As a pack tester for 国产吃瓜黑料, I鈥檝e come to throw away all my luggage that doesn鈥檛 have two shoulder straps. Backpacks make everything easier, leaving your hands free for boarding passes and a coffee, and they never bog down in gravel or mud. Here, I鈥檝e picked a few of my new favorites.
Deuter Traveller 70+10 ($289)
Best For: Big trips and long hauls
The is a backcountry pack with some airport-friendly tweaks. For long walks, it has the same plush suspension and padding that makes Deuter鈥檚 designs so comfortable. Storage is split between a bottom compartment and a main pocket (like a hiking pack) and a ten-liter detachable daypack that鈥檚 just enough for carry-on essentials. When you don鈥檛 need them, the shoulder straps and hipbelt stow neatly away to play nice with conveyor belts and other passengers鈥 gear.
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L ($200)
Best For: Staying organized
What sets the apart from most daypacks is the 270-degree zipper running around the pack鈥檚 exterior. It opens the bag like a clamshell, exposing three mesh pockets on one side and a single larger pocket on the other. It鈥檚 easy to organize your gear and, even more important, see and access everything. There鈥檚 also a separate valuables pocket and laptop sleeve. Cotopaxi even includes accessories like a water bottle sleeve, exterior mesh pocket, shoe bag, and rain cover.
Patagonia Blackhole MLC ($200)
Best For: Avoiding checked bags
The soft-side, 45-liter 鈥攁n acronym for 鈥渕aximum limit carry-on鈥濃攎axes out the average airline carry-on dimensions with nothing but usable space. While the wheels, handles, and hard sides of roller bags steal overhead bin space that you could use for bringing back more stuff from the duty-free, this soft-side聽bag is fine to overstuff. The water-resistant fabric looks like an oversized messenger bag, complete with vertical access pockets, shoulder strap, and handle. Of course, it also has backpack straps that hide inside a dedicated pocket.
Pacsafe Vibe 40 ($140)
Best For: Stowing your camera
Like most of 鈥檚 products, this boxy, urban-style pack is full of anti-theft features. The zippers lock and are puncture-proof. The exterior fabric and shoulder straps are slash-resistant. RFID-blocking material lines exterior pockets to prevent identity theft, and the minimalist aesthetic deflects attention. You could use the 40 liters of storage for a weekend trip or drop in a Pacsafe and turn it into a camera fortress. Lenses, flash, body, and more fit in the padded case, and the inserts nest perfectly.
Timbuk2 Blink Pack ($119)
Best For: Daily grinds
With a sleek and minimalist design, the won鈥檛 draw attention like a rucksack or stand out in a more professional business setting. It鈥檚 got everything a messenger bag or briefcase has, but without the one-sided tug. Stuff a few project鈥檚 worth of paperwork into the surprisingly large main storage or slide a 15-inch laptop in the padded pocket. The stretchy side sleeve can fit a water bottle or umbrella.