30L-ish backpack with luggage pass-through and can fit 16" laptop
Hi all, seeking the help from all the gurus here. Looking for a backpack that I use mostly for work travel to/fro the remote office and the occasional weekend trip. Would like the following features:
- Around 30L capacity, can be a bit larger or smaller
- Has luggage pass-through, vertical or horizontal doesn't matter
- Can fit 16" laptop
- Good back airflow
- Lightweight
- Water-bottle pocket nice to have
- Not too much 'organization' space, would like a option for 'traditional' backpack access
- Water resistance would be nice
- Not black would be nice
I don't need to care too much about exact backpack size as I either fly international business, or USA domestic with Delta or AA. The dimensions of my current work travel backpack (some OGIO black bag with a earbud passthrough that has the company logo) has never been a big issue. But I think 30L is a good max size for going from the hotel to/fro the remote office, and can easily be a personal item on the airlines. I don't mind it being smaller.
Luggage pass-through is a MUST as I usually travel with a carry-on or checked luggage.
Needs to fit a 16" work laptop in a laptop sleeve.
I like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L/28L, for example. But it's a NO-GO for me because it's something that ONLY works well as a clamshell access. I could in theory zip open the main compartment to access the insides, but I need to go through some more 'organization' spaces to access the actual storage cavities.
I purchased the Thule Aion 28L as it seems to fit the bill, with a traditional backpack access. But it seems a bit too heavy, the back airflow isn't the best, and the strap feels a bit 'cardboardy'. The inner TPU liner is great in theory, but just seems to get in the way most of the time.
I really like my wife's Swissgear 1900. Really like it. It's a bit heavy on it's own and looks a bit too 'corporate'. However, usually at $80, the value for money can't be beat.
I really like my wife's REI Ruckpack 30L, it's lightweight and a great bag with good airflow. But no luggage pass-through is a no-go.
Tomtoc has some T66 options at 28L and 32L, at the value for money is undeniable. But it's just too poor quality.
I'm OK to go to $200 for the backpack, not because I can't afford more, but I'm a bit 'meh' about the price; no need to spend more than needed. If the idea backpack is $50, then I'm perfectly happy with that. It would be nice if I could use that backpack for some weekend travel as well.
Thank you very much for your help and suggestions!