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Review of Rick Steves Appenzell Backpack

I have used this for years. Here’s my opinion. Comfortable straps, durable. Good pocket organization. (iPad fits easily in the Velcro slip pocket on the inside, against the padded back.). Makes a good travel bag for youth. For adults: 3 - 4 days worth of clothes provided that there is no footwear packed or bulky jackets. Minimal style packing. Maximum sized airline under-seat bag. Works for Frontier airlines, etc..

Good daypack for a family of 3 - 4.

Hope this helps with the Holiday shopping happening now.

I also have an older Patagonia lightweight tote pack that was recommended by another RS poster. It makes a good airline under seat bag as well for the same reasons above.

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6265 posts

I've used my Appenzell as my main travel bag for years and love it. It's called a day bag on the website, but I pack it with clothes for 3 - 4 days, as Sun-baked said, as well as one pair of shoes, a (very) light jacket, all our OTC medications and supplements, a windbreaker, and whatever else we remember at the last minute. On the way home, I often have some of Stan's clothes as well, because he usually carries whatever gifts or souvenirs we have purchased.

The straps are very comfortable. The bag fits under most airline seats, but I usually put it in the overhead compartment, and put my smaller "personal item" under the seat. I think I've traveled with this bag for 12 or 13 years, and it still looks brand new.

Highly recommended.

Oh, Stan bought one a couple of years ago, and the pockets are different. One of the shallower pockets on the front of my bag is much deeper on his. I don't think he's carried his on a trip yet, so I don't know if that is an improvement or not. I prefer the configuration of mine, but I haven't tried the other.