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.
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, …
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 …
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: …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
eBags refreshed their Professional Weekender bag and renamed it the Pro Slim Weekender in 2019. I have been a fan of eBags for a while: they produce quality bags at approachable prices for travelers who just want to get out into the world. We reviewed the Pro Slim Weekender after taking it on our October …
