May 13, 20223 yr Just decided to order a 40L "global traveler" bag from Topo Designs after seeing it in their store in Fort Collins the other day. The big, chunky ykk zippers are what put it over the top for me.
May 13, 20223 yr Just ordered the Osprey Porter 46. I liked their 40L travel pack but hard to pass on the extra storage. Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk
May 14, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, Txzen said: That Peak Design bag is the shit though - I use it all the time. Great for active trips where I'm lugging a camera and electronics but also want to maybe pack my helmet, cycling shoes, etc. Just enough pockets, love that it has a full zip access from the part that has the back straps - that way when you lay it down you can access your stuff and not get the part that touches you dirty from the dreck of a 3rd-world airport or the great outdoors. Deep secure side pockets, fits over the handle of a rolling bag, hidden waist band, laptop sleeve, side and top quick carry straps... It's super technical but doesn't shout that I'm backpacker. Darn near everything Peak Design makes is great (tech pouches, capture clip, etc.). It's the largest you can carry on for international regulations, and even though it's basically one big space it can fill up quickly. Ode to my PD 45L. I've taken it all around the world at this point. Great bag. https://www.peakdesign.com/products/travel-backpack/?variant=11530908172332 that's a nice bag
May 17, 20223 yr On 5/13/2022 at 4:41 PM, Txzen said: That Peak Design bag is the shit though - I use it all the time. Great for active trips where I'm lugging a camera and electronics but also want to maybe pack my helmet, cycling shoes, etc It's definitely well built but like the Osprey is had too much structure and just doesn't have the volume that my current bag has. I could never use this as a single bag for a 1-2 wk trip without a secondary bag.
May 18, 20223 yr On 2/7/2022 at 8:40 PM, tx ind said: Cotopaxi Allpa packs, love mine. https://www.cotopaxi.com/collections/allpa Second this
August 21Aug 21 This seems like as good a thread as any to drop this. I'm finally ready to ditch my Orvis messenger bag for a backpack. A few days per week, I have to lug my work laptop back-and-forth to the office. The messenger bag has a shoulder strap that just no longer works for me. It's just not overly comfortable when loaded up with laptop, charger, iPad, work folio and various other things. It would be nice to also settle on something I can use as a carry-on bag for trips -- we don't do air travel that much (3-4 times per year). I've had a smallish North Face backpack that I've had for years but I don't mind stepping up my game a little and getting something that will function for work commuting and also take over when we travel. It can accommodate a small laptop, iPad and most of what I need but it's not laid-out well and gets a little tight with all the things. I don't need anything that will look absurdly huge and out-of-place when I hop into a business meeting at a local coffee shop but the added functionality that I can convert it to a useful travel bag would be nice as well. Basically, I want something that doesn't look out of place in an office environment or walking through the Denver airport.
August 21Aug 21 Something like this. It's a perfect weekend bag that can be carried like a briefcase or backpack. https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase
August 21Aug 21 15 minutes ago, mycox said: Something like this. It's a perfect weekend bag that can be carried like a briefcase or backpack. https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase 90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest. I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home Edited August 21Aug 21 by midtown
August 21Aug 21 I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No.
August 21Aug 21 14 minutes ago, Dbeasy said: I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No. I'm a big time convert. Separate cubes for shirts, boxers, socks, etc...just makes that part of traveling so much more convenient.
August 21Aug 21 4 hours ago, midtown said: 90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest. I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home The best thing about it is it fits under the seat. So no big deal if you can't find overhead bin space.
August 22Aug 22 17 hours ago, harold said: I have the cotapaxi alpa 42L and it is great. I have a 37L Cotapaxi. Great bag. You'll only ever seen me with a Eagle Creek or Cotapaxi ever again. These two bag manufacturers are so much better than anything else on the market including Osprey Edited August 22Aug 22 by midtown
August 23Aug 23 On 8/21/2025 at 10:38 AM, midtown said: 90% of the backpacks I see suggested on here are garbage but this has absolutely peaked my interest. I do a lot of 1 night biz trips to DFW now so this hits home
August 23Aug 23 On 8/22/2025 at 6:26 AM, midtown said: I have a 37L Cotapaxi. Great bag. You'll only ever seen me with a Eagle Creek or Cotapaxi ever again. These two bag manufacturers are so much better than anything else on the market including Osprey I have the 45L Osprey that always gets good reviews on these types of list. But I find the straps dig into my shoulders and affect circulation. May just be a me thing. I'll be trying out a Cotapaxi soon.
August 25Aug 25 https://www.mysteryranch.com/mission-rover-45-pack Also comes in 60L. Both will fit in an overhead.
August 25Aug 25 i bought a north face backpack at whole earth 20 years ago that i've taken all around the world. i'm not sure it'll ever wear out. i also have a patagonia black hole that is great for slightly longer trips and can fit under the plane seat if it needs to. i'm not checking a bag.
August 25Aug 25 Team Peak Design. I've got the 30L travel pack for shorter trips and the 65L dufflepack for when I need to bring the kitchen sink.
August 25Aug 25 Popped into Whole Earth Provision by SMU today to look at the different Osprey styles of work/travel hybrid bags. Saw a Bellroy bag that looked pretty nice. Osprey has everything on sale until 9/1 but I liked the styling on the Bellroy. I don't mind spending more (within reason, of course) for something that will last and that I will like for a long time.
August 26Aug 26 On 8/21/2025 at 10:23 AM, mycox said: Something like this. It's a perfect weekend bag that can be carried like a briefcase or backpack. https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase I've been using a North Face Recon for some time. Great for just about everything. Use it for work, travel, etc., but it has constraints. First, or international travel, I feel like I am jamming everything I can in there and it seems less effective or efficient than it could be - and it can take a few minutes to find something. Second, it does not have that simple "slide over the handle of my roller bag" feature. I understand - it's not a travel bag. The "global briefcase" looks interesting. On 8/21/2025 at 10:42 AM, Dbeasy said: I finally understand a benefit to packing cubes. When you are staying at many different places on a trip, requiring many packings and un-packings, the cubes make it faster and easier to stay organized. It also helps for keeping dirty clothes separate. Does it save space? No. Packing cubes are the truth. It encourages (forces?) a certain level of disciplined packing which ultimately results in better organization (as you note). It saves space because you become disciplined and organized . Using rolled folding of clothes is encouraged by these cubes.
August 26Aug 26 12 hours ago, boilerhorn said: Packing cubes are the truth. It encourages (forces?) a certain level of disciplined packing which ultimately results in better organization (as you note). It saves space because you become disciplined and organized . Using rolled folding of clothes is encouraged by these cubes. But you can do the same thing without the cubes. And the cubes themselves are more fabric that didn't need to be there. This is the hill I choose to die on.
August 27Aug 27 On 8/26/2025 at 8:46 AM, Your Mom said: But you can do the same thing without the cubes. And the cubes themselves are more fabric that didn't need to be there. This is the hill I choose to die on. I'm there with you. I'm a big believer in rolling up every piece of clothing. It seems to to always take up significantly less space than folding or using packing cubes. Also, everything seems to be less wrinkled.
August 27Aug 27 7 minutes ago, CooterBrown said: I'm there with you. I'm a big believer in rolling up every piece of clothing. It seems to to always take up significantly less space than folding or using packing cubes. Also, everything seems to be less wrinkled. Put me on team "cubes are a waste of space" Bought a bunch tried them. Gave them away.
September 10Sep 10 Since we were on the topic of packing cubes. Anyone try those vaccum bags? Now those have me curious. With the use of laundry half way through a 10-14 day international trip I usually dont have any problems with one carry on 40L but a few extra items could be useful. Esp if I'm doing some adventours like mtn bike riding or a hike that requires specific shoes.
September 10Sep 10 4 hours ago, midtown said: Since we were on the topic of packing cubes. Anyone try those vaccum bags? Now those have me curious. With the use of laundry half way through a 10-14 day international trip I usually dont have any problems with one carry on 40L but a few extra items could be useful. Esp if I'm doing some adventours like mtn bike riding or a hike that requires specific shoes. The vacuum bags "work", in the sense that they do indeed compress your shit. I used them for t-shirts and undershirts and found that the bags got flat as fuck and I was pleased. But they also have a bunch of excess plastic around the edges that has to go somewhere, and it tends to bunch up. So it might not be worth it, depending on your bag. I was using a basic roller suitcase and it worked fine for me, FWIW.
September 10Sep 10 6 minutes ago, Sandman said: But they also have a bunch of excess plastic around the edges that has to go somewhere This is my concern dude. I was thnking some unders, thshirts and socks way down at the bottom might help me get a few more items in. Might give it a shot
September 10Sep 10 5 hours ago, midtown said: Since we were on the topic of packing cubes. Anyone try those vaccum bags? Now those have me curious. With the use of laundry half way through a 10-14 day international trip I usually dont have any problems with one carry on 40L but a few extra items could be useful. Esp if I'm doing some adventours like mtn bike riding or a hike that requires specific shoes. We use them all the time and love them.
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