NY Mag Article on Best Carry-on Backpacks

Thanks for sharing.

Interesting list, and I want every single one! :-) Ha ha, JK. But I did notice that the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is listed at the top, which makes me happy. I do like that bag a lot, and will be taking it with me on a 3 week road trip this summer. But that Osprey looks pretty nice, too (sigh).

And Jean’s 35L Cotopaxi is the winner. I’ve noticed in these sort of best of articles it frequently comes out on top. I almost wish I was a backpack girl, instead of a 2 wheel roller devotee.

Thanks for sharing VAP!

I have the Patagonia Mini MLC and really love it. I tried the Cotopaxi Allpa but it was a bit too long for my torso, so sat weird. The Patagonia waist belt fit me better too. Love the Cotopaxi colors!

The Osprey Fairview and Farpoint bags are also excellent for trips that involve baggage transfers or rougher handling --think safaris, trains, or boats.

Interesting, thank you. I was surprised at how many of the bags were really small, 30 and 35 liters. In my opinion, 40liters is the perfect size if you are going to be away for more than a week. It is big enough to pack a weeks worth of cloths and still light enough to lift up into an overhead bin. I have a Hynes Eagle 40L and absolutely adore it.

Yeah, the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L is the winner! I do love that backpack!

I’ve given it a thorough test these past two years. Last year I took it for my month trip in England, Wales, Slovenia & Croatia. This year it went with me for three weeks in Spain in February, and a month in Italy in May. I switched locations ten times by train or bus in Italy before coming home for an emergency, so the advantages of it really stood out.

Some of the features I like:

• The top front zipper area is perfect for my raincoat with an inner mesh zipper spot for other items. I store my nightgown there, too.
• The clamshell design makes it easy to keep everything organized. I just use a small Cotopaxi packing cube for my underwear and a long, skinny one for my scarves; otherwise, the mesh dividers hold the rest of my clothes adequately.
• Because it’s divided in half with the clamshell and mesh areas, everything is visible.
• I like the laptop area to store my iPad mini & my folder of papers.
• There’s a secret small zipper spot where I like to store my earrings and necklace.
• The backpack is surprisingly comfortable. The waist/hip belt is essential to making it very comfortable. It always feels heavy the first time it’s packed, but during the trip, there’s no problem.. I am typically walking to/from train stations into the historical centers with no issue walking 5-20 minutes. (I pack it at 13.5 pounds, and I am 67.)
• I really like that the outer surface feels somewhat like a thick rubbery coating. Dog hair, dirt, etc. doesn’t stick to it.
• It’s very easy to spot with other luggage in a bus hold, for instance.
• In general, the backpack design is easier to get through train stations - up/down stairways, street curbs, etc. I was waiting occasionally for my husband to catch up in Spain.

Disadvantages:

It’s kept me from shopping early during a trip. It’s not a Mary Poppins bag. If you like to shop, you wouldn’t want this backpack. I tend to look for something to bring home, if anything, towards the end of my trip.

I almost wish I was a backpack girl, instead of a 2 wheel roller devotee.

Lyndash, I do love the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (and yes, Jean enabled that purchase, lol!), but I don't use it when I go to Europe. I like my spinner for that. But it's great for road trips when you have a car, and I will be taking it with me this summer when I head to Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio for 3 weeks to visit family.

"I almost wish I was a backpack girl, instead of a 2 wheel roller devotee."

"It’s kept me from shopping early during a trip."

Get both? Well that was atleast my solution. It's easy traveling light with a backpack, but I enjoy buying books and various other souvenirs. I'll check an empty hardshell on the way over and bring it home full.