Backpacks are often the best option for traveling without the need for checking a bag. We take all of our travel backpacks on trips before we review them so we can show you what we like & dislike about each bag.
We carry a backpack on virtually all of our flights, so we have had the opportunity to try out a number of bags over the years. In this section, our team shares our likes & dislikes about the backpacks that we travel with.
My very first travel backpack was an expandable bag from a now-defunct company. I’ve always appreciated the versatility afforded by such a bag, so you can imagine my excitement when a new bag company reached via Instagram to let me know they had a pre-production sample of a yet-to-be-launched expandable backpack that needed to be […]
Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack (25L+5L) Review Read More »
I have traveled with a number of Timbuk2 products over the years, and their line of custom Prospect bags always intrigue me. In addition to my custom Prospect messenger bag, Timbuk2 offers two fully customizable options: a standard-size 22L backpack and the smaller 12L Mini Prospect. Most of my travel backpacks are between 20-40 liters,
Timbuk2 Custom Mini Prospect Backpack Review Read More »
As travel begins to ramp up this year, it is time to dust off your luggage and start planning your next trips. Now is a great time to take a good hard look at your current travel gear and ask yourself: “does my current baggage suit my future travel plans?” If you are unsure, allow your
5 Reasons Why Your Next Carry-on Bag Should Be A Travel Backpack Read More »
Topo Designs has been crafting gear for outdoors lovers for over 10 years from their base in Colorado, and their colorful designs inspired a cult following across the country. The Topo Designs Rover Pack has served as the basis for a number of different brand collaborations & product design spin-offs over the years. Today, we
Topo Designs Rover Pack Classic Review Read More »
Picture yourself traveling through Europe with no internet access, no smartphone, and nothing more than a paperback guide book. Hard to imagine? Countless Americans were able to accomplish this thanks to the efforts of Rick Steves. Regarded as one of America’s foremost experts on European travel, Rick Steves’ travel empire encompasses more than just guidebooks:
Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on Review Read More »
The Standby With Me team and Timbuk2 have something in common: we both have roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is no secret that we have a sort of affinity for the small bike messenger company that grew into a global leader of travel & tech gear. When we stumbled across the Blink
Timbuk2 Blink Pack Review Read More »
A high-quality carry-on bag is the most essential piece of travel gear in a frequent flyer’s quiver. For the vast majority of travelers, I firmly believe that a well-made backpack is superior to a wheeled carry-on bag or a shoulder-slung duffel. 25-liter backpacks fall into the Goldilocks zone of bags because they strike a perfect
Topo Designs Klettersack 25L Backpack Review Read More »
The Timbuk2 Bruce Pack is a striking backpack. It is big, it is heavy, and it was designed to be the ultimate bike commuting backpack. However, it’s large main compartment, waterproof exterior, and carry-on compliant size got us thinking. Could the Timbuk2 Bruce Pack bag also be the ultimate carry-on bag, too? Today, we review
Timbuk2 Bruce Pack Review Read More »
Herschel’s modern take on the rucksack that prioritizes form over function. Herschel knows a thing or two about making stylish bags. Every bag they produce is meticulously designed to look and feel great. The white Herschel Supply Co. tag that adorns all of their bags announces to the world that its wearer cares a great
Herschel Little America Backpack 25L Review Read More »
A modern duffel bag made of recycled materials for the traveler who appreciates functionality without the fluff. Millican produces their Miles The Duffle Bag in two separate sizes: a smaller 28L bag and a larger 40L bag (both of which are spec’d to be carry-on compliant). This bag is simple & straightforward: one cavernous interior
Millican Miles The Duffle Bag 28L Review Read More »
