiking and backpacking requires a lightweight and durable camera that captures great images. ryggsekker farpoint tester And unlike most of the competition (including Ospreys own Porter collection), the Farpoint is sold in a dedicated womens model called the Fairview with more contoured shoulder straps and a curved hipbelt. The + designation refers to the included 20-liter daypack, which can be attached to the front of the main pack for a whopping 80 liters of storage or used separately for around-town adventures once you reach your destination. 28l cotopaxi kelty redwing osprey farpoint travel rei pack Finally, the Travel Backpack is technically not carry-on compliant when expanded, measuring 22 x 13 x 11 inches (the standard U.S. domestic carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 in.). Like the duffels, the Black Hole Pack is made of strong (and recycled) polyester ripstop thats highly tear-resistant with a TPU film on the exterior for fending off precipitation. Like most of Pacsafes offerings, the Venturesafe EXP45 is packed with protective features, from cut-resistant materials to lockable and puncture-resistant double zippers and built-in stainless steel cable locks. A few exceptions to this rule are the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45, Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45, and Osprey Farpoint 40, all of which have the laptop sleeve at the front of the pack and can feel a little less well balanced with heavier electronics situated farther away from your body. While the 28-liter variation is nicely sized for weekend trips, it cant accommodate much more than a few days worth of clothing and gear (Cotopaxi does sell larger 35 and 42L versions that are still carry-on friendly). farpoint osprey farpoint Key considerations include carry-on compatibility for air travel, enough capacity to stash your belongings, pack weight, and preferences on storage and organizational layouts. Patagonias Black Hole is legendary in the world of duffel bags, and the recently released MLC 45L travel pack variation shares that bags excellent durability and good looks in a more organized and carry-on-friendly design. Finally, the Travel Pack doesnt come with a waist strap, which is a notable downside for support and carrying comfort. Our favorite in their collection this year is the new 40-liter Aion, which combines the premium build quality that Thule is known for with a nice assortment of travel-ready features. Many of the picks above are built by reputable backpacking manufacturers, but Nomatic is a travel company first. The first question to answer when choosing a travel pack is how much capacity you anticipate needing. If youre mainly a weekend traveler and willing to make the investment, however, the Nomatic stands out for its intentional organizational layout and travel-ready feature set, earning it a spot on our list.See the Nomatic Travel Pack. Despite offering 6 more liters of capacity than our top-ranked Topo Designs Global Travel Bag (for a considerable $54 less), the Porter 46 is still carry-on compliant, making it the largest option here that still meets most domestic and international airline restrictions. Travel can be an exhausting endeavor, especially if youre constantly worried about your luggage or valuables getting stolen. You may be able to get away with carrying these bags onboard, but dont count on it, especially if youre traveling during peak season to a popular destination. Like Osprey, Gregory is a leader in the hiking and backpacking markets, and their Border Carry-On 40 retains many of their well-loved technical features in a travel-friendly design. Of note, its also offered in a smaller 40-liter option for $50 less, although only the 18- and 22-liter variations meet carry-on restrictions.See the REI Co-op Ruckpack 60+ See the Women's REI Ruckpack 60+. Its also sold in larger, crossover Trek models that can pull double duty for backpacking.See the Osprey Farpoint 40 See the Women's Osprey Fairview 40. We covered Ospreys Porter above, and their Farpoint is another highly comfortable and well-built design at a good price. Right off the bat, well note that there is technically no standardized size requirement for carry-on luggage domestically or abroad. Depending on your budget, the options abound in categories from compact point-and-shoots Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review, A Year on the Road (Part 1): Northern British Columbia, Topo Designs modular PackFast accessories, Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack ($56), See the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack. osprey These drawbacks are enough for us to push the Patagonia pack toward the bottom of our list, but Black Hole fanatics who travel frequently certainly have a lot to be excited about.See the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L. osprey farpoint Our biggest gripe with the Osprey Farpoint 40 relates to the zippered flap at the bottom of the backpanel thats designed to stash the shoulder straps and hipbelt when not in use. farpoint Weve indicated whether each travel pack above meets these requirements in our comparison table, and REI Co-op does the same on each of their product pages. In other words, the Mission Rover doesnt stand out in any one area (hence our ranking), but its another durable travel pack with a nicely executed feature set.See the Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45. Thin webbing designs like what you get with the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack arent much better, providing very little support and structure for keeping the weight of the pack on your hips (rather than your back). Finally, at 35 liters, the Crossroads is on the smaller side and will require precise packing to accommodate more than about three to five days worth of belongings. These include a zippered laptop sleeve, internal and external compression straps, easy-access pockets for travel documents, and good organization in the main compartment. Even so, youd be hard-pressed to find a better-appointed travel pack for less, making the Ruckpack our favorite high-capacity pick of the year. A final feature to look out for is a PFC-free DWR coating found on models like Thules Aion Travel Pack, which forgoes the use of harmful perfluorocarbons. farpoint Eagle Creek first started making packs in the mid 1970s, and their Tour 40L travel pack clearly reflects that longstanding history in the market. Cotopaxis bright, multi-colored designs put them on the map, and their Allpa 28L travel pack follows suit with vibrant styling and fun accents. osprey porter farpoint But looking for advice on which reusable water bottle to choose? However, as with the Osprey Farpoint and Pacsafe Venturesafe above, the Mission Rovers laptop sleeve is situated at the front of the pack, which detracts from carrying comfort and convenience. Capacity: 46LDimensions: 21.5 x 14 x 9 in.Weight: 3 lbs. Like the Peak Design Travel Backpack above, the Amazon Basics can also be expanded to boost packing space while still meeting carry-on restrictions. Other than being new and relatively unproven compared to the other options here, the Tour strikes us as a fantastic and well-rounded travel pack and may very well see a jump in rankings during a future update.See the Eagle Creek Tour 40L. 28l cotopaxi osprey farpoint If youre curious how a certain pack is made, most brands are decently transparent about sustainability initiatives and publish them on their product pages, but most of the picks above incorporate at least one of these measures. As you may notice, similarly sized travel packs dont vary too considerably in terms of dimensions. We like the big clamshell opening to the main compartment, but we wound up having to reorganize to make everything fit into the various compartments (they're optimized for Topo Designs modular PackFast accessories, which are smaller than our standard packing cubes). 13 oz.Other sizes: 35, 55LWhat we like: Anti-theft technology and cut-resistant fabrics add a nice dose of assurance.What we dont: Expensive and prioritizes safety features over carrying comfort. Opening Styles and Access When compiling our list of the best travel packs, we prioritized functional organization, easy on-the-go access, durable materials, and carry-on compatibility. The shoulder straps are lightly padded, while the hipbelt is a thin and basic webbing design that wont feel comfortable under the weight of a full pack. In other words, comfort- and convenience-focused travelers will likely want to look elsewhere, but the Pacsafe has its place for those who prioritize safety and security.See the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45. Capacity: 45LDimensions: 22.8 x 14.5 x 8.6 in.Weight: 3 lbs. indietraveller farpoint farpoint osprey Capacity: 45LDimensions: 22 x 13 x 9.5 in.Weight: 4 lbs. In the end, no pack is perfect, but the Global Travel Bag puts it all together better than most, including thoughtful storage, easy access and portability, and exceptionally durable materials in a very stylish and modern package.See the Topo Designs Travel Backpack. One uniquebut very functionaladdition is the removable TPU rolltop bag for stashing dirty laundry, which prevents odors and dirt from making their way to the rest of your belongings. You dont get dedicated water bottle storage either, which isnt a necessary feature but certainly is nice to have. Some models that include them are the Topo Designs Global Travel Pack, Peak Design Travel Backpack, REI Ruckpack (on its removable daypack), Eagle Creek Tour, and Thule Aion, while the Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack and Osprey Farpoint leave them out. nomads Capacity: 45LDimensions: 21 x 13 x 12 in.Weight: 4 lbs. Touted as a workhorse gear hauler, the Mission Rover offers three functional carry options (as a suitcase, shoulder bag, or standard backpack), has a well-organized main compartment with zippered dividers and a wraparound clamshell opening, and even includes separate areas for shoes and dirty laundry.