Recommendations for feather-weight carry on

Jonathan, I've been looking for a lightweight day pack I could use if I go out walking in the country somewhere and don't want to carry a purse because it can affect balance on uneven ground. As little use as it will get, it must be very light or I won't be willing to carry it around Europe.

I haven't found anything light enough (and cheap enough) yet, but I think the best I saw was an all-black backpack for about $20 at either Marshalls or TJ Maxx. If you happen to have those stores near you, you might stop in if you're not looking for serious outdoor gear.

This is what I use as my stuffable to tennis ball-sized, featherlight day pack - perfect

UltraSil Day Pack

http://www.seatosummit.com/product/?item=Ultra-Sil%26reg%3B+Day+Pack&o1=0&o2=0&o3=377-36

Why not look at Rick's Civita Backpack. It's small, inexpensive and rolls up in a ball.

If you want something smaller or that folds up into its own pouch, search for packable backpacks. There are lots out there--the sea to summit ultra sil already mentioned, Eagle Creek makes one, Herschel has a nice one......there are plenty.

As Frank II says, there's a lot of choice when it comes to packable backpacks. I suggest check ing out LL Bean's offering (which I bought some months ago but haven't used yet). It has bottle pockets and also a sternum strap. I also have a packable pack from another company and the absence of a sternum strap was annoying despite the light weight.

Eddie Bauer has a nice one, weighing in at 11oz, and it is on sale for $21.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/stowaway-packable-daypack/82302377/_/A-ebSku_0232377045__82302377_catalog10002_en__US

Comes in an assortment of colors, has a mesh water bottle pocket, and stows into its own zipper pocket.

What Lola identified.

I can recommend the New Outlander brand. I have their 20L backpack and it has served me well both as a carry on bag on airplanes and as a day hiking bag in Scotland and Canada. I plan to take it to Alaska this summer for the same purpose. It folds up into its own pocket, but I actually feel like it takes up less room simply laid out flat in my suitcase if I am not using it. It's very durable, yet lightweight and one of the things I like most about it is that the shoulder straps are good quality and even a bit padded, so it's comfortable to carry on long day hikes. Some of the packable backpacks I looked at had very thin and uncomfortable looking straps, so if that is important to you this might be a good fit.

LOL!

Regarding the Eddie Bauer daypack I suggested: I got an email from Eddie Bauer yesterday, notification that their downtown Seattle store has closed. I wonder if they are on the way out? They seemed to be selling everything at sale prices, like 40% off, on the website before Christmas. I would hate to see this longtime Seattle institution disappear-- they are one of the very few companies that makes good travel clothes in extra-small sizes.

I like the REI Flash packs. There's an 18L size and a 22L size. The bigger one looks like it has a pocket on the outside. Both can hold a hydration reservoir.

https://www.rei.com/product/892204/rei-flash-22-pack

I bought an 18-liter Flash pack when REI had them on sale. I used it once and did not care for it at all for hiking---the straps are flimsy and uncomfortable if there is any weight in the pack. So now it serves as a stuff sack for our backpacking trips.

I like the Civita daypack. It's not a great daypack, it has almost no structure, but the lack of structure also makes it very light weight and low bulk. It's easy to stuff into your larger bag when not in use. I found it works perfectly for daily carry around items, flight carry-on items and/or groceries when you go to the store.

My last trip is the first time in a long time I didn't pack the Civita, but my only bag for the two week trip was a larger daypack.