Need Backpack...or do I?

April 12, 2007 12:47 AM

I'm doing a lot of traveling in the next month or so. I really need some advice on luggage. I'm thinking of foregoing the standard suitcase and go with the Backpack approach. Is this wise?

I need one large enough to store my MBP, an extra pair of shoes, a book or three, some clothes (jeans, t-shirts, lightweight jacket) and anything I might pick up along the way. Is such a thing out there?

Difficulty: Plane Carry-On Preferred.

(and yes, I've done The Google. I checked out the High-End Packs. But if I'm going to be spending three hundred bucks I want to hear from several people that it's the Must Have Thing and Will Not Steer You Wrong.)

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

posted by ryecatcher to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

My suggestion is to read One Bag and take his advice to heart. I don't know which particular backpack you should get, but he details a lot of criteria that are worth considering.
posted by aubilenon at 12:53 AM on April 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

When I used a 15" computer, I used a Targus Matrix backpack. It kept my computer safe and had tons of room for my books/files, etc.

I took it flying several times, including from Australia to Europe last year, and had no trouble getting it on as carry-on luggage, but I guess that's going to depend on who you're flying with. It's quite big.

And I still use it. After four or so years of more-or-less constant use, it's still in pretty good shape.
posted by robcorr at 1:48 AM on April 12, 2007

Crumpler bags are awesome, and would protect your MBP, as well as getting on as carry-on. I knew a guy went right round Europe with something similar, and had an awesome time. I can vouch for Crumpler build quality too, I have two, one a big overnight bag, and it's tough as old boots.
posted by Happy Dave at 4:14 AM on April 12, 2007

Plus, on the suitcase vs backpack debate, I'd definitely go for a backpack - it's more comfortable, easier to lug around on public transport (although take it off when you get on board to avoid pissing everybody off), and you can usually blag it as carry-on. What's not to like?
posted by Happy Dave at 4:16 AM on April 12, 2007

I second onebag.com and recommend two travelpacks (the shoulder bits can be hidden) REI's Vagabond 2.0 or Jansport's All Terra Europack (links to REI's website; the Jansport one is available other places as well). Both are Carry-On legal, and with proper packing methods will carry more than you need. Good luck!
posted by ilikecookies at 4:47 AM on April 12, 2007

Tom Bihn's Brain Bag is everything I've ever wanted in a backpack (it's pricey, but only about half of $300). That with one of the Vertical Brain Cell for your Macbook and you will be set. Seriously, I can't recommend this backpack enough.

I think you could easily fit what you mention above into the bag, but it also sounds like you might be looking for a larger pack. They have some flickr photos that might help you judge size. The Aeronaut might fit your needs better.
posted by stefnet at 5:34 AM on April 12, 2007

Thirding onebag.com. Have you thought about the soft business carryon he helped design - the Air Boss? I love mine to an almost troubling extent; its capacity is so great given its dimensions that I suspect witchcraft may be involved somehow.

It isn't a backpack, but that would only be an issue if you were planning to do a lot of walking around with your bag. It has a sturdy shoulder strap.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 5:37 AM on April 12, 2007

(Air Boss.)
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 5:39 AM on April 12, 2007

Really the only downside to traveling with a backpack is that it screams "student traveler!" which may or may not be something you care about. (And probably isn't even that true anymore; I'm sure there are hip young professionals who travel with backpacks, but still, be ready for people to ask what hostel you're staying at.)

That said, a while back I bought a Columbia backpack (for doing the whole student-traveling-via-train-and-hostel thing) and it worked very well. Only problem I had with them is that both mine and my traveling companion's started to split minor seams after about a month of extremely hard use and lots of stuffing. But given that I paid $80 for mine on clearance when comparable bags from other manufacturers were close to $200ish, so I can't complain. But mine was basically a one-use item; I might be more wary of them if I was looking for something to last a lifetime.

(I didn't have a computer bag, so I can't comment on those, I had an internal-frame, front-loading travel pack with detachable daypack. I think it's since been discontinued.)
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:16 AM on April 12, 2007

I have an Air Boss also. It's been used on dozens of trips. I love it unheathily too. It's carry-on legal, but only if you don't overstuff it. It is pehaps a little larger than what you are looking for.
posted by bonehead at 10:24 AM on April 12, 2007

I'm not sure that I'd go for the airboss; I'd want something that's a full-on backpack instead of something I want to carry. Chrome Backpacks are made for bike messangers and are bombproof. I have one of their messanger bags and use it daily for my law-book-ladden bike commute, and it keeps my books and laptops bone dry in pouring rain.

That said, I prefer the one big compartment route rather than lots of little pockets and such. YMMV.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:53 AM on April 12, 2007

I'm going to check out all these suggestions and report back in. Keep 'em coming! Thanks.
posted by ryecatcher at 12:08 PM on April 12, 2007

I used to take a backpack with me everywhere. I went on a trip to SE Asia, and the backpack was loaded down enough that it was killing my back. I bought a rolling suitcase in Hong Kong, and packed the backpack inside it. Much better.

I guess it depends on your age, how much you're carrying with you, and most importantly, where you're going. If you're exploring mostly sidewalk-infested areas, I'd go with a rolling case. Even if you're going hiking and whatnot, you can always throw a smaller backpack into the case.
posted by user92371 at 5:14 PM on April 12, 2007

I heart my Eagle Creek Continental Journey. It has an integrated day pack, zip away suspension, and plenty of compression straps, and it's carry-on safe. Sadly, they don't make it anymore, and most of the replacement models are too huge. The Voyage is about as close as I can find for a good replacement.

If you go with a pack without a daypack, I would toss in a little foldable backpack for a daypack. (Like the Patagonia Lightweight Travelpack).

Ooh, speaking of Patagonia, check out their MLC. It's a lot less backpack-y and college student-y. If that matters to you.
posted by yggdrasil at 6:35 PM on April 13, 2007

eBags has an excellent convertible carryon that has a low price-point. Tha way, if you are not enamored of the concept, you aren't out a lot of cash. I love mine. The lines are not so student traveler and you can tuck the straps away. The straps themselves are *excellent* padded and comfy.

I find carrying a backpack to be much easier than trying to deal with wheels. And non-backpacks always hurt my wrists.

A collapsible daypack is a must to save you from lugging everything around with you.

Remember that the liquids issue mays being carry-on only really tough these days.

Get those padded wrapper things for any equipment you want to give extra protection to.
posted by Mozzie at 7:02 PM on April 18, 2007

Late to the game here, but I have a bowling-ball-bag sized, non-wheeled tote that I picked up at Ross Dress For Less (!) for $12 (!!!) that is freaking amazingly durable, looks great, and fit basically everything you describe (Macbook, change of shoes, six t-shirts, two pairs of pants, two fat guidebooks, and toiletries) inside for a ten-day trip to Mexico. I had room for more, too!

It's basically a previous incarnation of the small tote featured here, but is less purple and less gaudy, and has a shoulder strap and a front pocket where I could slip in my Macbook sleeve-with-handles.

Oh- personal vendetta: wheels add weight, take up space, and mean you're way less mobile on cobblestones, stairways, or narrow passages. The tote is the way to go. You're aiming for something about half the size of a laundry basket - easy to carry in one hand, easy to carry on.

(Tote or no tote, swing by the TJMaxx/Ross/Stein Mart/Marshalls/Loehmanns in your neighborhood to make sure you can't just get last year's model for 90% off or something - I've never seen luggage NOT on sale.)

[/luggagepedantry]
posted by mdonley at 11:02 PM on April 20, 2007