If you are not hauling a computer or iPad - this is a good urban day pack. I am currently using my old civita around NYC. The basic colors are subdued and don’t draw attention. The basic look “states” I don’t have enough money to be worth robbing.
Just enough organization to be functional and comfortable. Easily holds cell phone, snacks, plastic water bottles, first aid kit with extras, map, and light coat.
Easy to carry/comfortable. Squishes down flat - so easy to pack. It’s a keeper.
Stan uses his as his day pack in Europe, and would agree with your assessment. And they last! I think we've had ours since 2009, and they've had a real workout since then, Stan's especially.
My husband has been using his since 2006, not just for traveling but he used to take it to work daily until he retired a few years ago. It’s still going strong.
Thanks for the responses!
Now, Rick Steves just needs to make an “under seat” backpack 🎒 to complete my travel system. For Frontier I used: Patagonia lightweight tote pack, RS neck wallet, RS Civita backpack, RS large packing cube. I could have used my Patagonia bag as my day bag and left the civita at home. But, it’s brightly colored and draws attention. I wish I had purchased a more subdued color instead.
(Note: I already submitted my idea for an underseat bag to the RS company.)
What about the Appenzell or Ravenna backpacks?
Frank II, the Great
I had a previous thread on underseat bags. My daughter is using the Appenzell as her airplane underseat bag. I emailed RS company about my idea of a modified Appenzell for underseat packing. Let’s give Rick and his team a couple of years to design, develop, and produce this bag. Who knows? Maybe I will be sent a free one for my idea! 😉
I use the Appenzell as my main travel bag; it seems too big for a day pack to me. It does fit under the seat, though, if you don't cram it full.
Jane,
I agree with what you said about Appenzell. It can, indeed, be used as a large family day pack. The problem is, as you stated, “cram it full.” When used as a one week bag with no laundry - it is crammed full. The shape makes it bulge out too much to fit in sizer boxes. It needs to be squared off and modified to work better as an underseat bag.
Sun-baked, I did think of that (family or small group day pack,) after I posted.
We usually put our Appenzells in the overhead compartment, but on one recent flight the overheads were full. We managed to squeeze my bag in - or rather, the cabin attendant did, but that left us with two personal items and one Appenzell to stow. I took the two small bags, so I could maneuver room to stretch my legs out, and Stan was able to fit his Appenzell, a bit less “fluffy” than mine, under the seat with room to spare.
