Good Carry On Backpack?

Submitted by BlueMonroe t3_10jfvig in BuyItForLife

Hi,

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I am looking for a nice carry-on backpack that fits most airlines (22x14x9 inches or 55x35x23cm at max)

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I researched extensively and found:

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Aer Travel Pack 3, peak design travel backpack 30/45l, osprey fairpoint 40l, and some others (knackbags looks nice but I don't find a retailer in Europe).

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Must have:

-enough compartments to separate clothing, tech/laptop, miscellaneous

-laptop space 15/16

-open clam shell style to load with packing cubes

-fit in overhead space

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should have:

-chest straps&waist straps

-rather lightweight

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nice to have:

-waterbottle holder outside

-look nice, minimalistic, and professional (don't really like the fair point in this category, rest about it seems really good)

-maybe water resistant

-good back support/nice to carry

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Do you have any tips or recommendations? Budget is $400/400€. No brand preference. Thanks! :)

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Comments

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mistere213 t1_j5kjr0d wrote

I use an Osprey Porter and it's fantastic. And an Osprey daypack can clip on the outside so you can carry both your carry on and personal item hands free.

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MossyMothmann t1_j5l3a95 wrote

Was gonna post this too. I have the same and it's awesome

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Olleaberg3 t1_j5npc5a wrote

À Tom Bihn Synik 30. Its really great and it's so comfortable that I don't think you need a hip belt. It's also a great EDC bag when you get there. The 30 liter size may put you of but it has more space than it seems. One more thing, I really appreciate that it looks like a normal bag, you don't look like a tourist.

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benjam1ng t1_j5ps54e wrote

Love my Synik; however, I’d rather have an outside water bottle pocket. Didn’t realize how much I missed it until I started using the backpack.

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Olleaberg3 t1_j5pthnw wrote

I would disagree, you just need to find that perfect water bottle that isn't too small or too big to fill out that pocket. And another thing, I have carried 1.5-liter bottles of water in that big pocket on the bottom without any problem so I think it's great. But I could see how you don't like it, the concern of a leaking water bottle making all your stuff wet is a potential risk with this setup.

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Muncie4 t1_j5kmef1 wrote

Love your post and hope you get great recs! You gave us what you wanted with too much information....in a sea of "Backpack, thank" posts, yours is an inspiration of how to do it!

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GreatRhinoceros t1_j5n1m3c wrote

Jansport is a good, durable affordable bag. Osprey is a fantastic bag.

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silworld t1_j5ngiyx wrote

Eastpak used to make some great backpacks/rucksacks mid 90s onwards with a few models being manufactured in the USA. Great quality and surprisingly nice color combos

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nadaam2008 t1_j5lli5p wrote

Cotopaxi 35L or the 40L (that one has a water bottle holder and a shoulder strap). Great organization features. I'm not sure of it's availability outside of the US.

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-D3_ t1_j5r0l4f wrote

Came to post this as well. Love my Cotopaxi Allpa 35. Great for carry on. Good separation/organization. Comfortable carry and it holds a lot.

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bloodsoed t1_j5mpcwj wrote

Maxpedition makes some good stuff.

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saberkjm t1_j5mr4kp wrote

The new Tortuga bag

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BougieGun t1_j5na0tx wrote

I'd feel I'm not doing you a service by not mentioning the GoRuck GR1. Fits all your needs and is a great pack, but you'd do well with about anything on this list.

My GoRuck has been around for close to 10 years and on deployments, used for college, my main carry on. I've shot off it, thrown it off trucks. If anything ever goes wrong with it, they'll fix it no questions asked.

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Fuuzzie t1_j5nur2m wrote

Peak design bags?

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Kgerald88 t1_j5o01t6 wrote

I’ve got a Filson Dryden, I’ve put about 200,000 miles on it, mostly air travel. Love it. Still looks as good as it did the day I purchased it about 3 years ago.

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thatADAMyesthatone t1_j5oia8s wrote

The Fjällräven Travel Pack is straightforward, simple, unassuming, and well thought out. My wife and I each have one and we use them every time we fly.

It doesn’t have a waist strap or an exterior water bottle holder but I think it checks the most important boxes rather well. The laptop set up is very nice and secure.

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ahboyd15 t1_j5ojj3c wrote

Sounds like a PakT

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hch07 t1_j5p7id1 wrote

Just bought a Cabin Max Adv Pro 42l, seems to fit all your requirments and is made in the UK. Haven't tested it out in anger, but it seems very well made so far.

Much cheaper than Aer / peak designs too

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SGexpat t1_j5t474d wrote

Goruck GR3 won’t be lightweight but will outlive you.

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Environmental-End691 t1_j5v3693 wrote

5.11 (I fly with the Rush 72, I don't have your requirements but it checks a lot of your boxes)

Vanquest (great interior and exterior organizers as well, and they have more non-tactical looking bags)

Triple Aught Design (more high-end than the others, but what I do have from them will likely outlast me)

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HamBroth t1_j5w5ghh wrote

Solgaard has some amazing work travel backpacks that hold both clothes and 60” laptops with all the requirements you listed.

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FlippantNarwhal t1_j60jtty wrote

Could look into Mystery Ranch. Super awesome gear. My day bag and hiking pack both come from them and they are absolutely bulletproof to my experiance. Also super comfortable.

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