Best travel backpack with padded waist belt

Both my husband and I were looking for a new backpack for our spring trip to the Netherlands and Belgium where we did some hiking. We both have used an Eddie Bauer 20L one in the past, but it did not have a hip belt, and after awhile it just became too uncomfortable on the back and shoulders. So he did some research and found 2 that fit the bill. Both fit into your dimension requirements and both are hydration pack ready if you want to use that feature. He used his new backpack as his carry on.
He got the Gregory Miko 20L at REI and it was comfortable from the get go. Really helped transfer the weight to his hips. The hip belt has some decent sized pockets which were pretty useful too. The inside support is somewhat stiff, which helps in the load balancing, but it definitely cannot be folded. These wider hip belts are much better than just a strap.
https://www.rei.com/product/218012/gregory-miko-20-pack-mens
The second one he liked a lot was the Patagonia Terravia Daypack 22L. It comes with a rain cover included. It does come in a S/M/L size. It is not as stiff and is somewhat foldable when empty. The hip belt pockets are a bit smaller than the Gregory.
https://www.patagonia.com/product/terravia-daypack-22-liters/196924364981.html?s_kwcid=17928&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BB_Ecomm_Shopping_ALL_WBSP_SaleKWs&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkoe9BhDYARIsAH85cDN2Ek2A4Ui3iW7C_LJjq9L1x5mKvAu3_XWDrHLwf1eVV_uN8ncoOaIaAqsKEALw_wcB
I ended up with the REI Flash backpack, which is incredibly lightweight and foldable. It also has a non padded but wide waist belt and was fine for me. https://www.rei.com/product/227953/rei-co-op-flash-22-pack

You're basically fighting two competing design limitations there.

On one hand, you have the carry on limit from airlines ~22x14x9 or whatever. That means to maximize interior packing volume, you need the closest to a 22x14x9 rectangular clamshell bag. That's 45 liters of total volume, you want to get most of that space as useful packing area.

On the other hand, a 22x14x9 rectangular box isn't comfortable on your back. You need interior and exterior construction features of the bag to distribute load evenly across your back. That construction will add weight, limit interior packing space, and if it's a hip belt, will spill massively outside the 22x14x9 box of space you're allowed. So, you need the hip belt to be detachable, and you need quality construction to spread load without a ton of weight and still giving you that clamshell packing ability.

I think there are some good options meeting those requirements at the high end (Tortuga 40L is $350), Aer is another option for like $275, but at a lower price point I think the Osprey Farpoint/fairview bags for $150 are fine.

I’ve used the Osprey Farpoint 40 for the past five years and it has an excellent waist belt. It’s probably the most comfortable carry-on backpack I’ve used. I also have the Rick Steves convertible carry-on, and it has a larger internal capacity, but the Osprey is more comfortable on my back.

A waistbelt is often desired and referred to here in "backpack" posts. Yet one does not really need one. If you keep your bag in the 20# total range there is no reason you could not carry your backpack 2km from the train station to your lodging. You are not long-distance hiking.

The best way to identify a backpack that works for you is to visit an REI store and have one of their fit experts help you. They have a large selection and weights they can put into the bag. Another commenter recommended the Farpoint/Fairview 40L, which is a very good bag. If you really need more than 40L, try the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46, whose stated dimensions fit US carryon sizing (22x14x9). This is a bag that has been around awhile (used to just be called Porter) and is likely available used via Facebook Marketplace or EBay or the like.
Sierra is another good source. Right now, they have the Eagle Creek Tour 40L for $80, but only in the S/M size, which may be their "women's" model. I'm not familiar with this bag, but it's a reputable brand.

I am happy with the Opsrey Farpoint 55 https://www.osprey.com/farpoint-55-travel-pack-farpont55f22-235 which has a very comfortable waist belt. I originally purchased the Farpoint 40 but returned it for the 55; the 40 has an internal Notebook computer compartment that wastes a lot of the room in the pack. The 50 is just a box; I use packing cubes and the internal straps to hold things in place.

One nice feature of this Osprey bag is a mesh suspended slightly away from the padded back so that you get airflow and don't end up with your back covered in sweat.

I second the above recommendation for the Osprey Sojourn Porter. I have the 46L size and just returned from my first trip with it.

I bought it because I was also in search of a pack with a good waist belt. I've used an eBags MotherLode for years and love the way it packs my stuff, but it does make my back tired when I have to do a lot of walking. I usually come in at about about 17 or 18lbs for total weight.

The Osprey was amazing. It holds as much or as little as you want it to (cinchable) and was incredibly comfortable to carry with all of the walking I did with it. It fit under the seat in front of me on the plane (barely; it's pushing the limits on that one but made it) and was great to have on the regional flight where all the carryon-size roller bags had to be checked. Even thought the Osprey measures out to the same size as the rollers, the gate agents didn't ask me to check it and it fit just fine in the overhead bin or under the seat.

I bought mine at REI, and it's a great recommendation above to go there to check out some options in person.

ETA: I had an Osprey Fairview a while ago but didn't like that it had no external pocket. I like being able to access some of my stuff in transit without having to open the main compartment. I gifted the Fairview to my daughter who loves, loves, loves it. So check options and configurations and get what works for you.

Another vote for the Osprey Porter. I've got an older model and it's great. Holds more than you'll want to pack, has enough handles and with the shoulder straps and waist belt tucked away it's easy to carry as a conventional suitcase.

As others have mentioned, go to REI, if possible, because they’re great with suggestions and know how to fit a pack to ‘your’ body. The best way to find the right travel pack for you (and I’m assuming that’s what you’re asking recommendations on versus a day pack) is to load them up with the approximate weight you think you will be packing and try them out. I switched to the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L but that’s only good for 3-4 days and fits my current needs. My daughter loves her 35L for longer travel. BUT everyone is different!

Big fan of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

The padded waist belt is removable, the utility of the bag is great, built quality is top-notch, and it fits within pretty much any EU carrier's carry-on limits as long as you don't overstuff it (I get around that using packing cubes and compression bags). It also comes with a rain cover that is handy if you end up someplace during soggy season.

I tried the Osprey and it was a close second but it didn't tick all the boxes quite as well as the Cotopaxi. It's not the cheapest but it carries a generous warranty and as I said earlier, it's built very, very well. You can also opt for more subdued color schemes with it, but I really love their "del dia" style with the more random colors of deadstock fabrics (they also tend to be slightly cheaper).

Good luck!

Hi Tom,

I love my Cotopaxi Allpa 35 liter! I just returned last night from three weeks with lots of trains in Italy, and it makes me happy that I have such a well-designed pack (former engineer). The half&half clamshell with the mesh main pockets mean I only use one small packing cube for my underwear. I have found my sweet spot for carrying weight on my back is 15 pounds, so I bring 13-14 packed for flexibility if I want to bring home a souvenir. I have a blue one with black sides & back.

The waist/hip belt makes a big improvement even at the 14 pounds. It balances everything better on my body, and I can feel the difference without it because there’s times for ease that I snap the belt closed behind my back, waiting in line at the airport, etc. and just the shoulder area is supporting the weight. At my age of late 60’s, I aim for being as kind to my body as possible when traveling.

I agree with others; try different options at stores & see what fits you the best.

And just an observation - I rarely see another Cotopaxi in Europe but when I do, I ask them how they like theirs. The answers are always very positive & usually describing some of the features they especially love. I’ve used mine for at least three years now for multiple trips a year to Europe, 2-4 weeks long.

Be sure to check the used section at REI. Today I saw an REI Ruckpack 40L for <$75 (regularly $159) and a black Cotopaxi Allpa 42L for about $120 (regularly $250). Both appeared to without defects, just returned.

I've been traveling with my Osprey Fairview 40L for two years now, and I love it. One point that I don't think has been mentioned is that they have models that are specially sized for women with an adjustable torso length - I'm short and I really appreciate that, along with the waist belt. I traveled for 20+ years with an Eagle Creek that I also loved, but it lacked a waist belt. This is a revelation! Also, they have "load lifter" straps to take additional weight off your shoulders. Got it at REI.