r/backpacks

What small (10L-13L) backpack do you like for being out and about while traveling? NOT one to use as a carry-on or even personal item for a plane—I’m looking for one to hold like a water bottle, snacks, and maybe a small souvenir while walking around a city I’m visiting. TIA! :)

What are the best backpacks or brands for college? I’m thinking about Osprey and North Face because they're being recommended a lot. Are there options that you love?

I will be biking to and from campus daily, looks decent and Big in size to handle alot of school supplies like

1. Computer
2. Tablet
3. Books
4. Tech Acessories (Mouse, Wires, Headphones...)
5. Daily Care (like Deoderant cologne and other basic needs)
6. Pencils and basic supplies,

If you have any Suggestions please let me know

Hi all! I currently work as an ecology consultant/surveyor, which requires me to be outside all day with minimal to no trips back to my car — sometimes for up to 10 hours at a stretch.

I have to carry food, some gear, portable batteries, and (my heaviest items) water jugs in thick metal containers to keep them cool. I currently use a beat-up bag from Walmart since I regularly go through creeks and barbed wire, and I didn't want to ruin anything I actually cared about.

But as the work has gotten more intense, I've started noticing pretty bad lower back pain, so I think my body is telling me it's time to upgrade. I'm willing to spend more on a good bag, but I'm nervous about buying something nice and immediately tearing holes in it out in the field.

Any recommendations for a durable, supportive pack that can handle rough terrain and heavy loads without wrecking my back (or itself)?

Going to be doing a lot of 5-10 day trips and am currently not thrilled with my setup. Currently running a Gregory alpaca 60l as a carry on and either my 18l or 24l osprey as a personal item. Currently looking at the cotapaxi 35l or 42l or osprey daylite 26+6l or 35l to become my new carryon. My concern is that the smaller packs will be too similar to my current backpack. I would be open to one bag the 42l, but am a bit concerned since I travel with a good amount of electronics and including the occasional dslr. Any advice is welcome.

Hi! I'm moving to Boston in about a month and am looking for a new backpack for graduate school.

My biggest priority is weather protection. I'd like something that's waterproof so I never have to worry about my laptop or other belongings getting wet while walking in the rain or snow.

Other things I'm looking for:

• Padded laptop sleeve
• Enough room for a lunch box, notebooks, etc.
• Fits under an airplane seat

Budget isnt a major concern if it's a backpack that will last me a number of years. Any recommendations for specific backpacks or brands? Thanks!

I've been researching backpacks for weeks and would love some advice from people who have actually owned these bags. Trying bags is a hassle since I live in Iceland and ordering / returning bags is not really a viable option.

Daily carry:

• 14" HP laptop (sometimes also a 14" MacBook Air)
• Logitech MX Keys S
• MX Master
• Bose QC Ultra
• Tech pouch
• Water bottle + Monster

Occasionally:

• Hoodie
• 1–2 days of clothes for work trips

Current shortlist:

• Aer TP4 Ultra 28L
• Rework Outbound 30L
• FYRO Levo 30L

If you've owned any of these, I'd love to know:

• Which carries heavy loads (8–10 kg) the best?
• Which works best as both an office backpack and for overnight trips?
• Is there another bag in the 24–30L range I should seriously consider?

Thanks in advance.

I need a backpack with a hidden compartment that is hidden enough that if your not looking for it you wont know its there. I need it to be big enough to fit a full pencil case worth of belongings. Can anyone please help me out i have been searching for awhile🙏🏽🙏🏽

Hey all. I’m looking for a new back for everyday wear. I currently have the Osprey 26+6 but what something in the 21-24l size.

I will mainly have it for my TCG carry. So double of deck boxes and my mat along with a tripod to record. And for around at theme parks with snacks and chargers.

My only want is 2 water bottle holder.

The lighter the better of course.

I’m 5’9 but 300lb. So don’t want something that looks dumb tiny on me. I’ve tried the Daylite+ and feels it looks dumb tiny

Budget-as long as it’s comfortable I’m fine with anything

Thanks.

Quick edit. Two bags I am really looking at are the Aer City Pro 2(24l mainly for 2 water bottle holders) and Toshi Rework(20l).

After spending way too much time with my friendly neighborhood AI and doing lots of searching on my own, I feel like I must be missing something. The only bag that fits my criteria (24-32L, padded removable or stowable hipstraps, non-military appearance) is the Aer Travel Pack 4 28??? I don't care about organization pockets, luggage pass through, waterproofing, etc. I just need a bag that will redistribute the weight of my pack to my hips when I have to carry more than my stupidly large laptop. I bought the Tortuga Daily Carry Pro in hopes that it would be comfortable enough, but I fear the only thing that will do that for me is hip straps. I've looked at the cotopaxi allpa (straps are not padded and there are comments about them not redistributing weight), North Face Surge (hip straps also not padded), and so many more. Can you guys give me some other recommendations?

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!

I’m looking to switch from a laptop bag to a backpack for my daily commute, but I’m having a hard time finding one that will fit all of my tech.

Here’s what I carry every day:
Laptop: 10.5” × 15” (roughly an 18” laptop)
Portable monitor: 10.25” × 16.75” (about a 19.5” portable display)
Laptop and monitor chargers
Mouse
Hoodie
Notebook and a few office supplies
Lunch
Water bottle

Ideally, I’d like something in the 27–30L range that’s comfortable to carry back and forth to the office, can travel with, has good organization, the more waterproof the better and can safely hold both the laptop and portable monitor.

Some of the backpacks I’ve been looking at are:
- YETI Ranchero
- YETI Cross Roads
- Outbound Travel Backpack
- Osprey Nebula 32
- Evergoods Civic Travel Bag
- Aer Travel Pack 4 (28L)
- Fyro Levo Travel Backpack

Has anyone used any of these with two large devices? Do you think either of them would fit my setup, or is there another backpack you’d recommend?

I’d really appreciate any firsthand experience or suggestions. Thanks

I've own the new ReWork Toshi 2.5L for about 5-6 months now and I really love it. However, my mom really liked it so I gave it to her. While I may get another Toshi 2.5L, this may also be an opportunity to try something different that works just as well. For my must haves: between 2 - 3.5L in size. at least two pockets, closed loop strap (hate dangle) and no PU coated zippers. With modern slings, it's getting harder and harder to find slings/bags with no PU coated zippers.

Some of the bags I considered are the following:

Able Carry Core Sling

Tom Bihn Sidekick

Fyro Citta 3L

Thank you everyone for your input and help.

My current work backpack is wearing out and I'm looking for a replacement. My commute is a half hour walk and I have shoulder and neck pain so I need it to be lightweight, comfortable to carry, and water resistant. I carry a 13 inch laptop, water bottle, small lunch container most days - so not a lot of stuff. Aesthetically I want something that looks simple and put together but not overly dressy. I do travel frequently for work, but plan to handle that with a separate bag. I'd rather have something lighter and more compact for daily use.

I’m looking for people who have actually flown with the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L as a personal item.
I know the official answer is that it’s technically oversized, but does it usually still pass?
The airlines I’m flying are Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and WestJet
On paper, the bag is:
~0.5 cm too long for Ryanair/Aer Lingus
~10 cm too tall for all three
~2.8 cm too wide for WestJet
That said, it’s a soft backpack, and I’d be intentionally underpacking it (mostly carrying an iPad, camera gear, chargers, passport, etc.), so it should compress quite a bit if needed.
For anyone who’s used this bag:
-Did you get asked to use the bag sizer?
-Did it fit under the seat?
-Did you have any issues at the gate?
-Would you use it again as a personal item?
Is it one of those bags that’s technically oversized on paper but works fine in practice?
Thanks! 😊