bags

Hi Jean,

While I am not a backpack girl, I would like to suggest you take a look at Kipling bags https://www.kipling-usa.com/

They offer "backpacks" in different designs to suit almost everyone who uses a backpack.

Most are light in weight
They have a ton of pockets for easy organization.
Solid colors in neutrals and fun metallics
Easy wipe clean
Pliable material
Good zippers
Attractive
Solid back straps

I have Kipling bags that I use for travel (leather bags I have would be too heavy by end of day to travel with (walking, transporting) - since I dubb my leather bags "My Mary Poppins.")

My go to style in bags is the satchel and hobo. I really like the Kipling brand.

Kipling backpacks can be found in TJMaxx stores (especially now with "Back To School," as well as Macy's stores.

You will probably get a better deal at TJM (if you are not fussy with colors - they tend to stock solid, neutral, dark ones likes Black, Navy, Green.) Although, I have seen from time to time different colors in the bags and a metallic or two - they don't last long in the stores.

Macy's sells the standard colors plus the fun colors like the "metallics" that have been popular in the last couple of years. Macy's runs sales along with Kipling. Macy's sometimes allows an extra "percent off" coupon for even greater savings.

I don't know about the day pack RS sells on this site.

If Kipling is not your thing, try Target Stores for day packs and back packs.

jeanmwatson, are you referring to the Rick Steves Classic Back Door Bag? That is not a day pack type bag - it is a main carryon luggage bag intended to be used as your main piece of luggage. It would not be suitable for daily use as a day bag as it is much too big for that, and not designed for comfortable use as a backpack. Almost any small cheap backpack would work as a day pack.

But you're also saying one of these is in addition to a suitcase? So you're checking a suitcase as well? Assuming you've looked at all the "packing light" instructions for your tour, most people will only have a carryon and a daypack.

I would worry less about the brand than the fit, style and the size (I won't mention how many old backpacks I own or have handed on - each purchased for good reason, but not matching current needs - and none has actually ever worn out). A 15 L backpack works well, although I prefer a 20L backpack. Going to a store to check its' fit on your body comfortably is most important. Paying less will cost more in the long term if you don't. Osprey and REI are my favorite brands, but that is no guarantee without being fitted. A waist belt is optional, but my current favorite (a German Deuter 20L) has a waist belt that fits in a recess in back so it does not get in the way if I choose not to use it. A few side pockets/top pocket is great for smaller items like sunscreen or a battery pack.

You may want to think about size of the backpack paired with of the size of your carry-on bag. I have a 40L carry-on spinner and the 20L backpack. 60L is a lot of space and equal to a much larger suitcase.

The first thing I suggest you do is to check the size of your airline's allowed personal item. That size is as large as you can go if you are carrying on your suitcase. If you are checking your suitcase, then you are not restricted to the size of the personal item...but two carryon suitcase sized items would be too much for me to comfortably handle out of the airport, and overkill on packing size. I often check my RS wheeled carryon size bag and carry on a small travelon backpack 12x16x6 as that is BA's personal items size limit. The fact that my wheeled bag(suitcase) is also carryon size allows me to check or not to check on the fly, depending on my situation and the line at check in. However, it would be much easier for me to have a larger wheeled bag, which I check, and a personal item sized second bag, than two equal sized carryon size. I hope my ramblings here are clear enough.

I made this short video to discuss pros and cons of my bags
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GB7kgmecNY

I've been on the Village Italy tour. You'll have a blast, but keep in mind that, as all the tours warn, you may have to walk farther than you expect carrying or dragging your luggage. It's amazing how heavy even carry-on bags get when you go up or down inclines or stairs.

I keep my wheeled carry-on to a maximum of 20 lbs. This is the Eagle Creek one I used for Village Italy, Best of Scandinavia and a self-planned 6 weeks in the UK. As you can see by the link, it's no longer available from Amazon, but you can check Eagle Creek for similar bags.

I like the U-shaped handle because you can use a cross-body bag similar to this Baggallini hobo tote, put the sleeve over the handle, and wheel around to your heart's content. That's your 2 items.

After many experiments, I've currently settled on a small Baggallini cross-body purse like this which will fit in the hobo tote.

This summer I went even smaller with an Eagle Creek international roller similar to this. But with the T-shaped handle, a sleeved tote won't work. I used this very light Sea to Summit cross-body bag. My little Baggallini purse fits fine in it, too. I also used this very light Sea to Summit backpack for the normal things people put in backpacks on tour. I do not put anything of any value in it and continue to wear my little cross-body purse under it.

I have the talent to over-fill any cross-body bag or backpack, making it uncomfortable on my 73-year-old shoulders. After using the cool Sea to Summit bags I can vouch that they are not as comfortable as heavier ones with padded straps.

I settled on these two bags which are lightweight, affordable and Ryanair compliant. I have an old backpack bag that weigh 1.5 pounds more. I'd rather that weight go to belongings, so we will be trying these two soon:

CabinMax Metz: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LZP9EK6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 around $39

CabinZero: https://www.cabinzero.com/products/classic-44l-ultra-light-cabin-bag around $79

CabinMax has more compartments and zippers. CabinZero seems sturdier. Neither are true backpacking bags but adequate for a RS tour. similar to the bags sold at RS store.

As they say - your mileage may vary.

What kind of suitcase are you planning on bringing? Many use the Classic back door bag for their only suitcase along with a much smaller day bag or purse. Of course, your trip, your choice.

I've switched to a rolling bag now but when I did Village Italy I was using the Convertible Back door bag for my main luggage and used a LeSportSac Everyday cross body bag. When I do a tour I do have a "bus bag" which is either a small tote or smaller day pack.

To me Rick's Classic backdoor bag which is 21 x 14 x 9 is way too big to use as a day bag and too big as a bus bag. I used his Veloce bag for a few years for a bus bag but have transitioned away from it. For me it feels too wide when stashed under the airplane seat so have gone to something that is skinnier and allows more room for my feet.

My daughter likes this small backpack. She had it with us on our trip to England and I was amazed the amount of stuff she put in there - jacket, water bottle, guide books, my sweater :) Plus, it had several neat pockets.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015OFQIS8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like a cross body purse that is about 10x11x2. It holds my sweater rolled up, a water bottle, RS guide book, sunglasses and small wallet.

My whole family travels with the RS classic back door bag as our main suit case. Love it!