Preparing for an adventure requires selecting the proper clothing for varying weather and activities, such as rain gear or breathable fabrics, to ensure comfort and safety. Protecting your electronics with durable cases and packing enough nutritious food and hydrating beverages are also crucial for a successful journey. Choosing the best bag for your trip is crucial; with so many options available, it can feel overwhelming. Start by outlining your adventure details, including the type of trip, expected weather, and the items you need to carry.
How to Choose the Best Bag for Your Trip?
With quality in mind, consider these additional factors:
- Water Resistance – Water resistance is essential for keeping your gear dry in rain or snow, significantly improving comfort and convenience. A water-resistant bag keeps your belongings dry, letting you enjoy your adventure worry-free. This added peace of mind lets you enjoy your trip, knowing your essentials are safe from unexpected weather.
- Different Compartments – Having multiple compartments in your bag simplifies your adventures by keeping your gear organized and easily accessible. With dedicated pockets for items like maps, snacks, and first-aid kits, you avoid the hassle of searching through a cluttered bag. This feature ensures quick access to essentials, making your trip smoother and more efficient.
- Size – Select a bag size appropriate for your trip. A compact 20-liter bag is sufficient for essentials for day trips or short adventures. For longer journeys or carrying more gear, a larger 120-liter bag provides ample space. Selecting the suitable size balances capacity and mobility, ensuring you stay organized and your travels smoothly.
- Padding – Padding is crucial for long-term backpack use, especially during hikes. Well-padded shoulder straps and a cushioned hip belt help distribute weight evenly, reducing strain and enhancing comfort. A well-padded bag makes carrying easier and lets you focus on your adventure without constant adjustments.
- Durability – Durability is essential for adventure bags, especially in harsh conditions. A robust bag withstands inclement weather and rough terrain, keeping your gear protected and the bag intact. Choosing a durable bag ensures it can withstand outdoor activities, offering peace of mind that it will endure nature’s challenges.
Which Bag Is Best for Your Needs?
With so many options available, choosing the right bag depends on your needs and adventure type. Consider what you’ll carry and how you’ll use the bag to ensure it fits perfectly. Whether a quick day trip or a longer journey, selecting the right bag is essential for comfort and organization. A well-matched bag will enhance your experience, allowing you to focus on your trip rather than dealing with unsuitable gear.
Bags for Short Day Trips
For short day trips, day packs in the 20 to 40-liter range and hiking bags from 45 to 75 liters offer ample space for essentials. A hydration pack with a built-in reservoir is an excellent choice if you need something more compact. These packs keep you hydrated and include extra pockets for small items like keys and a wallet, making your adventure more convenient and enjoyable.
Bags for Big Adventures
For big adventures, travel packs are your go-to choice. These bags can protect your gear and offer ample storage space, making them perfect for extensive trips or extra room for snow gear. They come in various sizes, up to 80 liters, ensuring enough capacity for all your essentials.
Many travel packs also feature an added daypack, which can be attached for added convenience. This makes it easy to have a smaller, accessible bag for day trips or quick outings while keeping your main gear secure and organized.
Casual Bags
Even if you’re not trekking or hiking, duffle bags are versatile for casual needs like overnight stays or carrying sports gear. They offer ample space and durability in sizes from 30 to 120 liters. Many can also convert into backpacks for added convenience, making them adaptable and stylish for various situations.
Storage Bags
Whether traveling for a day or a year, storage bags are essential for keeping your gear organized and protected. From packing cells with separate compartments to toiletry and dry bags, these storage solutions keep your belongings safe and dry. With the right advice, finding the best bag for your trip is straightforward. Mountain Designs provides a wide range of options to suit any adventure.
The Best Travel Backpacks
Best Day Backpacks
These smaller packs are crucial for city exploration and daily use, starting with day backpacks. Even if you travel with a suitcase, a day pack is handy for keeping personal items on the plane and carrying essentials like water, cameras, and a jacket while exploring. Let’s explore the options available.
Osprey Talon 22
The Osprey Talon 22 is like a Swiss Army Knife of backpacks, featuring a range of practical elements from extra pockets in the shoulder straps to a hydration reservoir. Its standout features include a robust hip belt and sternum straps that offer significant load-bearing support, making it ideal for skiing, biking, and kayaking. The pack’s Airscape breathability ensures comfort and minimal sweat, making it versatile for various adventures.
Pros:
- Practical hip belt and sternum straps
- Comfortable for biking
- Fits under airplane seats
Cons:
- Slightly small for laptops
- Relatively pricey per litre
Patagonia Black Hole Tote
Patagonia’s ultra-light bag, made from 100% recycled nylon, is highly versatile. Carry it by hand, sling it over your shoulder, or pack it into your luggage. It holds 27 liters when opened, which is ideal for city outings. Tuck away the shoulder straps to use it as a tote. Despite its lightness, Patagonia ensures durability with an eco-friendly design. While it lacks a hip belt and suspension system, the zippered exterior pocket makes it a perfect minimalist carry-on, securely holding your essentials.
Pros:
- Expands up to 27 liters for extra storage
- Offers three versatile carrying options
- Includes water bottle pockets and laptop storage
Cons:
- Lacks frame support
- The main compartment can be challenging to organize
Fjällräven Ulvö
The Ulvö backpack shines with its durable Bergshell material. It features a top-tier 400D rating that ensures excellent weather protection, keeping your electronics safe during unexpected rain. The iconic fox logo is a favorite among high-end travelers, highlighting this popular backpack’s value.
Committed to sustainability, the brand focuses on reducing its carbon footprint by crafting long-lasting travel backpacks. Made with two layers of recycled nylon yarn, these bags provide exceptional tear resistance. There is no need to compromise—this bag delivers style and function.
Pros:
- Surprisingly water-resistant
- Scratch-proof recycled materials
- Stable enough for running
Cons:
- Higher price for the brand name
- Limited exterior pockets
Best Backpack for Long-Term Travel
A larger backpack is essential for travelers who prefer carrying all their gear on their back rather than in a suitcase. These high-quality options are designed to keep your gear secure and your back comfortable on long journeys.
Gregory Paragon 58
For travelers who prefer carrying all their gear on their back, the Gregory Paragon 58 is an ideal choice. This spacious, top-loading backpack can handle up to forty pounds and features multiple zippered access points, making it easy to reach items at the bottom without unpacking. You can attach extras like solar panels or sleeping pads with six external pockets and various connectors. Its reinforced waist belt and free-float suspension system ensure comfort by distributing weight effectively. This durable, affordable backpack with a rain cover is perfect for extended travel.
Pros:
- Reinforced carrying straps
- Affordable price
- It comes with a daypack
Cons:
- Not very water-resistant without the rain fly
- The daypack is just a drawstring
Matador Travel Pack
The Matador Travel Pack is a lightweight, minimalist backpack designed for travelers who prefer a single bag. With built-in packing cubes and a segmented interior, this 40L pack effectively transforms into a portable closet. It is among the largest carry-on compliant bags and features an exterior laptop compartment for easy access during flights.
Ideal for those aiming to minimize their luggage, it offers five compartments and quick access pockets for streamlined packing and security checks. However, it’s less suited for long walks, and some users have noted that the storage compartments can occasionally overlap.
Pros:
- Five storage compartments
- Durable with waterproofing
- Multiple carrying options
Cons:
- Not ideal for extended walking
- Potential overlap of storage compartments
REI Trailbreak 60
The REI Trailbreak 60 is a budget-friendly hiking backpack known for its versatility and value. This pack is designed to accommodate a range of body sizes and adjust as you grow more accustomed to your gear. It has a spacious main compartment, numerous stash pockets, and a large top lid for additional storage.
Ideal for new and experienced hikers alike, the REI Trailbreak offers an excellent return policy, allowing you to test it out with minimal risk. However, it has limited special features and only includes one large main compartment.
Pros:
- The most affordable option on our list
- Adjustable fit for various body types
- Excellent return policy
Cons:
- Few special features
- Single large main compartment
Best Carry-on Backpack for Travel
After 13 years of full-time travel, we’ve found carry-on luggage the best option. Unless we’re heading for a serious hike or a winter trip requiring special gear, we always opt for carry-on. It saves time and money at the airport, is easier to maneuver, and is more manageable overall. Here are our top recommendations for carry-on backpacks.
Peak Design Travel Backpack
The Peak Design Travel Backpack features a front-loading compartment that allows easy access without removing your shoulder straps, which is ideal for quickly retrieving documents. Initially known for camera gear, Peak Design now excels in the backpack market, with this bag being one of their largest and most versatile models. Award-winning for its innovative use of space, it’s designed to handle modern equipment. It is perfect for air travel and weekend trips.
Pros:
- Up to 15L of removable storage space
- Designed to accommodate modern equipment
- Suitable for a weekend trip
Cons:
- Too heavy for long walks
- It may be rejected at its largest size
Nomatic Travel Bag
The Nomatic Travel Bag is a top-notch choice for frequent travelers who need a functional and versatile carry-on. Designed with TSA guidelines in mind, it features a weather-resistant build, padded laptop and anti-theft tablet compartments, and convenient cord pass-throughs for charging devices on the go.
Additional features include a laundry bag, a shoe compartment for organization, and a secret access back panel for added security. While it excels in urban and airport settings, it’s less suited for challenging terrains.
Pros:
- Weather-resistant
- Secret access back panel
- Adapted for carry-on rules
Cons:
- Not ideal for rugged terrain
PRVKE 31
The Wandrd PRVKE 31 is designed for modern photographers and travelers who need a versatile, compact solution for carrying camera gear. It features multiple pockets, including a secret back panel for sensitive documents, and an adjustable capacity ranging from 21 to 31 liters. The backpack includes a large water bottle pocket holding a tripod and an optional camera cube for organized gear storage.
Although it excels in functionality and weather resistance, it lacks extensive shoulder padding and waist straps, and the magnetic clasp needs to be more secure.
Pros:
- Tailored for camera equipment
- Adjustable capacity
- Weather-resistant
Cons:
- Weak magnetic clasp
- Limited shoulder strap comfort
Choosing the best bag for your trip is vital for a comfortable and efficient adventure. Look for one that’s water-resistant, has plenty of compartments for organization, and is the right size for your needs without limiting mobility. It should be well-padded for long treks and durable enough for travel. Whether after a compact daypack, a spacious model for longer trips, or a specialized camera gear bag, the best bag for your trip must be more convenient and worry-free. With options ranging from budget-friendly to feature-packed, it’s easy to find the perfect one that fits your specific preferences and enhances your journey.
