If I wanted a travel backpack. . . .

Thanks Lola! It is intriguing. I've used a RS convertible and now an Osprey Farpoint 55 and have decided there is no perfect bag. I love the internal suspension and attachable daypack of the osprey bag, but it is not carryon size which is it's only downfall. I love the look of this bag, but wish they would have made a way to attach the daypack. I guess the problem really is that I'm trying to carry too much:( We do lots of hiking and biking so love to have a daypack with a hydration sleeve also. For now I'll stick with my Farpoint and check it:(

3# 7oz ! No thanks.

My eTech 2.0 Weekender Jr. has more features I want and only weighs 2# 11oz (even that is heavy to me. I only bought the extra weight to get cinch straps).

Ah, Lee, I knew you would find that too heavy. But I do not---weight-bearing exercise is good for my old bones. ;-). I don't have enough weight of my own, so enjoy lugging around extra-heavy backpacks.

By the time I load my daypack with the stuff I need for hiking (boots, etc.), my ipad, travel papers and maps, etc. it weighs 15#. And then my filled rollerbag is 22#. But I need all that to fully enjoy our trip and be comfortable, both at the opera and in the mountains while trekking. Just a different travel style. . . .

I've been looking fondly at the Osprey Porter 30 @ 2½#.

Osprey is good at lightweight stuff. My husband loves his Osprey Ozone roller bag. And I bought Osprey childncarriers for my grandchildren---they are practically weightless---until the child gets in it.

NEW Osprey Porter 30l or 46l is available only at REI. Improvements include the following:
- stands upright
- laptop compartment at the back instead of the front
- shoulder straps independent of hip belt

Looks nice!

Cotapaxi is definitely thoughtfully designed, but I don't like the exterior plasticy type side. I realize it is for water resistance, but not very plyable. Nice waist belts, but yes...the weight.
I have a luggage graveyard downstairs. Never a perfect bag and I seem to always seem to have 'new luggage' on my research pre-travel list :-(

The Cotopaxi looks like an "up and coming" bag. Issues are cost and weight. If the cost is higher because laborers are paid decently, then I would want to know that and be supportive. I don't think it is any more durable than an Ebags backpack. It is not waterproof due to zippers and still requires a raincover. Backpack rain covers can be purchased cheaply depending on brand. Mine is called something like blue shield and comes in a variety of colors and sizes. My ebags pack and RS rolling carry-on both have water resistant material that works when splashed. Not sure about a downpour though. Neither one has the shiny, plastic look of Cotopaxi.

I can't tell from the pictures if it has a waist belt or torso range adjustment. Even a small backpack can be heavily loaded, so for me that would be a deal breaker.

I looked at the website more closely. Seems like this company is trying hard to be socially responsible in a few ways. Made in Phillipines. There is a padded waist belt. The part over the hip area is padded. Then, the waist belt becomes an adjustable web strap around the front. The open book style with mesh compartments is similar to LL Bean Continental Travel Pack. There are definitely some pluses here. I think the dimensions may be a little too big for me personally.
My main concern about this bag is compression. When I look at the photos of the model walking around with it, the bag appears bulging outward with no way to compress/cinch this bag on its own. I would have to purchase separate compression straps for it. Plus, the model is most likely taller than me which would only make my load situation worse. Overall, I do like this bag and would seriously consider it if I needed luggage.

i can not speak to this backpack. but i wanted to caution you about these indiegogo companies. i spent a small fortune on two Bobby anti-theft backpacks. the straps never held. no matter how many times I contacted the company, all they did was refer me to a you tube video that did not solve the problem. in addition, the backpack was enormous. When i finally received the backpack and was able to try it on, they told me they were selling a smaller version and I could BUY another backpack. mind you, this was after i told them about the straps. no refunds. no exchanges. i am stuck with two useless backpacks. just keep in mind that you have no recourse if the backpack doesn't work. i would go with Amazon or another well established company.

Thanks for the word of caution. Same is true of home shopping network. I am not familiar with indiegogo. Looks like a place for funding new businesses. If I want a similar pack - I can go with the LLBean one.

Have to chime in about the "indiegogo" and other crowdfunding sites. They're all over Facebook, etc., and are decidedly mixed in terms of performance. My wife and I purchased the Baux travel coats from their crowdfunding site and were extremely disappointed with fit (they run about TWO sizes too small, if you can believe that!). Even worse was customer service, which was nonexistent. Much better to deal with established retailers like RS, eBags, or Amazon.

As for the subject at hand, I purchased the Osprey Porter 30L backpack, and have been largely satisfied, though I tend to prefer wheeled carryons. It's fine for a few days' worth of stuff with careful packing, but be careful with overpacking unless you are of a size and stamina that will handle it. I also purchased the Daylite Plus that attaches to the Porter and several other Osprey packs, but carrying the two together is extremely awkward for me. I feel like I'm carrying a steamer trunk on my back and worry about giving someone a concussion in a crowded space. So I use them separately.

The nice thing about Osprey products is that you can check out and field test them at REI if you have one within a reasonable distance. While I love the convenience of Amazon Prime and other retailers like RS, it's great to be able to actually check a product in person.

For the record, while crowdfunding Indiegogo products can be obviously varying in quality, Cotapaxi is a really good company that makes high quality gear. ( I own one of their duffels). I particularly love the way they donate a percentage of their profits to world charities, and the way they use remnants and scraps of fabric (very high-quality mind you) to keep these out of the waste stream, the result being very (randomly!) colorful, well thought out, long lasting gear. Makes me happy. Meanwhile I will definitely give a shout out to Osprey. Very solid very well-designed light weight gear.

PS - there is no perfect bag! Luckily I didn't spend all of my life savings discovering that, ha ha! But there are a lot of nice ones that work very well for our travels!

Just got back from Rick Steven Best Of Switzerland tour! My husband and both carried the Osprey Porter 46L backpacks. We packed nice and light and moving about from bus to hotel to trains was problem! It was our first time just carrying backpacks and we loved it! We also had a small personal item. I had a cross body bag and my husband had a lightweight messenger type cross body bag. It is the only way to travel!

Just got back from Rick Steven Best Of Switzerland tour! My husband and both carried the Osprey Porter 46L backpacks. We packed nice and light and moving about from bus to hotel to trains was problem! It was our first time just carrying backpacks and we loved it! We also had a small personal item. I had a cross body bag and my husband had a lightweight messenger type cross body bag. It is the only way to travel!

Just got back from Rick Steven Best Of Switzerland tour! My husband and both carried the Osprey Porter 46L backpacks. We packed nice and light and moving about from bus to hotel to trains was problem! It was our first time just carrying backpacks and we loved it! We also had a small personal item. I had a cross body bag and my husband had a lightweight messenger type cross body bag. It is the only way to travel!

The new version of Patagonia's Black Hole 45L duffel comes with backpack straps and weighs only 1 lb 11 oz. according to ebags. I have the old version and like it very much. The handle straps are long enough I can use them in a pinch as backpack straps, at least long enough to get through an airport. I may just have to get the new version with proper backpack straps, however! :-)
Ugly colors, but very very durable and water resistant.

The Patagonia's Black Hole 45L duffel seems a winner as to features and per REI weighs one pound nine ounces. Colors? They seem OK to me, but then I'll never be accused of being fashionable.