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With horror stories of absolute meltdowns in checked bag areas across the country, it’s no wonder travelers are jittery over sending their precious luggage off onto that bag belt to nowhere. Will it make it on the plane? Will it be lost in a sea of Samsonites somewhere far, far away? Will it be adrift in suburban purgatory? Seasoned jetsetters know rule number one: keep your bag with you at all times. But with airlines making sure every seat is occupied, unless you’re boarding with the first few groups, there’s a possibility your carry-on-approved rollerboard/rollaboard (yes, they’re both right) will get gate checked. And now you get to worry about your bag with all of the other jamokes.
There’s a solution to your travel dilemma to head off trouble: a travel backpack. Yes, we are suggesting you fit everything you need into one bag. And you can do it if you’re going overnight, for a long weekend, or traveling a week or longer. You just need to know how to pack. (We will help you with that, too.) We looked for options that were user-friendly, versatile, and easy on the eye.
Things to consider
Pack light: The perfect pack is when you get home from a trip and realize every article of clothing, every lotion or tincture, every pair of socks were worn or used. It’s as coveted as hitting an even dollar figure when you’re gassing up a car. If you’re traveling with just a backpack, that’s a must-do. Yes, you may even have to choose between your new favorite shirt jacket and travel blazer. Be ruthless and think about what you need and what you can get away with. Doing this in the summertime is inherently easier. Thinner clothing! But if you’re going on the road for a while, be prepared to do laundry, so pack items that aren’t dry clean only.
Footwear fanatics, time for a reality check: You know this already, but they’re a compact packing killer. If you can get away with one pair on your back plus the ones on your feet, that’s great, and you might like a pack with a dedicated shoe pocket. Better yet, is there any way you can survive with the ones on your feet? We get it, if there’ll be an upscale night out, you probably can’t swing white sneakers only. But if your trip verges more on cultural expedition, here’s a pro-tip: bring on the socks. Layering socks is a great way to have the same kicks be viable for hot and cold weather in the same travel span.
Forget bells and whistles: If you seldom travel with a laptop, you probably don’t need a bag with a laptop sleeve. If you’re lost without a water bottle, you might want to opt for a pack with an outer pocket (no shame in a carabiner, either). Do you dread schlepping through the airport? Simpler bags tend to have less weight to begin with. The point being: all of the accouterments in the world don’t matter if you won’t use them. Be discerning. Buying a well-made product means it’ll go the distance and you’ll have it for years. Might as well love it.
The pros and cons of packing cubes: Yes, they are space-saving, especially if you opt for the compression kind. (These Thule ones use ripstop nylon to prevent tears.) And it’s certainly helpful if you’re fitting a lot of clothing into a small bag. But as you choose a bag, consider how you’ll Tetris them all in. Some bags love being modular, some aren’t as into it. One universal idea is to use smaller cubes over bigger ones. You can sometimes fit them into spaces better. And if your trip has multiple locations with different clothing requirements, divide up the packing cubes so you don’t have to unpack and repack at every stop. Remember to stuff clothing in unused spaces outside of the cubes. Socks go in shoes. Running clothes pack well into corners.
Don’t bank on carry-on: Gate check is real. Be prepared. Have your most valuable items stored separately, ideally in something like a cross-body bag: wallet, passport, meds, phone, charger and cords, other valuables. A lightweight canvas bag that takes up hardly any space is great to stash your laptop, book or e-reader, and headphones. And having a luggage tracker like an Apple AirTag on your bag can’t hurt if your backpack’s headed for the belly of the plane.
Bigger isn’t always better: The typical carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches on domestic flights, and can be even smaller for international routes. (It’s not standard across airlines, so check with your individual carrier before you jet.) Most backpacks give volume in liters, so if you’re in doubt, check the technical specifications for the actual dimensions.
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Best travel backpack for frequent travelers
Best travel backpack made from recycled fabrics
Best travel backpack with compartments
Best lightweight travel backpack
Best structured heavyweight travel backpack
Best versatile travel backpack
Best travel backpack with wheels
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