Backpack with light (and definitely not-black) inside lining

March 9, 2024 4:59 PM

I seem to be better than usual lately at losing things in my black backpack. I want a couple backpacks and or bags that have light lining. I am finding these very difficult to google for. Can you guys share any leads ? Not trying to spend a lot , would prefer black or dark color exterior. Don’t need it to be fancy not trying to hike the Appalachian trail with it or anything. Thank youuu in advance!
posted by elgee to Home & Garden (24 answers total)

Tom Bihn bags come in many outside/lining combinations. They are eep! even more expensive than I remembered. In their defense, they last me literal decades of heavy use each.

I’d consider adding a lining to a bag I liked, to be thrifty.
posted by clew at 5:05 PM on March 9 [3 favorites]

Tom Bihn is immediately what came to my mind as well. Designed and manufactured in the US as well as having some great lining colors. But yeah not cheap.
posted by jeoc at 5:42 PM on March 9

I have a Herschel backpack with a white and red striped lining. It was corporate swag, so I'm not sure which model it is. Looking at their site, they do sell backpacks with black linings, so you'd have to be careful.

Timbuk2 messenger bags can have light linings. I'm not sure about their backpacks.
posted by hoyland at 6:01 PM on March 9

Info request: Budget, interior volume, location (USA?), features? Any body-specific (e.g. your torso has wide shoulders relative to your height) concerns? What bag are you currently carrying (and what do you like about it)?
Osprey Archeon 24L has a light grey interior, for instance, but it might be too big if you just carry your lunch and a laptop every day.

I don't know of good search terms calling out 'backpack with light colored interior that makes it easier to see your stuff'.
posted by enfa at 6:08 PM on March 9 [1 favorite]

Topo Designs makes loads of styles of backpack (as well has laptop/briefcase style bags that can be converted into backpacks) and most if not all of them have a bright yellow lining. Note that the catalog pics default to multicolor designs but most of them are also available in plain black for the outer shell.

I've had one for 10 years; it still looks new and the quality is great. Although mine was made in the US and I believe they moved their manufacturing overseas a few years ago so ymmv.
posted by bcwinters at 6:23 PM on March 9 [2 favorites]

My Fjallraven Raven 20 L from a few years ago has a light gray interior - I see what you mean abt difficulty searching as I couldn’t confirm that this year’s model is the same but worth a check at REI?

Mine has been a good backpack to me and it’s on the smaller side, which also makes it difficult to get unorganized…
posted by Tandem Affinity at 6:59 PM on March 9

I get so annoyed with black lined bags for the same reason! In the short term, a quick solution might be to hang a little bike light on the zipper or pin it inside so you can light up the bag quickly.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:32 PM on March 9 [2 favorites]

I like my Tucano Tugo, it opens up like a clamshell and has a bright green interior.
posted by buttonedup at 7:40 PM on March 9

It seems that most (if not all) Loovook backpacks have a lighter interior lining.

I got a few leads from searching the youtube transcript repository for backpack "bright lining."

Similarly do a online search for "interior lining" site:packhacker.com. You can skim through the results and see if they describe the interior lining as bright or neon or gray or orange, etc.
posted by oceano at 7:59 PM on March 9 [1 favorite]

Apologies - I actually have the Ulvo 23, which one can tell from the website has the same light interior as mine from a few years ago…. Prices have def increased tho :(
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:04 PM on March 9

Not sure if you are interested but you can buy light-reflective fabric and sew together a liner for your existing bag. It looks silver and is really effective at bouncing light back -- so just opening up your bag should make everything inside visible.

Failing that, buy a pinch-to-operate mini flashlight like the Photon Freedom II (my personal favorite!) and hang it in the corner of your bag.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:12 PM on March 9 [1 favorite]

I've been very happy with my Light Flight backpack. I use it daily for work as well as my underseat carryon when traveling. It's durable, reasonably priced and can hold quite a bit while still being pretty compact.
posted by platinum at 8:57 PM on March 9

There are lights designed to go inside your bags and illuminate them which is practical if you otherwise like your bags.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 10:08 PM on March 9 [1 favorite]

Bagallini have light interiors!
posted by evilmomlady at 3:52 AM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Belcourt backpacks at ebags.com, $36 ("limited time deal"): in black, navy, dark teal, plum, all with light linings.
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:39 AM on March 10

Another for osprey, I have a black bag with a bright orange interior, and it is awesome
posted by mattholomew at 7:46 AM on March 10

The Swiss Gear getaway bags have a light grey lining. They also fully unzip like a suitcase, so the large interior is very accessible.
posted by Headfullofair at 8:18 AM on March 10

You could spray paint the inside. Try it with an old backpack; it will make the fabric stiffer. Turn it inside out, spray. Even spraying just the bottom will help. You may be able to get fabric paint, but I'm not sure it's very different.
posted by theora55 at 8:39 AM on March 10

In case this helps you keep using a bag you otherwise love, I use light color backpack organizers in mine.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:01 AM on March 10 [3 favorites]

In addition to Osprey, Topo Designs, Timbuk2 mentioned above, you could also try Cotopaxi.
posted by eyeball at 1:00 PM on March 10

Short term solution - find a white net drawstring laundry bag, put it inside the backpack, and find a way to fasten the top of the bag, open, to the inside top of the backpack.
posted by TimHare at 3:00 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

Oh another search term might be "contrasting lining."
posted by oceano at 12:05 PM on March 11 [1 favorite]

May be simpler to add an inner "insert" that fits in your bag. You'll probably have to add snap buttons or such to attach the top portion to your bag, but may be easier than trying to find an unicorn bag. :D
posted by kschang at 6:21 PM on March 11 [2 favorites]

Chiming in about adding a white liner to the backpack. Bonus points if it is a waterproof, slightly larger, heavy duty trash bag or dry bag.
Layering a thicker plastic bag inside a nylon stuff sack is an alternative to expensive dry bags when hiking. You can always replace the trash bag when it gets a rip or hole.
posted by TrishaU at 7:12 PM on March 11