There is also a lifetime warranty, so it looks like it will last a lifetime.
All over the world, movement restrictions due to the corona crisis are being reviewed. Some people may want to buy a new travel bag while there is still time to go on a long-awaited trip.
Recent travel backpacks are full of useful elements, such as being able to store necessary items in places that are easy to take out, and being less tiring even if you carry it for a long time. Wirecutter tested 22 different products to find out which travel backpack we recommend right now!
Who would recommend a backpack?
Regardless of whether you are good at packing or not, once you get used to going out with just a backpack, you'll find it so convenient that you won't even need to use the suitcase you used to.
Not having a heavy suitcase makes it easier to go where you want to go without worrying about your luggage, and it makes it easier to deal with sudden schedule changes smoothly. As long as you have a place to wash your clothes, you can go anywhere with just one bag.
Some airlines charge extra for checked luggage, and some people consider traveling with a backpack to be a survival skill rather than lugging around a heavy suitcase.
When buying a backpack, think about how big you want it to be, and whether you go to the city or nature more often. A good backpack is made to last a lifetime, so once you find the right one, it's important to take good care of it.
No.1 recommended backpack: "Cotopaxi Allpa 35L"
Recommended for: People who are looking for a travel bag that has a large storage capacity and is comfortable to carry. The waterproof cover and part of the surface are waterproof, making it convenient for people who carry a variety of gear. In addition, people who want to support B-corp (certification given to businesses with high public interest such as environmental consideration) should also pay attention.
The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L features an easy-to-pack clamshell design and easy-to-adjust straps. Recommended for those who want to keep their luggage small and those who are petite. There are handles on all four sides, so you can easily pick it up no matter how you place it. After two years of testing, it's a backpack you'll want to pick up so much that you'll never need another travel bag.
The fit of the straps should be comfortable regardless of gender or upper body size. The belt around the waist can also be removed according to your preference. Comfortable for long periods of time, with or without a belt. However, if you have a long torso, it is recommended that you stretch the shoulder straps to the maximum, as the belt will easily touch your waist.
Because of the clamshell design, it opens and closes in the same way as a suitcase (as shown in the photo above). The large YKK zipper, which can be opened and closed on three sides of the bag, is convenient for loading and unloading. The compartment on the right side has a deep design, and the mesh material on the left side makes it easy to see the contents, so even if you put small items in it, it will be easy to take them out.
Since the partition for the laptop is on the back, it is easy to balance the weight and protect it from impacts. There is also a deep waterproof front panel that can hold a few books, a 1L water bottle, etc. Made of 1000 denier polyester with TPU processing, so you can use it with confidence even on rainy days.
If there is one last thing that bothers me, it's the lack of divider pockets for small items like pens, paper, and tickets. On the other hand, if you want to complete the bag you take on a trip, it is convenient because you can hide various things in every corner. For example, the front partition is deep, so it seems that you can put several small pouches in it if you need it.
Second recommended backpack: "Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L"
Recommended for: People who are looking for a convenient bag to carry expensive gear such as a camera. People who value the ease of taking out contents with many storage pockets. People who are interested in customizable backpacks.
"Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L" is so convenient that I wonder why other backpacks are not like this. It's easy to adjust and customize, and has a nearly perfect system for carrying your camera and gear. It is also a point that you can expand the slim 30L to a maximum of 45L by opening the zipper. This makes it suitable for everyday use as well as for travel.
The shoulder and waist straps can be stowed away, but I personally find this exciting, as if I had returned to my childhood. The straps are thin but comfortable enough.
The back panel can be opened and closed smoothly with magnets. Not only the front panel, but also the back panel (which can hold a laptop or tablet), and the flaps on both sides are connected to the main compartment, so you can take out the contents from anywhere. You can see that the 400 denier nylon and polyester materials are tough to the touch.
If you want to store your camera, you don't necessarily need to use the Peak Design Camera Cube, but it's definitely useful. There are three sizes, and a clip makes it easy to put in and take out from the backpack. After testing it for three weeks, photographer Caleigh Waldman said, "I wanted it. I wanted to travel everywhere with it, with or without a camera."
Peak Design also sells ultralight packing cubes and cosmetic pouches to fit in this backpack. One test user said, "This is fine, but I'm more comfortable with the Eagle Creek Pack-It."
Finally, there are three things that bother me a little. The first is price. If you also have accessories such as packing cubes, you may find it difficult to reach your budget. The second is design. While many zippers are convenient, it seems that some people prefer a simpler one. The third is capacity. If you want to carry more stuff, we recommend the Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack.
Recommended backpack No. 3: "Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L"
Recommended for: People who travel a lot for work and are looking for a simple and easy-to-use backpack.
The Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L is one of the simplest bags in our Wirecutter study. It should be easy to use not only for traveling but also for everyday use. The main pocket has two large packing cubes and two mesh dividers inside the lid for convenient storage of small items. There are two small zipped pockets on the outside, which are perfect for storing passports and earphones. The front pocket is large enough to hold books, documents, snacks, plane tickets, and more. There is also a security loop on the YKK zipper.
Made from 1000 denier nylon, the material is tough, and you can see the high quality from the details around the zipper.
On the back there is a compartment that fits a 15" laptop nicely. There are pads on both sides, and the corner seams give the impression that they will protect your computer even if you drop it. Designed to fit Topo cosmetic pouches, accessory bags and packing cubes.
There are three ways to carry it: top/side handles, shoulder sling (sold separately), and backpack straps. While it is easy to use as a commuter bag, the nylon backing makes it difficult to breathe during activities such as trekking. The strap part is padded and has just the right amount of firmness to keep the weight balanced and comfortable. Personally, I recommended this bag to parents who went on a trip to Europe after retirement.
There is also a 40L model if you need more capacity. However, I'd rather recommend the larger Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack or the less expensive eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender.
The only thing that annoys me is the lack of large internal pockets, even though the backpack is great for commuting. Especially if you have a large laptop, you may find that the main compartment (like other backpacks) could benefit from more depth.
Recommended backpack No. 4: "Osprey Farpoint 40" "Osprey Fairview 40"
Recommended for people like this: Beginners who travel with only one bag, and still don't know what kind of bag suits them person in search. People looking for something comfortable to walk long distances.
The Osprey Farpoint 40 is comfortable for trips like walking around town for hours. The point is that it is well made and easy to pack. Originally, this backpack is said to have standardized the size of carry-on luggage. The Osprey Fairview 40, which has the same design, is lighter and more compact, so even smaller people should be able to use it.
It is a clamshell type with a depth that makes it easy to store large items. The capacity is 40L, but the rounded design (rather than the rectangular one) feels like it could fit a little more.
The straps can be stored behind the zippered panel. However, due to the design, it is designed to use the belt around the waist when using the shoulder strap, so some people may be concerned. In that respect, the "Cotopaxi Allpa 35L" seems to be more flexible. The strap itself is comfortable. Even after three years of testing, I am still amazed at how well it fits when it is fully stuffed.
The whistle on the shoulder strap could be a bit of a relief when traveling in unfamiliar terrain.
The only thing that bothers me is that the laptop divider is far away from the back (center of gravity). This may make it feel heavier than it should be.
Recommended backpack No. 5: "Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack"
Recommended for: People who are looking for a bag that is waterproof, sturdy, has an easy-to-adjust fit, and can hold as many things as possible (There is also a 35L version). People who are interested in backpacks suitable for nomad workers.
The Tortuga Outbreaker 45L Backpack is an almost perfect blend of backpack and suitcase. When you open the clamshell, there are several compartments for convenient access (the front panel is especially good for storing electronics and chargers).
It's the most adjustable backpack I've tested in the last three years, with shoulder straps and a belt around the waist to accommodate and distribute weight for all body types.
It weighs about 2.3kg without anything in it, which is a little less than 1kg heavier than other products. The maximum capacity for carry-on baggage is 45L. It's great for weekend trips and minimalist trips, but perhaps the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L offers more space.
The interior is as simple as a suitcase, with a main pocket, four side pockets, and a pocket on the lid that is convenient for storing shoes and dirty clothes.
There's also the Tortuga Setout, but it's less expensive, less durable, less comfortable, less adjustable than the Outbreaker 45L Backpack. However, (if you want a Tortuga backpack and can compromise a bit), it can hold the same amount of luggage (45L), so check it out.
Finally, there are three things that bother me a little. First, you can't remove the straps to get your gear in and out. That said, I've been using it for years and have never had a problem with it. Second, I'm worried that the belt strap around my waist will get tangled in the belt conveyor at the airport baggage check (I've never had that happen, but the "Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L" If the strap can be stored like this, there may be no worries). The third is weight. Even with padded belts and adjustable straps, some say it's too heavy. If you want something as light as possible, we recommend the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.
Recommended backpack No. 6: "eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender"
Recommended for people like this: Friendly design, low price, large capacity (may exceed carry-on size), casual The person who is looking for a backpack of the looks.
The "Tortuga Outbreaker" introduced above is attractive, but if the price is ... ... I can recommend "eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender". Recommended for those who don't have many opportunities to travel and are looking for something more affordable than a functional backpack. There is almost no belt around the waist, which makes it less comfortable to walk long distances, but it also has many pockets and makes it easy to take out the contents. It has a large capacity and expands to 65L, so there is plenty of room for carry-on luggage within 45L.
However, while it's cheap, it's weak point is that it's not suitable for traveling long distances (especially when it's packed full). If you don't want to carry many kilometers on your back (such as taking a taxi from the airport), we recommend this backpack, which is attractive for its cost performance.
The layout inside the “eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender” is easy to pack and take out, and it is attractive that it can be stored smartly. On the other hand, some people may feel that the elements that support comfort, such as the thin straps and the unusable belt around the waist, are unsatisfactory.
The clamshell design has compartments and divider panels on the front for convenient storage of keys, a few paperbacks, sunglasses, a medium-sized pouch, and a wallet. The laptop compartment is large and easy to protect, and can be secured with a strap.
Finally, you can pack more than your carry-on size, so be careful when flying. Also, the belt around my waist was useless and I thought about cutting it off. I can say that the belt is "good enough for the price", but I wouldn't go so far as to say "great for the price!" Prices shown are current as of writing. Please check the sales page as it is subject to change.
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