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I'm looking for a backpack that can be used as a carry on for short flights, but also for road trips and lugging stuff around town. My budget is around $80-120.
The eBags Mother Lode backpack looks like a nice option and is highly recommended, but I think it might be a little big, especially for stowing under an airline seat. It's around 45-50L, right?
Another consideration is the Osprey Farpoint 40. It seems more reasonable in size and I like that it opens up all the way on the front.
I'm a big LL Bean fan, and they seem to have several nice options as well.
What are some more recommended packs in the 40L range?
The thing with backpacks and some bags, you're better off paying a bit more once, and have it forever vs. $100-ing your self in perpetuity. We got our son a K-12 pack from RedOxx when he started Kindergarten, and now entering third grade, it still looks brand new.
Do you want a maximum sized legal carryon, or a carryon that will fit under an airplane seat? Those are two very different things! And are you flying only in the US, or internationally?
Using the United Airlines size guide, a maximum legal carryon (which will need to go in the overhead bin, and may need to be gate checked on a regional jet) should measure no more than 9 x 14 x 22 inches. An under-the seat bag should measure no more than 9 x 10 x 17 inches. (Allowed dimensions for international carriers may be smaller, and they often add a weight limit as well!).
The Farpoint 40 looks like it will qualify as an under-the-seat bag, provided you don't overstuff it. I have its big brother, the Porter 46, and when it's really full it can bulge a bit in the middle once the compression straps are tightened, making it a bit fatter in the middle; overstuff the Farpoint 40 and it may be too 'bulgy" in the middle to fit well under a seat. If you don't overstuff it, it should be fine, though. And Osprey makes a good bag, and offers a good warranty. It's not a cheaply made bag, and I think you'd like it. (Red Oxx and Tom Bihn also make excellent travel bags, but they may be out of your budget. They will last a lifetime, though!)
I have this one and I love it. It's very well made and a very sturdy material, has lots of compartments and can fit under an airline seat. I think it's a great buy for the quality. As you can see, it also gets great customer reviews.
I have this one and I love it. It's very well made and a very sturdy material, has lots of compartments and can fit under an airline seat. I think it's a great buy for the quality. As you can see, it also gets great customer reviews.
I'm looking for a backpack that can be used as a carry on for short flights, but also for road trips and lugging stuff around town. My budget is around $80-120.
The eBags Mother Lode backpack looks like a nice option and is highly recommended, but I think it might be a little big, especially for stowing under an airline seat. It's around 45-50L, right?
Another consideration is the Osprey Farpoint 40. It seems more reasonable in size and I like that it opens up all the way on the front.
I'm a big LL Bean fan, and they seem to have several nice options as well.
What are some more recommended packs in the 40L range?
Are you looking for a bag that can carry a load & distribute weight to your hips? If so, go to an outdoor store (REI/alternatives) and try some bags on. Comfort & fit to your body type varies.
If you are looking for a bag that's going to carry more than minimal weight, then I would suggest one with hip & chest straps, like the Osprey (as opposed to the eBags). You might also look at the Gregory Stout 35/45, or offerings from Arc'teryx & other outdoor-focused brands.
I agree with posters who suggest getting a quality bag rather than spending as little as possible. You will get better comfort and longer life from a good quality bag.
I have a Deuter Airlite 22L for a travel/hiking backback. It is small enough to stow under a seat, but large enough to carry a laptop, headphones, a neck pillow, a book, and a camera bag. I think 40L is too big for under seat stowing, but good for overhead bins.
An advantage of outdoor bags is that they are durable and comfortable--and usually available in black to be less conspicuous while carrying around town.
I think a problem you will encounter is that a 40L back is too large for a 2nd carry-on and for a typical around town bag, but is a reasonable size for a road trip bag. You might be able to use a 30L for a 2nd carry-on, and you might find that size to be a happy medium for your intended uses.
I'm going to Paris in a few months and will be staying with a friend for about two weeks. For another two weeks, I'll be taking a train to various places in Europe. I am going to leave my larger suitcase with the friend, and was just going to take a backpack during my train trips.
Having something that's carry-on friendly would be best. I guess it doesn't necessarily need to fit under the seat. However, it would need to fit clothes for 5 days or so.
The backpack would be left at home most of the time. I'd probably only wear it to/from the train station, on the train. But there are times where I might be wearing it for an hour or more.
I went to REI and they sold the Porter 46, the Farpoint 55, Ozone 35, and Ozone 46. I almost bought the Ozone because they were on sale, but I dislike how it opens up like a regular backpack. I prefer the full opening style of the Farpoint and the Porter. The Farpoint 55 was too tall for carry on (actually, I liked this bag the most because it included a day pack). The Porter 46 was nice, but the straps were not as comfortable as the Farpoint.
I wish they had a Farpoint 55, but a model that wasn't quite as tall. The day pack would be awesome to carry around for souvenirs, water, etc.
I'm thinking that I'll buy a Farpoint 40 and possibly a day pack (which would also count as a personal item on airlines).
I love backpacks for travel. I tend to just carry mine all the time and I just pack and unpack accordingly because it just takes a minute. I like the one you linked but unless you are carrying a laptop, there may be better ways to us the space. My goto pack is a Swiss Army(Victorinox). Very lightweight empty, but it carries a lot and has held up for years.
I like being able to wear my pack backwards if necessary so the zippers are not easily accessible.
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